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*All pictures are thanks to Andrew Monia Photografikart
MEET THE TEAM
We are blessed here at Saint John Paul II Pastoral Unit to have an amazing and dynamic team. Come learn more about us by reading below!
Fr. Fritznel Mertyl
Fr. Gérard Lachapelle
Fr. Gérard Lachapelle was born in Joliette in 1939. He has a Bachelor of Science degree specializing in Biochemistry from the Université de Montreal and a degree in Microbiology from the University of Syracuse. He worked for Health Canada for 22 years. In 1984 he returned to the Université de Montreal for a degree in Theology and Pastoral Studies.
He was ordained as a priest in St. Amable on November 16, 1991. He was a Pastor for ten years in Sherrington, two years as Chaplain at a hospital in St. Jean and presently priest collaborator in the Pastoral Unit. He enjoys carpentry, videography, and painting with watercolour for leisure. He enjoys tai-chi and meditation and wishes to continue world travel.
Christine Wright
Christine Wright is a Pastoral Agent mandated for the needs of the Pastoral Unit, including being a resource person for marriages and baptisms. She is part of the Faith Education team with an emphasis on children aged three to ten. She has a mandate as an Extraordinary Minister of Baptism. Christine was an early childhood educator during which time she volunteered in parish life including liturgy, sacrament initiation, youth ministry, and parish socials.
These interests led Christine to furthering her studies. She has a certificate in Pastoral Care from the University of Montreal and a bachelor’s degree from Concordia majoring in Theology with a minor in Education. Christine is married with two adult children and a proud Nonna to five grandsons. With her husband, she enjoys their furry pets, dancing, trivia, cards, board games, as well as travel to visit family.
Karen DeKoninck
Karen deKoninck is a Pastoral Agent mandated for comprehensive family faith education as well as the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) for the six parishes of the St. John Paul II Pastoral Unit. She also offers her time on the Diocesan Commission for Catechesis.
Years of volunteering in liturgy and faith education led to her pursuing a certificate in Pastoral Ministry from College Andre Grasset as well as a BA with a major in Theological Studies and a minor in Human Relations from Concordia University. She considers it a privilege and a blessing to accompany and rejoice with adults of all ages on their faith journeys. Karen is married with three adult children. She and her husband enjoy world travel in their leisure time.
Ljubica Dekic
Ljubica Dekic is from Macedonia in Eastern Europe. She grew up in a Catholic family where her faith was nourished by her parents. She studied education and worked as a Kindergarten teacher for over ten years. When she was teaching in Vancouver, Ljubica used the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program.
When she was a child, she met the Focolare Movement. In a meeting for youth from the Focolare she understood that God wanted her to give her life to Him. After a period of spiritual formation in Italy, she has been part of several Focolare communities. Now she is living in a community in Brossard. During her years in community, she has worked in a special way animating the children’s scripture programs. She hopes that her experience can be a gift to others.
Choosing of the name
The name Saint John Paul II Pastoral Unit represents those values that Catholics hold so dearly. John Paul II is a saint of our times; most of us have seen him, heard him, and prayed with him and many of us remember the model of courage that he became as he faced his final life’s journey. He was a pope that welcomed all people in our society; he promoted ecumenical dialogue and initiated the call of World Youth Day, which continues still.
Rather than stay within the confines of Vatican City, John Paul II went out to the people where they lived. He called for a new evangelization and a new way of being. And even when an assassin tried to end his life, he arranged to meet the attacker in his prison cell and forgave him, living out the faith that we all share together.
Bishop Claude Hamelin
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His moto:
Joy and Hope
