As every year, a confrere from our Delegation goes to Canada for three months to engage in mission animation in our Polish parishes and to replace local priests who are on vacation. This year, it was my turn to go. I was there from June 1, 2024, to August 31, 2024, assigned to the Oblate community of St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish in Mississauga.

In June, I carried out mission animation in our four Polish parishes: 

Saint Eugene de Mazenod in Brampton

Saint Maximilian Kolbe in Mississauga

Saint Casimir in Toronto

Saint Stanislaus in Toronto

In July and August, I served as a replacement in various parishes. I was in Brampton, then in Mississauga, and later in Hamilton at St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish, where I worked with Fr. Jan Wądołowski, a former missionary from Madagascar who was part of the first team there.

I also went to conduct mission animation in Ottawa, the country’s capital, at our parish of St. Jacek. The remainder of the time, I worked in Mississauga. It is said to be the largest Polish parish in the world. There, I engaged in numerous confessions, celebrated Masses with homilies, and held spiritual conversations and meetings with many parish groups.

During my stay, I had the chance to meet our Superior General, Fr. Luis Ignacio Rois Alonso.

I also visited our Mission Procure at Ninth Line, Mississauga, where the Missionary Church of St. Peter is located.

I also participated in the priestly ordination of Fr. Jonasz Lalik OMI, a parishioner of the Mississauga parish itself, and attended his first Mass—a moment of great joy for the parish !

Apart from work, it was also an opportunity to discover Canada with its beautiful forests and lakes. During these three months, I had the chance to connect with the lives of migrants from different generations and learn more about the work of the Oblates, not only within the Polish community but also in other areas of this vast country.

May God bless everyone I met: priests, brothers, sisters, and parishioners of all the Polish parishes. As I said during our farewells, I felt as if I were in Madagascar with you. You participate in the Holy Mass in a beautiful and powerful way, through your responses and your beautifully performed singing. Please remember me in your prayers, as I will remember you in mine !

Fr. Henryk Marciniak, OMI