Truth and Reconciliation
Calls to Action
"As Archbishop of St. Boniface, I am asking the faithful of the diocese, parish by parish, to organize ways in which they can become more informed about the Indian Residential Schools and the many elements of their tragic legacy.
As well, I am encouraging the faithful to support lay initiated and lay led popular movements within the Catholic Church in Canada, such as Catholics for Truth and Reconciliation in their several efforts."
- Archbishop Albert LeGatt
Our Archdiocesan Reconciliation Journey
We invite you to read the letter from Mireille Grenier, Director of Pastoral Services, outlining the initiatives of the Archdiocese in its reconciliation journey, including the formation of an advisory committee composed of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, the use of the 4 Seasons of Reconciliation (for info, click here) educational resource, as well as the formation of diocesan discussion groups using the Listening to Indigenous Voices resource (for info, click here).
These efforts are only the beginning. Let us walk humbly together in practicing just and equitable relationships in our daily lives. Finally, let us ask the Lord to continue to guide us on this journey. To read the pastoral letter, click here.
St. Boniface Group Witnesses Pope Francis' Apology in Maskecis, and the Pilgrimage in Lac Ste. Anne, Alberta
A group of 40 Indigenous residential school survivors, elders and their caregivers from Berens River, Bloodvein, Hollow Water, Poplar River and Sagkeeng First Nations, as well as Manitogogan and Seymourville, headed out by bus to Alberta on July 23 to attend Pope Francis' historic apology to Canada's Indigenous people for the Catholic church's role in establishing and running a majority of residential schools.
The group was accompanied by Archbishop Albert LeGatt, nuns from the Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus, as well as Daniel Lussier from Réseau Compassion Network, Winnipeg Free Press reporter John Longhurst.
On July 25, the group was on hand at Maskwacis to hear Pope Francis's apology. The following day, the group attended the Lac Ste. Anne pilgrimage, where Pope Francis led pilgrims in prayer.
To view a photo gallery of the trip, click here or on photo.
The trip, as well as the papal apology, was highly mediatized.
To read John Longhurst's two Winnipeg Free Press stories, click here and click here.
To read John Longhurst's testimony on his experiences during the trip, click here.
To read CBC Manitoba's Emily Brass article, click here.
To read the Catholic Register's article by Michael Swan, click here.
To read the texts of Pope Francis' speeches and consults the Canadian Papal Visit archives, click here
Prayer for healing over Residential Schools - Click here
Prayer for Healing and Reconciliation
In solidarity with the Indigenous Delegation to the Holy See, Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle has developed two resources: a prayer card and a document entitled Sacred Fire and Prayer Wave for Healing and Reconciliation. The resources can be found on the Circle’s website at: 2022-EN-Announcement-Delegation-prayer-resources-4.pdf (ourladyofguadalupecircle.ca)
Catholics for Truth and Reconciliation
Catholics for Truth and Reconciliation invites Catholics to ignite or deepen their commitment to Truth and Reconciliation alongside Indigenous peoples through donations and action pledges. We hope you will join in this important work.
To read more, visit the Catholics for Truth and Reconciliation website
Returning to Spirit© (RTS)
Returning to Spirit is a non-profit organization that designs and delivers workshops for reconciliation of the Indian Residential School legacy. They are for any individual willing to explore new possibilities for the future.
To read more, visit the Returning to Spirit website.
Circles for Reconciliation
The aim of Circles For Reconciliation is to establish trusting, meaningful relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, through the creation of small gatherings of an equal number of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in discussion circles.
To read more, visit the Circles for Reconciliation website
To read the Circles for Reconciliation June 2 letter to Kupik Chief Roseanne Casimir, click here.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle
Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle is a Catholic coalition of Indigenous people, bishops, clergy, lay movements and institutes of consecrated life, engaged in renewing and fostering relationships between the Catholic Church and Indigenous Peoples in Canada.
It seeks to provide a forum for dialogue and foster deeper understanding, and to assist Catholics in engagement with the Truth and Reconciliation process and its Calls to Action.
Visit the Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle website
Calls to Action
(Reconciliation circles, Catholics for Truth and Reconciliation, Prayers, etc.)
Listening to Indigenous Voices Discussion Groups
