spjournal.com: Top Stories

NEWS

Hundreds gather for one-of-a-kind religious ceremony
Premier Ed Stelmach attends local Ukrainian Catholic priest’s ordination

By Janice Huser
Journal Staff

Hundreds of people from near and far gathered at the St. Paul Roman Catholic Cathedral on Nov. 1 to witness a unique religious ceremony - the ordination of a Ukrainian Catholic priest.

At 10:30 a.m. last Saturday a chartered bus filled with guests pulled up to the cathedral, dropping off numerous guests who had traveled from Edmonton be part of the ceremony. Not long after, the Premier of Alberta, along with his wife took their place at the front of the church.

Seating on the main level of the cathedral was sparse, as family of then Deacon Basil Sych filled the front pews, followed by friends and all others who chose to attend the trilingual event.

During the tradition-filled ceremony and just before the ordination of the deacon, Most Reverand David Motiuk, the bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton, took time to speak to the congregation.

"Deacon Basil Mark, you are now called to know your sheep," said Motiuk. He described the deacon as a shepherd who will lead his flock.

"Know your flock well. Love them and they will follow you," said the bishop. He told the deacon that he has now committed his "life to the good shepherd. Trust Him in the good and bad times," later adding, "Like Christ, you and your family . . . are also called to a life of sacrifice."

At the end of the ceremony, Motiuk thanked Bishop Luc Bouchard for his hospitality in allowing the use of the cathedral. He joked that perhaps the two churches should get together more often to ordain priests.

Following the ordination, many of those in attendance attended a lunch banquet at the All Saint Ukrainian Cultural Centre. There, the premier took to the podium to offer the new priest, who is now known as Father Mark, a few words.

Stelmach described the ceremony as "quite a moving ordination," and added that it was the first trilingual mass he had ever attended. Ukrainian, English and French were spoken throughout the mass, and by those in attendance at the banquet.

The premier then mentioned that throughout the ceremony, a number of thoughts ran through his head, including the roots of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, and "the importance of the church to the province of Alberta."

"We know that your family is behind you," said Stelmach to Father Mark. "I think this is a special day that God granted you," he added.

"Rather than saying individual thank yous, I thank God for this day," said Father Mark as he addressed those in attendance near the end of the banquet program. He explained that changing his name to Father Mark symbolized saying yes to his calling, "the spirit of my yes."

Although he is still Basil, he explained that Father Mark is representative of his new roll as a priest.

"There really is a profound change that has happened," said Father Mark.

The new priest will continue serving eight churches in the area, including St. Paul, Bonnyville, Vilna and Elk Point.

NEWS

Benefit raises over $9,000
High School student recovering

By Janice Huser
Journal Staff

Over $9,400 was raised for one local family last Saturday at a family benefit sand dance and silent auction, hosted by the St. Paul Ag Society.

Along with about 30 Ag Society members, St. Paul Regional High School students and staff, and other various community members joined together to organize a benefit dance and silent auction. All the funds raised on Saturday night will go to support the family of Ty Bennett, a high school student who remains at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital in Edmonton after the vehicle he was driving hit a moose in early September.

"I never, ever dreamed we would raise this kind of money," said Andre Chamberland, Ag Society president. "I thought it was an awesome show of support from the community."

Ty’s family, including his mother Loralee, and grandparents Wes and Jan were in attendance Saturday night.

"It was beyond what I even dared to expect," said Loralee, following the benefit. But, what was "amazing" was the following day when she returned to Edmonton to see Ty, he hugged his mom "for the first time in two months."

On Friday, before Loralee left for St. Paul, Ty was starting to hold his head up while sitting and he was beginning to respond more and more. By Sunday, he was holding his head up strong.

"His brain is waking up more and more," said Loralee. She adds that Ty is also trying to get out of bed on his own.

Loralee also explained that Ty’s classmates are hoping he will be able to take part in his Grade 12 graduation, along with the rest of the 2008-09 class that he’s gone to school with his entire life.

"I think that’s encouraging," said Chamberland.

The silent auction portion of the event, which had 85 items up for bids - mostly donated by local businesses - alone raised $4,525. An autographed Edmonton Oilers hockey stick, donated by the Oilers, and an autographed golf driver, donated by local World Long Drive champion Jamie Sadlowski, fetched the highest bids, each exceeding the $300 mark.

"I have to say thank you to all of those ladies (who organized the auction)," said Chamberland. He also added a special thank you to the Food Studies class from Regional for hosting the concession, which brought in an additional $430.

