By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News
Fr. André Poilièvre has died at the age of 88 years.
He is being remembered in the community for his decades of care and outreach for those in prison and those struggling to find a path to a healthy lifestyle, free from addictions and gangs.
The family has announced that a community “celebration of life” will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 15 at Gordie Howe Sports Centre in Saskatoon.
“We join together in prayer for Fr. Andre, and for his family, friends and community. We also hold in prayer the many people who have been affected by his life and ministry over the years, who are now grieving his death,” said Bishop Mark Hagemoen in a message to the diocese July 7.
“Fr. André has served in many ways in our diocese, including as director of the Catholic Centre, and in parishes, including at Saints-Martyrs-Canadiens Parish in Saskatoon – and perhaps most notably in his prison outreach,” Hagemoen said.
“His heart for those who were incarcerated and for those struggling to leave gangs and find healing and health, led Fr. Andre to work with those affected to establish STR8 UP – 10,000 Little Steps to Healing. STR8 UP has impacted hundreds, changing lives for the better across generations.”
In his message, the bishop said that in addition to the planned July 15 event, prayers for Poiliévre will be held at a service to be organized by the diocese at a later date. “In the meantime, we pray, eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May Fr. Andre rest in the peace and light of Christ.”
Born and raised in Prud’homme
André Poilièvre was born Aug. 12, 1936 in Prud’homme, the youngest child of Marie-Jeanne (Rivard) and Joseph Poilièvre.
After graduating high school, he went on to earn a baccalaureate in theology, and later completed adult education courses in Paris and Toronto. He was ordained a priest for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon on June 21, 1962 in a celebration at Prud’homme by St. Boniface Archbishop Maurice Boudoux.
In addition to serving at a number of parishes in the diocese of Saskatoon — including at St. Denis, at Saints-Martyrs-Canadiens and St. Michael parishes in Saskatoon — he served as director of the diocesan Catholic Pastoral Centre, and taught at St. Paul, Joe Duquette (now Oskāyak), and Vonda high schools, and also served as a chaplain at Saskatoon City Hospital.
Poilièvre also spent six years in the north, where he developed and implemented training programs for Inuit and Dene management trainees, and learned more about Indigenous Peoples: their lives, cultures and traditions.
In 1995 he began serving as chaplain at Saskatoon Correctional Centre, getting to know the men there, and the challenges they faced. In 2002, Poilièvre and two former gang members co-founded STR8 UP, which became the focus of his life’s work for the next 30 years, helping men and women leave gang life, find healing and launch a fresh start.
In November 2023, Poilièvre was awarded an honorary degree from the University of Saskatchewan recognizing “the extraordinary impact” he has made over many decades to the communities he has served. The media release from the University of Saskatchewan at that time said: “STR8 UP is the embodiment of Poilièvre’s lifelong commitment to serving Indigenous peoples, training community co-operatives, and supporting quality education for all children.”
In 2008 he received the Order of Canada for his contributions and service.
In his retirement at Trinity Manor in Saskatoon, Poilièvre continued as an active advocate and supporter of STR8 UP, offering mentorship and encouragement to STR8 UP members, and encouraging the broader community to recognize their responsibility to accompany and assist those who are struggling.
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Kiply Lukan Yaworski is the communications coordinator for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon: rcdos.ca.
Communications and Catholic Saskatoon News are supported by gifts to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal: dscf.ca/baa.