During the Masses on the feast of the Baptism of our Lord, January 10 & 11, 2009
Sister Antoinette Jacques, R.J.M. had the following to say about our beloved Pastor:For the past 40 years, I have worked with Father Gerry.
I have seen his joy and sorrow.
I have observed his courage, his rejection and his determination to face difficulties.
I have watched his willingness to help those in need and to give himself to menial tasks.
I experienced mostly his help to those least valued by society and to give them a sense of worth.
I found that his constant goal was to help all of us to believe God's boundless love for each of us.
I witnessed his gifted ability to accept people as they are and always to give the benefit of the doubt.
I wish to relate a story which sums up who Father Gerry is:A secretary at the chancery indicated to me one day that she has seen many priests come by her desk, some with the finiest silk suit, others with their gold watches, but she would see Fr. Gerry pass by in an ordinary jacket with a blind person on one arm and an invalid on the other.
She said that she would pick Fr. Gerry as her pastor.
I am honored to have known Fr. Sabourin and am grateful for his many kindnesses and his constant support throughout these forty years.
Heartfilled with happiness, I now present your pastor
Monsignor Gerard O. Sabourin
God bless him with many more years of life and service
MSGR. GERARD O. SABOURIN, born on January 11, 1935; ordained on June 4, 1960.Since his ordination to the priesthood in 1960, Father Sabourin has served in pastoral ministry in a number of parishes around the Diocese of Providence including six years as pastor of St. Bernard Parish in Wickford. However, most notably, for forty years he has served as director of the diocesan apostolate for handicapped persons. In that ministry, Father Sabourin has been a recognized leader in promoting the best possible quality of life for men and women who suffer from a variety of physical and emotional handicaps.
While being director, from 1971 to 1981 Father Sabourin also served as chaplain to Ladd School, a state residential facility for developmentally challenged children and adults. In recent years he has resided and assisted in the direction of a small group home for such individuals. He has also assumed leadership in the diocesan apostolate to the deaf and hearing impaired.
Since 1981 Father Sabourin has been associated with a small parish mission that he has been instrumental in developing into the Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Community. He presently serves as administrator of the community while continuing as director of the apostolate for the handicapped.