In addition, $4,016 worth of donations were collected at the door of the benefit dance. Another $500 was collected in cheques written out to the Bennett family. A number of sealed envelopes were also dropped off throughout the evening for the family. In total, at least $9,471 was raised on Saturday night.

"It’s phenomenal," said Chamberland, later adding, "I’m just tickled pink."

Loralee is also quick to offer her thanks to all those involved in the benefit. She sends a thank you to "the whole community for all their support" with special thanks going to the Ag Society, the high school students, and everyone else involved.

Organizers would like to thank everyone who donated to the benefit, especially all the businesses that donated silent auction items, door prizes, and other valuable services.

"Everyday he’s a little better," says Loralee of her son.

NEWS

Unlikely walking trail will be completed in time for St. Paul’s centennial celebration

By Clare Gauvreau
Journal Staff

It’s been more than five years since work first began on the St. Paul Centennial Walking Trail and it now appears unlikely it will be completed in time for St. Paul’s 100th birthday celebration next summer.

"Many citizens are becoming more and more cynical and questioning whether council will ever complete the trail," Louise Joly said at the Oct. 27 St. Paul Town Council meeting.

Joly addressed council on behalf of the Community Mile Project Working Group, a volunteer committee fundraising in support of the trail’s completion. She asked council to complete the final mile of the trail no later than June 30, 2009. The group also asked that the route of the last mile follow what has already been proposed – following 44th Ave. west from Lagasse Park, south on 49th Street and then west again on 43 Ave.

"Our committee urges town council to act now on these recommendations," Joly said. "It is imperative that this eight-foot wide, paved, multi-purpose trail be completed for and celebrated by our community as an important achievement. It’s time."

However, council failed to commit to the group’s request with concern expressed by Mayor Glenn Andersen that pushing forward on completing the last mile of trail on the southern edge of St. Paul through an area which could change dramatically in the next few years due to possible development would be irresponsible planning.

"I don’t think there’s any question that council supports this trail. The question is the last mile of the trail – that is the issue," Andersen said. "I don’t hate your trail. We as a council support what the committee is doing. The problem I have is with the lack of planning that has gone into that section of the trail. We want to see it done right"

Andersen would like to see the Town undertake an area structure plan of the area that stretches from the west edge of Lagasse Park through to the golf course. Andersen said he believes the potential exists for the park to eventually extend all the way to the golf course. Further residential and commercial development is also a possibility for the area through which the trail passes.

"No one envisioned the huge commercial development that has occurred," Coun. Trevor Kotowich said. "The trail has already been dug up and repaved a number of times to accommodate development."

Kotowich went on to say he has "no idea of where the trail on the south portion goes. I have not yet seen a concrete plan as to where it is going. My point that I’m trying to emphasize is I would hate to have to relocate the trail because of a potential development."

Coun. John Trefanenko who, together with Coun. Guy Germain, represents council on the trail committee, said he was disappointed no work on the trail occurred in 2008. He said he has taken the mayor on a tour of the proposed route for the last mile and disagrees with concerns Andersen has in respect to the trail passing through an industrial area and down a back alley. He also doesn’t believe any future development will impact the trail in a negative way.

"I know the mayor has an issue of where the trail is. He is concerned and it is an ok concern that if there is future development it will hurt the trail and I don’t think it will. I am definitely open for more discussion on it. If we put it in place perhaps we can do construction on it in the spring and finish it. I think it should be reviewed and council should have input on it. Guy, Clem (Preville) and I believe it is in the right place. The committee has done a fantastic job and I really encourage council to make this a priority for next year."

Joly was disappointed council came to no resolution on the issue at the meeting.

"Do we keep fundraising and this goes on for another 10 years," she questioned.

CAO Ron Boisvert said an area structure plan, if included in the 2009 budget, would take five to six months to complete and estimated the cost at approximately $35,000.

"I would hope that you would be able to walk out of this room tonight knowing we do support the trail and want to see it completed," Coun. Danny White said.

"We’ll wait to see what is in the budget," Joly said as to how the working group will proceed.

Meanwhile, Margo Fauchon, community coordinator for Healthy Alberta Communities, and the coordinator for the working group, expressed disappointment yesterday that council will not push forward with completing the trial at this point.

"Healthy Alberta Communities is seriously considering its support of the project because of the delay in completing the trail," Fauchon said. "The community has to start voicing their opinions around their wanting to have the trail completed for the town’s centennial celebrations."

