Lifestyle

He was once called the devil. Now he’s baptized.

Leon Robert Blais’ hands shake as he pulls a .45-calibre semi-automatic handgun out of his backpack.

He fires into the air, a warning for everyone to stay back. The look on his face is hard, but his hands shake so much he has to put the gun on the ground, so he can rummage in his backpack for the key he’s taken.

This page requires Javascript.

Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

kAmpE `d[ E96 D>2==[ C65\92:C65 w2>:=E@? E66? <?@H? 2D #@33:6 2=C625J 92D 2 C64@C5 7@C DE62=:?8 42CD[ 6D42A:?8 4FDE@5J 2?5 CF??:?8 7C@> A@=:46] qFE E9:D =2E6DE 4C:>6 DEC62< 😀 2 EFC?:?8 A@:?Ej 96 92D 2 8F?]k^Am
k5:G 4=2DDlQ25{236=(C2AA6C|2?F2= G:D:3=6\>5 G:D:3=6\=8 :?pCE:4=6{6256C3@2C5 25$:K:?8{6256C3@2C5 DF3D4C:36C\9:56 9:556?\AC:?EQ DEJ=6lQ4=62CiC:89EQm
p#%xr{t r~}%x}&t$ qt{~(
k5:G 4=2DDlQE?E\25D\4@?E2:?6C E6IE\46?E6C Q m
k5:G :5lQ2CE:4=6\:?DE@CJ\=6256C3@2C5\aQ 4=2DDlQE?E\25D 57A\25Q 52E2\=2KJlQECF6Q 52E2\C67C6D9lQECF6Q m
kD4C:AEm
8@@8=6E28]4>5]AFD9W7F?4E:@?WX L
8@@8=6E28]5:DA=2JWV2CE:4=6\:?DE@CJ\=6256C3@2C5\aVXj

NXj
k^D4C:AEm
k^5:Gm
k^5:Gmk^5:Gm
k5:G 4=2DDlQ25{236=(C2AA6C|2?F2= G:D:3=6\D> G:D:3=6\ID 25$:K:?8q:83@I#F?H2J DF3D4C:36C\9:56 9:556?\AC:?EQ DEJ=6lQ4=62CiC:89EQm
p#%xr{t r~}%x}&t$ qt{~(
k5:G 4=2DDlQE?E\25D\4@?E2:?6C E6IE\46?E6C Q m
k5:G :5lQ2CE:4=6\:?DE@CJ\`Q 4=2DDlQE?E\25D 57A\25Q 52E2\=2KJlQECF6Q 52E2\C67C6D9lQECF6Q m
kD4C:AEm
8@@8=6E28]4>5]AFD9W7F?4E:@?WX L
8@@8=6E28]5:DA=2JWV2CE:4=6\:?DE@CJ\`VXj

NXj
k^D4C:AEm
k^5:Gm
k^5:Gmk^5:Gm

kAmxE’D `hhd 2?5 q=2:D 2?5 9:D 3F55J 2C6 2E pCC6== *@FE9 r6?EC6 E@ 3C62< @FE q=2:D’ 8:C=7C:6?5] %96J H6C6?’E A=2??:?8 E@ 3C:?8 2 8F?[ 3FE q=2:D DE@=6 @?6 7C@> 2 CFC2= u=2>3@C@F89 AC@A6CEJ “;FDE 😕 42D6]” xE H2D 62DJ 2?5 :E H@?’E 36 E96 =2DE 8F?]k^Am

kAmxE H2D 2=D@ E96 368:??:?8 @7 2 AF3=:4 A6CD@?2 96 H@F=5 6G6?EF2==J 6>3C246] w6 H2D 42==65 2 “325 <:5” 2?5 =2E6C E96 “56G:=]” w6 H@F=5 8@ @? E@ C24< FA 9F?5C65D @7 492C86D 2?5 364@>6 @?6 @7 w2>:=E@?’D >@DE ?@E@C:@FD 4C:>:?2=D] qFE 9:D 4C:>6D 2C6 @?=J A2CE @7 9:D DE@CJ]k^Am

See also  What is compassion fatigue and how to beat it: experts

kAmq24< 😕 `hhd[ q=2:D 925 2=C625J 366? 56E2:?65 2E E92E J@FE9 56E6?E:@? 46?EC6 D6G6C2= E:>6D 9:>D6=7] qJ E92E A@:?E 96’5 6D42A65 2E =62DE EH:46[ :?4=F5:?8 2 4@FA=6 @7 >@?E9D 367@C6 H96? 96 3C@<6 2 =@4< 2?5 C6A=2465 :E H:E9 5@==2C\DE@C6 G2C:6EJ D@ 96 4@F=5 D?62< @FE]k^Am

kAmsFC:?8 9:D DE2JD 2E pCC6==[ 7C:6?5D H@F=5 @7E6? AC@>:D6 E96J’5 4@>6 3C62< 9:> @FE[ 3FE E96J ?6G6C D9@H65] $@[ H96? 96 AC@>:D65 9:D 8:C=7C:6?5 96 H@F=5 4@>6 7@C 96C[ 96 H2D 56E6C>:?65 E@ <66A 9:D H@C5[ ?@ >2EE6C E96 4@?D6BF6?46D]k^Amk5:G :5lV>28?:E6@FEDEC62>V DEJ=6lV=:?6\96:89Ei _AIVmk^5:Gm

kAm%96 EC:@ — q=2:D[ 9:D 8:C=7C:6?5[ 2?5 E96 7C:6?5 — 7=65 😕 2 DE@=6? 42C 2?5 >256 E96:C H2J E@ (@@5DE@4<[ ~?E][ H96C6 E96J 9@=65 FA 😕 2 A=246 q=2:D =:<65 E@ 4C2D9]k^Amk5:G :5lQE?4>D\C68:@?\2CE:4=60:?DE@CJ0E@AQ 4=2DDlQE?4>D\C68:@? 9:556?\AC:?E EDpCE:4=6#68:@?Qmk5:G :5lQE?4>D\3=@4<\ag_eehaQ 4=2DDlQE?4>D\3=@4< E?E\92D\3=@4<\38QmkD64E:@? :5lQ3=@4<\ag_eehaQ 4=2DDlQ3=@4< 6>A92D:D\9b E?E\?@\>2C8:?\3@EE@>Q mk5:G 4=2DDlQ4=62C7:IQm

k5:G 4=2DDlQ3=@4<\E:E=6 E:E=6\ag_eeha Qm
k5:G 4=2DDlQ3=@4<\E:E=6\:??6CQm
k9bm

*@F >:89E 36 :?E6C6DE65 😕

k^9bm
k^5:Gm
k^5:Gmk^5:Gmk5:G 4=2DDlQ4FDE@>\42C5\=:7E:8?:E6C 42C5\8C:5 Qm
k5:G :5lQ=@25:?8s:G\ag_eehaQ 4=2DDlQ=@25:?8{xQm k: 4=2DDlQ72D E?E\DA:??6C E?E\DA:?Qmk^:m k^5:Gm
k5:G 52E2\7:==65lQ72=D6Q 4=2DDlQDE@CJ!24< A24<ab 42C5\:>8\>5 C68:@?\38Qm
k2CE:4=6 :5lQ42C5\DF>>2CJ\LLFF:5NNQ 4=2DDlQE?E\2DD6E\EJA6\LLEJA6NN A24<$E@CJ` E6>A=2E6 =6EE6C3@I\DEJ=6\H9:E6 E?E\D64E:@?\_Qm
k5:G 4=2DDlQ42C5\4@?E2:?6CQm

k5:G 4=2DDlQ42C5\:>286Qm
k5:G 4=2DDlQ>65:2\AC6G:6H\LLFF:5NN >65:2\AC6G:6H LLEJA6NN\2DD6E Q 52E2\2DA64ElQ`i`Qmk7:8FC6 4=2DDlQA9@E@ =2J@FE\LL@C:6?E2E:@?NN =6EE6C3@I\DEJ=6\H9:E6Qm
k5:G 4=2DDlQ:>286Qm

k2 9C67lQLLFC=NNQ 4=2DDlQE?E\2DD6E\=:?<Q 2C:2\=236=lQLLE:E=6NNQm

k:>8
DC4lQ52E2i:>286^A?8j32D6ec[:’q~#H_zv8@pppp}$&9t&8pppptppppqrp”pppr`wpHrppppr_=t”‘#ca>|g&Hgpp9_q%+F5bqHppppp$&’~#zdr*xxlQ
2=ElQLLE:E=6NNQ
4=2DDlQ:>8\C6DA@?D:G6 =2KJ=@25 7F== H9:E6Q
H:5E9lQQ
96:89ElQQ
52E2\D:K6DlQ2FE@Q
52E2\DC4D6ElQ52E2i:>286^A?8j32D6ec[:’q~#H_zv8@pppp}$&9t&8pppp”ppppsrp”pppp6^(+}pppptt=t”‘#ca>|g&ggpq@H*spqpI”!=EEdKBpppppqy#&dtC<y888llQ ^m
k^2m

k^5:Gm

k^7:8FC6mk^5:Gm
k^5:Gm

k5:G 4=2DDlQ42C5\3@5JQm
k5:G 4=2DDlQ42C5\=236=DQm

k5:G 4=2DDlQ42C5\=236=\7=28DQm
kDA2? 4=2DDlQE?E\7=28 =236= =236=\7=28\LLEJA6NNQmLLEJA6NNk^DA2?m
k^5:Gm

k^5:Gm

k5:G 4=2DDlQ42C5\9625=:?6Qmk9b 4=2DDlQE?E\9625=:?6 Qm

k2 9C67lQLLFC=NNQ 4=2DDlQE?E\2DD6E\=:?<Q 2C:2\=236=lQLLE:E=6NNQm

LLE:E=6NNk^2mk^9bmk^5:Gm
k5:G 4=2DDlQ42C5\>6E2Qm
kF= 4=2DDlQ=:DE\:?=:?6 Qmk=: 4=2DDlQ42C5\52E6Qm
kE:>6 52E6E:>6lQ_Q 4=2DDlQE?E\52E6 2DD6E\52E6 E6IE\>FE65 @=5\2DD6EQm
kDA2? 4=2DDlQ:4@?\H2C?:?8\FA52E65Qmk^DA2?ms64 b`[ `hehk^E:>6mk^=:mk=: 4=2DDlQ42C5\4@>>6?E\4@F?EQmk2 9C67lQLLFC=NNR4@>>6?EDQ 4=2DDlQ4>Qm
k5:G 4=2DDlQG:27@FC2Q DEJ=6lQ5:DA=2Ji:?=:?6Qm

kDA2? 4=2DDlQDC\@?=JQmr@>>6?EDk^DA2?m
k^5:Gm
k^2mk^=:mk^F=m

See also  Canada's HIV immigration policy has been called outdated and discriminatory

k^5:Gm

k^5:Gm
k^5:Gm
k^2CE:4=6m
k2CE:4=6 :5lQ42C5\DF>>2CJ\LLFF:5NNQ 4=2DDlQE?E\2DD6E\EJA6\LLEJA6NN A24<$E@CJa E6>A=2E6 =6EE6C3@I\DEJ=6\H9:E6 E?E\D64E:@?\_Qm
k5:G 4=2DDlQ42C5\4@?E2:?6CQm

