Our third annual Mass of Thanksgiving honouring the priests of the Sudbury Region on their special anniversaries of ordination to the priesthood was held on Friday, June 3rd, 2005. Bishop Jean-Louis Plouffe was celebrant and homilist at this special Mass held at Our Lady of Hope Church. Immediately following the liturgy an annniversary dinner was held in the Georgian Room of the Holiday Inn. Both Bishop Jean-Louis Plouffe and Bishop Robert Harris, and twenty-two priests attended this special event.

Priests honoured this year include Fr. Jack Goldie and Fr. Roch Martin, celebrating 10 years; Fr. Ken Gauthier, 15 years; Fr. Pierre Cholette, Fr. Ron Perron, s.j., Fr. John Duggan, s.j., and Fr. Boguslaw Jaroszrek, each celebrating 30 years of priesthood; Fr. André Tremblay and Bishop Jean-Louis Plouffe celebrating 40 years; Fr. Myles Sharpe and Fr. Joseph Marchand, 50 years; and one priest, Fr. Ovila Campeau, celebrating 65 years of priestly service!

Bishop Harris paid a moving tribute to Bishop Plouffe and Msgr. Norman Clément gave a wonderful presentation on each of the priests being honoured who were present at this celebration. In addition to the special celebrants all priests in attendance were also acknowledged by Fr. Brian Dixon, Dean of the Sudbury region.

Fr. Raymond Farrell expressed thanks, on behalf of the priests, to all lay people for their tremendous support over the years and specially acknowledged the parents, present at the celebration, of four priests.

In addition to those being honoured, three hundred and fifty people attended this joyous celebration. It was a wonderful evening showing our love, support and thanks to our priests for their faithfulness and dedication in serving us - God's people!