Catholic community honours Cardinal Thomas Collins with special prayer service
Tony Saxon/Guelph...
GUELPH — The tone was celebratory, the prayers uplifting and the hundreds of people who attended the evening prayer service at the Church of Our Lady Thursday night were humbled to be in the presence of Cardinal Thomas Collins.
Collins was born in Guelph and has worked his way through the hierarchy of the Catholic Church. In 1997 he was pointed as Bishop of Saint Paul in Alberta and two years later was named the Archbishop of Edmonton.
In 2007 he was appointed as the Archbishop of Toronto, and in February this year was elevated to the position of Cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI at a ceremony in Rome.
“I think it was really neat because someone so high up came here,” said Katherine Nixon, 11, who attended the service with her mother Dee and 7-year-old sister Jessica.
“This may be the closest you get to Rome,” Dee joked with her daughters. “But seriously, he is absolutely lovely. We’re thrilled that we could be here.”
The family was among the first to shake the Cardinal’s hand at the end of the service that included prayers, hymns and speeches.
Father Dennis Noon called Collins, “our native son, whose spiritual journey began among us and with whom we feel a special bond. We welcome you as a prince of the church and a member of our faith family.”
Don Drone, director of education for the Wellington Catholic District School Board, congratulated his former classmate from 50 years ago for his achievements, the greatest of which is remaining true to his convictions.
“He is not afraid to speak up,” Drone said. “He supports the homeless, he fights for social justice and he supports Catholic education. His example and his leadership are extremely appreciated.”
Mayor Karen Farbridge said Collins’s faith, wisdom, sense of humour, and his ability to connect with people on a deep level, “will ensure your star will shine brightly.”
In his homily, Collins talked about the reverend moment when he knelt before the Pope and received the trappings of Cardinal — the bright red robe and hat that symbolize devotion to God, the ring that symbolizes fidelity and surrender to God, and the scroll, that makes him responsible for the St. Patrick Parish in Rome.
He was pleased to be back in the parish where it all began for him, he said, and honoured by the ceremony and the warm reception he has received from his hometown.
“This is a beautiful moment in my life,” he said. “Keep me in your prayers as you will always be in mine.”
“I found the service perfect,” said Catherine Hannah, who had come from Acton with fellow parishioners. “It was not pompous and all his words were true and genuine.”
“I’m at a loss for words and I’m never at a loss for words,” agreed Janis Braida of the Acton contingent. “It was very humbling.”
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