Fr. Heinrich Sicking, OMI (2008-2009)

Fr. Heinrich Sicking was born on January 16, 1934 in Stadtlohn, Germany, the fourth child of Johann and Anna née Schlettert. After completing elementary school, Heinrich studied farming for a year and then from 1949 -1952 he studied furniture making under Bernhard Rolvering in Hengeler, Germany. However, Heinrich’s choice of vocation meant that in 1957, right after completing high school, he entered the Oblate novitiate in Maria Engelport. One year later, he professed his first vows and later, he professed perpetual vows in Huenfeld. There, on July 28, 1963, Heinrich was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Vervoort. From 1964-1975, Fr. Heinrich worked in Namibia, looking after missions in Aminuis in the eastern Kalahari valley in the north of the country, in Grootfontein. From 1976-1987 Fr. Heinrich served at German-speaking parishes in Indonesia, teaching religion in Jakarta, Bandungu and Ciligon. From 1988-2000 he served at St. Michael’s parish in Windsor, Ontario. After a two-year break from his work, which he spent at Holy Ghost parish in Winnipeg, he took on new responsibilities - at St. Henry’s in Melville, Saskatchewan, and the chaplaincy at St. Peter’s Hospital (2002-2003). On July 28, 2003, Fr. Heinrich celebrated the 40th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. Since August 2003, he serves at St. Mary’s parish in Grayson, St. Elizabeth’s parish in Killaly, St. Michael’s in Lemberg and Sacred Heart of Mary parish in Marieval. Fr. Heinrich’s mother passed away in 1975 and his father died in 1978. Two brothers and one sister remain; the rest of Fr. Heinrich’s siblings have passed on.