Beryl Whitecap Ordained Priest

Some participants at the ordination to the priesthood of the Rev’d Beryl Whitecap (front, centre) included (L to R): Rt. Rev. Michael Hawkins, Bishop of Saskatchewan; Ven. Adam Halkett, Archdeacon of Saskatchewan; and Rt. Rev. Mark MacDonald, National Indigenous Bishop.Prince Albert (Saskatchewan)

The Cathedral Church of St Alban the Martyr in Prince Albert was filled with joyous energy on the evening of Friday, May 14^th, during Ascensiontide.

One cause of the energy was the gathering of lay and clergy delegates from the many Cree reserves and churches across the Diocese of Saskatchewan for a significant Indigenous Council gathering, to meet together, pray together, and to dream and plan for greater Indigenous Self-determination within the Church.

But on that Friday night, there was also another source of the joy-infused energy: the ordination to the priesthood of the Rev. Beryl Whitecap. She had been the Deacon-in-charge of St. James Church, Little Red Reserve, located a few miles north of Prince Albert, since 2007.

The bilingual Cree and English service of ordination began with the procession into the church. It included the candidate, Lay Readers, Diocesan clergy, the Rt. Rev. Mark MacDonald (visiting National Indigenous Bishop), and the Rt. Rev. Michael Hawkins, Bishop of Saskatchewan. The procession occurred to the music and singing of “Hail the Day that Sees Him Rise – Alleluia!”

Bishop MacDonald delivered the sermon. He drew upon some reflections from his own experiences in discerning and living the call to the priesthood. He shared lessons learned from one of the biggest influences in his own life and formation, and on what it means to “wear the black” – to be a priest, in all of its joys and challenges.

After Archdeacon Adam Halkett presented Beryl as a candidate for ordination, Mr. John Henry Charles, a Lay Reader from Sucker River, led the congregation in the Litany. The opening four paragraphs, calling upon the mercy of the triune God, were offered first in Cree, followed by the English text, with the rest of the prayer offered in English.

The Epistle reading was taken from the fourth chapter of Ephesians, and the Gospel reading from the ninth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew. The James Smith Choir sang the Gradual Hymn, Amazing Grace, in Cree.

The Rev’d Beryl Whitecap, the newest priest in the Diocese of Saskatchewan, addresses the well-wishers at the reception.The three Bishops present (Bishop Hawkins, Bishop MacDonald, and the Rt. Rev. Charles Arthurson, retired Suffragan Bishop of Saskatchewan) then examined Beryl in turn. After a time of prayer and of invoking the Holy Spirit’s presence and power, Beryl Whitecap was ordained a priest in the Church of God, with the laying on of hands by all clergy present.

The service continued with Holy Communion. It was celebrated by Bishop Hawkins. Our newest priest, the Rev’d Beryl Whitecap, administered the consecrated bread, with other Cree clergy administering the cup. During the communion, the James Smith Choir led the singing of Just as I Am, in the Cree language.

After the service, everyone gathered in the Cathedral hall to enjoy a feast put on by the community of Shoal Lake, and to congratulate and celebrate with Beryl.