On Thursday evening, May 24, 2007, the priests, deacons, regligious, members of the Diocesan Order of Service and faithful of the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie gathered at Christ the King church in Sudbury to bid farewell to His Excellency, Robert Harris.

• Photos of the choir preparing for the celebration

Born on September 26, 1944, Robert Harris was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Montreal on May 24, 1969. The Mass of Thanksgiving and Farewell was therefore celebrated on his 38th anniversary of ordination. On October 26, 2002, His Holiness John Paul II appointed him titualar Bishop of Trophimiana and Auxiliary Bishop of Sault Ste. Marie. His episcopal Ordination took place on December 12, 2002 in Montreal.

On May 8, 2007, His Holiness, Benedict XVI appointed him Bishop of Saint John, New Brunswick, a diocese which has been vacant since September 9, 2006.

During his homily, Bishop Harris recalled that he has visited more than 90 of the parishes in this diocese during his four years as Auxiliary Bishop. Through the celebration of Confirmation, his visits with all high schools in the diocese and many other opportunities, he has had the opportunity to see the face of God through the many dedicated people of faith who live in this diocese.

He is excited to begin the new mission confied to him by the Holy Father and asked for our prayers and support as he leaves for Atlantic Canada.

His Excellency, Jean-Louis Plouffe, who presided at the Mass of Thanksgiving, took time to laud Bishop Harris for the care and concern with which he has exercised the ministry of Bishop here in the diocese. All those who have had the privilege to work with him are thankful for the blessing he has been to us.

We pray that God will richly bless our brother and accompany him on this next part of his journey.

• Photos of the reception following the Mass of Thanksgiving
• Listen to the closing hymn (Go to the World), sung at the end of the Eucharistic celebration

His Excellency will be installed as the third Bishop of Saint John, New Brunswick on Friday, June 15, 2007, the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The liturgy will take place in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception beginning at 3:00 pm.

Bishop Harris can be reached at the Chancery Office in Saint John, NB
1 Bayard Drive
Saint John, NB E2L 3L5
Telephone: (506) 653-6802
Fax: (506) 653-6859
www.dioceseofsaintjohn.org