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Southwest Regional Centre 40th anniversary Chaplaincy Celebration
The 40th Anniversary gave us an opportunity to invite past Chaplains back to celebrate with us at Southwestern Regional Centre. When the first residents arrived in 1961, Dr. Al Finlyson, the first Superintendent, recognized the need to provide our residents with religious and spiritual support. At first interested hospital aides and attendants provided a Sunday School type of service. Then in 1963, Reverend Austin Snyder was hired as the first Chaplain. After establishing the Chaplaincy Services, he was followed by Rev. Dr. Ron Hunt who served as Chaplain until 1981. Chaplain Leonard Epp then served up to 1986. It was good to have Chaplains Hunt and Epp come and participate in the celebration.
Others who were able to attend were: Father Ivo Tommeleyn, who has been celebrating mass with the Catholic residents since 1975; Rev. Owen Burey who served as a part time Chaplain 1992 to 1993; Chaplain Steve Green who first came as a student and then as a part time Chaplain 1993 to 1994; Rev. Pat Pickle, who has helped with the Sunday Services since 1995; and Rev. Bill Terris who recently joined us to help fill the void left by the death of Rev. Clifford Rogers who passed away the end of the year 2000.
Chaplain Dave McNorgan, who was Chaplain between 1987 and 1990, was unable to attend as he needed to be available to the high school students he serves as Chaplain after the September 11th terrorist attack.
Left to right, backrow: Chaplain Leonard Epp, Rev. Bill Terris, Rev. Dr. Ron Hunt, Rev. John deVries. Front row: Chaplain Steve Green, Father Ivo Tommeleyn, Chaplain Gloria Joshua, Roy HawkinsOur celebration was on September 12th, a difficult time to have a celebration after such a tragedy but we used the opportunity to focus on our theme from Matthew 5:14, "Keeping Our Lights Shining." We need to keep our lights shining especially during the dark and terrible times in this world.
Rev. John de Vries brought greetings from Rev. Linda Kelly, Chaplaincy Services Ontario and Roy Hawkins from Ms. Liz Chapel, Executive Director of Ontario Multifaith Council on Spiritual and Religious Care.
Mr. Arthur Wallace, Senior Manager at Southwestern Regional Centre presented Father Ivo Tommeleyn and myself, Chaplain Gloria Joshua (1988 to present), with gifts in appreciation from the Administration for our long service in Chaplaincy at SRC.
We enjoyed the time of reunion, celebration and dedication to keep our lights shining.
Gloria Joshua Chaplain
Southwestern Regional Centre
Posted by editor on September 30, 2003 10:20 AM