Last Updated: Tuesday - 01/04/2011

Annual event keeps growing

LAC STE. ANNE — For six years, growing numbers of families have been meeting on the shores of Lac Ste. Anne to explore their Catholic faith.

This year 375 families - about 1,500 people - came from across the West for an August weekend of speakers, daily Mass, Benediction, Confession, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, a concert activities for children and even an eclectic talent show.

As well, Archbishop Thomas Collins came to celebrate the Sunday Mass. Living Communion of Radway provided most of the music and Behold the Lamb led the children's ministry.

Benedictines from Mission, B.C., came last year to set up a display and this year led liturgies and youth ministry.

The major event was sponsored by Catholic Family Ministries, an outgrowth of St. Albert's Open Door Prayer Group.

The families in the prayer group all have their own conversion stories, event coordinator Bob LeBlanc told the WCR. "We all got married, had children and discovered the Catholic faith in that little community.

"It's so changed our lives that this (conference) was just a natural extension of what we were discovering," LeBlanc said.

People who attend the conference become enthused and go back to their local communities, promote it and bring back others, he said. "They're inspired to live the Catholic faith more faithfully."

Children who attended the children's programs in the first years are now volunteering in those programs. "This is really good to see," said LeBlanc.

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