k5:G 4=2DDlQ42C5\:>286Qm
k5:G 4=2DDlQ>65:2\AC6G:6H\LLFF:5NN >65:2\AC6G:6H LLEJA6NN\2DD6E Q 52E2\2DA64ElQ`i`Qmk7:8FC6 4=2DDlQA9@E@ =2J@FE\LL@C:6?E2E:@?NN =6EE6C3@I\DEJ=6\H9:E6Qm
k5:G 4=2DDlQ:>286Qm

k2 9C67lQLLFC=NNQ 4=2DDlQE?E\2DD6E\=:?<Q 2C:2\=236=lQLLE:E=6NNQm

k:>8
DC4lQ52E2i:>286^A?8j32D6ec[:’q~#H_zv8@pppp}$&9t&8pppptppppqrp”pppr`wpHrppppr_=t”‘#ca>|g&Hgpp9_q%+F5bqHppppp$&’~#zdr*xxlQ
2=ElQLLE:E=6NNQ
4=2DDlQ:>8\C6DA@?D:G6 =2KJ=@25 7F== H9:E6Q
H:5E9lQQ
96:89ElQQ
52E2\D:K6DlQ2FE@Q
52E2\DC4D6ElQ52E2i:>286^A?8j32D6ec[:’q~#H_zv8@pppp}$&9t&8pppp”ppppsrp”pppp6^(+}pppptt=t”‘#ca>|g&ggpq@H*spqpI”!=EEdKBpppppqy#&dtC<y888llQ ^m
k^2m

k^5:Gm

k^7:8FC6mk^5:Gm
k^5:Gm

k5:G 4=2DDlQ42C5\3@5JQm
k5:G 4=2DDlQ42C5\=236=DQm

k5:G 4=2DDlQ42C5\=236=\7=28DQm
kDA2? 4=2DDlQE?E\7=28 =236= =236=\7=28\LLEJA6NNQmLLEJA6NNk^DA2?m
k^5:Gm

k^5:Gm

k5:G 4=2DDlQ42C5\9625=:?6Qmk9b 4=2DDlQE?E\9625=:?6 Qm

k2 9C67lQLLFC=NNQ 4=2DDlQE?E\2DD6E\=:?<Q 2C:2\=236=lQLLE:E=6NNQm

LLE:E=6NNk^2mk^9bmk^5:Gm
k5:G 4=2DDlQ42C5\>6E2Qm
kF= 4=2DDlQ=:DE\:?=:?6 Qmk=: 4=2DDlQ42C5\52E6Qm
kE:>6 52E6E:>6lQ_Q 4=2DDlQE?E\52E6 2DD6E\52E6 E6IE\>FE65 @=5\2DD6EQm
kDA2? 4=2DDlQ:4@?\H2C?:?8\FA52E65Qmk^DA2?ms64 b`[ `hehk^E:>6mk^=:mk=: 4=2DDlQ42C5\4@>>6?E\4@F?EQmk2 9C67lQLLFC=NNR4@>>6?EDQ 4=2DDlQ4>Qm
k5:G 4=2DDlQG:27@FC2Q DEJ=6lQ5:DA=2Ji:?=:?6Qm

kDA2? 4=2DDlQDC\@?=JQmr@>>6?EDk^DA2?m
k^5:Gm
k^2mk^=:mk^F=m

k^5:Gm

k^5:Gm
k^5:Gm
k^2CE:4=6mk^5:Gmk^5:Gmk^D64E:@?mk^5:Gmk^5:Gm

k5:G 4=2DDlQG:27@FC2 G:27@FC2\6?8286>6?E\DE2CE6C DF3D4C:36C\9:56 9:556?\AC:?EQm
kG7\4@?G6CD2E:@?\DE2CE6C
E2C86ElQQ
G7\4@?E2:?6C\:5lQc75ed_e7\`f72\c625\gg`c\62276`g3d`5gQ
E:E=6lQw2G6 J@FC D2J]Q
56D4C:AE:@?lQ{62G6 p r@>>6?E p?5 %6== &D (92E *@F %9:?<]Qm
k^G7\4@?G6CD2E:@?\DE2CE6Cm
k^5:Gm

kDEJ=6m
]G:27@FC2\6?8286>6?E\DE2CE6C L >2C8:?\3@EE@>i `eAIj4=62Ci3@E9 N
]G7\4@?G6CD2E:@?\DE2CE6C0025 L 7=6I\32D:Dib__AIj N
k^DEJ=6m

kAmqFE A@=:46 EC2465 2 A9@?6 42== 2?5 q=2:D H@<6 E@ E96 A=246 DFCC@F?565] w6 C2? E9C@F89 E96 3F:=5:?8[ @A6?:?8 2 D=:5:?8\8=2DD 5@@C @? D@>6@?6’D 32=4@?J 2?5 492C8:?8 E9C@F89 E96:C 2A2CE>6?E] xE H2D ?@ FD6[ q=2:D 2?5 9:D 244@>A=:46D H6C6 2CC6DE65[ 2?5 A@=:46 D6:K65 E96 ]cd[ 2 D9@E8F? 2?5 DE@=6? G69:4=6D]k^Am

kAm%96 $6AE] ab[ `hhd[ 9625=:?6 😕 %96 $A64E2E@C C625Di “‘q25 <:5’ 369:?5 3C62<@FE @?=J `d]”k^Am
k5:G 4=2DDlQ25{236=(C2AA6C|2?F2= G:D:3=6\D> G:D:3=6\ID 25$:K:?8q:886C3@I DF3D4C:36C\9:56 9:556?\AC:?EQ DEJ=6lQ4=62CiC:89EQm
p#%xr{t r~}%x}&t$ qt{~(
k5:G 4=2DDlQE?E\25D\4@?E2:?6C E6IE\46?E6C Q m
k5:G :5lQ2CE:4=6\:?DE@CJ\aQ 4=2DDlQE?E\25D 57A\25Q 52E2\=2KJlQECF6Q 52E2\C67C6D9lQECF6Q m
kD4C:AEm
8@@8=6E28]4>5]AFD9W7F?4E:@?WX L
8@@8=6E28]5:DA=2JWV2CE:4=6\:?DE@CJ\aVXj

NXj
k^D4C:AEm
k^5:Gm
k^5:Gmk^5:Gm







headline

The Sept. 23, 1995, headline in The Spectator about Leon Blais reads: “‘Bad kid’ behind breakout only 15.”




kAm“%9:D 😀 2 @?6\<:5 4C:>6 H2G6[” 2? F??2>65 w2>:=E@? A@=:46 @77:46C H2D BF@E65 2D D2J:?8] “w6’D ?@E =:<6 @E96C 49:=5 4C:>:?2=D — ?@E 6G6? 4=@D6] w6’D 2 325 <:5]”k^Am

kAmq=2:D 5:5 ?@E 92G6 2 EJA:42= 49:=59@@5] w6 5:5?’E DA6?5 2 D:?8=6 52J 😕 2 C68F=2C 9:89 D49@@= 3642FD6 96 H2D 😕 2?5 @FE @7 ;2:=] w6 ;@<6D E92E E96 DE@C:6D @7 9:D 4C:>6D 😕 %96 $A64E2E@C 2C6 “<:?52 =:<6 >J 9:89\D49@@= J62C3@@<]” w6 D2JD E96 H2J 96 H2D DA@<6? 2?5 HC:EE6? 23@FE D92A65 9@H 96 E9@F89E @7 9:>D6=7 2?5 9:D 7FEFC6]k^Am

kAmw6 H2D =2E6C 42==65 “E96 56G:= 9:>D6=7” 3J 2?@E96C 4@A[ 2 >@?:<6C q=2:D =62C?65 E@ 36=:6G6 2?5 6G6?EF2==J 6>3@5J H:E9 AC:56] w6 3F:=E 9:>D6=7 FA :?E@ 2 492C24E6C[ “<:?5 @7 y@9? s:==:?86C 4@>A=6I[” DE62=:?8 42CD[ @C496DEC2E:?8 D@A9:DE:42E65 3C62<\:?D[ DE62=:?8 8F?D 2?5 CF??:?8 7C@> E96 =2H]k^Am

kAm“x E9:?< 25C6?2=:? 😀 24EF2==J E96 H@CDE 255:4E:@? x 925 😕 >J =:76[” 96 D2JD] “u2C >@C6 E92? 2?J @E96C 5CF8 x’G6 6G6C 5@?6]”k^Am

k9am$E2?5:?8 H:E9 A@=:46k^9am

kAmu2DE\7@CH2C5 ?62C=J E9C66 564256D 2?5 q=2:D[ H9@ 8@6D >@C6 3J {6@? E96D6 52JD[ DE2?5D @FED:56 $E] !2EC:4< #@>2? r2E9@=:4 r9FC49 😕 5@H?E@H? w2>:=E@?] xE’D uC:52J[ 32C364F6 52J 2E E96 s6 |2K6?@5 s@@C ~FEC6249[ H96C6 G@=F?E66CD 92?5 @FE >@C6 E92? d__ >62=D 2 52J E@ w2>:=E@?’D >@DE ?665J]k^Am
k5:G 4=2DDlQ25{236=(C2AA6C|2?F2= G:D:3=6\D> G:D:3=6\ID 25$:K:?8q:83@I DF3D4C:36C\9:56 9:556?\AC:?EQ DEJ=6lQ4=62CiC:89EQm
p#%xr{t r~}%x}&t$ qt{~(
k5:G 4=2DDlQE?E\25D\4@?E2:?6C E6IE\46?E6C Q m
k5:G :5lQ2CE:4=6\:?DE@CJ\bQ 4=2DDlQE?E\25D 57A\25Q 52E2\=2KJlQECF6Q 52E2\C67C6D9lQECF6Q m
kD4C:AEm
8@@8=6E28]4>5]AFD9W7F?4E:@?WX L
8@@8=6E28]5:DA=2JWV2CE:4=6\:?DE@CJ\bVXj

NXj
k^D4C:AEm
k^5:Gm
k^5:Gmk^5:Gm

kAm“w6==@[ 3C@E96C[” 96 D2JD 2D 96 92?5D @FE 7@@5 E@ 2 C68F=2C] |2?J 😕 E96 =:?6 92G6 <?@H? q=2:D 7@C 564256D[ 3@E9 7C@> 9:D =:76 @7 4C:>6 2?5 9:D =:76 @7 255:4E:@? E92E 7@==@H65]k^Am







handshake

Leon Blais stands outside St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church in downtown Hamilton where on Fridays the De Mazenod Door Outreach hands out more than 500 meals a day to Hamilton’s most needy. Many in the line have known Blais for decades, both from his life of crime and his life of addiction that followed.




kAm%92E E96 cb\J62C\@=5 😀 H6== — 2?5 ?@E 😕 AC:D@?[ H9:49 😀 =:<6=J 2 DFCAC:D6 E@ D@>6j A6C92AD >@DE @7 2== E@ 9:>]k^Am

kAm~? E9:D C646?E uC:52J[ :?DE625 @7 CF??:?8 7C@> w2>:=E@? A@=:46[ 96 DE2?5D D9@F=56C E@ D9@F=56C H:E9 E96> 2?5 2 A2C2>65:4 E62> E92E >2<6D FA E96 D@4:2= ?2G:82E@C F?:E[ 92?5:?8 @FE 3FC86CD[ D2FD286D 2?5 5C:?<D]k^Am

kAmp>@?8 E96 @77:46CD 😀 $8E] !6E6 (:6D?6C[ H9@ =625D E96 4C:D:D C6DA@?D6 3C2?49 E92E :?4=F56D D@4:2= ?2G:82E@C[ 2 E62> E92E H@C<D H:E9 GF=?6C23=6 A6@A=6 E@ 4@??64E E96> H:E9 C6D@FC46D 2?5 5:G6CE E96> 2H2J 7C@> E96 4C:>:?2= ;FDE:46 DJDE6>] (:6D?6C H2D 2 7C6D9\72465[ a`\J62C\@=5 4@CC64E:@?2= @77:46C 2E E96 q2CE@? $EC66E ;2:= H96? 96 7:CDE >6E q=2:D[ H9@ H2D `g 2?5 925 ;FDE 366? EC2?D76CC65 E@ 25F=E 56E6?E:@?]k^Am







pete_wiesner2_2_

Sgt. Pete Wiesner, who leads a team of police that works with vulnerable people to connect them with resources and divert them away from the criminal justice system, has witnessed a transformation in career criminal Leon Blais and now counts himself as an ally.




