Bishop Thomas Dowd spent the last couple of weeks getting to know the people and the culture of communities within the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie.
His pastoral visits included celebrating Mass, First Communions, and a wedding, as well as first-time visits to communities including White River, Wawa and Aundeck Omni Kaning on Manitoulin Island.
Bishop Dowd says the diocese is rich in culture and community spirit, and he especially enjoyed his first time taking in the pow wow at the First Nation.
Dowd was named Bishop of the diocese two years ago, but was limited in his travels due to COVID, so he plans to make many more pastoral visits to member communities over the next couple of 
