Northern Fires

Trial by Fire

Early June 2025

Pukatawagan

En route to pick up gasoline rations, air was smokey and felt like an apocalypse

Lines of jerry cans

First night of the fire outside of the community

Assisting firefighters, with smoke, fire and chaos

As evening approached winds were blowing fire away from the community, JY community continued to pray

Power outage stopped sewage pumps, assisted with manual redistribution

Barbara, a community & church leader helped arrange helicopter rescue

Evacuated to the Bishop house lending a hand wherever needed

Views from the skies

Red skies the next night

Good Neighbor Response

As over 40,000 evacuations began, JYs from both Canada and the U.S. came together to form The Good Neighbor Project—a crisis response initiative focused on pastoral care and practical support for those displaced.

Some days were filled with thick smoke

Driving with Fr. Josi to meet/minister to displaced parishioners in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Celebrating Holy Mass at the hotel hall with parishioners

Prayer warriors: Rosary with elders at their hotel in Winnipeg

The Thomas family with Fr. Stephen and Cross Lake community celebrating Holy Mass at their hotel.

A special thanks to the priests, intercession teams, and music ministries from Chicago, Ontario, Philadelphia, and South Florida who led weekly live-streamed Eucharistic adorations for the Northern Communities

We thank JY for their help when my family was in time of need. Being rushed away from home with only a 10lb bag. As a parent being forced out and scared I had to remain strong for my kids. I was terrified of the new changes with challenges we were going to face but I kept going with prayer and patience. Dealing with a fire is dangerous and I went to bed with a heavy heart but also remained calm. Raymond was left back home to help fight the fires that was my biggest concern. My brothers and sister were also stuck in that fire. Until help got to them so yeah I was in distress but i kept them in my prayers asking them to be ok. I was happy to be reunited with all of them… from the bottom of my heart I thank them (JY) so much. I am blessed to have met such wonderful people.

- Delinda Morin (Pukatawagan)

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