kAmp 76H J62CD =2E6C[ (:6D?6C 3642>6 2 A@=:46 @77:46C 2?5[ =:<6 6G6CJ 4@A 😕 w2>:=E@?[ 96 <?6H E96 ?2>6 #@33:6 q=2:D] $@ :E H2D DFCAC:D:?8 H96? D6G6C2= J62CD 28@ q=2:D F?6IA64E65=J H6?E =@@<:?8 7@C (:6D?6C] (@C5 8@E 2C@F?5 E@ (:6D?6C 2?5 E96 EH@ C64@??64E65]k^Am
k5:G 4=2DDlQ25{236=(C2AA6C|2?F2= G:D:3=6\D> G:D:3=6\ID 25$:K:?8q:83@I DF3D4C:36C\9:56 9:556?\AC:?EQ DEJ=6lQ4=62CiC:89EQm
p#%xr{t r~}%x}&t$ qt{~(
k5:G 4=2DDlQE?E\25D\4@?E2:?6C E6IE\46?E6C Q m
k5:G :5lQ2CE:4=6\:?DE@CJ\dQ 4=2DDlQE?E\25D 57A\25Q 52E2\=2KJlQECF6Q 52E2\C67C6D9lQECF6Q m
kD4C:AEm
8@@8=6E28]4>5]AFD9W7F?4E:@?WX L
8@@8=6E28]5:DA=2JWV2CE:4=6\:?DE@CJ\dVXj

NXj
k^D4C:AEm
k^5:Gm
k^5:Gmk^5:Gm

kAm(:6D?6C H2D E96 EJA6 @7 4@CC64E:@?2= @77:46C — 2?5 =2E6C 4@A — H9@ 2=H2JD DA@<6 H:E9 6G6CJ@?6[ 2?5 q=2:D H2D =@@<:?8 7@C 2 8@@5 =:DE6?6C] w6 H2D =@@<:?8 7@C 2 H2J @FE @7 255:4E:@? 2?5 9:D =:76DEJ=6]k^Am

kAm(:6D?6C D66D E9:D @7E6? 😕 9:D H@C<] vFJD H9@ 92G6 =:G65 E9C@F89 ;2:=[ 255:4E:@?[ 9@>6=6DD?6DD 2?5 @E96C DECF88=6D C6249 2 46CE2:? 286 2?5 C62=:K6 2== E96J’G6 366? >:DD:?8] (:6D?6C 92D H:E?6DD65 E9:D EC2?D7@C>2E:@? 😕 q=2:D 2?5 ?@H 4@F?ED 9:>D6=7 2D 2? 2==J]k^Am

kAmq=2:D 7:CDE 42>6 E@ E96 49FC49 9:89 @? 4CJDE2= >6E9 2?5 😕 ?665 @7 2 >62=] {2E6C 96 DE2CE65 G@=F?E66C:?8] %92E EFC?65 :?E@ 2 7F==\E:>6 ;@3[ H96C6 E@52J 96 42? 36 7@F?5 5@:?8 6G6CJE9:?8 7C@> A:4<:?8 FA 7@@5 56=:G6C:6D[ E@ >@H:?8 E96 =2H?[ E@ 8:G:?8 }2C42? E@ D@>6@?6 H9@ 92D @G6C5@D65] w:D 5@8 r9C:DE:?2 😀 2=H2JD H:E9 9:>]k^Am







w_dog

Leon Blais first came to St. Patrick church high on crystal meth and in need of a meal. Later he started volunteering. That turned into a full-time job, where today he can be found doing everything from picking up food deliveries, to mowing the lawn. His dog Christina is always with him.




kAmx7 96 H2D 255:4E65 E@ 25C6?2=:? 😕 9:D J@FE9 2?5 4CJDE2= >6E9 😕 9:D b_D[ 😕 E9:D E9:C5 24E 96 D2JD 96’D 7@F?5 v@5 2?5 E96 A@H6C @7 <:?5?6DD]k^Am

kAm“x ?6G6C C62=:K65 9@H A6CD@?2==J 7F=7:==:?8 36:?8 <:?5 :D] {:<6[ :7 @?=J 6G6CJ@?6 4@F=5 766= E92E 2?5 6G6CJ@?6 H@F=5 5@ :E[ J@F <?@Hn” q=2:D D2JD] “p?5 :E’D ?@E E92E x H2D?’E <:?5 367@C6[ 3FE ?@H 6G6CJ >@C?:?8 x H2D H2<:?8 FA H:E9 E96 :?E6?E:@?i (9@ 42? x 96=A E@52Jn”k^Am

kAm!6C92AD ?@ @?6 92D >@C6 :?D:89E :?E@ E92E E92? u2E96C %@?J ~’s6==[ H9@ 42==D q=2:D “>J 8C62E6DE DF446DD 😕 >2?J H2JD]”k^Am
k5:G 4=2DDlQ25{236=(C2AA6C|2?F2= G:D:3=6\D> G:D:3=6\ID 25$:K:?8q:83@I DF3D4C:36C\9:56 9:556?\AC:?EQ DEJ=6lQ4=62CiC:89EQm
p#%xr{t r~}%x}&t$ qt{~(
k5:G 4=2DDlQE?E\25D\4@?E2:?6C E6IE\46?E6C Q m
k5:G :5lQ2CE:4=6\:?DE@CJ\eQ 4=2DDlQE?E\25D 57A\25Q 52E2\=2KJlQECF6Q 52E2\C67C6D9lQECF6Q m
kD4C:AEm
8@@8=6E28]4>5]AFD9W7F?4E:@?WX L
8@@8=6E28]5:DA=2JWV2CE:4=6\:?DE@CJ\eVXj

NXj
k^D4C:AEm
k^5:Gm
k^5:Gmk^5:Gm







tony_o_dell

Father Tony O’Dell, who calls Leon Blais “my greatest success in many ways,” says Blais is trusted by the guests of St. Patrick church.




kAm%92E’D 3642FD6 q=2:D 42? C6249 E96 8F6DED 😕 2 H2J ~’s6== 2?5 @E96CD 2E E96 49FC49 42??@E] q=2:D <?@HD H92E =:76 😀 =:<6 7@C >2?J 8F6DED @7 E96 @FEC6249 >:?:DECJ] w6’D 366? H96C6 E96J 2C6]k^Am

kAm%96 49FC49 AC6G:@FD=J 9:C65 AC:G2E6 D64FC:EJ E@ 96=A <66A A6246[ 3FE E96J H6C6 27C2:5 @7 D@>6 E96 8F6DED — >2?J H9@ 2C6 😕 24E:G6 255:4E:@? @C DF776C 7C@> >6?E2= :==?6DD — 2?5 A@=:46 H6C6 36:?8 42==65 7C6BF6?E=J] (96? q=2:D H2D 9:C65[ 96 H2D 2 ?2EFC2=] %96C6 2C6 DE:== 5:DCFAE:@?D 2E E96 49FC49 2E E:>6D[ 3FE ~’s6== D2JD q=2:D 😀 ECFDE65 3J E96 8F6DED]k^Am

kAm“w6 3C:?8D E96 62CE9:?6DD] w6 3C:?8D E96 D6?D6 @7 C62=?6DD] w6 F?56CDE2?5D A6@A=6[” ~’s6== D2JD]k^Am

kAm%92E 😀 ?@E E@ D2J E96C6 92G6?’E 366? >:DDE6AD[ @C E92E E96C6 H@?’E 36 DECF88=6D 29625] q=2:D’ H@C< 2E E96 49FC49 😀 2D >F49 23@FE 96=A:?8 @E96CD 2D :E 😀 23@FE 96=A:?8 9:>D6=7] %92E H@C< 😀 4@?E:?F@FD]k^Am

kAmw@H 5@6D 2 3@J 364@>6 2 ?@E@C:@FD 4C:>:?2= 367@C6 C6249:?8 25F=E9@@5nk^Am

kAm(9J H@F=5 2 >2?[ 92G:?8 2=C625J 366? E9C@F89 D@ >F49 EC@F3=6[ EFC? E@ 5CF8D 😕 9:D b_Dnk^Am
k5:G 4=2DDlQ25{236=(C2AA6C|2?F2= G:D:3=6\D> G:D:3=6\ID 25$:K:?8q:83@I DF3D4C:36C\9:56 9:556?\AC:?EQ DEJ=6lQ4=62CiC:89EQm
p#%xr{t r~}%x}&t$ qt{~(
k5:G 4=2DDlQE?E\25D\4@?E2:?6C E6IE\46?E6C Q m
k5:G :5lQ2CE:4=6\:?DE@CJ\fQ 4=2DDlQE?E\25D 57A\25Q 52E2\=2KJlQECF6Q 52E2\C67C6D9lQECF6Q m
kD4C:AEm
8@@8=6E28]4>5]AFD9W7F?4E:@?WX L
8@@8=6E28]5:DA=2JWV2CE:4=6\:?DE@CJ\fVXj

NXj
k^D4C:AEm
k^5:Gm
k^5:Gmk^5:Gm

kAmp?5 😀 :E A@DD:3=6 7@C D@>6@?6 E@ 6G6C 7F==J C64@G6C 7C@> E92En %@ C6566> 9:>D6=7nk^Am

k9amp55:4ED 2?5 |@3 9:E>6?k^9am

kAmq=2:D H2D >2J36 286 D:I @C D6G6? H96? 96 A@<65 9:>D6=7 @? 2 ?665=6 2E 9@>6]k^Am

kAmw:D 6J6D EFC?65 J6==@H 2?5 96 6?565 FA 2E |4|2DE6C r9:=5C6?’D w@DA:E2= H:E9 96A2E:E:D r] %96 =:EE=6 C65\92:C65 3@J 8@E 36EE6C 2?5 C6EFC?65 9@>6] xE 5:5?’E @44FC E@ 9:> E@ BF6DE:@? H96C6 E96 ?665=6 42>6 7C@>]k^Am







leon_blais_as_a_boy

Leon Blais, right, was born in May 1980, the second of four boys, to Kathryn and Leon Blais.




