Feast of the Holy Family – St. Dunstan’s Basilica
On December 28, 2025, at 5:00 p.m., St. Dunstan’s Basilica Cathedral was filled with prayer, gratitude, and deep emotion as more than 800 faithful from across Prince Edward Island gathered for a historic diocesan celebration. Priests, religious women and men, and lay faithful joined Bishop Joseph Dabrowski, CSMA, for the Mass of the Feast of the Holy Family, marking the closing of the Jubilee Year of Hope and offering a heartfelt farewell as the bishop prepares to begin his new pastoral ministry in the Diocese of Hamilton.
The liturgy was both joyful and deeply reflective — a sacred moment to give thanks for a year rich in grace, and to entrust the future of the diocese to God with confidence and hope.
A Jubilee Year Rooted in Hope
In his homily, Bishop Joseph reflected on the twofold purpose of the celebration: closing the Jubilee Year and giving thanks for the journey of faith shared together. He invited the faithful not to look back with nostalgia or fear, but to move forward with gratitude, trust, and hope.
Recalling his arrival on Prince Edward Island, Bishop Joseph spoke once again of his desire to be a bridge-builder — connecting priests and people, tradition and renewal, faith and daily life, and newcomers and long-time Islanders. Standing in the Basilica where that vision was first shared, he offered heartfelt thanks:
“Thank you for allowing me to build bridges with you — and even more importantly, for trusting me enough to walk across those bridges together.”
What began as nine planned Jubilee events ultimately became twenty-eight celebrations, a clear sign, the bishop noted, that hope was already alive in the hearts of the people. From pilgrimages and cultural celebrations with diverse linguistic and cultural communities, to youth gatherings, moments of reconciliation, and diocesan initiatives, the Jubilee Year became a lived experience of prayer, unity, and renewed mission.
Throughout the year, Bishop Joseph witnessed hope embodied in many ways: in the generosity of priests, the quiet faithfulness of religious women and men, the dedication of volunteers and lay leaders, and the curiosity and energy of young people. These signs of life and faith, he shared, strengthened his own faith and reminded him that the Church is alive because God is alive in His people.
A Church That Continues
Reflecting on the wider Church, Bishop Joseph echoed the words of Pope Francis, who, in calling the Jubilee Year, reminded the faithful that “hope does not disappoint, because it is grounded in God’s faithful love.” This truth, the bishop said, was made visible throughout the Jubilee Year in the life of the diocese.
He also recalled the words of Pope Leo XIV, who recently reminded the Church that continuity, not disruption, lies at the heart of its mission: “The Church does not begin again with each new shepherd; she continues. What changes are faces and voices — what remains is Christ, who walks with His people.” These words offered reassurance that while Bishop Joseph’s mission now leads elsewhere, the work of the Gospel on Prince Edward Island will continue — because it has never depended on one person alone.
A Farewell Filled with Gratitude and Trust
The Feast of the Holy Family provided a fitting lens through which Bishop Joseph reflected on the diocese he came to love: a Church that works hard, prays faithfully, supports one another, and trusts God even when the path forward is uncertain. He shared how deeply the Island reminded him of his own roots, and how profoundly the people had become home to him.
As he prepares to leave for Hamilton, Bishop Joseph expressed deep gratitude to priests, religious, and lay faithful for their openness, collaboration, and love for the Church. He assured them that he departs with peace and confidence in God’s faithfulness.
In closing the Jubilee Year, he offered a final word of encouragement that resonated deeply with all present: “As we close this Jubilee Year, we are reminded that hope does not disappoint.”
With a prayerful farewell, Bishop Joseph entrusted the diocese to God’s care, encouraging the faithful to continue walking as pilgrims of hope — fostering unity, remaining rooted in prayer and the Eucharist, and supporting one another in faith. He asked, simply and sincerely, to be remembered in prayer as he begins this new chapter of his ministry.
May the Holy Family watch over all the families of our diocese, and may God continue to bless and guide His people, now and in the years to come.
A Moving Expression of Gratitude
A particularly touching moment of the celebration came when representatives from across the diocese — clergy, religious, and lay faithful from different diocesan communities and cultural backgrounds — came forward to offer words of heartfelt gratitude. They spoke of Bishop Joseph’s leadership and pastoral closeness, his presence among the people, his listening heart, and his gift for bringing people together. Again and again, he was described as a shepherd who was present, deeply loved, inspiring, and truly a bridge-builder — someone who walked with his people and encouraged them to walk together in faith.
The emotion in the Basilica during this moment reflected the deep affection and respect the diocese holds for its bishop.
