The Archdiocese of Montreal has announced that, as of January 1, 2021, Fr. Harry Célestin, c.s.v. (Clercs de Saint-Viateur), will assume the position of Episcopal Vicar to the eastern sector deaneries, serving the francophone parishes and reporting directly to the Archbishop.

Eight  years  ago,  deaneries  were  set  up  throughout  the  Archdiocese  to  offer  fraternal support to priests by providing an opportunity for clergy within the same area to pray and to share. For the last four years, helping parishes and Church organizations within the same district or area to collaborate in adopting a new pastoral approach – missionary outreach – has been a central focus. Now, pastors, deacons and lay pastoral workers within each of the 16 deaneries come together to support one another’s ministry efforts, to exchange information regularly and to share resources more effectively, all of which contributes to the Church’s mission: to be the face of Jesus Christ in the world today.

To support these efforts, the position of episcopal vicar to the deaneries was created in September, 2017. Father Célestin will occupy this role for three years, while at the same time continuing as pastor of the parish of Sainte-Béatrice in Laval.

‘‘In a spirit of trust and joy in following our Rock, which is Jesus,’‘
says Fr. Célestin, ‘‘I welcome this call from our Archbishop. I look forward to working with him in the service of the francophone parishes of Laval East. Together, we will move forwards as brothers and sisters, in communion. We will trust in the power of the Holy Spirit and count on the contribution of each and every one of us as we undertake this missionary approach in the vineyard of the Lord.‘‘

Born October 5, 1964, at Cap-Haïtien in northern Haïti, he is the youngest in a family of five. After completing his studies in theology, he was called from 2002 until 2005 to become pastor for the Christian parish of Grand-Gouave, which is where the Viators were working.

Following this, he studied spiritual theology in Rome (2005 – 2007). For several years, he served, respectively, as Master of Novices, director of Scolasticat and Vicar General of the religious family. Fr. Célestin has been parish priest for Sainte-Béatrice since 2018.

We wish him every success in his new mission.