kAmq=2:D H2D 3@C? 😕 |2J `hg_[ E96 D64@?5 @7 7@FC 3@JD[ E@ z2E9CJ? 2?5 {6@? q=2:D] w6 5:5?’E ?@E:46 E96 5CF8D 😕 9:D 9@FD6 F?E:= 96 H2D @=56C]k^Am

kAm“x 92G6 =@ED @7 8@@5 >6>@C:6D 7C@> H96? x H2D 2 <:5[ 2?5 x 92G6 =@ED @7 325 >6>@C:6D[” q=2:D D2JD]k^Am

kAm!@=:46 C2:565 9:D 9@>6 @? %:?52=6 r@FCE[ ?62C “F:8=6J #@25[ H96? 9:D >@> H2D AC68?2?E H:E9 2 J@F?86C 3C@E96C] w6 5:5?’E BF6DE:@? H9J A@=:46 H6C6 E96C6] p== 96 D2H H6C6 @77:46CD 36:?8 >62? E@ 9:D AC68?2?E >@>]k^Am

kAm(96? 96 H2D ?:?6 J62CD @=5[ q=2:D’ 525 5:65 7C@> 2 96C@:? @G6C5@D6] %@ AC@E64E E96>[ 9:D >@> E@=5 96C 3@JD 96 5:65 😕 2 42C 4C2D9] q=2:D 8C6H FA 239@CC:?8 5CF?< 5C:G6CD 367@C6 9:D H@C=5 H2D EFC?65 FAD:56 5@H? H96? 96 =62C?65 E96 ECFE9 2D 2 J@F?8 >2?]k^Am

kAmp7E6C 9:D 525 5:65[ 9:D >@>’D 5CF8 FD6 D<JC@4<6E65] %96 72>:=J 925 366? =:G:?8 H:E9 96C >@> 2?5 DE6A525 @? E96 |@F?E2:?[ 3FE E9:?8D 76== 2A2CE]k^Am

kAm“xE H2D?’E =@?8 27E6C >J 525 A2DD65 E92E E96 7:89E 6CFAE65 36EH66? >J >@> 2?5 >J 8C2?5A2C6?ED[” q=2:D D2JD]k^Am

kAm$96 A24<65 96C 3@JD :?E@ E96 G2? 2?5 3C@F89E E96> 5@H? E96 |@F?E2:?[ H96C6 E96J 4C2D965 @? A6@A=6’D 4@F496D 7@C 23@FE 2 >@?E9 367@C6 D96 7@F?5 96C @H? A=246 @? {@EEC:586 $EC66E]k^Am







leon_santa

A childhood photo shows Leon Blais with his brothers at Christmas.




kAm%96 :C@?J[ 2D q=2:D C62=:K65 H96? 96 8@E @=56C[ H2D E92E 9:D 8C2?5>@E96C H2D 2? 255:4E E@@] qFE D96 9:5 :E H6==] $96 H2D 2? 2>AFE66[ 2?5 96C 5CF8 FD6 H2D 9:556? 2D >65:4:?6] w:D 8C2?5>@E96C |2CJ’D D64@?5 9FD32?5 H@C<65[ D@ E96C6 H2D 2=H2JD 7@@5 @? E96 E23=6] %92E DE23:=:EJ D9:6=565 E96 <:5D 7C@> ?@E:4:?8 E96 5CF8D]k^Am

kAmq=2:D 5:5?’E <?@H >F49 23@FE 9:D 3:@=@8:42= 8C2?572E96C[ v6@C86 y@D6A9 w2D=6C[ H9@ 5:65 367@C6 96 H2D 3@C?] xE H2D @?=J 2D 2? 25F=E E92E 96 42>6 E@ F?56CDE2?5 E92E 96 H2D 6DD6?E:2==J 2 9:E>2? 7@C E96 |@3]k^Am

kAmp7E6C @?6 @7 q=2:D’ >2?J 2CC6DED[ 96 92AA6?65 E@ 7:?5 9:>D6=7 @? E96 D2>6 q2CE@? ;2:= C2?86 2D E96 ?@H 5625 w2>:=E@? >@3DE6C !2E |FD:E2?@] w2>:=E@?’D 4C:>:?2= F?56CH@C=5 42? 36 2 D>2== 4@>>F?:EJ[ 6DA64:2==J 369:?5 32CD[ 2?5 q=2:D <?6H 6G6CJ3@5J]k^Am

kAm(96? 96 8@E E@ E96 C2?86 |FD:E2?@ 2AAC@24965 2?5 92?565 q=2:D 2 3@@<] %96J D9@@< 92?5D]k^Am

kAm“x 5:5?’E <?@H J@FC 8C2?572E96C H2D v6@C86 w2DD=6Cn” |FD:E2?@ D2:5[ 92?5:?8 @G6C 2 4@AJ @7 “%96 t?7@C46C” 3J p5C:2? wF>A9C6JD[ 23@FE E96 =:76 2?5 562E9 @7 4C:>6 3@DD y@9??J “!@AD” !2A2=:2]k^Am

kAm~? !286 ff[ E96 3@@< E2=<D @7 !2A2=:2 6IA2?5:?8 9:D @C82?:K2E:@?] %9:D :?4=F565 >@G:?8 “E96 >F49\762C65 y@6 w2D=6C” E@ “56D:8?2E65 6?7@C46C]”k^Am

kAmxE H2D E9C@F89 E9:D 3@@< 2?5 =2E6C 4@?G6CD2E:@?D E92E q=2:D =62C?65 H9@ 9:D 8C2?572E96C H2D] w:D >@> =2E6C E@=5 9:> DE@C:6D 23@FE 96C 525[ H9@ DA6?E >F49 @7 96C =:76 😕 AC:D@?]k^Am

kAmw6 H@F=5 4@>6 E@ F?56CDE2?5 9:D 8C2?5>@E96C >@C6[ :?4=F5:?8 96C @H? DECF88=6D 2?5 E:>6 😕 AC:D@?[ 2D H6== 2D 9:D >@>[ H9@ H2D DFCC@F?565 3J 4C:>6 2?5 562E9 7C@> 2? 62C=J 286]k^Am

kAm“xE 6IA=2:?D 2 =@E 3642FD6 E96 @?6 E9:?8 E92E >J >@> 2=H2JD :?DE:==65 😕 >6 H2D E92E x 5:5?’E 92G6 2 C:89E E@ E2<6 2?@E96C A6CD@?’D =:76[” 96 D2JD] “{:<6[ >J >@> 2=H2JD 5:D4@FC2865 5@:?8 5CF8D[ DE62=:?8[ 2== @7 E92E DEF77j 6G6? E9@F89 D96 5:5 :E[ D96 DE:== 5:D4@FC2865 :E]”k^Am

kAmp7E6C >@G:?8 E@ E96 =@H6C 4:EJ[ 5CF8 FD6 3642>6 >@C6 @3G:@FD 😕 E96 9@>6 2?5 =:76 3642>6 =6DD DE23=6] w:D >@E96C 925 32?<\C@33:?8 3@J7C:6?5D H9@D6 4C6HD H@F=5 DE2J 2E E96 9@FD6]k^Am

kAm“$@ E96C6 H2D =@ED @7 >@?6J 2C@F?5[ =@ED @7 5CF8D 2?5 =@ED @7 4C2K:?6DD[” q=2:D D2JD]k^Am

kAmpE E:>6D E96C6 H6C6 328D @7 >@?6J 😕 E96 9@FD6[ @E96C E:>6D A@=:46 H@F=5 <:4< 😕 E96 5@@CD 2?5 5C28 8FJD @77 E@ ;2:=] ~?6 E:>6 q=2:D 2D<65 7@C >@?6J E@ 8@ E@ E96 DE@C6 2?5 9:D >@>’D 3@J7C:6?5 E9C6H 2 +:A=@4 328 @7 42D9 2E 9:>] q=2:D’ >@> H2D “7C62<:?8 @FE” 3FE E96 3@J7C:6?5 H2?E65 E@ D66 H92E 96 H@F=5 5@]k^Am

kAm“x DA=FC865 😕 E96 G2C:6EJ DE@C6[” 96 D2JD] w6 3@F89E =@ED @7 42?5J 2?5 >282K:?6D]k^Am

kAm“{:<6[ 2D 2 A@@C <:5[ E92E H2D <:?5 @7 4@@= E@ 86E E@ 8@ E@ E96 DE@C6 2?5 ;FDE DA=FC86 =:<6 E92E]”k^Am

kAmq=2:D H6?E E@ !C:?46 @7 (2=6D t=6>6?E2CJ $49@@=[ H96C6 96 H2D 3F==:65] ~?6 <:5 DE@=6 9:D D9@6D] qFE q=2:D D2JD 96 925 ?@H96C6 E@ EFC?] w6 4@F=5?’E E6== 2?J@?6 2E 9@>6 — 9:D >@>’D 3@J7C:6?5 H@F=5 ;FDE E6== 9:> E@ 4@?7C@?E 9:D 3F==J H9@ H@F=5 ?@ 5@F3E AF>>6= 9:>] w6 5:5?’E H2?E E@ E6== 2?J@?6 2E D49@@= @FE @7 762C 96’5 36 2 3:886C E2C86E]k^Am

kAm$@ q=2:D DE2CE65 E@ D<:A 4=2DD] w6 >6E <:5D 5@H?E@H?[ H96C6 E96J’5 92?8 @FE] ~?6 52J[ H9:=6 DE2?5:?8 H:E9 9:D 7C:6?5D[ 9:D 3F==J H2=<65 3J] %96 3@J 5:5?’E 52C6 =@@< 2E q=2:D[ H9@ 😕 E92E >@>6?E F?56CDE@@5 E96 AC@E64E:@? @7 92G:?8 2 4C6H]k^Am

kAmw6 H@F=5 CF? H:E9 2 82?8 7@C E96 ?6IE a_ J62CD]k^Am

kAm“z:5D 5@?’E DE2CE 325 E9@F89[ E96J 2C6 56G6=@A65[” q=2:D D2JD] “~7 4@FCD6 x H2D?’E 3@C? 2 325 <:5]”k^Am

kAm}@C H2D 9:D >@> 2 325 >@>[ 96 D2JD] $96 H2D 3C@<6?[ @G6C E96 562E9 @7 96C 9FD32?5 2?5 @E96C EC2F>2D]k^Am

kAmp D42C65 <:5 H:== “5@ 2?JE9:?8]” p?5 E92E’D 52?86C@FD]k^Am

k9am%96 7:CDE 2CC6DEk^9am

kAmpC@F?5 286 `a @C `b[ q=2:D 564:565 :E H@F=5 36 2 8@@5 :562 E@ 3C62< :?E@ E96 9@>6 @7 2 4=2DD>2E6] w6 <?6H E96 3@J’D 72E96C H2D 2 4@A] xE H@F=5 36 4@@= E@ 86E 2 32586 2?5 2 8F?[ 96 E9@F89E] w6 4@F=5 D9@H :E @77 E@ 9:D 7C:6?5D]k^Am

kAmqFE :E 5:5?’E 8@ E@ A=2?]k^Am

kAm“x 5:5?’E 86E E96 32586 @C 8F?[” 96 D2JD] “p?5 x 8@E 2CC6DE65]”k^Am

kAmq=2:D 3C@<6 😕 E9C@F89 E96 “D>2==6DE H:?5@H 6G6C]” w6 5:5?’E 7:?5 H92E 96 H2D =@@<:?8 7@C 2?5 C2? 9@>6]k^Am

kAm!@=:46 2=C625J <?6H q=2:D H6== — 96 925 366? 42FD:?8 AC@3=6>D 7@C 2 76H J62CD — 2?5 E96 D:K6 @7 E96 H:?5@H ?2CC@H65 E96 DFDA64E A@@=] xE H2D D@ D>2==[ @?=J 2 49:=5 4@F=5 7:E E9C@F89]k^Am

