Lemieux spent last days on pilgrimage

Redemptorist left pilgrims with image of a Christ-like man

- photo supplied Redemptorist Fr. Claude Lemieux and Fr. Mark McGee at the altar of the church on Mount of the Beatitudes in the Holy Land last month.

By ALICIA AMBROSIO
WCR Staff Writer
Grande Prairie

Father Claude Lemieux, a Redemptorist priest who prepared for his death from cancer with a trip to the Holy Land, died here Dec. 2, three days after returning to Alberta.

Lemieux, 72, served in various parishes in Western Canada before spending his last eight years at St. Joseph Parish in Grande Prairie.

Although he did much in his 43 years as a priest, his spirituality shone brightly during the pilgrimage he made with the group from the Sylvan Lake region.

Penny Laforge, one of the pilgrims, recalled the washing of the feet that was reenacted during the visit to the Upper Room.

"In order to wash the feet Father Claude had himself prostrate on the floor, and he washed, dried and then kissed their (pilgrims') feet. It was the most Christ-like moment I've ever witnessed."

Camel ride

Father Mark McGee, spiritual director on the pilgrimage, has known Lemieux since the 1980s.

After visiting the Dead Sea the pilgrims went on to Jericho where merchants were offering camel rides. Lemieux, despite the physical challenges presented by illness, seized the opportunity and rode a camel, McGee said.

Not only did Lemieux concelebrate at all the Masses on the pilgrimage, but during the stop in Bethsaida where the Anointing of the Sick was celebrated, Lemieux anointed the pilgrims.

At the end of the celebration Lemieux allowed McGee to anoint him and quipped, "If I don't get my healing today then I guess I'm not getting' it!"

Face of Jesus

Rhonda Schwab, another pilgrim, said, "When I left for Jerusalem I was disheartened because I was leaving my natural family behind. However, when I got to Jerusalem I discovered the true face of Jesus in Father Claude."

Schwab said although Lemieux was in the final stages of cancer one would never have known by his actions. "All he did was ask for prayers."

In a statement released by the Redemptorists, a confrere who knew him from his seminary days Father Jim Mason, said, "he was the ever optimistic, cheerful, joking Redemptorist, both in the pulpit and in the community.

"He carried on with all the vim and verve that life blessed him with. He was gifted with the wonderful grace to make people feel their goodness and treasure and enjoy their lives as a gift from God.

"Like a magnet he drew people to himself with his simplicity, his caring and ever present humour."

Lemieux was born in Paradise Hill, Sask., July 17, 1935. While working for the federal department of agriculture as a patrolman in Aboriginal communities, he heard his calling to the priesthood.

He made his first profession of vows with the Redemptorists in 1957 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1964 by Bishop Emmett Carter of London.

Mission team

His first appointment was as pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Vancouver, where he developed a unique ministry for the deaf. In 1969 he was appointed to Holy Redeemer College in Edmonton as a teacher of religious education.

In 1970 he became pastor of Our Lady of the Foothills Parish in Hinton. He was a founding member of the Redemptorist Mission Team. He and the mission team gave about 25 missions a year in parishes across Western Canada.

In 1999 he was appointed pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Grande Prairie where he served until his death.

Lemieux was diagnosed with cancer in 2002 but continued to work in the parish and serve in communities where no priest was available.

Lemieux is survived by nine brothers and sisters, a nephew and niece, and is predeceased by his mother and father.

A vigil service was celebrated Dec. 5 and a Mass of the Resurrection on Dec. 6 at St. Joseph Church in Grande Prairie. Another vigil service was celebrated Dec. 7 followed by a Mass of the Resurrection Dec. 8 at St. Albert Catholic Church.

Copyright © 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 -- Western Catholic Reporter