As a parishioner and volunteer of Our Lady of Grace Parish in Calgary, Alberta, I know Father Ugo must leave us often to do his work as Superior of the North American Delegation. I respect his devotion to the Congregation of the Sons of the Immaculate Conception but on the other hand, whenever he announces that he’s leaving on another trip I just hold my breath and think to myself “he just got home”. 

The Congregation serves missions, hospitals and schools in many different countries.  Its generous arm extends worldwide and is now growing into North America so it makes sense that Father Ugo now has two flocks to tend… his parish and his Congregation.  I reluctantly accept this but it wasn’t until my trip to Toronto on September 17^th and 18^th that I would really come to appreciate the Congregation’s charm.   

The trip was filled with marvelous moments.  First was Brother Anthony’s (Nguyen) Deaconate Ordination at Epiphany of Our Lord Parish in Scarborough. The guest list was impressive.  The General Assembly for the Delegation was held in Toronto at the same time so all the Superiors of the North American communities attended; as did the Superior General Brother Ruggero Valentini. 

Making the day even more significant was that Brother Anthony’s ordination was a landmark event … he was becoming the first Deacon of the North American Delegation.  

The church, Epiphany of Our Lord, is lovely with a deep warm family feel.  As I walked around taking pictures, I heard many people talking to Father Ugo. This is when I realized that no matter how many people beg Father to remain here in Calgary, there are just as many people begging him to return to Toronto.

The actual ordination was a meaningful and touching ceremony highlighted by the joyful presence of Brother Anthony’s mother and family members.  In a striking spectacle all of the Brothers entered with the Bishop and I couldn’t help but catch my breath at how magnificent they all looked in formation, one after another.  Father Ugo, Father George (Parayil), Father  James (Chitteth), Superior General Brother Ruggero and Bishop Nguyen all received resounding applause and respect.

I know this fraternity of brothers can’t possibly always get along, after all they are family but they all circulated around the celebration dinner with ease, made friends, ate, laughed and even sang together, a reminder that these men are regular people, in spite of the sometimes unrealistic expectations we set for them.  

The next day, September 18th, we attended the Jubilee Anniversary of the Immaculate Conception Parish, the church Father Ugo helped to build in Woodbridge.  This is an impressive church from its beautiful Stations of the Cross to the sweeping blue swags that drape behind the altar.  Rich in culture, the Italian flavour of the community is seen everywhere.  I chuckled as I watched Father Ugo wading through a group of people, each one wanting to talk and shake his hand. Immediately behind him was Father Daniele (Bertoldi) doing the same thing and I thought it must be nerve-wracking for Priests when everyone expects them to remember their names.

Later in the ceremony, flanked once again by an imposing row of Brothers, Father Ugo was greeted with loud cheers when he announced that Father Anthony (Chooravady) was now the official Pastor for Immaculate Conception. Everyone seemed very happy about that.

Later I had a chance to talk to Father James about visiting him in Edmonton and extending fundraising for the Congregation into Western Canada; with Father Benny (Mekkatt) about his nice newsletters and developing a North American website; and also to Father Shebu (Kallarackal) about his work in Merida, Mexico.

I can now say that I finally understand why Father Ugo needs to leave us to tend to his Congregation. There’s a lot going on, not just here in North America but around the world and it must be hard work overseeing much of it.

 For the most part, the North American Delegation seems comprised of highly-motivated individuals, some of whom are of relatively young age.  This is a good thing because after only two days of following them around, my husband and I were exhausted.  While we went home to a relaxing household, Father Ugo and his Brothers had to go home to their parish communities and return a thousand phone calls and probably twice as many emails from people saying “I’m glad you’re home”.

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