kAm!@=:46 42>6 E@ 9:D 9@FD6 :>>65:2E6=J] w6 4@?76DD65 :?DE2?E=J[ 9@A:?8 E@ 2G@:5 DE:77 AF?:D9>6?E]k^Am

kAm%9:D H2D 9:D 7:CDE 4C:>:?2= 492C86] w6 8@E 32:= :?:E:2==J[ 3FE 5:5?’E D9@H 😕 4@FCE] p?5 D@ 3682? 9:D 4J4=6 @7 :?42C46C2E:@?]k^Am

kAmq=2:D DE2CE65 DE62=:?8 42CD — 2E 7:CDE 96’5 8C23 @?6D DE2D965 3J 9:D @=56C 3C@E96C — 2?5 8@ 7@C ;@JC:56D] pC@F?5 `c[ 96 5C@G6 H:E9 7C:6?5D E@ ~EE2H2 2?5 324<]k^Am

kAm“x H2D 7:G6\7@@E\?@E9:?’ 2?5 x’G6 =@@<65 D@ J@F?8 2== >J =:76[” 96 D2JD[ 255:?8 J@F’5 E9:?< :E H@F=5 92G6 366? @3G:@FD 2 <:5 H2D 369:?5 E96 H966=]k^Am

kAmqFE >@C6 @7E6?[ 2D =@?8 2D 96 DE2J65 36EH66? E96 =:?6D 2?5 5:5?’E DA665[ 96 H@F=5?’E 36 AF==65 @G6C]k^Am

kAm“x’> 2>2K65 E92E x >256 :E E92E 72C 3642FD6 x ;FDE ;F>A65 😕 2 42C 2?5 DE2CE65 5C:G:?8 7@C E96 7:CDE E:>6 ]]] J@F <?@H[ 3F>A :?E@ 2 EC66 96C6[” 96 D2JD]k^Am

kAm(:E9 AC24E:46 96 3642>6 2 D<:==65 5C:G6C 2?5 H@F=5 =625 A@=:46 @? 492D6D] q=2:D H2D ?6G6C 2CC6DE65 BF:6E=J] %92E H2D A2CE @7 9:D ?@E@C:6EJ] !@=:46 <?6H 96 H2D G@=2E:=6[ F?AC65:4E23=6 — 2?5 E92E H2D 52?86C@FD]k^Am

kAm“tG6CJ E:>6 x’5 86E @FE[ x’5 ;FDE 8@ DE62= >@C6 42CD @C E96J’5 AFE >6 😕 @A6? 4FDE@5J W92=7H2J 9@FD6X[” 96 D2JD] “p?5 x C2?]”k^Am

kAmq=2:D E9:?<D 96 6D42A65 7C@> 4FDE@5J “ E:>6D @G6C E96 J62CD]k^Am

kAmxE H2D H9:=6 96 H2D 😕 pCC6== E92E q=2:D 2?5 7C:6?5D DE2CE65 9:D 82?8 E96 {:EE=6 s6G:=D — :?:E:2==J 7@C AC@E64E:@? :?D:56]k^Am

kAm~? E96 @FED:56[ E96 82?8 H@C<65 E@86E96C E@ DE62= DEF77] %96J 4FE 9@=6D 😕 C@@7E@AD[ 5:D23=65 2=2C>D 2?5 >256 @77 H:E9 DE@=6? 42CD 49@4< 7F== @7 DE@=6? 8@@5D] q=2:D :?D:DED E96J H6C6 ?6G6C 2D @C82?:K65 2D A@=:46 2?5 >65:2 C6A@CED >256 E96> @FE E@ 36]k^Am

kAmpD 2 E66?[ q=2:D 4@F=5 ?@E 36 ?2>65 3642FD6 96 H2D 2 J@F?8 @776?56C] pD 9:D ?@E@C:6EJ 8C6H[ %96 $A64E2E@C 82G6 9:> E96 ?:4<?2>6 #F5J]k^Am







mugshot

As a teen, Leon Blais could not be named because he was a young offender. As his notoriety grew, The Spectator gave him the nickname Rudy.




kAmp? pF8FDE `hhf DE@CJ C64@F?ED 9@H A@=:46 2CC6DE65 E96 `f\J62C\@=5 27E6C 2 >@?E9 @? E96 CF?] %96 E66? — 2?8CJ 2?5 5:D96G6==65 7C@> 2 A@=:46 492D6 2?5 2 DECF88=6 H:E9 2 9@>6@H?6C @? uF==6CE@? pG6?F6 — DF556?=J A6C<D FA 2?5 DE:4<D 9:D E@?8F6 @FE H96? 96 DA@ED 2 $A64E2E@C A9@E@8C2A96C]k^Am

kAm“#F5J[ E96 AF?< AC:?46 @7 w2>:=E@?’D J@F?8 4C:>:?2=D[ 92D 5@?6 :E 282:?] $EF4< 9:D E@?8F6 @FE 2E E96 H9@=6 52C? H@C=5[ D@>6E9:?8 96’D 366? 5@:?8 H:E9 2DE@F?5:?8 C68F=2C:EJ D:?46 96 H2D `a J62CD @=5[” E96 DE@CJ C625D]k^Am

kAm(9:=6 96 H2D 😕 4FDE@5J E92E J62C[ q=2:D C642==D 2 4@CC64E:@?2= @77:46C 7:?5:?8 A@6>D @7 9:D E92E C676C6?465 <:==:?8 4@AD] w6 :?D:DED 96 H2D ;FDE G6?E:?8 2?5 925 ?@ :?E6?E:@? @7 9FCE:?8 2?J@?6[ 3FE E96 A@6>D H6C6 2=2C>:?8 2?5 =65 E@ 2 9:89\C:D< E9C62E 2DD6DD>6?E E92E H@F=5 DE2J @? 9:D 7:=6]k^Am

kAmx? }@G6>36C `hhh[ H96? q=2:D H2D `h[ 96 H2D H2?E65 7@C 3C6249:?8 AC@32E:@?] %96 $A64E2E@C AF3=:D965 9:D 6?E:C6 C64@C5[ :?4=F5:?8 9:D ;FG6?:=6 C64@C5[ H:E9 E96 :?E6?E:@? @7 D9@H:?8 E96 4@>>F?:EJ 9@H 52?86C@FD 96 H2D] %96 >@G6 =625 E@ 7@FC $A64E2E@C 6>A=@J66D E@ 36 492C865 H:E9 G:@=2E:?8 E96 *@F?8 ~776?56CD p4E] tG6?EF2==J E96 7@C>6C 65:E@C\:?\49:67 A=62565 8F:=EJ 2?5 H2D 8C2?E65 2? 23D@=FE6 5:D492C86] %96 492C86D 282:?DE E9C66 @E96C 6>A=@J66D H6C6 5C@AA65] x? 4@FCE E96 ;F586 ?@E65 E96 “9@?@FC23=6 :?E6?E:@?D” @7 E96 65:E@C 3FE[ “F?7@CEF?2E6=J ]]] J@F C2? 27@F= @7 E96 =2H]”k^Am

kAm%9:D D282 @?=J 7FCE96C 6?EC6?4965 q=2:D 😕 9:D 36=:67D 23@FE 2 H@C=5 D6E 282:?DE 9:>]k^Am

kAm%@52J[ %96 $A64E2E@C 😀 HC:E:?8 23@FE q=2:D 2?5 9:D J@FE9 C64@C5 H:E9 9:D A6C>:DD:@?] w6 28C665 E@ D92C6 9:D DE@CJ 2?5 ?@E E@ 5@H?A=2J 9:D 4C:>:?2= A2DE 😕 2? 677@CE E@ D9@H 96 92D =62C?65 7C@> E9@D6 >:DE2<6D] ~G6C C646?E J62CD[ 96’D 2=D@ >256 2>6?5D H:E9 D@>6 @7 E96 G:4E:>D @7 9:D 4C:>6D]k^Am

kAm!6@A=6 92G6 @7E6? 2DDF>65 E92E 8:G6? 2== 9:D E:>6 😕 4FDE@5J[ 7C@> DF49 2 J@F?8 286[ E92E 96 H@F=5 92G6 C646:G65 4@F?D6==:?8 2?5 @E96C DFAA@CE[ 3FE q=2:D D2JD E92E H2D?’E E96 42D6] %96 @?=J E:>6 96 925 ADJ49@=@8:42= E6DE:?8 H2D H96? 96 DA6?E D@>6 E:>6 😕 ;2:= 😕 “F6364 27E6C 36:?8 2CC6DE65 2E 2 32C E96C6 😕 9:D a_D] w6 H2D 5:28?@D65 H:E9 >:=5 56AC6DD:@? 2?5 2?I:6EJ]k^Am

kAmq=2:D D2:5 6G6CJ E:>6 96 H6?E E@ 4@FCE :E “3F:=E >6 FA]” yF586D H@F=5 E6== 9:> 96’D D>2CE 2?5 D9@F=5 36 5@:?8 D@>6E9:?8 6=D6 H:E9 9:D =:76] x?DE625 @7 FD:?8 E9:D 2D 7F6= E@ EFC? 9:D =:76 2C@F?5[ :E >@E:G2E65 9:> E@ 364@>6 2 D>2CE6C 4C:>:?2=]k^Am

kAmpD 2 <:5[ 96 9F?8 2C@F?5 32?< C@336CD 2?5 =62C?65 D<:==D]k^Am

kAm“x H2D 6IA@D65 E@ @=56C A6@A=6 5@:?8 E9:?8D E92E E96 <:5D 2C6?’E 6IA@D65 E@[” 96 D2JD] “$@ x H2D 23D@C3:?8 E92E DEF77 2?5 ;FDE <:?5 @7 >@G:?8 >@C6 =:<6 2 =:<6 2 42C66C 4C:>:?2= :?DE625 @7 2 <:5]”k^Am

kAmpD 2 E66?[ 96 FD65 E9@D6 D<:==D E@ DFCG:G6] p=E9@F89[ 96 2=D@ C64@8?:K6D E92E 96 😀 C6DA@?D:3=6 7@C 9:D 24E:@?Dj E92E 96 5:5?’E 364@>6 2 4C:>:?2= 3J 244:56?E]k^Am

kAm“xE 567:?:E6=J H2D 2 49@:46[ E9@F89[” 96 255D]k^Am

k9amp A@=:46 D9@@E:?8k^9am

kAmq=2:D 2?5 2 7C:6?5 2C6 DE2?5:?8 @? E96 @? EC2:? EC24<D ?62C r@?8C6DD rC6D46?E[ @77 |@F?E p=3:@? #@25 😕 w2>:=E@?]k^Am

kAmxE’D $6AE6>36C a__h 2?5 E96 ah\J62C\@=5 H2D @?46 282:? @? E96 CF?] w6 925 =@?8 28@ D62>=6DD=J EC2?D76CC65 7C@> E96 J@FE9 E@ 25F=E AC:D@? DJDE6>[ 4@?E:?F:?8 9:D A2EE6C? @7 4C:>6 2?5 CF??:?8 7C@> E96 =2H] w:D 3F55J 925 2 D9@E8F? DE2D965 😕 D@>6 3FD96D]k^Am

kAmpD E96 EH@ DA@<6[ q=2:D DA@EE65 EH@ 8FJD H2=<:?8 FA E@ E96 EC24<D] %96J H6C6?’E 😕 F?:7@C>[ 3FE q=2:D 4@F=5 E6== 3J E96 5:DE:?4E 3F=86 😕 E96:C 4=@E96D 7C@> E96:C 8F?D E92E E96J H6C6 A@=:46]k^Am

