Thank you, Fr. Marino

PHOTO CREDIT | Frank Buendia

Rev. Fr. Marino Infante started as the Parish Priest and Administrator of St. Mary’s Brooks + Tide Lake Mission on August 1, 2018. He was the former pastor of St. Michael’s in Bow Island. During the years, he started changes that revolutionized and enhanced the Catholic faith community of the Brooks Newell Region. Because of his wide pastoral experience, many of the former parishioners came back into the Church, Parish activities and programs have expanded, and he was able to transform the Parish both physically and spiritually. St. Mary’s parishioners became more hands-on in taking care of the needs of the Church, thanks for his openness, understanding, charisma and fatherly-love.

Nothing can hinder his devotion and commitment to God, to the priestly service, and his parishioners, not even when the COVID19 pandemic hit. It was a very hard time for everyone in the Parish community, but through his initiative and inspiration, he brought the Holy Mass into the homes locally and even internationally.

Through the parishioners who supported his initiatives to renew and restart the parish community after the pandemic, the Church grew, people around the area became more involved, finances were organized and on-track, savings grew and expenses declined. The Church buildings and facilities received its much needed renovations, upgrades and upkeep. But the most important of all, the people both the churched and unchurched, came back, became more inspired to attend the Holy Mass, took the Holy Sacraments, and even inspired other families to come back and practice the faith.

Just like when Jesus sent His apostles two by two, Fr. Marino created leaders who lead with Christian mercy and passion, people who will inspire others to practice the faith, to become witnesses to Christ in word and deed.

As Fr. Marino’s pastoral term at St. Mary’s ends this coming July 31st, his inspiration, his fatherly-words, his “short” jokes, his accurately-solid homilies, his Godly friendship and influence will never end in the hearts of his parishioners. We, at St. Mary’s Brooks + Tide Lake Mission, pray and wish you all the best in your new mission as the shepherd of St. Michael’s in Pincher Creek + Waterton. May the blessings of the Lord be upon you always. We love you!

Come and join us this coming, July 20, 2024 as we celebrate a thanksgiving celebration for Rev. Fr. Marino Infante for his six (6) years as the shepherd of St. Mary’s Parish, Brooks + Tide Lake Mission. It will start with the 5:00pm Holy Mass followed by the Thanksgiving party at the Parish Hall.

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