By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News
Fr. Ed Gibney, State Chaplain for the Saskatchewan Knights of Columbus, was among those honoured Nov. 18 in Biggar for dedication and service in the spirit of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
The pastor of St. Gabriel Parish, Biggar and Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Landis, Gibney was among some 40 recipients of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal recognized in a ceremony at the Bigger community centre, emceed by local MLA and Speaker of the House Randy Weekes.
Hon. Russell Merasty, Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, presented the awards, which are among some 7,000 Jubilee Medals being awarded across the province this year to honour Queen Elizabeth’s 70 years as Queen of Canada, from her coronation in 1952 to her death this year.
(Photo by Dale Meier)
“Seventy years of service is truly remarkable. A platinum jubilee is unprecedented and deserves significant recognition, and so special events and programs have been initiated throughout the commonwealth to celebrate the late queen’s extraordinary lifetime of service,” said Merasty.
The Lieutenant Governor described how in the past such commemorative medals were distributed nationally, noting that this year is the first time in Canadian history that a royal occasion has been commemorated with provincial medals. Saskatchewan is among six provinces in Canada that have instituted a provincial Platinum Jubilee Medal “to commemorate Her Majesty’s devotion to service, while celebrating the dedicated service of people like each of you here today,” he said.
“It is important to honour those who help to make our province better and to honour those whose achievements inspire us all … and this afternoon we celebrate very deserving people who have enriched our province in countless ways.”
After a career as an artist and sculptor and long-time involvement in the Knights of Columbus — including serving as State Deputy for Saskatchewan — Fr. Edward Gibney discerned a vocation to the priesthood, studying for several years at Pontifical Beda College in Rome. Gibney was ordained a priest for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon on June 29, 2017. Since then, he has served the parishes in Biggar and Landis. His commitment to the Knights of Columbus continues in his current role as State Chaplain.
-30-