kAm“%92E’D 4@AD[” q=2:D H9:DA6C65 E@ 9:D 7C:6?5]k^Am

kAm(:E9@FE 96D:E2E:?8[ 9:D 7C:6?5 C624965 :?E@ E96 3FD96D 2?5 8C23365 E96 D9@E8F?] w6 A@:?E65 :E 2E E96 4@AD]k^Am

kAmq=2:D C2?]k^Amk5:G :5lQE?4>D\C68:@?\2CE:4=60:?DE@CJ0>:55=6Q 4=2DDlQE?4>D\C68:@? 9:556?\AC:?E EDpCE:4=6#68:@?Qmk^5:Gm

kAm“x <?6H x H2?E65 ?@ A2CE @7 :E[” 96 D2JD]k^Am

kAm~?6 @7 E96 @77:46CD 492D65 9:> 2?5 q=2:D E9C6H 9:D 324<A24< H96? E96 @77:46C ?62C=J 42F89E 9:>] pD 96 4=:>365 FA E96 9:== E@ E96 #65 w:== ‘2==6J !2C<H2J[ 96 962C5 7@FC D9@ED C:?8 @FE] %96 4@A H9@ H2D 492D:?8 9:> C2? E@H2C5 E96 8F?7:C6]k^Am

kAmq=2:D 5:5?’E <?@H :7 9:D 7C:6?5 925 ;FDE D9@E A@=:46 @C :7 A@=:46 D9@E 9:D 7C:6?5] xE EFC?65 @FE E@ 36 E96 =2EE6C] %96 7C:6?5 DFCG:G65[ @?=J E@ 5:6 >2?J J62CD =2E6C 😕 AC:D@?]k^Am

kAmx?D:56 E96 324<A24<[ A@=:46 7@F?5 q=2:D’ A2C@=6 :56?E:EJ 42C5] w6 H2D D@@? ?2>65 E96 “}@] ` AC:@C:EJ” 7@C E96 C6A62E @776?56C A2C@=6 6?7@C46>6?E DBF25 — 2 AC@G:?4:2= E62> =65 3J E96 ~!! H9@ 492D6 5@H? H2?E65 7656C2= @776?56CD]k^Am

kAmw6 H2D 2CC6DE65 😕 ~EE2H2 E9C66 >@?E9D =2E6C]k^Am

kAms6DA:E6 9:D 9:DE@CJ H:E9 E96 A2A6C[ q=2:D H@F=5 42== %96 $A64E2E@C ?6HDC@@> F?D@=:4:E65 7C@> ;2:=] w6 @?46 HC@E6 2 =6EE6C E@ E96 65:E@C >FD:?8 23@FE E96 4@?5:E:@?D 😕 ;2:= 2?5 E96 =24< @7 AC@8C2>>:?8 E@ 96=A AC:D@?6CD]k^Am

kAm“p A6CD@? 86ED `_ J62CD 7@C 2? 2C>65 C@336CJ 2?5 😀 AFE 😕 2 724:=:EJ E92E @776CD ?@ 65F42E:@? @C D6=7\96=A AC@8C2>D[” 96 HC@E6] “w6 😀 =@4<65 😕 2? 6:89E\3J\`a 46== W7@CX ab 9@FCD 2 52J F?E:= 96 😀 C6=62D65] (92E <:?5 @7 3692G:@FC 5@6D E96 AF3=:4 6IA64E H96? 96 😀 C6=62D65n w6’D =:<6=J 2 G6CJ 2?8CJ[ 3:EE6C A6CD@? H:E9 ?@ <?@H=6586 @? 9@H E@ 24E @C 9@H E@ =:G6 2 ?@C>2= =:76]”k^Am

kAmq=2:D DE:== DE2?5D 3J E9@D6 H@C5D] w6 2=D@ C642==D E92E E96C6 :D?’E 2 =@E E@ 5@ 😕 ;2:=[ 3FE E96C6 2C6 2=H2JD ?6HDA2A6CD E@ C625] q=2:D 8F6DD6D 96 C625 E96 A2A6C 6G6CJ 52J 7C@> E96 286 `c E@ aa] w6 H@F=5 42== E96 ?6HDC@@> 3642FD6 96 H2D 3@C65]k^Am

k9am{:76 492?8:?8 E@<6k^9am

kAmq=2:D 😀 2E 2 }6H *62C’D tG6 A2CEJ 2E 2 >2?D:@? 😕 sF?52D]k^Am

kAmw6’D 23@FE b_ 2?5 925 2 72==:?8 @FE H:E9 7C:6?5D ;FDE 367@C6 r9C:DE>2D] p=@?6[ 96 7@F?5 9:>D6=7 E2=<:?8 E@ 2 H@>2? H9@ @776C65 9:> “2 E@<6]” x? E96 A2DE 96 925 2=H2JD D2:5 ?@ E@ 92C5 5CF8D[ 3FE 2?8CJ 2E 9:D 7C:6?5D[ 96 28C665]k^Am

kAmw6 3=6H @FE E92E 7:CDE E2DE6 @7 4CJDE2= >6E9 2?5 EFC?65 E@ E96 H@>2?]k^Am

kAm“|J =:76 H:== ?6G6C 36 E96 D2>6[” 96 D2JD]k^Am

kAmw6 EC:65 :E @?=J 2 76H >@C6 E:>6D E92E 7:CDE J62C[ 96 4=2:>D] qFE “E96 9@CC:3=6 5CF8” 925 2 9@=5 @? 9:>] qJ E96 D64@?5 J62C 96 H2D 2? 255:4E]k^Am

kAm(96C6 E96 4C:>6D @7 9:D J@FE9 H6C6 @C82?:K65[ 😕 E9:D ?6H A92D6 @7 9:D =:76 E96J H6C6 56DA6C2E6] qC62<:?8 :?E@ 42CD[ DE62=:?8 @FE @7 D965D] w:D >:?5 H2D ?6G6C 4=62C 6?@F89 E@ @C82?:K6 E96 EJA6D @7 4C:>6D 96 925 😕 E96 A2DE]k^Am

kAm%96 5CF8 >256 9:> 24E 6CC2E:42==J] w6 DA6?E 9F?5C65D @7 9@FCD 4@==64E:?8 C@4<D 2?5 @E96C :E6>D[ 2?5 8@:?8 E9C@F89 82C3286] w6 H@F=5 DA6?5 9@FCD 😕 A2C<D 2?5 7:6=5D 2?5 7@C6DED =@@<:?8 7@C EC62DFC6] sFC:?8 9:D EC62DFC6 9F?ED 96 7@F?5 EH@ 2CC@H9625D 2?5 2 C@4< E92E 2AA62CD E@ 92G6 2>6E9JDE] %96 5:D4@G6C:6D 7F6==65 4@?DA:C2E@C:2= E9@F89ED 23@FE H92E E96 EC62DFC6D >62?E]k^Am

kAm“%9:D 😀 H92E 4CJDE2= >6E9 5@6D E@ J@FC 3C2:?[” 96 D2JD] “x C62==J 36=:6G65 x H2D 9F?E:?8 9:556? %6>A=2C[ 9:556? }2K: EC62DFC6]”k^Am

kAm%96C6 H2D 2 E:>6 96 DE@AA65 36=:6G:?8 9:D >@> H2D 9:D 3:@=@8:42= >@>]k^Am

kAmx? pF8FDE a_`g[ 9:89 @? 4CJDE2= >6E9[ q=2:D H2D C:5:?8 2 >@E@C4J4=6 2=@?8 {2<6D9@C6 😕 E96 H6DE 6?5 @7 qFC=:?8E@? =@@<:?8 7@C 42CD E@ 3C62< :?E@] xE H2D 52J=:89E 2?5 96 925 ?@ C682C5 7@C 42>6C2D @C H:E?6DD6D H96? 96 92AA6?65 FA@? 2 9@>6 H:E9 2 “72?4J” #@==D\#@J46 2?5 %6D=2 😕 E96 82C286]k^Am

kAmw6 4@F=5 E6== 3J E96 =@@< @7 E96 9@>6 E92E E96C6 H2D ?@ @?6 E96C6 2E E96 E:>6] w6 925 ?@ :562 :E H2D E96 9@>6 @7 3:==:@?2:C6 2?5 6?EC6AC6?6FC #@? y@J46]k^Am

kAm“qC2K6? 2?5 E@E2==J DEFA:5” 96 DE@=6 E96 42CD 😕 3C@25 52J=:89E] w6 E@@< E96 %6D=2 7:CDE 2?5 E96? H6?E 324< 7@C E96 #@==D\#@J46[ H9:49 96 5C@G6 E@ sF?5FC? r2DE=6]k^Am

kAm“x H2D 2 5:CEJ[ 8CF33J[ 5CF8\255:4E65 8FJ[” 96 D2JD[ 255:?8 E92E 96 DE@@5 @FE 2?5 6G6CJ@?6 DE2C65] w6 H2D 42F89E =2E6C E92E 52J H:E9 E96 %6D=2 8@:?8 E@ A:4< FA 9:D H6=72C6 496BF6]k^Am

kAmv:G6? 9:D 6IE6?D:G6 C64@C5[ q=2:D 762C65 2 =6?8E9J D6?E6?46[ 3FE 7@C E96 7:CDE E:>6 😕 2 G6CJ =@?8 E:>6 96 8@E 2 3C62<] %96 492C86D H6C6 H:E95C2H? @G6C =@H AC@323:=:EJ @7 4@?G:4E:@?]k^Am

kAm(9:=6 96 H2D @FE 32:= 7@C E9@D6 42C E967ED 😕 pAC:= a_`h[ 96 H2D 7@F?5 D=66A:?8 2 DE@=6? u@C5 %2FCFD 😕 $E@?6J rC66<] w6 DA6?E 7:G6 >@?E9D 😕 ;2:= 367@C6 A=625:?8 8F:=EJ]k^Am

kAm“*@FC 9@?@FC[ 4=62C=J >J C64@C5 😀 9@CC6?5@FD ]]] 3FE J@F 42? D66 E96C6 92D 366? 2 D6C:@FD 564C62D6 😕 >J 4C:>:?2= 3692G:@FC[” 96 E@=5 E96 ;F586] sFC:?8 9:D 255:4E:@?[ 9:D 4C:>6D 925 564C62D65 3@E9 😕 7C6BF6?4J 2?5 D6G6C:EJ]k^Am

kAmw6 H2D D6?E6?465 E@ E9C66 J62CD AC@32E:@?]k^Am

kAm“%96 @?=J @?6 E92E 42? 96=A J@F 😀 J@FCD6=7[” ~?E2C:@ r@FCE yFDE:46 %@?J {6:E49 E@=5 q=2:D[ 244@C5:?8 E@ 2 DE@CJ @? rwrw]k^Am

kAm“x H2D G6CJ H6== 2H2C6 @7 9@H =F4<J x H2D ]]] ?@E =F4<J[ 3=6DD65[” 96 D2JD ?@H[ A2CE:4F=2C=J 23@FE E96 qFC=:?8E@? 492C86D 36:?8 H:E95C2H?]k^Am

kAm(96? 96 =67E E96 q2CE@? ;2:= E92E =2DE E:>6 96 ;FDE DE2CE65 H2=<:?8] qJ E96 E:>6 96 8@E E@ r2??@? $EC66E t2DE[ D@>63@5J H2D @776C:?8 9:> 2 4CJDE2= >6E9 A:A6]k^Am

