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Pastoral Team
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Leonia Downie - Lay Ecclesial Minister
I came to Canada at the age of 18 months from the Azores with my mother in 1960, where my father already here in Sarnia, was setting up for our arrival in our first parish of St. Joeseph. We then moved on to Vidal Street where the Kenwick apartments stand and became parishioners of Our Lady of Mercy where my parents, to this day are active. Yes, I do speak fluent Portugues and maintain our cultural traditions. Thirty-seven years ago, I met the love of my life my husband John, a wonderful, patient, compassionate and incredibly supportive person in my service as Pastoral Minister. We are blessed with two beautiful daughters Erika and Jessica who are married, with wonderful spouses. I am a graduate of the University of Windsor, in Social Psychology, where I worked for the University of Windsor for many years, as a Highschool Liaison Person, then into the Distance and Continuing Education Counselling. I obtained a Masters of Pastoral Ministry with theology, from Assumption University and started to work for the London RC Diocese in 2003 at St. Christopher Parish in Forest Ontario. When the Clustered Parishes of Our Lady of Mercy, St. Benedict and St. Joseph were established, I was hired on where I continue to serve in our new family of Parishes. There are many things that I enjoy, but nothing brings me greater joy than my family and the Love of our Lord. -
Jenn Stewart - Lay Ecclesial Minister
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself.
My name is Jenn Stewart, and I am joining our Family of Parishes Pastoral team.
I am a blessed wife, mom, Educational Assistant, and now adding the role of Sacramental Catechist to my life. I have been a part of Sacramental Preparation curriculum for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion.
This role was new to me, but I enjoyed it and am very much looking forward to growing my connection and support to our Family of Parishes community. I hope to share my charisms with you and look forward to this new journey I am on.
Psalm 32:8: "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you."
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Lynne McGregor - Coordinator of Youth and Family Ministry
I am so joyful to join the Sarnia Bluewater Roman Catholic Family of Parishes as your new Coordinator of Youth and Family Ministry. For the past 15 years, I have had the privilege of serving as the Chaplaincy Leader at École secondaire Saint-François-Xavier, a role I truly adore. While the path wasn't always easy, the students, and particularly my amazing youth ministry leaders and fellowship teams, have been a profound source of inspiration. It was through their hearts and their witness that I found my own faith renewed, discovering a vocation I now feel called to share with our parish community.
This journey of discernment recently led me to pursue a Master’s in Catholic Religious Studies at Assumption University. While taking that leap was a bit scary, I am so grateful I did. Outside of my ministry and studies, I am a wife and a mother to our three grown children, who are truly my life and my greatest joy. They inspire me every day to see the beauty in family life, and I look forward to walking alongside your families as we grow closer to Christ together.
I am so eager to share the ideas I’ve been praying about and can’t wait to see what the Holy Spirit has in store for our young people. Please feel free to say hello if you see me at Mass; I truly look forward to meeting you!
“We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well...”
1 Thessalonians 2:8