Kristen Villebrun and Wendy Bush hoped they wouldn't have to pray for Chedoke Creek, but four years after they first raised alarm about the water's condition, they were part of an Indigenous full moon ceremony to do just that. About 50 people showed up near Princess Point on the dark and frigid Monday evening for the monthly ceremony, which was particularly special as it focused on Chedoke Creek. The body of water that runs into Cootes Paradise had about 24 billion litres of sewage and storm water runoff leak into it due to a gate being left open.
Before the liturgy, making the Sign of the Cross towards the four cardinal points — according to indigenous custom — the pope blessed a bowl of the lake’s water, which was brought up to a small wooden structure, shaped like a teepee, overlooking the lake. The pope, after spending a moment in prayer sitting at the water's edge in his wheelchair, later sprinkled the crowds with the blessed water.
Organizers of the Lac Ste. Anne pilgrimage say cleansing stations are to be provided for anyone who wants to enter the lake next week. Alberta Health Services issued a blue-green algae bloom advisory for the lake Thursday afternoon. It comes just days before the Pope is set to visit the lake and kick off the pilgrimage at the site west of Edmonton. Each July, thousands of people go to the shores of Lac Ste. Anne in search of healing and spiritual renewal. But those who come into contact with visible blue-green algae or drink water containing it may get a rash, sore throat, nausea or diarrhea.