NEWS

Local girl models in Edmonton bridal show

By Janice Huser
Journal Staff

When local eleven-year-old Toni Tardiff and her mom J’aime Pinette took a trip to Edmonton to go wedding dress shopping for J’aime’s upcoming wedding, Toni was given a unique opportunity.

J’aime had chosen to take her daughter out of school for the day so she could be part of choosing her mom’s wedding dress. While at Ethos bridal in West Edmonton Mall, Toni was asked by the manager if she would be interested in modeling at an upcoming bridal expo.

"I was kind of shocked," says Toni, who aspires to one day be a model and/or actress.

On Oct. 19, Toni did her first modeling job as a junior bridesmaid model, showing off two separate dresses.

When her daughter was asked to be part of the fashion show, J’aime says that she "was surprised." She admits that it’s not something you think about when you’re trying on wedding dresses.

"When I was little I always liked to pose," says Toni.

Although she didn’t have to practice for her modeling debut, Toni says she wanted to.

"It was kind of freaky," she explains. Thankfully, Toni had her best friend, Chealsey Mondoux-Hebert, along for support. For her first walk down the catwalk, Toni walked out with a group of girls, also modeling as junior bridesmaids. But, when it came time for her second walk, all eyes were on Toni.

"She looks too old," says J’aime, adding that with all the makeup and having her hair done, it was surprising to see how fast her "baby girl" had grown up.

The young model was obviously successful and Toni has since been asked to be in a second bridal fashion show in the New Year, but because her mom’s wedding falls near the date of the expo, she won’t be able to participate.

But, Toni doesn’t seem too upset since she’ll be in Mexico watching her mom get married to her dad, Michael Tardiff.

Previously, Toni had been signed up with a talent agency based in Orlando, Florida. But, Toni is now looking to get involved with Chan International a model and talent management company that does most of the advertisements for West Edmonton Mall.

"We’re thinking of signing her up," says J’aime. Through the agency, Toni can choose whether she would like to pursue modeling or acting, and currently, she is hoping to go into acting.

Toni is excited at the idea of possibly being in commercials, and is hoping to take acting classes in Edmonton once a week. And J’aime will certainly be there to support her daughter.

But, the mother-daughter trip to Ethos didn’t only offer Toni her first modeling opportunity, J’aime was also successful in finding the perfect wedding dress for her upcoming wedding.

NEWS

St. Paul Legion kicks off poppy campaign

By Janice Huser
Journal Staff

St. Paul Royal Canadian Legion members, along with a handful of local cadets, recognized the official beginning of the poppy campaign last Friday morning.

At 11 a.m., the poppy flag was raised in front of the St. Paul Legion, signaling the beginning of the 2008 campaign.

The poppy, says Russ Whitford, is "a recognized connection." The red flower symbolizes an appreciation for the contribution of military services from throughout the years.

The poppy campaign is also "important for the veterans," says Leroy Smith, also a Legion member. It is a remembrance of the people who sacrificed their lives so that we can live the way we do today."

Whitford further notes that it is important to recognize the beginning of the campaign because it is a limited campaign that runs only for a set amount of time.

Poppies are now available at businesses throughout the community. Donations received through the poppy campaign are used to assist ex-service personnel and their dependants.

Also, funds are used for low rental housing and care facilities for elderly and disabled persons. The money is also directed toward community medical equipment and research. Drop-in Centres, meals-on-wheels programs, transportation services, and other related services are also supported.

This year will mark the 90th anniversary of the end of World War I, explains Whitford. Over 620,000 Canadians served in the war, while over 66,500 soldiers died.

"That living memory is all but gone now," says Whitford. Now, he adds, it’s up to scholars, educators, and those who knew WWI veterans to keep the memory alive.

"That’s our duty as a Legion at this time of year," he says, adding, it’s important to recognize that the veterans’ accomplishments are still meaningful.

This year also marks 65 years since 24 soldiers were buried in the rubble of a building the was blown up in Ortona, Italy on Dec. 27, 1943. A scout from the Edmonton Regiment who hailed from the Ashmont area was among the men who dug out a living soldier from the rubble, three days after the incident occurred.

Along with St. Paul Legion members, four local cadets were on hand to take part in the flag raising ceremony. Members on hand from the Royal Canadian Sea Cade Corp 241 Arrowhead St. Paul were Delani Hulme-Lawrence, Courtney Mathews, Elijah Hulme-Lawrence and Nicole Cardinal.