‘It’s like Jesus is coming’

Fox Lake parishioners have high hopes as their new church nears completion

As they await the opening of their new church, the people of Fox Lake are looking to the future with a renewed sense of hope.

It’s a hope desperately need, as it’s been an especially difficult number of years for this northern reserve of the Little Red River Cree Nation. First, in late 2021, Fox Lake lost their only church – the Little Flower Mission – to an electrical fire.

It was an immense loss for the community. Fox Lake is known as one of the most devout Indigenous reserves in the Archdiocese of Grouard-McLennan. The Catholic Church is the only church in Fox Lake, and thanks to the legacy of many past missionary priests and religious sisters, the faith continues to be passionately practiced by its people. Thus, the loss of the Little Mission Church was deeply felt. More than just a building, it was their central source of faith, strength and cherished memories.

The 2021 fire did not collapse the church, but it had completely charred its interior. Looking back at photos from the fire’s aftermath, shelves, tables and pews can be seen badly burnt and damaged. The altar had fallen on one side. The ceiling was totally dilapidated, with insulation hanging from torched and broken boards. The bathroom and confessionals too had succumb to the blaze.

While so many valuable items were lost in the fire, there was some signs of divine providence looking out for the Catholics of Fox Lake. Just a few days before the fire, the tabernacle and procession cross had been taken out of the church for the community’s annual pilgrimage. So, this cross, the tabernacle and the Eucharistic hosts contained within the tabernacle, were all preserved from the destructive blaze. These items now also await the completed construction of the new Little Flower Mission Church.

For devout parishioners like Leslie Joe Laboucan, there’s been much anxious excitement for their new church. To him, it is as if Jesus himself will soon be coming to the northern reserve. It is a fitting sentiment, as many in Fox Lake are hopeful they will be able to celebrate their first Mass in this new church by Christmas Eve.

“We’re very excited to have a church, to be able to go in and worship and praise. It’s like Jesus is coming – that’s how I feel sometimes,” said Leslie Joe. “This community has suffered a lot recently, with the pandemic, with wildfires and evacuations, with drugs and suicide. But I feel through this church God is going to be opening doors for people; things are going to change for the better. It’s what’s been missing most in our community. The people are longing for a church.”

Above all, Leslie Joe’s hope is that the presence of the church will have a major impact in the lives of the people of Fox Lake, that it can help people heal from the suffering the community has endured in recent time, and foster a period of peace in the community.

“To me, when we have a new church, people will be crammed in there. They will change their lives,” he said. “Catholicism is the only religion in this community, and we want to keep it that way. That’s why we are so wanting the church to be open. We pray at home, that’s what keep us going, but we need a sacred place we can go to mediate and be with God.”

There were certainly many obstacles that delayed and prolonged the building of this new Catholic Church for Fox Lake.

In early 2022, discussions had begun between the archdiocese and the Little Red River Cree Nation to decide upon plans for the construction of a new church. It was agreed that the new church would be the same size as the original church, with changes to the interior – including a new reconciliation room, a sacristy, and a small “coffee nook” for social events after Mass.

But just as plans were being finalized to begin construction, Fox Lake was hit by one of the most devastating wildfire seasons of 2023.

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And when those new church doors are opened, Leslie Joe has many hopes. He hopes to have the elders of Fox Lake cut the ribbon at the grand opening, and he hopes to have a picture of Fr. Paul Hernou – the Oblate missionary that devoted his life to the people of Little Red River Cree Nation – displayed in the church.

Leslie Joe especially awaits the installation of the church bell. He longs to hear it ringing before Mass every Sunday, reverberating throughout the reserve and letting all people know that God is calling them to worship.

“We want to hear that church bell ringing. Just to think about it makes me emotional – to hear that bell ringing in the morning and have us saying, ‘It’s time to go to church’. It’s like Jesus is calling us, He’s calling us to go pray, to go and worship our Creator,” said Leslie Joe.

“I hope we have the church bell installed at the grand opening. Oh man, it would be awesome. I wouldn’t want to miss it for the world.”

This is only an excerpt. Read the full story in the November 2024 edition of Northern Light