We are a lay mission association within the Roman Catholic Church. We are named after Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha (1656-1680). Our vision is one of supporting hope and healing in aboriginal communities by facilitating culturally appropriate pastoral care. A ministry of presence, with practical persevering love rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, is core to our vision.
Pat and Waltera
Pat Grise and Waltera Van Gennip lived and worked among the Ojibway people of Pic Mobert First Nation from 1975-1982. In 1982 they moved to Saskatchewan. Since 1983 they started Kateri House to serve the aboriginal people of Prince Albert and area, with a special focus on Sturgeon Lake First Nation. In January 1986 Pat and Waltera founded Kateri’s Companions in Ministry with a vision of developing a network of lay missionaries, both aboriginal and non-aboriginal, to live in northern communities to provide pastoral care and local faith formation.
Roy Wilmhoff
Roy Wilmhoff joined Kateri House in April 2004. He was sent as a missionary by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. In January 2009 he made his permanent commitment as a member of Kateri’s Companions in Ministry.
Roy is on the Kateri House ministry team. He specializes in ministry with men in conflict with the law. He visits prisons and works with men who are re-integrating into the community. He is the Roman Catholic chaplain for the Prince Albert Correctional Centre.
Roy has his own blog where he shares reflections which he brings to the men at the Correctional Centre during his weekly services, as well as other personal reflections about Scripture and justice issues, together with the odd bit of humour.
Kateri’s Companions in Ministry Inc. is a non-profit organization, “trading as” Kateri House. We are a registered charity, and are dependent entirely on donations.
Kateri House, Prince Albert SK
