Tuesday, 17 August 2010 20:50
Most of us refer to our local bishop as the shepherd of his flock, tending to the spiritual needs of his community. Yet the life of a bishop is certainly unique - depending on where one is assigned, the challenges can certainly be considered shall we say, diverse.
Above you'll find one of my favorite Canadian bishops brandishing a chainsaw. (I think I can safely say I've never written that line before and don't expect to ever again). Bishop Gary Gordon, diocese of Whitehorse, Yukon. Catholic Population: 8,150. Four diocesan priests and five religious priests serve 20 parishes and missions along with four religious sisters. One key point I forgot to mention: the geographic area of the diocese is the size of the entire country of France.
So let's keep this all in mind while remembering that much of the terrain is accessible only by airplane (or snowmobile in winter) and that Bishop Gordon's predecessor was killed flying his own airplane to a service in the diocese. And we sometimes complain if the local pastor is away for the week? Reality check.
We're used to seeing our bishops in their spiritual vestments but the shots above are among my faves. A bishop in action and evangelizing at the same time - using his chainsaw to boot. You see, the Diocese of Whitehorse determined that it needed a new home for the bishop and so it was decided that one would be constructed with the community playing a critical role in the "sweat" labour. Bishop Gary Gordon determined that if it was ultimately going to be his house, he needed to be part of its construction. Thus, the chainsaw cometh...
The local shepherd had to recently interrupt his construction project to tend to the spiritual needs of a family who lost a loved one with an unexpected death in the family. As the major highway was closed due to forest fires, the bishop took to the air, flying into the community of Telegraph Creek, B.C. to be with the family during this most difficult time.
You see there are no parish priests or pastoral workers at the mission in Telegraph Creek, British Columbia (the diocese extends through two provinces). The bishop and another priest do their best to make it to the community once a month to celebrate spiritual services.
On reaching the grieving relatives, Bishop Gordon realized that the only way to get to the graveyard would be by boat. And so it went, the bishop and his flock traveling by boat to say goodbye to a loved one.
Commenting on the graveside service, in one of the more unique quotes from a bishop I can recall, His Excellency remarked:
"The whole graveside service was held under the watchful gaze of the Lord and a large black bear perched up a tree right above the grave."
Priceless.
Now I like to think in my time with the Archdiocese we've faced our own share of unique challenges but then I am humbled by the stories from places like Whitehorse that remind us all that our little patch of salvation is a mere blip on God's ever expanding canvas.
God bless Bishop Gary Gordon and the wonderful people of the Diocese of Whitehorse. If you are ever so inclined to make your way to his diocese, he'll be more than happy to welcome you, provide a pair of gloves, hard-hat and put you to work, maybe even with a power tool of choice.
The folks at Catholic Missions in Canada continue to support dioceses like Whitehorse, Yukon, spots in our own country that are considered mission dioceses. If you'd like to support this missionary work or learn more about all that they do, visit them online.
So just a final reminder that if you're ever at a graveside prayer service and a black bear happens to show up, pray that there's a bishop nearby...with a chainsaw. And who said that God doesn't work in wondrous ways?
Photos: Diocese of Whitehorse, Yukon
