Next stage of our journey, we jumped on to the #2 Canadian Highway, heading South. Destination Assiniboia. (106 km 1 hour and 10 minutes)

and The Church of St Lawrence.

We met with Carolyn who showed us around the Shurniak Art Gallery,

William (Bill) Shurniak S.O.M, M.S.M., LL.D (Hon) 1931-2020

Founder of the Shurniak Art Gallery

Bill was born at the family farm in Limerick, Saskatchewan where he grew up and attended school in the village.  Upon graduating from high school, he joined the Imperial Bank of Canada in Assiniboia as a junior clerk.  His banking career spanned a period of 35 years which included postings throughout Western Canada, the far North, Southern Ontario and the International Regions of Jamaica and Hong Kong. 

In 1984, he left the bank to return to Hong Kong to become an Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer of Hutchison Whampoa Limited and remained a part of the Li Ka-shing group of companies, still serving as a director of CK Hutchison Holdings Limited in Hong Kong, and a director and Deputy Chairman of Husky Energy Inc upon his death. Bill spend 5 years working in Australia, then moved back to Limerick, Saskatchewan in 2005.

A hidden gem in this small town 1 hour, south of Moose Jaw.

Next door we found the new Community Hall, home to the local Ice Hockey team, and across the street 'The Prince of Wales' building, home to local arts and the curling team.

Then we were taken over to St Lawrence church to meet with the congregation and have a short time of evening prayer, a conversation and chance to mourn.

Rev Sara and I gave a brief introduction to our journey and the connection of Lichfield Diocese with Qu'Appelle Diocese. The congregation then had an opportunity to share their history with us and reminisce about their church, the Priests/Deacons and Lay readers, they have had serve them over the years and the journey that will take them to Nov 20th 2022 and the closing of this beautiful church, a time to grieve, mourn but remember fondly their time together.

Although sad, this time together gave us the opportunity to assist their mourning, much like we do at a funeral.