Chapter of the Sacred Heart Province

The Ordinary Chapter of the Sacred Heart Province concluded this morning with a Eucharist celebrated by the newly-elected Provincial Vicar Benny Punnassery Vincent, then closing remarks. The Chapter was celebrated at the Province's Ermitage Saint-Antoine, in Lac-Bouchette, Quebec. The natural beauty of the location provided a bonus to the fraternal atmosphere of the gathering itself. Given my inability to speak French, Pio Murat graciously accepted to serve as President of the Chapter.

The elections took very little time this year since all but one member of the Council was elected on the first ballot. Louis Cinq-Mars (who was nominated to complete the triennium after the untimely death of Benoit Fortin) was elected Provincial Minister. Benny Punnassery Vincent, Jean-Guy Lanthier, Alix Poulin and Antony Louiz Arukullaseri were elected to the Council.

Beside the elections, the Chapter discussed the effectiveness of its ministries and the ways it can continue to maintain vital presences despite the slow decrease in its membership. As happened three years ago, the provincial minister and vicar of the Province of Central Canada attended this chapter as observers (just as the provincial minister and vicar of the Eastern Canada Province attends the chapters in Toronto).