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Father André Gauvreau: Not One Man Alone

The Low Down to Hull and Back News, December 19, 1985

This story could well be entitled "Local Boy Makes Good," for indeed, Father André was born and raised in Masham. In fact, Gauvreau Lake was named after his grandfather. And, although he works in Old Chelsea and Cantley, he figures that he is at home, at last!

To say "at last" is quite appropriate because André spent fourteen years in the Arctic. He was a teaching brother, principally at the residential school in James Bay. He is fluent in Swampy Cree and Inuktituk, the language of the Eskimos, or more correctly, the Inuit.

Of his years in the north, he said, "It was a beautiful experience, and very special for me. I learned much about simplicity and sharing, the treatment of the senior citizens. A people with wisdom. It was wonderful."

Father André Gauvreau
Father Andre Gauvreau, a native son of the Masham community, 1985. Photo: GVHS-IB 02511-007

André was in charge of the residential school at James Bay, where he went for three months and ended up staying fourteen years. He suggested that the thing that impressed him the most was the way people worked together, "much like we do in Old Chelsea." And bearing in mind that he was up there to teach, he was not of great missionary zeal, as he said.

"At one school in Fort George there were 200 Anglican students; only two were Catholic."

As a teaching brother, André said he never really thought about becoming a priest until he concluded there were many things he could not do as a brother. He expressed it well, "There was a part missing."

While he worked as a teaching brother he studied for the priesthood and was ordained on October 12, 1979. His first parish was in Gatineau Point in 1981, and he served for a year in Templeton. In 1983 he was sent on a temporary basis to Old Chelsea, where he was scheduled to stay for a couple of months, but as it transpired he stayed on, and in 1984 he was reappointed for a further three years by Bishop Proulx, who is his boss.

In August this year he assumed responsibility for the Parish at Cantley. At St. Elizabeth's Church there, there are 50 English-speaking parishioners and over 400 francophones. This keeps him hopping with five masses on the weekend, two in Cantley - one English and one French, and three at St. Stephen's - two in English and one in French.

A rather unique thing is that Father André is assisted in his parish work by his older brother, Brother Gilles, who is doing his pastoral work in the parish; he is with the Oblate Order and was appointed a Deacon last May. He will be ordained this coming May. André commented that back in 1972, at Fort George, there were three blood brothers, the Brothers Gauvreau, who taught together. Incidentally, his sister is Susan Aurele, who taught French at Wakefield School for ten years; she is now teaching in Aylmer. The other brother, Brother Jean-Marc Gauvreau, is teaching in Cap-de-la-Madeleine.

Father André has had the privilege of seeing first hand the changes brought about by Vatican II. For example, when he took off the cassock he said it was like a barrier was lifted and priests became more "of the people." The ecumenical movement is perhaps most surprising. He suggested that many priests of the old school had a great deal of trouble trying to adjust to the new order in the Church. For example, he does not know Latin, nor has he said Mass in Latin. People are no longer frightened of the priest as an authoritarian figure. André enjoys the more normal life without the robes.

Of course, the great temptation to ask about priests being married could not be resisted. He commented, "I don't think I would get married even if I could, at least not now. There would not be time for a family with my busy schedule. I'd always be out."

Father André takes the famous members of his parish in stride, although he did admit that he was slightly nervous when he first learned that Pierre Elliott Trudeau was in the church, but soon became used to seeing him at Mass. He always considered him as just one of the parishioners. He recently baptised Nicolas Mulroney, son of Brian Mulroney, part-time residents of Harrington Lake.

André enjoys his parish, where he feels very much at home. He commented that since his English has markedly improved, he finds it even easier. "In the beginning the people were very patient with me, especially when I said Mass in English for the first time. They must have been very confused, not knowing whether I was speaking French, English or Latin!" He has written a lot to improve his use of the language.

The life of a priest is not easy sometimes. André says that officiating at funerals troubles him. He shares the grief and suffering of the family. "I put my faith in front without understanding," he said.

The rewards come to Father André by seeing people happy, having been of help to them, and feeling part of the parish family. The work with other ministers of the area, Max de Hamel and Bill Simons, is especially delightful to him. "I can do nothing by myself; it's everyone working together."

This is especially true when it comes to helping the poor, who even in this day and age are still with us. In fact, there are about 16 or 17 families who are referred to him by the CLSC for food and other help. The Anglican and United Churches work together to help, too. He firmly believes in teamwork, and says he can accomplish nothing alone.

As a hobby, and for relaxation, Father André used to raise goats. He recently bought a horse and is able to use the stables behind the church. He rides it in the park when he has a chance, and will hitch it to a sleigh this winter. He claimed the goats were great, but needed a lot of care. André is also a computer buff and has taught himself to use the equipment, which he finds useful in his parish work.

The time I spent in the kitchen of the manse, over coffee with Father André, was a heart-warming experience for me. I can even now feel a warmer Christian spirit around, and a great joy, especially with Christmas so close at hand. Thank you, Father.

Father André Gauvreau
St. Stephen's Church, Old Chelsea. Photo: Anita Rutledge

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