Bishop Gary Woolsey, who stepped down in 1991 as a diocesan bishop to become a parish priest, has announced his retirement at the end of June, 2002.
Ordained in the diocese of Keewatin in 1967, Bishop Woolsey began his ministry as a priest and pilot, flying in and ministering to the remote communities in northwestern Ontario. From 1968-72, he was incumbent at St. Peter’s, Big Trout Lake, Ont., one of the most northern First Nations communities in the province. He served St. Mark’s Church in Norway House, Man., from 1972-76, then St. Paul’s, Churchill, Man., until 1980, when he became executive archdeacon and program officer of Keewatin.
He was elected bishop of Athabasca in 1983, but in 1991 left that position for parish ministry. He has served as incumbent of Calgary’s St. Peter’s Church since 1991.
Bishop Woolsey, who turns 60 this year, holds a bachelor of arts from Western University, a bachelor of theology and a doctor of divinity from Huron College. Additionally, two of his years in Norway House were spent as a non-stipendiary priest while he was teaching.