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Rev. Raymond James McLeod
Rev. Raymond James McLeod
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Raymond McLeod Obituary
McLEOD Rev. Raymond James, Thursday September 13th, 2007, at Delta Hospital, in his 78th year. Father was ordained by Archbishop James F. Carney at Holy Rosary Cathedral, June 29th, 1976, where he remained Assistant Pastor until July 1983. During those years Father was appointed Director of the Family Prayer Apostolate, tasked with creating a well planned program to encourage family prayer in the Archdiocese. In 1978 he was appointed Spiritual Director of Our Lady of Good Counsel and Chaplain to the Sisters of the Child Jesus, North Vancouver. Father was also appointed Vice Chancellor of the Archdiocese and was especially proud of his ministry when appointed as Chairperson of the Archdiocesan Vocations Commission. In 1983 Father was appointed Vicar for the Religious of the Archdiocese and the Chaplain of the Vancouver Police Department. On July 15th, 1983, Father Ray became Pastor of Holy Name Parish, Vancouver, where he was dearly loved. Father was a member of the Knights of Columbus and in 1989 became Chaplain of the Serra Club of Vancouver. Father Ray moved to the Diocese of Kamloops in 1992, where he built Our Lady of the Valley Church in Coldstream, B.C. He generously served the Faithful during his retirement years and was intrumental in the establishment of the Carmelite Monastery in Armstrong, B.C. Prayers Monday, September 17, 7:30pm, Holy Name Parish, 4925 Cambie St. (at 33rd), Vancouver, where Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated, Tuesday, September 18, 1:00pm, the Priests of the Archdiocese concelebrating. Prayers will be also offered Thursday, September 20th, 7:30pm, Our Lady of the Valley Church, Coldstream, B.C., where Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday September 21, 11:00am, Priests of the Diocese of Kamloops concelebrating. Interment St. Nicholas Ukranian Catholic Cemetery, Coldsteam, B.C. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Joseph's Society (care of 150 Robson St. Vancouver, BC., V6B 2A7), or to the Discalced Carmelites (OCD), 4815 Salmon River Rd., Armstrong BC., V0E 1B4.Kearney Funeral Services (604) 736-0268 in care of the arrangements.To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
10 Entries
Opal Macdonald
October 2, 2007
I will never forget you. Never. I still remember my then pre-school children running to you and hiding in the folds of your robe. You were what I imagine God would be like with children. AND....when Father McLeod was doing the homily...no one slept and EVERYBODY listened....even the little ones! Father was like no other priests. He said it like it was and did not care if you liked it or not. He did not skirt around the difficult issues. His sermons were something we were looking forward to. When most priests stood behind the pulpit, Father McLeod stepped down to mingle with the crowds, asked questions and used current events or something he had seen on TV the night before to make a point-HIS point...and he did this with a dash of well-placed humour. He went beyond the call of duties so many times that the line was blurred as to where his job actually ended and when he was going beyond expectations....When he left Vancouver, we felt lost. We missed him dearly and whenever he came to visit, we would have a party -any occasion to be with this great man. He was great because of who he was and not who he pretented or tried to be. Hoping you are getting some much deserved rest Father...
Anon
September 27, 2007
Father McLeod,
People have already expressed many traits of yours and of your great deeds. However I am not so sure that they know of an aspect of your priesthood that you did that you so loved and were so very much respected and that is in the AA program.
Thank you for all you did as a wonderful "friend" of Alcoholics Anonymous--you have no idea of the thousands both men and women whom you touched with your wisdom and insight Your willingness to share of your own story when doing 5th steps with people was truly amazing. Sure I didn't always like what you had to say and I often told you so but in you own way you were so right. I will only say that now that you are dead! Not being an alcoholic yourself you still loved us and at times we drove you crazy but your emotional support to me over the last 11 years sober today will long live in my memory and that of my family. Words cannot describe how I feel about you just know how much I respect you so rest well my friend in Paradise. AA will never forget you.
September 26, 2007
Father McLeod,
Your reputation preceded you! I remember hearing all about you while I was away in 1992 and you started celebrating Mass with, and building the amazing parish community of OLOV. Suffice it to say when I finally did get to meet you I was not disappointed. While I did not always agree with you, I always respected your (strongly expressed!) opinions and admired your deep faith, born of fire and burning bright for all to see.
