The death of Rev. H. Monte
Peters, a priest of the Diocese of Saint John, occurred at his
residence, St. Kateri Tekakwitha Rectory, surrounded by his family, on
Tuesday, May 3, 2022, at the age of 80, after a brief illness. H.
Montague Peters was born in Saint John, NB, on January 27, 1942, son
of the late Dr. Harry Peters and Margaret Montague.
After attending schools in his
fondly remembered West Saint John, and graduating from High School,
Monte completed a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Francis Xavier
University, Antigonish, NS, and a Bachelor of Education degree from
the University of New Brunswick, Fredericton. He also studied at St.
Thomas University, Fredericton. In 1966 he began theological studies
at Holy Heart Seminary, Halifax. After completing his Bachelor of
Theology degree through Laval University, Quebec, QC and his seminary
formation, Fr. Monte was ordained to the priesthood by the Most Rev.
J. N. MacNeil, Bishop of Saint John, on July 4, 1970, in Our Lady of
the Assumption Church, Saint John.
His first assignment was as
associate pastor of Holy Trinity Parish, Saint John. He was also named
Vocations Director of the Diocese at this time. In 1971 Monte was
transferred to St. Dunstan’s Parish, Fredericton, and was
given special responsibility as chaplain to the Catholic students at
the University of New Brunswick, Fredericton. Thus began a special
relationship with the students, faculty, and staff of the University
of New Brunswick which would last formally for more than several
decades and informally for the rest of his life.
From 1976-1977, Monte
undertook a sabbatical year studying campus ministry throughout
England. He travelled to Manchester, his base, on a German freighter
transporting lumber and newsprint from Halifax, NS, to Liverpool,
England. While in England he travelled wherever he could to learn from
other campus ministers working in an ecumenical context while also
assisting in St. Cuthbert’s Parish, Manchester.
Upon completing this year
abroad, he returned to campus ministry at the University of New
Brunswick. He also began serving weekend ministry in St.
Patrick’s Parish, Stanley, and its mission church of St.
Matthew’s in Napadogan. In 1980, Monte was appointed
resident Fellow-at-Large at the University of New Brunswick living in
Bridges House, Apt 2.
The door was always open;
students knew they could find an open ear, a cup of coffee, a meal, or
even a couch to spend the night if necessary. Friday nights spaghetti
suppers were famous. In 1984 when the University of New Brunswick
opened Holy Rosary Co-ed Residence, Monte was called on to to serve as
temporary Don. In 1990-1991, he also served as chaplain to St. Thomas
University, Fredericton, while continuing his work at UNB. In 1991,
Monte began a Master of Arts degree in Adult Christian Community
Development at Regis College, Denver, CO, which he completed during
several summer sessions so as not to interfere with the university
academic year.
In 1994 Monte left Bridges
House when he was appointed pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Parish,
Fredericton and administrator of St. Patrick’s Parish,
Stanley, although he continued as chaplain to UNB. In 2000. Monte was
appointed as pastor of St. Anthony’s Parish, Fredericton,
while continuing as administrator of St. Patrick’s Parish.
In 2003, Monte took another sabbatical for studies in Family Violence,
at the Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, IL. Upon his return he was
appointed pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Lincoln, while
continuing as pastor of St. Anthony’s. From 2008 to 2009,
Monte formed part of a team providing chaplaincy to St. Thomas
University while continuing his other
responsibilities.
In 2013 he was appointed
pastor of Holy Family Parish, Fredericton, while continuing also at
St. Anthony’s. When the Diocese of Saint John was
reorganized in 2018, Monte became the first pastor of the newly formed
St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish serving churches from McAdam to Hanwell
to Fredericton to Cork to Lake George to Newmarket and the Kingsclear
First Nation.
Monte humbly and quietly
received many accolades during his more than fifty years of priesthood
including the Fredericton YM-YWCA Peace Medallion (1989) and a Doctor
of Laws, honoris causa, from the University of New Brunswick
(1995).
Monte also served in the Naval
Reserves for over thirty years and taught sailing courses at the
Fredericton Yacht Club for many of those years. In addition, he served
as chaplain to the Fredericton Police
Department.
Father Monte Peters was an
extraordinary man and priest who quietly, humbly, and generously
served the Diocese of Saint John, the City of Fredericton, and its
surrounding communities, and especially generations of students,
faculty, and staff of the University of New Brunswick and St. Thomas
University. He also enjoyed a special relationship with the peoples of
Sitansisk Wolastoqiyik First Nation and the Kingsclear First Nation.
He gave to all with grace, dignity, and usually a little joke! He
accepted his final illness with Christian grace only wishing he could
have said goodbye to more of the many people who had been so kind to
him over the years.
Monte is survived by his
siblings: Mary Burchill, Fredericton; Dr. Tom Peters (Marlene),
Fredericton; Ann Murphy (Pat), Fredericton; Jane Mersereau (John),
Halifax; Richard Peters (Audrey), Saint John; Hope Richard (Claude),
Oakville, ON; as well as by nineteen nieces and nephews, and sixteen
great nieces and nephews.
Visitation for Father Monte
will be held at Holy Family Church, 1500 Hanwell Road, Fredericton, on
Friday, May 13, from 2 pm to 7 pm closing with a simple prayer
vigil.
His Funeral Mass will be
celebrated by the Most Rev. Christian Riesbeck, C.C., Bishop of Saint
John, in St. Dunstan’s Church, 120 Regent Street,
Fredericton, on Saturday, May 14, at 10 am. Rev. John Jennings will be
the homilist. Interment will follow in the family plot, St.
Augustine’s Cemetery, Grand
Bay-Westfield.
Donations may be made to the
Diocesan Indigenous Reconciliation Fund. Arrangements under the kind
care of Bishops Funeral Home.
1942 2022
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Rev H Monte Peters 1942 2022..
Décès pour la Ville: Fredericton, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick