Important news...

Within the context of interprovincial cooperation, our Province asked Fr. Bernard Cantin, administrator of the vice province of Africa, to send two confreres to continue our parish ministry at Havre St. Pierre and at Ste. Rose of Lima. As this has been in the proceedings since last June, a number of people had given up hope of ever seeing them arrive. But after two days of intense negotiations lately by Fr. Bernard with the Canadian immigration authorities in Abidjan, they obtained their visas on April 10 and arrived in Montreal on April 24. After spending a few days in Quebec City, one left for Ste. Rose to assist Fr. Louis Antoine Lachance and the other was off to Havre St. Pierre to assume the responsibility of pastor.

Fr. Jean-Marie Akoum was born on May 6, 1959 and was ordained to the priesthood on May 21 1989. He will replace Fr. Robert Berger. For the moment his address and telephone number are those of Fr. Berger. He will probably have a private phone later . . .

Fr. Allain-Gérard Essan was born on November 24, 1972 and was ordained to the priesthood on December 20, 2003. He will be assistant pastor at Ste. Rose. For the moment his address and telephone number are those of Fr. Lachance.

In the name of the Province of North America I wish them welcome to our Province and great success in their new mission. If I am to judge by the welcome they have received from the community in Charlesbourg during these last days, I have every reason to believe that the welcome by the parishioners will have them forget the cold Canadian weather and the warm African weather. As of now they are entitled to all the rights and privileges of members of the Province of North America.

Also in the name of the Province, I have send to the council of the vice province of Africa a word of thanks for this precious support for the ministry in the diocese of Baie-Comeau and the archdiocese of Gatineau.

Raymond Vaillancourt, CJM