Dear Friends and Supporters of the Rebuilding Our Church Campaign,
Grace and peace to all of you. I am writing with a brief update.
First, though, I’d like to begin with my heartfelt thanks. Over 75 of you redirected or topped up your campaign donations to give a substantial boost to our archdiocese’s TRC Healing Response Fund. Since last summer, the TRC Healing Response Fund has received $720,000, and over $430,000 of that was given by Campaign donors. I am deeply grateful. I received a note from the head of communications for the CCCB who noted that we are really leading the country in our efforts in this regard; that is largely thanks to yourselves.
This fund will form part of our $2M commitment to healing and reconciliation over 5 years: https://archregina.sk.ca/news/2022/02/02/archdiocese-regina-truth-and-reconciliation-healing-initiatives
Our efforts are part of the larger picture in Canada. The CCCB has released more details of the national $30M financial commitment here: https://archregina.sk.ca/news/2022/01/28/canada%E2%80%99s-bishops-announce-indigenous-reconciliation-fund-support-projects-across
I am also glad to be able to let you know that the Indigenous Delegation to Rome, which was delayed from December due to Covid, will now be taking place in late March of this year: https://archregina.sk.ca/news/2022/02/01/canadian-bishops-assembly-first-nations-m%C3%A9tis-national-council-and-inuit-tapiriit . I am privileged to be accompanying the delegation and hope that it will be an important step in moving forward in a good way.
Our Campaign Cabinet is working to develop an updated plan for the Rebuilding Our Church Campaign. The needs it was meant to address remain: Holy Rosary Cathedral needs repair and restoration, and our move from the current Pastoral Centre building is imminent. We trust that the way forward will become clearer in the coming weeks. And we will keep you informed as we proceed.
In the meantime, I ask God’s blessings on your families, your work and your health.
Peace,
Archbishop Don Bolen