THE PRABHU JISU CHURCH

The second annual Order of St. Jean de Brebeuf gala will take place on Saturday, April 27. Five very deserving individuals will be honoured in a ceremony which recognizes achievement exemplifying the values and ideals of Brebeuf College School.

The inductees this year are musician Tom Barlow, ageless Father Donald Beaudois, humble hero Robert Lato, gracious Cathy Pieroni and youthful youth leader Greg Rogers.

Let me tell a brief story that links three of these worthy recipients in an amazing way.

Last June, dying friend Jacques Carron courageously planned the final details of his life as well as his death.

“I’ve spoken with Cathy Pieroni,” Jacques said. “She’s going to do some art work for me that I’d like to have at my funeral. Two pictures in fact, one displaying my attitude toward life and one my gratitude for the blessings I’ve received.”

Cathy’s beautiful art pieces adorned the altar at Jacques’ funeral less than a month later.

“Mike, I also need a favour from you. Can you contact a Father Hawkins for me? I don’t know where he’s living now but I’d like to see him before I move on. He’s a priest that I met in Darjeeling when I was travelling with Bob Lato in 2,000.”

The priest’s name rang a bell with me. In fact, I remembered seeing it listed in the lobby of the Jesuit retreat centre in Pickering next to Father Beaudois’ name. It turns out that they have adjacent rooms at Manresa. I know it’s hard to believe that Clark Kent lives right next to The Lone Ranger.

A few days later, I drove Father Hawkins to see Jacques who gave Father his pledge that he’d donate a large sum of money to help fulfill the Jesuit missionary’s life long dream, the building of a church for the people of Matigara, India.

Fast forward ten months.

Bob Lato will be travelling to India next week with a large group of high school students and six or seven teacher candidates from OISE, including Nadia Lena, daughter of river rock friend Ermes Lena. After a week in Kolkata, Bob will take the university students on to Darjeeling where they will work in local schools.

Here’s part of an e-mail that Bob’s sent me a few days ago.

I saw Father Hawkins recently and he asked me if I could speak on his behalf at the opening of his church, Prabhu Jisu in Matigara. It just so happens that I will be in that vicinity in early May. I will definitely get some pictures for Jacques’ family and will recognize his contributions in my remarks. I know that Matigara was a special place for Jacques when we were there together many years ago.

It is such a small world after all and every so often, it’s a wondrous thing to watch it unfolding as it should.

Have a safe trip Bob. We’ll miss you at the gala.