By this letter, with the consent of your superior, Father Yvan Carré of the Congregation of Marist Fathers, I am happy to appoint you as pastor of St. Patrick's Parish for six years, until July 31st 2014. You will carry out this responsibility in solidarity with the other members of the parish team.

As a member of the presbyterium through this appointment, you share with me the task of bringing together, of training in the faith, and of sanctifying the faithful of this portion of the Church of Quebec, whom I entrust to you.

As a witness of the risen Christ and as one inspired by the values of the gospel, you will devote yourself, with daring and patience, to making known and loved the word of God, to promoting and sustaining the prayer of individuals and of the community and you will favor all manner of mutual support. You will thus contribute to forming living Christian communities who will witness to the gospel (Acts 2 :42).

Like Jesus, you will accompany people on their path of faith. You will care especially for those who are afflicted by poverty, sickness, injustice, and solitude.

In solidarity with the diocesan mission, your ministry will be carried out in union of heart and spirit with the Shepherd of this diocese, the Episcopal vicar, and the various authorities of your pastoral region. You will make sure that you invite the collaboration of as many faithful as possible, challenging them in the name of their baptism and of the gifts they have received from the Spirit.

I am happy to be able to rely on your commitment. May the Lord keep you anchored in faith, firm in hope, and radiating in charity.

Given at Quebec on June 6th 2008

Marc Cardinal Ouellet, Archbishop of Quebec

Jean Pelletier, p.h., Chancellor

May I reiterate to you my joy for having had the privilege of sharing these past ten months with you. Projects in the parish were numerous during this period: couples and Religious Anniversary Mass, Christmas, Blessing of the New Year, parish retreat with Sister Jean Goulet, St. Patrick's Day Mass and banquet reception with Cardinal Marc Ouellet as our guest, Easter triduum and feast, Mother's Day, two Confirmation ceremonies, one which included the visit of Bishop Pierre-André Fournier, and the other with Cardinal Sean Brady of Ireland; Eucharistic Congress catechetical sessions and the Encounters at the Cenacle, welcoming of three special groups at St. Patrick's Parish during the Eucharistic Congress week, welcome and feeding of 100 Eucharistic Congress pilgrims from Bombay, India, and the many other daily, weekly and monthly routine tasks relating to the parish.

If all these activities were made possible, it is in great part due to the involvement and generosity of the many volunteers who accepted to collaborate and continue to make the Christian community of St. Patrick's a dynamic one in which to grow in faith, in hope and in charity. It is not possible to name all the persons who have collaborated in the various activities of the parish, however I can mention some groups to whom I owe a debt of gratitude: all persons involved in the daily, weekend and special liturgies, readers, altar servers, choir, soloists, sacristans, weekly bulletins, collections, decorations, the chapter of the Sick… Baptism preparation, Confirmation, the Eucharistic Congress; the members of the Pastoral Council and members of the Chapel Committee at St. Stephen's and St. Vincent's. A very special thank you goes out to the Trustees, under the able chairmanship of Mr. Lorne Mulroney, who efficiently manage the parish always taking into consideration the best interests of the parish.

I must also express my gratitude to many other persons for their personal, professional and selfless involvement; they ensured the realization of many activities, having greatly contributed to making this period of transition a more tolerable and gentle period, and in many ways, ensuring that no parish services suffered.

A very special thank you to Father Gaston Lessard, S.M., an exceptional person, who has become over these past ten months much more than a collaborator. He has accepted to adjust his agenda to participate in many projects and events for the benefit of the parish, and I wish to thank him for his kindness and support.

Many of you have expressed to me your support and your prayers, and I thank you for this. I know that you will also welcome your new Pastor, Father Jacques Arguin, with the same spirit of cooperation, kindness and generosity.

I pray that St. Patrick will watch over the parishioners of your Christian community, and also that our God of tenderness will bless you and bring you joy and comfort.

Québec (Québec) Father Jacques Vézina, v.é.
August 2, 2008 Administrator