kAm“x 5@?’E <?@H H9J x D2:5 ?@[” 96 D2JD[ 255:?8 96 76=E “5:D8FDE65]”k^Am

kAmp 76H >@?E9D =2E6C — 2?5 4=62? — 96 564:565 E@ D62C49 7@C 2 52F89E6C 96’5 =62C?65 23@FE 2 76H J62CD 62C=:6C] }@ =@?86C 566A 😕 9:D 255:4E:@?[ 96 H2D 23=6 E@ >2<6 4@?E24E H:E9 E96 >@E96C]k^Am

kAmu@C 2 D9@CE E:>6[ 96 925 4@?E24E H:E9 E96 8:C= 96 36=:6G6D 😀 9:D 52F89E6C[ 3FE E96 C6=2E:@?D9:A H:E9 E96 72>:=J 5:DD@=G65] u@C E96 8:C=’D D2<6 2?5 7@C E96 D2<6 @7 9:D @H? >6?E2= 962=E9[ 96 D2JD 96 H2=<65 2H2J] qFE q=2:D D2JD E96 =:EE=6 8:C= :?DA:C65 9:> E@ 492?86 9:D =:76]k^Am

kAmxE H2D 9:D 9@A6 @7 86EE:?8 D@>6@?6 2E E96 49FC49 E@ AFE 😕 2 8@@5 H@C5 7@C 9:> E92E 7:CDE =65 9:> E@ H2?E E@ G@=F?E66C E96C6] qFE 96 D@@? C62=:K65 E92E H2D?’E 8@:?8 E@ 92AA6?]k^Am

kAm$@ H92E >256 9:> DE2Jnk^Am

kAm%FC?D @FE[ @44FAJ:?8 9:D E:>6 “:? 2 A@D:E:G6 H2J” H2D 2 8@@5 H2J E@ <66A 3FDJ]k^Am

kAm“x 5@?’E 92G6 E96 E:>6 E@ D4C6H FA[” 96 D2JD[ 255:?8 E92E :E 5:5?’E E2<6 =@?8 367@C6 96 C62=:K65 9@H 7F=7:==:?8 :E 4@F=5 36]k^Am

kAmxE DE2CE65 H96? ~’s6== 2D<65 9:> E@ A:4< FA D@>6 EC2D9]k^Am







garbage

Leon Blais got his start volunteering at St. Patrick church by picking up trash.




kAm%96? 96 2D<65 9:> E@ 96=A 2E E96 5@@CD 5FC:?8 49FC49 D6CG:46[ 8C66E:?8 A6@A=6 2?5 >2<:?8 DFC6 E96C6 H6C6?’E 5:DCFAE:@?D]k^Am

kAmq=2:D H@F=5?’E 8@ 😕 E96 49FC49 2E 7:CDE] qFE 23@FE `d >:?FE6D :?E@ E96 D6CG:46 >@DE A6@A=6 925 2=C625J 2CC:G65[ D@ 96’5 DE6A ;FDE :?D:56 E96 5@@CH2J 2?5 =:DE6? E@ E96 >FD:4]k^Am

kAm~’s6== H@F=5 ?@E:46 9:> D:?8:?8 2=@?8]k^Am

kAm%@ q=2:D[ E96 >FD:4 “H@F=5 36 =:<6 E2<:?8 2? 2?E:56AC6DD2?E A:==]” %96? E96 >FD:4 AF==65 9:> C:89E :?E@ E96 49FC49]k^Am

kAmu@C E96 7:CDE D6G6C2= >@?E9D 96 G@=F?E66C65[ 2 DE277 >6>36C H@C<65 H:E9 9:>[ <66A:?8 2? 6J6 @FE] tG6?EF2==J ~’s6==[ :>AC6DD65 3J 9:D H@C< 6E9:4[ @776C65 9:> 2 ;@3]k^Am

k9am%96 32AE:D>k^9am

kAmq=2:D 925 366? H@C<:?8 >2J36 D:I >@?E9D H96? ~’s6== 92?565 9:> E96 7F== D6E @7 <6JD E@ E96 49FC49]k^Am

kAmq=2:D 96D:E2E65]k^Am

kAm“{:<6[ E96D6 A6@A=6 ECFDE >6 >@C6 E92? x ECFDE >JD6=7 2E E92E A@:?E 😕 E:>6[” 96 E9@F89E]k^Am

kAm“pC6 J@F DFC6 J@F’C6 5@:?8 E96 C:89E E9:?8n” q=2:D 2D<65]k^Am

kAm“*629[ x H@C< H:E9 2 =@E @7 A6@A=6 {6@? 2?5 x 2> 2 AC6EEJ 8@@5 ;F586 @7 492C24E6C ]]] x <?@H J@F’C6 8@:?8 E@ >2<6 E9:D D@>6E9:?8 E92E’D 8@:?8 E@ 8:G6 J@F E96 ?6IE DE6A E@ 86E FA @? J@FC 766E 282:? 2?5 DE2CE 36=:6G:?8 😕 J@FCD6=7[” ~’s6== C6A=:65]k^Am

kAmxE H2D 3@E9 FA=:7E:?8 2?5 D42CJ E@ 92G6 E92E C6DA@?D:3:=:EJ]k^Am

kAm“x’== ?6G6C 7@C86E E92E[” q=2:D D2JD]k^Am

kAm~G6C E:>6[ q=2:D D2H E96 C6DA@?D:3:=:EJ 😕 2 ?6H =:89E] }@H 96 D66D 9:>D6=7 2D 2 “DEC@?8 AC@E64E@C @7 E9:D 3=@4<[” 96 D2JD 23@FE E96 2C62 2C@F?5 E96 49FC49 3@F?5 3J z:?8 2?5 |2:? DEC66ED[ ‘:4E@C:2 2?5 t2DE 2G6?F6D]k^Am

kAmx7 E96 2=2C> 8@6D @77 😕 E96 >:55=6 @7 E96 ?:89E[ 96’D E96 @?6 C6DA@?5:?8] w6’D 7@F?5 3@5:6D[ C6DA@?565 E@ @G6C5@D6D 2?5 DE@AA65 7:89ED] w6’D 4@?7:D42E65 H62A@?D[ :?4=F5:?8 2 5:CEJ >2496E6 2?5 32ED[ 2?5 25>:?:DE6C65 }2C42? E@ 2E =62DE D6G6? A6@A=6 E@ AC6G6?E E96> 7C@> 5J:?8 @7 2? @A:@:5 @G6C5@D6]k^Am

kAmpE E96 D2>6 E:>6 E92E E96 49FC49 82G6 9:> <6JD[ ~’s6== 2=D@ 7@F?5 9:> 2? 2A2CE>6?E] xE H2D A2:?E65 2?5 7FC?:D965] %96 7C:586 H2D DE@4<65]k^Am

kAm~’s6== 2?5 q=2:D H2=<65 @G6C E@86E96C 2?5 ~’s6== 92?565 @G6C E96 <6J]k^Am

kAm“x ;FDE DE2J65 :?D:56 5@@C 2?5 =6E 9:> 8@ 😕 2?5 =@@<[” ~’s6== D2JD]k^Am

kAmp7E6C 2 76H >:?FE6D[ 96 H2=<65 😕 2?5 7@F?5 q=2:D 4CJ:?8] }@ @?6 925 6G6C 5@?6 DF49 2 <:?5 E9:?8 7@C 9:> 367@C6]k^Am

kAm(9:=6 q=2:D H2D :?:E:2==J C6D:DE2?E E@ 364@>:?8 2 A2C:D9:@?6C[ E92E 492?865 E@@] p7E6C 36:?8 5C2H? 😕 3J E96 >FD:4[ 96 7@F?5 72:E9]k^Am







in_church_portrait

While Leon Blais was initially resistant to becoming a parishioner at St. Patrick church, that changed too. After being drawn in by the music, he found faith.




kAmp7E6C 364@>:?8 2 DE277 >6>36C[ q=2:D H6?E E9@F89 E96 r2E9@=:4 :?:E:2E:@? AC@8C2>[ H9:49 CF?D 7C@> $6AE6>36C E@ t2DE6C]k^Am

kAm~’s6== H2D H@CC:65 23@FE H96E96C q=2:D H2D AC6A2C65 7@C E96 4@>>:E>6?E] qFE 96 6?565 FA 92G:?8 E96 36DE 2EE6?52?46 @7 2?J@?6 E2<:?8 E96 4=2DD] w6 H@F=5 6G6? DE@A 3J 27E6C E@ DA62< H:E9 ~’s6== 2?5 2D< BF6DE:@?D]k^Am

kAmq=2:D H2D 32AE:K65 w@=J $2EFC52J ?:89E 😕 a_aa] w6 8@E 2 DE2?5:?8 @G2E:@?]k^Am

kAm%96 s6 |2K6?@5 s@@C ~FEC6249 <66AD :ED 5@@CD @A6? bed 52JD 2 J62C — E96J 5:5?’E 4=@D6 @?6 52J 5FC:?8 A2?56>:4 =@4<5@H?D 2?5 DE2J @A6? 6G6CJ 9@=:52J] {2DE J62C[ E96J D6CG65 `aa[___ >62=D 2?5 ?@H E96J’C6 D6CG:?8 d__\A=FD >62=D 2 52J]k^Am







packing_food

Leon Blais is seen here packing up bagged lunches for the De Mazenod Door Outreach. Last year, they served 122,000 meals and now they’re serving 500-plus meals a day.




kAm%96J 92G6 2 72C> 2?5 92G6 96=A65 9@FD6 2 D>2== 8C@FA @7 >6? 2?5 H@>6?[ :?4=F5:?8 q=2:D]k^Am

kAm$96CC: #2>:C6K[ 5:C64E@C @7 4@>>F?:EJ 2?5 8F6DE C6=2E:@?D[ D2JD :E 😀 92C5 H@C<] $96’D 366? AF?4965 2?5 925 4@7766 E9C@H? 😕 96C 7246] qFE D96 <?@HD E96 H@C< 😀 :>A@CE2?E 2?5 D66D :E 2D 2 >:I @7 492C:EJ 2?5 D@4:2= ;FDE:46]k^Am

kAm“x 92G6 H2E4965 {6@? 8C@H :?E@ 9:D C@=6 2?5 DECF88=6 H:E9 E9:?8D 3642FD6 =:76 92D DECF88=6D 7@C 2== @7 FD[” D96 D2JD]k^Am

kAmqFE D96 36=:6G6D 96 D9@HD 9F>:=:EJ 😕 =62C?:?8 7C@> 2?J >:DDE6AD] p?5 96 5@6D?’E 9:56 9:D 72:E9 😕 v@5]k^Am

kAm$96 D2JD D96 92D D66? D@ >2?J A6@A=6 @G6C E96 J62CD[ 3C@<6? 2?5 😕 52C<?6DDj D@>6 >2<6 :E @FE 2?5 @E96CD 5@?’E]k^Am

kAm$96 36=:6G6D E92E q=2:D D9@HD @E96CD E92E E96C6 😀 9@A6]k^Am

kAm“xE’D 6>A@H6C:?8 E96>[ E92E E96C6’D 9@A6 7@C E96>[ E92E E96J 42? 86E @FE @7 E96:C 255:4E:@? E@@[” D96 D2JD]k^Am

k9amr92=< 3FEE6C7=:6Dk^9am

kAmp 4@FA=6 J62CD 28@[ 27E6C q=2:D =2DE 8@E @FE @7 ;2:= 2?5 925 8@?6 D62C49:?8 7@C !6E6 (:6D?6C[ 96 F?6IA64E65=J D9@H65 FA 2E E96 46?EC2= A@=:46 DE2E:@? @? z:?8 (:==:2> $EC66E]k^Am

