Winks of God – October 2026

By Linda Dziadyk

On this Thanksgiving weekend, my heart is filled with gratitude for the recent “Winks of God” in my life, including the beautiful, warm fall days and the changing colours of the leaves from green to gold!

What a gift it was to celebrate the Feast Day of St. Thérèse on October 1st with my son, Stephen, who lives in a group home for people with intellectual disabilities. As he sat next to me in church, singing loudly with a big smile on his face, I was reminded of the words of Jesus: “Unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3)

It felt like a miracle when Stephen moved to Rosthern two and a half years ago! With him living closer, we are able to see each other more often and attend Mass together every Sunday at St. Odilon Church.

Now, I feel as though I am witnessing another miracle unfolding in the life of my older son, John, who will be arriving in Wakaw at the end of this month! Seventeen years ago, in 2009, John moved to Whitehorse, Yukon, when he was hired as the Youth Ministry Coordinator at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church. After a few years, he changed jobs and began working as a teacher assistant with students who have special needs at the Catholic high school.

Like many people I know, including priest friends, John eventually experienced burnout and has been unable to work for some time. Because he is adversely affected by the lack of daylight during the long Yukon winters, his doctor recommended that he leave the North and head “south for the winter.” Some people might think of going to Mexico for six months, but John will be coming here!

Talk about a powerful “Wink of God”! We recently received the wonderful news that John has found a place to rent in town. Not only will he be closer to his family, but he will also be close to the Shrine of St. Thérèse.

St. Thérèse is John’s favourite saint, and I BELIEVE that her intercession, along with the prayers of many others, is helping lead him to Wakaw!

“For human beings it is impossible, but not for God. With God all things are possible.” — Mark 10:27