As Catholics joined Canadians nationwide in marking the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Sept. 30, and the following weekend in supporting the Church's Indigenous Reconciliation Fund (IRF) collection, many are seeing how Pope Francis' penitential pilgrimage is continuing to resonate. 

Noah MacDonald, a canon lawyer in the Archdiocese of Toronto and a member of the Michipicoten First Nation, has seen how far truth and reconciliation has moved forward in Canada and the Church in just three years since Pope Francis' mid-summer pilgrimage to Canada.

“As I reflect on this past National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, it is clear that the penitential pilgrimage of the late Pope Francis still resonates deeply with Canadian Catholics as the momentum of 'Walking Together' continues,” he said. “I’ve seen a sea of orange shirts at parishes predominantly serving new Canadians, as well as church knitting groups selling their crafts to support the IRF. To see this spirit of reconciliation embraced so intimately at the local level truly fills me with hope this Jubilee year.”

Advertisement

Parishes of the Archdiocese of Toronto and across Canada participated in this year’s reconciliation fund collection over the Oct. 4-5 weekend. Officially established by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops three years ago as part of the Church’s reconciliation efforts, the national fund has raised upwards of $21 million, with trends showing the target of its five-year $30 million commitment made in 2022 are on track to be met, even surpassed. (Figures from this year's collection had yet to be tabulated by the Register's press deadline).

In his letter to the faithful on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and regarding the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund, Toronto's Cardinal Francis Leo spoke to the ongoing process of reconciliation and how it relates to this Jubilee year of hope.

“We are invited to discern how we may reconcile with those who may have caused us pain, and we strive to build anew relationships that have been fractured in the past. The late Pope Francis, despite his advanced age and physical frailty, travelled to Canada on a penitential pilgrimage in 2022 to invite us to walk together with Indigenous peoples of this land and reflect on the pain and suffering experienced by many,” his letter read.

Advertisement

Speaking to the grants collected in just three years, MacDonald touted the difference they have made for Indigenous communities across the country, and how they are bringing them together.

“They make a real difference as they support the tireless work of organizations serving (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) folks from grassroots efforts to national initiatives. I’ve even seen recipients of the IRF begin working together to achieve common goals. For example, Kateri Native Ministry in the Archdiocese of Ottawa is hosting a program offered by Returning to Spirit (Archdiocese of Winnipeg), and it will all be taking place at Anishinabe Spiritual Centre within the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie. It is clear that the IRF is helping support dialogue and network building of all those pursuing reconciliatory action,” he said.

Last year alone, the Archdiocese of Toronto assisted in funding Embrace Life Council’s grief care packages project, Native Child and Family Services of Toronto’s culture camps, Teach for Canada’s investments in local educators in remote First Nation schools and the Ontario Native Women’s Association’s culturally grounded healing and well-being initiatives.

Projects like these, and many more, are supported by the $3.1 million already allocated through the fund, with more to come.

Leo closed his letter offering his hope that Catholics will continue to act as pilgrims of hope in this venture while remaining mindful of the late Pope Francis’ words at Lac Ste. Anne, Alta., during his pilgrimage: “May the Lord help us to move forward in the healing process, towards an ever more healthy and renewed future.”

Advertisement

For MacDonald, he shares Francis’ hope of a continued, united move forward, something crucial for both parishioners hoping for progress and the committees that amplify their actions.

“As we near the end of this five-year commitment, it is time to start thinking about the future of diocesan IRF committees and how this infrastructure may continue to support Indigenous-Catholic relationship building for generations to come,” he said.