Our Pastoral Team - Saint John Paul II Pastoral Unit

OUR PASTORAL TEAM

Fr Manus Paul Bradley, Pastor of the Saint John Paul II Pastoral Unit, has been a Pastoral Team Member since December 2016. Ordained to the priesthood in 1989, Fr Manus ministered in his home diocese of Derry, Ireland, for 16 years before coming to Canada. He holds honours degrees in Modern History and Philosophy and Theology as well as a Licentiate in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical University, (specialising in Moral Theology and Bio-Ethics). He is interested in bringing together theology and spirituality, believing that a sound combination of both is essential to faith. Describing himself as an “accidental missionary” the challenge of working in the Church in Quebec is, he says, what keeps him here. Trawling around antique shops and fairs in search of art and antiques are his leisure pursuits. Fr Manus visits Ireland to see his parents, 3 brothers and 2 sisters and his many nieces, nephews and friends as often as he can.

Susan Gardner, is a Pastoral Agent in the Diocese since 1999 and is mandated as Coordinator of Pastoral Activities for the Saint John Paul II Pastoral Unit and delegate of the Bishop for the English Region. She has an Education degree from McGill University and a certificate in Religious Sciences from the University of Montreal. She embraces the teachings from Pope Francis’ Encyclical Laudato Si with her involvement to various social justice minded organizations within the church and broader community. She is happily married with two adult children, enjoys taking long walks with her dog, cycling with her husband, planting and harvesting a backyard vegetable garden and spends summer vacations in the Eastern Townships at the family cottage.

Fr. John was born in St. John’s, Newfoundland. The family was transferred a few times before settling in Oakville, Ontario where he grew up. Fr. John completed a BA in psychology and religious studies. He obtained his Masters in Theology in Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, which included his Clinical Pastoral Education in hospital in Burlington VT. He joined the Diocese of St. Jean Longueuil and served as a Pastoral Animator in Good Shepherd and St. Michel schools in Brossard. Fr. John was ordained at St. Mary’s Parish in Greenfield Park. He enjoys a wide range of pastoral opportunities, especially Liturgy and Adult Faith formation, focusing on the works of Pope Francis. In his free time he enjoys cooking, gardening and relaxing with his cats, Rosie and Mitzie.

Karen deKoninck is a Pastoral Agent mandated for comprehensive family faith education as well as the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) for the 8 parishes of the St. John Paul II Pastoral Unit. She also offers her time on the Diocesan Commission for Catechesis. Years of volunteering in liturgy and faith education led to her pursuing a certificate in Pastoral Ministry from College Andre Grasset as well as a BA with a major in Theological Studies and a minor in Human Relations from Concordia University. She considers it a privilege and a blessing to accompany and rejoice with adults of all ages on their faith journeys. Karen is married with three adult children. She and her husband enjoy world travel in their leisure time.

Fr. Gérard Lachapelle was born in Joliette in 1939. He has a Bachelor of Science degree specializing in Biochemistry from the Université de Montreal and a degree in Microbiology from the University of Syracuse. He worked for Health Canada for 22 years in 1984 he returned to the Université de Montreal for a degree in Theology and Pastoral Studies. He was ordained as a priest in St. Amable on November 16, 1991. He was a Pastor for ten years in Sherrington, two years as Chaplain at a hospital in St. Jean and presently priest collaborator in the Pastoral Unit at St. Francis of Assisi in St. Lambert and Holy Cross in Boucherville. He enjoys carpentry, videography and painting with watercolour for leisure. He enjoys tai-chi and meditation and wishes to continue world travel.

Diane Lemay is originally from London, Ontario and moved to Quebec when she and her husband were posted to Montreal with the Canadian Forces. Diane and her husband have two adult children and four “grandcats”. After retiring from the Canadian Forces, Diane returned to school and earned a DEC in Pastoral Ministries and an undergraduate degree in Theology and Sociology. Diane has been employed as a Pastoral Animator for the past 20 years. First as a primary school animator in Montreal and Longueuil and then as an Animator with the Diocesan Faith Education program. Diane is the Diocesan representative on the English-Speaking Catholic Council and was recently elected to the Board of Directors for Seniors Action Quebec. Diane has been a member of the Catholic Women’s League for 41 years and is presently chairing the Committee for the 2020 Convention which will be held in Montreal in 2020.

Christine Wright is a Pastoral Agent mandated for the needs of the Pastoral Unit, including being a resource person for marriages and baptisms. She is part of the Faith Education team with an emphasis on children aged three to ten. She has a mandate as an Extraordinary Minister of Baptism. Christine was an early childhood educator during which time she volunteered in parish life including liturgy, sacrament initiation, youth ministry and parish socials. These interests led Christine to furthering her studies. She has a certificate in Pastoral Care from the University of Montreal and a bachelor’s degree from Concordia majoring in Theology with a minor in Education. Christine is the youngest of eight, married with two adult children, and proud Nonna to three grandsons. With her husband, she enjoys their furry pets, dancing, trivia, cards, board games, as well as travel to visit family.

Since his beginnings in our Pastoral Unit, Alex La Salle has been entrusted with the task of educating adults in the faith. To nourish the spiritual life and enrich the knowledge of our parishioners, he draws on his years of study in philosophy, literature and theology, placing the word of God at the heart of his ministry. If he is anxious to see the missionary conversion of the Church become a reality, he is deeply aware that this will be possible only if we keep our eyes on “the true aim of our Christian life”: “the acquisition of the Holy Spirit of God.” (St. Seraphim of Sarov). Alex is happily married and the father of a wonderful daughter.