A new day dawns for the Diocese of Whitehorse

By JEFF GRAHAM

WHITEHORSE – Like a wedding that had been in the planning stages for years, the ordination and installation of Bishop Gary Michael Gordon as fifth Bishop of Whitehorse was a cause for major celebration Wednesday, March 22, with laity, priests, and bishops from across Canada attending.

The typical stress of wedding preparations, however, had nothing on the planning that had to be done in this case. Instead of picking out a wedding cake, dress, and ring, arrangements for Bishop Gordon’s ordination included acquiring an episcopal ring, a crozier, a mitre, and a crest, and a motto.

Forget just worrying about the wedding reception and the in-laws; a new bishop has to make provision for a party for the whole diocese as well as guests from far away, including the apostolic nuncio to Canada, Archbishop Luigi Ventura.

It all came off without a hitch at Jean Vanier Catholic Secondary School in Whitehorse, as all the stressful preparations paid off and a diocese that has prayed nearly six years for a new bishop to be named finally got its prayers answered.

The occasion was joyous at the high school, which was resplendent with traditional Christian and aboriginal art and filled with song and dance.

Among the bishops present were two former shepherds of the Whitehorse diocese. Bishop Denis Croteau, OMI, of Mackenzie – Fort Smith, has been administrator of the diocese for almost three years. Bishop Emeritus Hubert O’Connor, OMI, of Prince George was Bishop of Whitehorse from 1971 to 1986.

Archbishops present included Archbishop Emeritus Adam Exner, OMI, of Vancouver; Archbishop Raymond Roussin, SM, of Vancouver; Archbishop Thomas Collins of Edmonton; and Archbishop Daniel Bohan of Regina.

In addition there were Bishop Fred Henry of Calgary; Bishop Gerald Wiesner of Prince George; Eparch Severian Yakymyshyn, OSBM, of New Westminster; Bishop Albert Legatt of Saskatoon; Bishop David Monroe of Kamloops; Bishop Richard Gagnon of Victoria; Bishop Sylvain Lavoie, OMI, Coadjutor Bishop of Keewatin-Le Pas; and Abbot John Braganza, OSB, of Westminster Abbey.

The evening began with a procession of the bishops along with about 60 priests and aboriginals, for whom Bishop Gordon has a strong affinity.

Bishop-elect Gordon sat in the front row, just down from his brother Brian, who was in attendance with his wife Janice and son Justin.

City of God, a hymn familiar to most Catholics, was sung joyously at the start of the celebration. "Awake from your slumber, arise from your sleep, a new day is dawning for all those who weep."

It is apparent that a new day is dawning on the diocese of Whitehorse. The sadness of the sudden passing of Bishop Thomas Lobsinger, OMI, in 2000 in a plane crash is finally replaced with the dawning of the Bishop Gary Gordon era.

"This is a good time to be alive," Bishop Gordon would later tell the congregation. "The glory of God is present when someone is fully alive."

Bishop Gordon will no doubt bring the same enthusiasm to his new appointment he’s had throughout his whole life. A lover of the outdoors and of God’s creation, he explained that being a bishop is something he’ll grow into.

"If this were a fishing rod, I’d know what to do with it," he said, holding up his crozier. "I trust the Lord Jesus Christ will show me what to do with this, and show me how to be a good shepherd like Our Lord."

The liturgy of the word was followed by a blanket ceremony by members of the Sto:lo native community and native people from the Whitehorse area. Bishop-elect Gordon was then presented to the faithful who had filled the school gym for the evening.

Bishop Richard Gagnon of Victoria preached the homily. At first it seemed to highlight what appeared to be a very generous gift given by Father Gordon when Bishop Gagnon was ordained bishop of Victoria.

"This is the first opportunity I have to thank Gary Gordon publicly for his gift to me on my ordination. Gary loves to fly-fish, and wishes other people would enjoy it as much as he does."

Bishop Gagnon explained that Bishop-elect Gordon had given him a fly-rod that he takes with him "everywhere." "One should be grateful for gifts received and give credit where credit is due; thank you very much, Father Gary."

Bishop Gagnon then held up a fly-rod that had been broken into three pieces and was barely held together by scraps of duct tape, as the congregation roared with laughter.

While Bishop-elect Gordon might have an ample supply of fishing rods, he said, he will need more than that to be bishop. "Father Gordon will have to acquire other things, such as a staff, a ring, and a rather unusual hat: a mitre."

Bishop Gordon’s arrival as bishop of Whitehorse, Bishop Gagnon said, is an example of God’s providence, even if it took a while to happen. "God promises His people will never be without a shepherd, even though they may be scarce for a long time coming."

He explained how vital bishops are to the proper functioning of the Church, because a bishop’s duty is to make disciples. "Without shepherds, The Church cannot respond to Jesus’s call to make disciples of all nations."

Bishop Gagnon then directed his words towards Bishop-elect Gordon. "Through this great call you will guide your flock. Seek out the lost sheep and bring them back to the sheep-fold!"

"St. Augustine defines the office of bishop as the office of love, and he said, ‘For you, I am a bishop, and with you I am a Christian.’"

He went on to say that Bishop-elect Gordon would need to root his life and his work in Christ. "Prayer roots us in the truth of God’s grace," he said. "As bishops, without Christ we can do nothing."

"You are called to be a spiritual father, leading men and women to faith."

He concluded by giving Bishop-elect Gordon a blessing.

"May Mary, Queen of Apostles, watch over you, and may God bless you!"

After the homily, Bishop-elect Gordon was examined by Archbishop Raymond Roussin, SM, who asked, "Are you resolved, as a good shepherd, to seek out the sheep who stray and to gather them into the fold of the Lord?"

"I am," replied the candidate.

"Are you resolved to pray for the people of God without ceasing, and to carry out the duties of one who has the fullness of the priesthood so as to afford no grounds for reproach?"

"I am," he said again.

"May God, Who has begun the good work in you, bring it to fulfilment," replied Archbishop Roussin.

The bishop-elect then lay prostrate before the altar as the rest of the congregation knelt and the Litany of Saints was chanted. After the litany Archbishop Rousssin performed the laying on of hands, laid the Book of the Gospels on the candidate’s head, and said the prayers of consecration.

With their hands joined the other bishops prayed, "So now pour out upon this chosen one that power which is from You, the governing Spirit Whom You gave Your Son, Jesus Christ, the Spirit given by Him to the holy apostles, who founded the Church in every place to be Your temple for the unceasing glory and praise of Your Name."

Bishop Gordon’s head was then anointed with oil, after which he was presented with the Book of the Gospels and invested with his ring, mitre, and crozier.

He was then seated as bishop of the diocese in his cathedra, or bishop’s chair, for the first time.

The newly ordained Bishop Gordon then offered the Mass with his fellow bishops.

After the Mass there was a prayer and a welcome for the new bishop by Stephanie Sidney, an aboriginal. Numerous gifts were presented to Bishop Gordon, after which there was a stirring drum song.

"I’m just going to leave with a word of thanks," Bishop Gordon said during his closing remarks. "Thank you, thank you, for the welcome."

"Thank you for the welcome from my new family here in Whitehorse."

"Communio is the motto I chose, because the work of Christ desires communion. All we can do as humans is build a few bridges, and it is up to Christ to bring communion. I hope to build a few bridges in this territory here."

Bishop Gordon then explained that he was excited to begin the work that God has called him to.

"It’s not hard work when you’re paid in grace and the gifts of God," he said, and then extolled the virtues of his flock. "The many people of this Church today are champions of the Lord!"

"It’s a good time to be alive! The power of The Spirit is blowing!"