The highest-ranking leader of Catholics from North Bay to Sault Ste. Marie is planning to plunge into the frigid waters of Lake Ramsey this month for a good cause.
Most Rev. Thomas Dowd, bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie, is going polar at the Sudbury lake, along with Christ the King pastor, Father Raymond Akor, on Feb. 25. The icy feat is the latest fundraiser in a campaign to fund the replacement of the front stairs at the iconic, downtown Sudbury church.
It will also take place at the end of a week of activities during which Dowd will be in the community meeting with local civic and downtown leaders.
“You have heard of the Flying Fathers?” said Father Akor. “Well, this is like that – a creative way to engage the community and to seek to raise funds for an important cause as well. Maybe call it the Polar Plunging Priests. I have never done anything like this and could not imagine such a thing when I was growing up in Nigeria. But, God willing, it will be a lot of fun and offer a boost to our parish.”
The dive itself will take place just off a residential property owned by a Christ the King parishioner. However, the parish is promising to record and broadcast the plunge on its Facebook page for all to see, if donations in support of the feat reach or exceed $50,000.
Parishioners at the landmark church have organized a variety of previous fundraisers to support the church stairs project. The capital initiative carries an estimated $600,000 cost.
Among the other activities for Bishop Dowd around the chilly splash is a meeting with Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefebvre and Ward 12 Coun. Joscelyne Landry-Altmann, a planned tour of a mission which serves meals to disadvantaged persons and leading a series of themed presentations at Christ the King, as a parish mission.
It is part of a wider outreach campaign that will also see the bishop make extended visits to come to better understand the social, cultural and political environments in which Christ the King parish is situated.
To make a pledge in support of the polar plunge or a donation to the stairs project, phone the parish at 705-674-6447, or check out Canada Helps – Church of Christ the King.
