Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church has reason to celebrate.
The spring bazaar, held on March 15, was a success, attracting over 100 people and raising close to $3,000 for the new church office to be built in the overflow section of the foyer.
At present, the church office is in the basement of the rectory.
Louisa Gagne, bazaar organizer, was pleased with the response, noting there was not much left to sell after the day.
ìIt is a good beginning for our campaign,î said Gagne. ìThere are no plans for another bazaar yet; we will have to see when we can put one together.î
Their church bazaar is not the only good news Our Lady of Peace has to share.
Father Tom Puslecki was appointed as pastor to Innisfail's Our Lady of Peace congregation late in 2013 by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton, which serves Central Alberta parishes.
Ordained on May 25, 2002 in Wroclaw, Poland, Puslecki was chaplain for the universities within the diocese of Swidnica and secretary to the Bishop of Swidnica until late 2011.
Not only was he a serving chaplain, he worked as a director and reporter for the Catholic radio station Radio Maryja in Wroclaw, as well as working on his doctorate in bioethics at the pontifical faculty of theology in Warsaw, which was granted in 2010.
ìI taught at the university as well during my time in Wroclaw,î said Puslecki. ìSo far, in Canada I have not been able to do so but am waiting for the opportunity.î
He arrived in Edmonton in November of 2011 and started an intense eight-month language preparation course to improve his English skills.
Serving the Holy Family Parish in St. Albert for one year, he was then moved to Innisfail in late 2013 as pastor for the 300 families in the Our Lady of Peace parish.
ìI enjoy working with my congregation in Innisfail,î said Puslecki. ìThis has been a learning experience for me. I grew up in a large city of one million people so this small congregation is different.î
He noted that the Innisfail congregation is like a family for him, adding, ìWhen someone needs help, everybody knows; when someone is happy, everyone knows.î
In addition to his parish work in Innisfail, he helps at Notre Dame High School in Red Deer, and is called on by the diocese to lend help when requested.
ìFor now, I am here in Innisfail serving this congregation, according to His will,î said Puslecki. ìI am God's servant and these are his people.î
Father Tom can be contacted at the Our Lady of Peace parish at 403-227-3932.
