Formation House Community - Toronto
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February 15, 2024Greetings from St Germain Ave, here in Toronto. Our community is designated as the Formation House for the Province and has served as the North American Novitiate, Formation House for those preparing for Novitiate (Candidates) and a Theologate for those preparing for final vows and ordination.
At the present time Frater Gabriel (Cyril) Ciang, who is in temporary vows, is studying Theology at the University of St Michael’s College in the University of Toronto and at the Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Institute of Eastern Christian Studies. He also is part of in-house formation, which includes weekly conferences, monthly retreats, a variety of responsibilities and this year mentoring in basic bookkeeping.
Our home is much more than a residence for formation. It is a multi-generational, multi-cultural, multi-racial, inter-ecclesial, multi-talented, committed group of men living the spirit and charism of St. Alphonsus. We are a rich blend and microcosm of our Redemptorist family in Canada. We live a life of shared prayer, recreation, meals, monthly retreats, community meetings and, most importantly, daily Eucharist. We are also a residence for some of our senior confreres. We offer hospitality to confreres, family and friends. As well, we have been a residence for confreres coming to learn English. One unique characteristic of our community this year has been the call to flexibility.
This semester we have had change as the main leitmotif for our community. We began the semester with the departure of Fr. Mark Miller to Vancouver and the arrival of now Bishop Michael Smolinski as the new provincial. Frater Gabriel arrived in October after his visit to family in China. Then we welcomed Fr. Jim Mason back for a permanent return from White Rock and in time to celebrate his 90th birthday. Fr. Michael was named Eparchial Bishop of Saskatoon so we saw him moving out of our community to his new home in his hometown of Saskatoon. Now we are preparing for the departure of Fr. Jean-Carlo for a temporary stay in New Brunswick to help out while our confrere Fr. Joseph Nguyen is convalescing. We have to relax and smile as we continue to make efforts at developing a Plan for Community Life. Every time we have met to work on the Plan we have had a different community to take into consideration.
Today our community has six members. The eldest is Fr. Jim Mason, who at 90 is still a major contributor to the life of the community. He can be seen washing dishes, sweeping the floor, shovelling snow, raking leaves or presiding at Eucharist. Next is Brother Raymond Pierce our resident story-teller, published author and go to man when there is a practical problem in the house. Brother Raymond reminds us that he will be 80 years old during the Chapter and will be celebrating 60 years as a Redemptorist this February.
Fr. Pierre Bach Tran is a gifted photographer, bonsai expert, spiritual director and supply priest for many Vietnamese in the city and surrounding area. He is generous with his time and willing to be of help wherever he can, be it as far away as Ottawa/Montreal, Ste Anne de Beaupré or closer like Oshawa or Mississauga. Fr. Jean-Carlo is the assistant formation director. He has been studying English and brings youthful energy to the community. He has a ready smile and quickly volunteers for any task that is needed.
Frater Gabriel (Cyril) Ciang has been trying to navigate studies with living in this community. Many of his classes are in the evening which take him away from the evening meal. Gabriel has managed to enter fully into this mix of confreres and brings to us his wide range of knowledge and a fresh perspective with his background in Eastern culture, Theology and Spirituality.
Fr. Raymond Douziech, is the director of formation and the rector of the house. He continues to teach and learn and offers his gifts to the community and to neighbouring parishes. He is also available as a spiritual director to people who are looking for accompaniment on their spiritual journeys.
This is a brief overview of the community at St Germain. If you are ever in the area, please do not hesitate to come in for coffee or overnight. We would love to have you, especially on Friday evening when no mercy is shown as we play a wild game of UNO.