At the AGM in Bragg Creek, Corpus Canada conferred on Joe Gubels the award of life membership for his enthusiastic work since the beginning of Corpus Canada.

Joe was born in Victoria on June 15, 1939. the seventh of twelve children. He attended Sacred Heart parish school and St. Louis College high school. Fr. Barney Quinn OMI tried to interest Joe's brother, Peter, in joining the Oblates, but Peter would not answer. Joe answered instead along with Fred Magee, his pal from kindergarten onwards, and they were eventually ordained priests in 1965. Joe worked in Peru...

Joe has an M.A. in Adult Education, a Diploma in Information Technology and System Design, and a Certificate in International Trade. For 20 years, he worked as Director, Dean, and Principal in Community Colleges, and for four years he worked in International Trade. At the moment, Joe is Crime Prevention Coordinator for the Lesser Slave Lake Regional Police Service located in 
Joe joined Corpus U.S.A. in 1986 and in 1989, this led to meetings in Regina and to the establishment of Corpus Canada. He served terms as National Coordinator, Vice-President, and Secretary. Since 1996, Joe has taken a lesser national role but has maintained close connections through attending AGM's and reading The Journal. He supports and encourages increased readership of The Journal and increased membership in Corpus Canada. He believes that both benefit from each individual's talents and special gifts.

He writes: "Each conference has its own personality and appears to be the best ever. The Bragg Creek Gathering excelled in hospitality and spontaneity. Who could  have believed that we could have such a wonderful conference without our guest facilitator? Among the old faces new faces appeared. There was great sharing, learning, good food, celebrating, and dancing. BUT most of all, there was the sense of caring, understanding, and deep love for each other. Even though we only meet together once a year, Corpus Canada is truly a Christian Community.

The early Corpus Canada team initiatives in Regina included a survey of over 700 parishioners at all the Sunday masses in a local parish; a brochure in French and English which identified Corpus Canada, its goals and strategies; the development of a fact sheet about priestless parishes which was placed on car windshields of those attending a priestless service at the cathedral. Since the beginning of Corpus Canada, we have grown and matured. We encourage catholic communities not to despair in their faith. In spite of the lack of action by the hierarchy to resolve the problem of the increasing number of parishes without clergy and the closures of other parishes because of the shortage of clergy, there is hope of a major renewal of church and priesthood.

When there are no more priests to serve the faithful in the catholic tradition, the people, inspired by the Holy Spirit, will form their own communities to uphold the message of Jesus. True leaders will emerge as in the early church, and they will return to the original message of love, understanding, equality, and reconciliation.

Today we are living with a hierarchical clergy and not a church of the people. The hierarchical church is doomed to failure. Corpus members have a major role in the church's renewal. We form a unified voice for change and renewal in church and priesthood. Corpus is a model of equality between men and women in marriage and ministry. We support each other, especially those who have been wounded by the hierarchy. We provide information on a renewed priesthood and we are dedicated to the formation of authentic christian communities."