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God walks with me
I was ordained in 1974 and served in parishes mostly in Southern Alberta. A notion of service nurtured my calling to the priesthood. I had an uncle who served as a missionary priest for many years. As well, my father and my five siblings pulled together to care for our mother.Volunteering at the old Calgary Children’s Hospital gave me additional frontline experience with service. Those were pretty formative experiences. And then I discovered that words have power, and I learned I had some ability to take ideas and give them expression in a way that helped people. The experiences that followed taught me that creation and notably human beings have the divine inscribed in them. God has taken flesh and continues to take flesh in our world. I have discovered that truth again and again first in my family, in their love and laughter and care for each other. Then, in the good friends I have been blessed to discover along the way. I have slowly come to see that God has always been walking with me on the Emmaus Road, only it wasn’t to Emmaus, but to little places like Cranford, Wrentham, Cowley, Champion, and more recently Gameti, NWT. My uncle cautioned me: ‘Tim, never break another persons rice bowl.” Jesus had to tell Peter three times: feed MY sheep. They are his sheep, not mine, and just like me they have their own weaknesses and often find their own way to divine nourishment. I have often forgotten that truth. I am grateful for all those with whom I have travelled the Emmaus Road. Your friendship and support have made the journey not just memorable but delightful…and always a joy. Gerard Manley Hopkins put this discovery well in his poem: “As Kingfishers Catch Fire”: “Christ plays in ten thousand places, Lovely in limbs, and lovely in eyes not his. To the Father through the features of [their] faces.”
Originally published on Faithfully: https://www.catholicyyc.ca/blog/fr-timothy-boyle-god-walks-with-me
Celebrating Fr. Tim's
50th Ordination Anniversary
St. Augustine’s Parish in Taber was honoured to share with parishioners and guests a special evening recognising the many accomplishments, lasting friendships, and cherished memories that Father Tim Boyle has created over the past 50 years.
A bit of history explains why this celebration was held at, and is so special to, St. Augustine’s Parish.
In 1973, a young Tim Boyle arrived in Taber as a transitional deacon, serving the parish until his ordination to the priesthood a year later. On October 12, 1974, Bishop Paul O’Byrne came to St. Augustine’s and celebrated a Mass of ordination to the priesthood for Fr. Tim.
Fr. Tim continued to serve in Taber for a further 3 1/2 years as an associate pastor under the guidance of the Pastor, Fr. Donald O’Dwyer.
Fr. Tim, originally a young man from Camrose, AB via Calgary, began a blessed priestly ministry in the Church that has spanned 50 years.
Throughout these years, he has continued to serve the Diocese of Calgary in various parishes. Now, having retired from active parish ministry, he serves as the Bishop’s Vicar for Clergy.
The Celebration
Our evening on Saturday, Sep. 28, 2024 began with Fr. Tim celebrating Mass, accompanied by Fr. Philip Le and Deacon Brian Kinahan. The music was a collaboration from our three music ministry groups, featuring songs from both past and present. During Mass, Fr. Tim shared stories of the parishes where the sacred vessels, presented to him by his family at his ordination, had travelled over the past 50 years.
After Mass, a potluck supper was held in his honour, with an abundance of food to share. A spectacular cake was made by one of our parishioners, Brenda. The program began with Fr. Tim sharing a bit about his time in Taber—from helping farmers in the fields to driving beet trucks, and most importantly, building lasting friendships. His favourite story was about entering a float in the Taber parade with friends, celebrating their “accomplishment” of placing second in the T.L.D.M.A. Branch 451 competition. It was a hilarious spoof, with people cheering from the sidelines and wondering about the mysterious competition. The joke, of course, was on them, as T.L.D.M.A. simply stood for “These Letters Don’t Mean Anything.”
He shared a few stories about the Camp Columbus trips and the special van in which he drove the youth group around. Then, Mrs. Jolane Sekura, a parishioner from his time in Taber, spoke about her memories of Fr. Tim’s time there and presented him with a framed Papal blessing commemorating his 50 years of ordained ministry. To conclude the evening, there was an open mic, where parishioners shared more stories from his time in Taber, leaving all blessed with joyful memories.
All present were truly blessed.
Once you are ordained, you are a priest forever! We were so pleased to be able to celebrate this lifelong priestly ministry right here in Taber where it all began.
May God continue to guide Father Tim and fill him with His grace as he continues the work of harvesting souls for Him.
Written by Linda Kinahan - Originally published on Faithfully, https://www.catholicyyc.ca/blog/celebrating-fr-tims-50th-anniversary