CFRA News
Friday, October 7, 2011
Popular Ottawa priest Fr. Bob Bedard has died.
He was a teacher at St. Pius X High school in Ottawa 36 years ago this month, when in October 1975 a student gunman named Robert Poulin burst into his classroom and opened fire with a shotgun. One student was killed, three others injured in the attack. The gunman had murdered a young woman in his home earlier in the day, and took his own life after the shooting.
Fr. Bedard was ordained a priest in 1955 in Ottawa, and went on to be a teacher at Pius X, sometimes serving as Principal and rector. He later founded an order of priests known as the “Companions of the Cross,” which has grown internationally, and was recognized by Pope John Paul II.
He was a popular Pastor at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in west Ottawa. Fr. Bedard had been seriously ill for more than two years. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
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Companions of the Cross website
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Dear Friends,
On October 6th at 10:17 pm our beloved Fr. Bob passed away. We had just finished celebrating a Mass for the Dying in which he received the Sacrament of the Sick, the Apostolic blessing, and Viaticum. He died peacefully as we sang hymns and prayed. It was truly a beautiful and holy death.
It is hard to describe our feelings at this time: relief that his suffering is finally over, joy that he fought the good fight and ran the race to the finish, and sadness at our deep loss. But above all we give thanks and praise to God for the amazing life of Fr. Bob and for the privilege of knowing and loving him. May he rest with the Saints and Angels tonight – and in the loving mantle of our Lady and the eternal embrace of the great King he served so faithfully in this life…
Tomorrow afternoon we will announce the schedule for his wake and funeral. We are so deeply grateful for all the visits, prayers, concern, and love that has been poured out by all of you during this long journey since Fr. Bob entered the hospital. May God reward you with His grace and favour.
In Jesus our Saviour,
Fr Scott McCaig, CC
Moderator (General Superior)
Father Bob Bedard was one of my favourite teachers. He had a wonderful sense of humour and he had a certain warmth about him. I remember going with him and some other students to a cottage near Perth and I got quite sick and Bob Bedard went into town to buy me some medicine. He was very kind and gentle and also he was a humble man with deep convictions and principles