June 19, Christ the King Roman Catholic Parish hosted congregations from St. Hippolyte Parish in Vawn, St. Leon in Jackfish and Our Lady of Fatima in Meota to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the ordination of Father Peter Paase.
Mass was concelebrated with Bishop Albert Thevenot of the Diocese of Prince Albert. The Knights of Columbus provided an honour guard, and the children from the children’s liturgy brought Father Peter a bouquet of peonies. A celebration dinner of faith and fellowship in honour of Father Peter’s jubilee anniversary was held at the community centre following the mass. Danielle Weiler provided musical entertainment with original songs and her impressive guitar play. More than 150 parishioners turned out to honour Father Peter.
Father Peter, a member of the Missionary of St. Paul, was born on May 29, 1967 at Gboko, Benue State in the Middle Belt of Nigeria. In his journey to the priesthood, Father Peter was educated at the National Missionary Seminary of St. Paul at Iperu-Remu in Western Nigeria where he earned degrees in philosophy and theology. Father Peter also studied at the University of South Africa where he obtained a degree in international relations and a subsequent Master’s of Philosophy degree in international relations at the University of Wales at Lampeter. Father Peter was ordained on June 22, 1991 by Bishop William McCormack.
Father Peter came to Saskatchewan after working in several locations. In 1991 he was assigned as pastor in the Oyo Diocese and served as a lecturer at the Novitiate of the Fransican nuns. In 1992, he began his pastoral duties in Botswana, building a rectory and daycare while serving at Gabane and Thamaga.
In 1998, Father Peter returned to school to complete his grad studies in Wales and then in 1999 he was assigned by his superiors in the Missionary of St. Paul to work in Liberia where he served the parishes of the Immaculate Conception and St. Christopher’s until 2012.
During the civil war in Liberia Father Peter returned to Nigeria. After peace was restored, Father Peter returned to Liberia to establish new communities at St. Catherine’s and St. Francis Xavier. This included building and rebuilding churches, a parish office and a new rectory. In addition to his pastoral duties Father Peter taught ethics at Stella Maris Polytechnic in Monrovia and English and history at St. Christopher’s. He also acted as visiting lecturer at St. Paul’s College Seminary at Gbarnga, Liberia.
Father Peter remains assigned by the Missionary of St. Paul to the Prince Albert Diocese to minister to the needs of the parishioners in Edam, Jackfish, Vawn and Meota. The parishioners are truly grateful for the service Father Peter has rendered in his mission to these parishes.
Father Peter will return to Nigeria in October to visit his mother, Margaret Paase, his sister Lucy Mbasen Akuhwa and his brother Augustine Kumaga Paase. He will also celebrate his silver jubilee with the other 12 priests who were ordained with him in 1991.