kAmp?@E96C 4@A H9@ DA@EE65 E96 ?@E@C:@FD 4C:>:?2= 4@F=5?’E 36=:6G6 H92E 96 D2H] #@33:6 q=2:D H2D 4@=@FC:?8 H:E9 492=< @FED:56] w6 H6?E E@ 76E49 (:6D?6C]k^Am

kAmw6’D ;FDE 492=<:?8n w6’D 5C2H:?8 2 3FEE6C7=Jn (:6D?6C 2D<65]k^Am

kAm(:6D?6C 962565 5@H? E@ >66E q=2:D] %96 @E96C 4@A 2D<65 9:> :7 96 ?66565 324<FA] (:6D?6C 5:5?’E 3FE E96 @E96C 4@A E28865 2=@?8 @FE @7 D966C 4FC:@D:EJ]k^Am

kAm(92E’D 8@:?8 @?n (:6D?6C 2D<65]k^Am

kAmq=2:D E@=5 9:> 23@FE 9:D 52F89E6C] %96 492=< 5C2H:?8D H6C6 7@C 96C] (:6D?6C D2:5 9:D 962CE 3C@<6 7@C q=2:D]k^Am

kAm$:?46 E96? E96 EH@ 92G6 8C@H? 4=@D6] x7 E96C6 😀 2 AC@3=6> 2E $E] !2EC:4<[ :E’D (:6D?6C H9@ q=2:D 42==D] %96 D@4:2= ?2G:82E@C E62> H@C<D 4=@D6=J H:E9 E96 @FEC6249 >:?:DECJ[ :?4=F5:?8 H@C<:?8 2E E96 uC:52J 32C364F6D 2?5 @C82?:K:?8 2 4@2E 5C:G6]k^Am

kAm(:6D?6C 36=:6G6D A6@A=6 ?665 2 AFCA@D6 E@ DE2J @? 2 8@@5 A2E9]k^Am

kAm“%9:D 😀 H92E <66AD 9:> 8@:?8 ?@H] xE 8:G6D 9:> AFCA@D6[” (:6D?6C D2JD]k^Am

kAmq=2:D EFC?65 E92E 492=< 2CE :?E@ 2? 6?E:C6 AC@8C2>[ :?4=F5:?8 2 492=<\2CE 76DE:G2= 2?5 2CE 4=2DD6D @?46 2 >@?E9 2E E96 >:?:DECJ’D 8:7E\D9@A[ 9F>2?<:?5i v:7ED %92E |2EE6C[ 2E bhg |2:? $E] t] %96 2CE 4=2DD6D 7@C <:5D 92G6 :?4=F565 6G6CJE9:?8 7C@> 4@@<:6 564@C2E:?8[ E@ t2DE6C 4C27ED[ E@ AC:?E:?8 D9:CED 2?5 H@@5H@C<]k^Am







humankind_gift_shop21836

Leon Blais turned an interest in chalk art into an entire program, including art classes once a month at the ministry’s gift-shop, humankind: Gifts That Matter.




kAm~? q=2:D’ cbC5 3:CE952J @? |2J aa[ 7@C E96 D64@?5 J62C[ 96 96=5 2 492=<\2CE 76DE:G2= 😕 7C@?E @7 4:EJ 92==[ 2EEC24E:?8 >@C6 E92? `__ A6@A=6] w2>:=E@? A@=:46 — 9:D 7@C>6C 6?6>:6D — H6C6 E96C6 96=A:?8[ :?4=F5:?8 2? @77:46C H9@ 5:5 7246\A2:?E:?8]k^Am

k9amp A:G@E2= >@>6?Ek^9am

kAmqJ }@G6>36C a_aa[ q=2:D H2D 2? 6>A=@J66 @7 E96 49FC49 7@C ?62C=J 2 J62C 2?5 5@:?8 H6== H96? 96 DF776C65 2 EC6>6?5@FD =@DD]k^Am

kAmw6 925?’E 962C5 7C@> 9:D >@> 7@C 2 76H 52JD 2?5 H6?E E@ 4964< @? 96C 😕 96C 2A2CE>6?E]k^Am

kAmw6 7@F?5 96C 3@5J] {:<6 9:D 72E96C 564256D 367@C6[ D96 5:65 @7 2? @G6C5@D6]k^Am

kAmp== 2C@F?5 96C H6C6 HC:E:?8D[ D@>6 ?@?D6?D:42=[ @E96CD >FD:?8D 23@FE E96 A6C:=D @7 5CF8D 😕 @FC D@4:6EJ]k^Am

kAmx? E96 >@?E9D 367@C6 96C 562E9[ q=2:D D2H 96C @7E6?] $96 H2D AC@F5 @7 9:D EC2?D7@C>2E:@?] qFE q=2:D DECF88=65 E@ C64@?4:=6 E96 724E E92E D96 H2D 8@?6]k^Am

kAm|@DE >@C?:?8D[ ~’s6== 2?5 q=2:D >66E 7@C 2 4@7766 E@ DE2CE E96:C 52J] p7E6C 9:D >@>’D 562E9[ ~’s6== D2H 9:> H:E95C2H] q=2:D H2D?’E E2=<:?8 E@ 9:> E96 D2>6 H2J]k^Am

kAm“p?5 x <?6H H6 H6C6 2E 2 >@>6?E E92E H2D 8@:?8 E@ 8@ @?6 H2J @C E96 @E96C[” ~’s6== D2JD]k^Am

kAm~’s6== >256 E96 5:77:4F=E 564:D:@? E@ E2<6 E96 49FC49 <6JD 2H2J 7C@> 9:>] w6 C642==D q=2:D D2J:?8 :E H2D E96 H@CDE E9:?8 E92E 925 92AA6?65 E@ 9:>]k^Am

kAmxE H2D 92C5 7@C ~’s6== E@@[ 3FE 96 <?6H q=2:D ?66565 D@>6 E@F89 =@G6 😕 E92E >@>6?E] xE H@C<65] %H@ H66<D =2E6C q=2:D 8@E E96 <6JD 324<]k^Am

kAm“w6’D 925 E9:D 9:DE@CJ H:E9 5CF8D 2?5 96’D 925 E9:D 9:DE@CJ H:E9 3C@<6??6DD 😕 9:D 72>:=J C:89E 7C@> E96 G6CJ 368:??:?8 @? FAH2C5D[” ~’s6== D2JD]k^Am

kAm%96:CD 😀 2 C6=2E:@?D9:A 23@FE ECFDE] q=2:D D@>6E:>6D E2<6D E9:?8D E96 HC@?8 H2J[ 86ED 7CFDEC2E65 2?5 ?665D DA246 E@ 7:8FC6 E9:?8D @FE]k^Am

kAm“%96 7:CDE A6CD@? 96 4@>6D 324< E@ ]]] 😀 >6[” ~’s6== D2JD] “x ;FDE 8:G6 9:> E96 DA246 E@ =6E :E 2== @FE ]]] 2?5 E96? 96 6G6?EF2==J 4@>6D 2C@F?5 2?5 D6=7\4@CC64ED 9:>D6=7]”k^Am

kAm|2?J @7 E96 >6? 2?5 H@>6? H9@ 4@>6 E@ E96 @FEC6249 >:?:DECJ 7@C 7@@5 92G6 DE@C:6D =:<6 E92E @7 q=2:D] ~?6 @7 9:D >@>’D @=5 32?<\C@33:?8 3@J7C:6?5D 4@>6D C68F=2C=J 2?5 q=2:D >2<6D ;@<6D 23@FE 9:> ?@E ;F>A:?8 E96 4@F?E6C — 9:D D:8?2EFC6 >@G6 — 2E E96 49FC49]k^Am

kAm%96 C6>:?56CD 2C6 6G6CJH96C6 2?5 q=2:D E9:?<D 23@FE 9:D >@> @7E6?] w@H D96 DECF88=65[ 3FE 2=D@ 96C @A6??6DD]k^Am

kAm“(96? x E9:?< 23@FE 9@H >J >@> EC62E65 6G6CJ3@5J 😕 @FC 4@>>F?:EJ[ :E 5:5?’E >2EE6C H9@ :E H2D[” q=2:D D2JD] “tG6? :7 >J >@> 5:5?’E 6G6? =:<6 WE96 A6CD@?X[ >J >@> H@F=5 @A6? E96 5@@C 2?5 8:G6 E96> 2 D276 A=246 E@ 8@ 2?5 D@>6E9:?8 E@ 62E]”k^Am

kAm%92E 2=D@ >62?E @A6?:?8 E96 5@@C E@ 32?< C@336CD 2?5 5CF8 562=6CD] qFE q=2:D D2JD D96 5:5 96C 36DE]k^Am

kAmw:D A2C6?ED 2C6 3FC:65 😕 E96 D2>6 A=@E 2E (@@5=2?5 r6>6E6CJ] xE’D 2 A=246 96 7:?5D A62467F=]k^Am

kAmw6 36=:6G6D 😕 D@>6 H2J 9:D >@> H2D H2:E:?8 7@C 2== @7 96C D@?D E@ 36 ~z 367@C6 D96 5:65] w6 H2D E96 =2DE @7 96C 7@FC 3@JD E@ “DE23:=:K6]”k^Am

kAm!6@A=6 2D< q=2:D :7 96’D 8@:?8 E@ =62G6 E96 49FC49[ 7:?5 2 36EE6C\A2J:?8 ;@3] qFE 96 D2JD E92E’D ?6G6C 8@:?8 E@ 92AA6?] w6 D66D 9:>D6=7 2D 2 3C:586 36EH66? 9:D EH@ H@C=5Di E96 49FC49 2?5 w2>:=E@?’D >2C8:?2=:K65 4@>>F?:E:6D]k^Am

kAm“%9:D 😀 E96 4@>>F?:EJ x’G6 366? 2C@F?5 >J H9@=6 =:76[” 96 D2JD] w6 H@?’E =62G6 E96>]k^Am

kAmqFE E96 H@C< 😀 2=D@ H92E <66AD 9:> DE625J]k^Am

kAm%9@D6 D2>6 BF6DE:@?D C6EFC?i xD :E A@DD:3=6 7@C D@>6@?6 E@ 6G6C 7F==J C64@G6C 7C@> DF49 2 A2DEn %@ C6566> 9:>D6=7nk^Am

kAm%92E 😀 2 H@C< 😕 AC@8C6DD] xE’D :>A@DD:3=6 E@ AC65:4E E96 7FEFC6[ H92E 92C5D9:AD 2?5 ;@JD[ q=2:D >2J 7246] %92E’D =:76] qFE 7@C E96 7:CDE E:>6 q=2:D 92D 2 AFCA@D6[ 2 DFAA@CE DJDE6> 2?5 2 C62D@? E@ <66A 7:89E:?8]k^Am

kAmkDA2? 4=2DDlQ6?5?@E604@?EC:3Qm}:4@=6 ~’#6:==J 😀 2 4C:>6 2?5 ;FDE:46 C6A@CE6C 2E %96 $A64E2E@C] k2 9C67lQ>2:=E@i?@C6:==JoE96DA64]4@>Qm?@C6:==JoE96DA64]4@>k^2mk^DA2?mk^Am

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Back to top button