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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The diocese of Mackenzie-Fort Smith plans to celebrate the golden anniversary to the priesthood of Bishop Denis Croteau and his years of service as bishop.

Bishop Denis Croteau has been serving as a priest for the Roman Catholic Church in the North since 1960. On Oct. 4 the diocese of Mackenzie-Fort Smith plans to celebrate his golden anniversary as a priest at St. Patrick high school. - Jason Emiry/NNSL photo

The occasion will be marked at St. Patrick high school on Oct. 4. There will be a mass at 4 p.m. and a reception to follow.

Gayle Paquin, administrative assistant with the diocese of Mackenzie-Fort Smith, is looking forward to the celebration.

"People will probably want to present him with articles. The NWT commissioner will speak and the mayor will speak," she said.

Paquin said she feels the bishop has played a valuable role in the North.

"He is critical and key to the life of the church in the North," said Paquin.

"He sets the direction. He sets the tone. He is our shepherd. He is a solid person. He is trying to step back and leave space for Bishop Murray's style. I believe Bishop will always be respected throughout the North. He is so devoted."

Bishop Murray Chatlain is the new bishop of the Mackenzie-Fort Smith diocese.

Bishop Croteau began his work in the North in 1960. He officially retired from his position as bishop on May 10, but the 75-year-old does not show any signs of slowing down.

"The new bishop asked me to take charge of three missions, Whati, Wekweti and Gameti," said Croteau.

"Every weekend Friday to Monday I'll be in one mission on a rotation basis. I'll be doing priest ministry. As a priest your life belongs to the church. I could retire, but we are short of priests. Many missions are without a priestly presence. I'm a priest for life. I told Bishop Murray, 'I'm here full-time to help at anything you want me to do.'"

Croteau is happy he will be recognized for his service to the church, but he didn't want a big celebration.

"They want to make a big do, but I said leave it alone," said Croteau. "I'm grateful that I have been a priest for 50 years, but I can do without the big celebration and recognition. It is a good way to inspire young people to dedicate themselves to a cause."

Bishop Croteau set up a foundation to raise money to help less fortunate people. He has done work in Mexico and Nicaragua.

He plans to look into sponsoring a project in Burkina Faso in Western Africa this October. A group there is looking for $200,000 to dig water wells and build a six-room school for girls.