Jon and I will be ever grateful for you officiating at our marriage in that wee church. We remember you trying to explain the tartan binding with no help from "I saw it in a movie" Jon and finding every opportunity to stick it to my Mum, ever a hobby of yours:)People always tell us they never laughed as much at a wedding as they did at ours.
Even after death, you found a way to get us to do it your way, with Jon on his knees for his first ever rosary! Father McLeod, you said it as you saw it -- the world needs more like you and ours is all the better for having known you.
Until we meet again, J&J
Gennie Vest
September 22, 2007
Dear Fr.McLeod - Weren't we blessed to have you come to Vernon! You are the reason we have our beautiful church in Coldstream named Our Lady of the Valley. You listened, encouraged and gave us so much help in those early days. You also gave us that gorgeous silver crucifix in memory of your dear mother. Every time it is processed into Mass we are reminded of you. And who could forget those Sunday mornings in the wee chapel at the old Mackie School - when the kitten kept coming in you said it would be okay because he must be a Catholic Cat!!!
We remember that Marisa pestered you until you grudgingly allowed her to be an alter server - the first female to do so in your parish. And how you loved to ruffle feathers - that gave us lots of laughs. You have touched many in ways too numerous to name and will always have a place in our hearts.So Godspeed, dear friend, and we'll meet again some day. Much love from Dick, Gennie, Marisa and David Vest.
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Gennie Vest
September 22, 2007
Dear Fr.McLeod - Weren't we blessed to have you come to Vernon! You are the reason we have our beautiful church in Coldstream named Our Lady of the Valley. You listened, encouraged and gave us so much help in those early days. You also gave us that gorgeous silver crucifix in memory of your dear mother. Every time it is processed into Mass we are reminded of you. And who could forget those Sunday mornings in the wee chapel at the old Mackie School - when the kitten kept coming in you said it would be okay because he must be a Catholic Cat!!!
You have touched many in ways too numerous to name and will always have a place in our hearts. We remember that Marisa pestered you until you grudgingly allowed her to be an alter server - the first female to do so in your parish. And how you loved to ruffle feathers - that gave us many a laugh. So Godspeed, dear friend, and we'll meet again some day. Much love from Dick, Gennie, Marisa and David Vest.
Laura Marriott
September 17, 2007
Dear Father, you helped our family find and keep God in our hearts. You taught me that yes, there is for sure a Heaven (on the day my Grandma Helen Giroday was buried). You gave me hope and faith in eternal life.
I also remember you teaching your parishoners at Holy Name to 'slow down' when saying the Lord's Prayer. I will always be mindful of this.
Everytime something major was going on in our family (i.e. deaths, emergencies or hospital stays), the phone would ring and it would be you. Somehow you knew when we needed you. In fact, the last time you called (the timing was miraculous once again) I passed the phone to my dad (Sid Sigfusson) and said "Dad, it's God calling for you" because you called just after we got home from putting Pepper down to sleep, again you were spiritually in tune with us. I remember sharing this with you.
Father, you will be forever missed by our family. You changed our lives and my dad's too especially, by converting him to Catholicism when I was a young girl attending CCD. My dad and mom loved you & enjoyed the many family Sunday dinners you shared with them over this summer at their Tsawwassen home. You will be missed dearly but forever remembered. Mom and Dad said the last family dinner they shared with you 2 Sundays ago was "magical". I am sorry I missed it. You are a wonderful man, thank you for always praying for us. I will pray for you Dear Father McLeod.
Love,
Laura Marriott (nee Sigfusson)
Ed Novakowski
September 17, 2007
We thank God for your stay at Augustine house. Although it was only for a short time,it will long be remembered. Ed Novakowski.
Lorene Vickberg
September 17, 2007
We were so blessed to have known you. You will be missed but you will never be forgotten.
Lorene Vickberg and family
Linda Mittlestead
September 16, 2007
You have touched my heart and the hearts of many. You will be sadly missed but always remembered. Your spirit lives on Father McLeod.
Shadow Maker
September 16, 2007
Father,
The world is a much better place for you having been here. Thank You.
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