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Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Meuss was ordained on Feb. 24, 1952, in Velaines, Belgium. After 16 years in northern Quebec, Father Meeus came to the Kivalliq Region and has spent time in many Nunavut communities.
The priest has worked in Koartak, Wakeham Bay, Ivuyivik, Povinungtuk and Happy Valley, Que., and Chesterfield Inlet, Iqaluit, Kugaaruk), Ottawa, Iglulik, Pond Inlet and Nanisivik.
He came to Rankin Inlet in 2001.
A number of gifts and tributes were bestowed upon the priest during the celebration. Meeus says he was overwhelmed by the magnitude of the gathering.
"I was not expecting anything of that calibre," said Meeus. "The way the speakers were talking, sometimes I found myself wondering who they were talking about."
Meeus said he appreciates the gifts and accolades, but those he appreciates most are the people who helped him become who he is today.
He said he will continue to stay in the North as long as he's still helpful.
"When I came to the North, I received so much from the people. I tried to give what I could, but I received far more than I was able to give."
Meeus said he came to the North with his own ideas of the life of God through what he learned in school.
"The people in the North had a somewhat different view than my own and that enriched me with the ability to see things in a new light."
Father Meeus's big day ended on an extraordinary note when a number of people reported seeing a large cross in the sky. He said he didn't see the cross himself, but heard many people talking about it.
"People who are not familiar with our faith will just see clouds in the sky, but, because of our faith, we can see things they cannot," he said.
"I'm not sure what its meaning was, but I was grateful -- not for the sign itself, but for the people being able to recognize it."
