10
SEPTEMBER 2015
The Filipino Canadian Newspaper of Choice in Alberta and Saskatchewan
Edmonton
Edmonton community mourn Filipino priest untimely death Cheryl Posadas-Guinsatao EDITOR IN-CHIEF
Father Gary Lee, current pastor of St. Anthony Parish in Drayton Valley, St. Agnes Parish in Mayerthorpe and St. Elizabeth Parish in Evansburg, passed away suddenly of a massive heart attack on Friday, September 4. Parishioners in Edmonton and Drayton Valley are sending their prayers for Fr. Lee who died at age 39. “So shocked to hear of his passing today. May he rest in Christ,” wrote Father Carlos Nunez, one of many heart-felt tributes being shared over twitter. Lee was born in Davao City in the Philippines and entered the Queen of Apostles College Seminary in the Diocese of Tagum in 1993, receiving a Bachelors degree in philosophy in 1997. He came to Canada in 2000, entering the St. Joseph Major Seminary before being ordained a deacon in 2005, the same year he earned his master’s degree in divinity. After serving as a deacon for St. Agnes Parish and
St. Anthony’s Parish, Lee was ordained a priest in 2006. “I remember our conversations at Newman, and when he finished his diaconate at my then parish, St. Agnes. May God rest his soul,” wrote Grant Gary. Every year, Father Lee spent his vacation in the Diocese of Tagum, Davao Del Norte Philipppines. Filipino Canadian couple Alex and Ana Donado described Father Gary Lee as one of the best and happy Filipino priests who served in the Province of Alberta. Hardy del Castil-
lo, Knights of Columbus San Lorenzo Chapter of Calgary, said “It was so sad and sudden. I was going to invite him to preside one of the Filipino Mass sponsored by the Knights in St. Joseph. Sayang!” Archbishop Richard Smith celebrated a mass for Lee with his family and parishioners on last Septemebr 9 at Holy Trinity Academy 5749 45 Avenue, Drayton Valley at 7 p.m. and vigil prayers were also scheduled Thursday September 10 at St. Joseph Basilica in Edmonton.
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