On September 8, Father Will moved back to his home in Edmonton. He insists that he intends to take at least a month or two off to relax, but considering he retired in 2010 and has had a number of interim roles since, it seems unlikely he will remain idle for long.
Father Will was ordained in the Diocese of the Arctic in 1982 and took vows as a Franciscan previously, in 1969. It was clear to all of us that he cared deeply for St. Michael and All Angels’ Parish and the feelings were returned. We were saddened when his dear wife Gloria passed away in late 2013. Father Will’s deep devotion to Anglo-Catholicism strengthened us during his time with us. That, coupled with his ability to see humour in most any situation, made our time together seem short.
On September 1, we welcomed Father Kevin Frankland (ordained 2008) and his wife, Mother Melissa, also an Anglican priest (ordained 2009). Father Kevin was educated at Halifax’s Atlantic School of Theology and Tennessee Temple University in Chattanooga. The Franklands both hail from the east coast and, as they tell us, enjoy snow-shoeing. We assume they chose Winnipeg for its much longer season! They are looking forward to their ministry with us and everything that Winnipeg and Manitoba has to offer. We look forward to getting to know them better over the coming months.