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St. Anthony?s getting new priest

By Rick Pusiak ThereÂ?s a feeling of relief at St. AnthonyÂ?s Roman Catholic Church in SudburyÂ?s Gatchell neighbourhood following word the parish will soon have its own priest. Rev.
By Rick Pusiak

ThereÂ?s a feeling of relief at St. AnthonyÂ?s Roman Catholic Church in SudburyÂ?s Gatchell neighbourhood following word the parish will soon have its own priest.

Rev. Rodgers Mwimba is expected to fly from Rome to the Sudbury Airport July 1 to begin his stay in Sudbury at St. AnthonyÂ?s. Originally from Zambia, the 36-year-old priest completed a doctorate of theology at the Vatican last week.

Sudbury Knights of Columbus Council 1387 are paying for his flight to the city. Mwimba was ordained 10 years ago and speaks Italian, English and FrenchÂ?linguistic skills which will prove to be a big asset in the largely ethnic neighbourhood.

Â?A lot of uncertainties are finally put to rest,Â? said parish council president Rita Verrilli.

At one point, it looked like the 50-year-old church was going to be closed and the congregation merged with St. Clement parishioners at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help site on the Brennan Street hill.

Because of a shortage of priests, they already shared personnel and resources for four years in an arrangement called the West End Cluster. The proposed merger, however, didnÂ?t sit well with many in the largely Italian neighbourhood who feared many of their traditions would be lost.

Earlier this year Bishop Jean Louis Plouffe, leader of the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie, was petitioned to find a priest for St. AnthonyÂ?s and let the parish stand on its own.

He agreed and the official announcement of MwimbaÂ?s posting was made several days ago.

Â?Father Mwimba is very excited,Â? said Verrilli.

Â?HeÂ?s sent us e-mails, weÂ?ve told him that the parishioners are looking forward to him and heÂ?s very happy about that.Â?

Volunteers have been busy painting and sprucing up the long vacant rectory at St. AnthonyÂ?s in anticipation of the priestÂ?s arrival.

Â?HeÂ?s a very simple person, he said all he needs is a bed and some bedding,Â? said Verrilli.

MwimbaÂ?s first mass at St. AnthonyÂ?s is scheduled to be celebrated Sunday, July 7.

The priest has been in Canada before.

He was stationed in London for four summers helping replace clergy on vacation.

News of MwimbaÂ?s imminent arrival comes as the parish prepares to celebrate the annual St. AnthonyÂ?s festival on Sunday. Mass will be moved up one hour to 10 am for the occasion. Weather permitting there will be a religious procession through the streets of Gatchell following the celebration of the eucharist. Parishioners will also be able to enjoy an Italian-style luncheon in the lower hall of the church.

While things are now looking good for St. AnthonyÂ?s, Verrilli said she will constantly remind parishioners not to become complacent.

Â?The bishop has assured us that while our church is viable, while weÂ?re paying our way and what not, that he will not close us,Â? said Verilli. Â?We will fail if the people donÂ?t pull up their socks now. (The council has) done everything, weÂ?ve kept (St. AnthonyÂ?s) open, weÂ?re out of the merger, weÂ?ve got a priestÂ?thereÂ?s nothing more we can do as a parish council.Â?

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