Longhouse Dedication

Friar Mark Steed (in the middle of the photo)

Last month, Conventual Franciscan Friar Mark Steed traveled to the National Shrine of Kateri Tekakwitha in Fonda, New York from his home-friary at the Franciscan Church of St. Bonaventure in Toronto, Ontario. In Fonda he participated in the naming ceremony of a longhouse. A fair-sized crowd gathered for the ceremony, which saw the house dedicated to the memory of Friar Kevin Kenny. Friar Kevin had been guardian of the friary at the Shrine of Kateri Tekakwitha and an integral part of the local community. His sister and a number of First Nations people came to the longhouse dedication to honour his memory.

An image of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha

The National Shrine of Kateri Tekakwitha in Fonda, New York is the former home of Kateri Tekakwitha, a young Mohawk woman who in the 17th century converted to Christianity. And although she suffered a lot of persecution for her beliefs, she always maintained a strong sense of faith, eventually escaping to a mission for Christian Aboriginal people in what is today Canada.

(Sources of all related images on webpage and homepage: Conventual Franciscan Friars Immaculate Conception Province Provincialgram and www.katerishrine.com.)