DUCHARME: Father Fernand Ducharme passed away peacefully at the age of 91 in the Cypress Regional Hospital, Swift Current, SK on May 9, 2012. The Prayer Service was held on Friday May 11, 2012 and the Celebration of Life Mass on May 12, 2012, both from Notre Dame d’Auvergne Roman Catholic Church, Ponteix, Sask. The Most Rev. Archbishop Daniel J. Bohan D.D. was the presiding celebrant and co-celebrated by 14 of his confrère priests. The Homily was proclaimed by Rev. Father Guy Amédee Ainenon parish priest of Ponteix. An Honor Guard was formed by the 3rd and 4th degree of the Knights of Columbus from various surrounding parishes. The organist was Claudette Begin on Friday night for the prayer Vigil and Daniel Roberge for the funeral mass service on Saturday. The Parish choir lead the congregation in Father’s favourite hymns. The internment was held in the Parish Cemetery, Ponteix, SK. Father Ducharme was born at St. Victor, SK, February 3, 1921, the seventh child of a family of ten born of Eugénie Légaré and Siméon Ducharme. The family was blessed with two priests and two religious sisters. After completing his Classical and Theology courses, he was ordained on June 29, 1948 in Willow Bunch, SK by Bishop J. Lemieux O.P. of Gravelbourg, SK. In a bilingual diocese, he ministered in ten parishes and fifteen missions. Father served as Diocesan Director for the Rural Catholic Action and the ladies of St. Anne; later became Diocesan Director for the Immigration and Charismatic Renewal. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus since 1949 and was initiated as 4th degree 25 years ago. He was an active member of Les Amis de Ponteix reporting at each monthly meeting a chronicle of Good News. He was instrumental in organizing a group of singers and musicians to prepare a Polka Mass. It was such a success that the groups travelled to adjoining parishes to perform and record on cassette and C.Ds. While in Swift Current, the Parish was the first in the diocese to initiate the R.C.I.A. program after Vatican 11. After celebrating his 25th anniversary of priesthood, he was offered a sabbatical year which he spent in Quebec City where he received a Masters Degree in Theology. At age 70, he retired from parish work and moved to Ponteix. He was the first tenant in the new Cooperative apartments. He celebrated mass at the nursing home and helped local neighbourhood priests in clerical duties. In 2004, the Sisters of Notre Dame d’ Auvergne welcomed him as a chaplain in the convent where he resided until his death. He was predeceased by his parents Eugénie and Simeon, three brothers, Rolland, Victor and Father Roger Ducharme, three sisters Sr. Simone Ducharme, Sr. Thérèse Ducharme and Mme Cécile Loiselle, and two infant sisters. He leaves to mourn a brother, Conrad Ducharme of Assiniboia, SK, many nephews, nieces, his religious family and many friends acquired through his ministry. He will be missed by all those who knew and loved him. Lemieux Funeral Home, Ponteix, SK were entrusted with the arrangements. For further information call (306) 625-3925 : 1-800-267-6606 or visit our website at www.lemieuxfuneralhome.com and express your sympathy to family members in our book of condolences.