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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, January 29, 2015 | 10 Oakville Fire welcomes Rev. Sean Foster as its new chaplain by Nathan Howes Special to the Beaver The Oakville Fire Department was there for Rev. Sean Foster. Now, he's returning the favour as its new chaplain. Hopedale Presbyterian Church's senior pastor was officially inducted as the fire department's chaplain on Sunday, Jan. 18 at the Oakville cathedral, drawing a crowd of 80-100 people including firefighters, Town councillors and Mayor Rob Burton. Hopedale's congregation holds an annual first responders service, which has nurtured Foster's relationship with the fire department over the past few years. The pastor took part in the department's new recruits ceremony in June 2014. That eventually led to Foster being asked to be the chaplain -- an offer he happily accepted. "It's certainly a part of our mission as a congregation. We want to be involved in the life of the community, which is one of the reasons why we have a first-responders service each year," said Foster. "We pray for our first responders and for our leaders in the community. This is a way we can be involved in reaching out to the people in the community and let them know we pray for and support them. We're grateful for the work they do." Part of Foster's responsibilities as a volunteer chaplain will be accompanying Deputy Fire Chief Brian Durdin and other fire officials to all Oakville stations. Chaplaincy work is about "building relationships" with firefighters, Foster said. "If they need somebody to talk to or they need spiritual advice or just someone to listen, which seems to be most of my work in doing chaplaincy work, I can be available to them -- to help them in times when they're having difficulties or to conduct funerals," said Foster. The chaplain's relationship with the fire department has also been personal, as officials supported his family when his son Matthew, 5, was diagnosed with leukemia in April 2012. Rev. Sean Foster, left, was introduced by Deputy Fire Chief Brian Durdin as the Oakville Fire Department's new chaplain at Hopedale Presbyterian Church. The department also supported Foster's son Matthew (inset) through his battle with leukemia. | photo by Justin Greaves ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or facebook.com/ HaltonPhotog) After 25 months of treatment, the youth was victorious in his battle with the cancer and is in remission. In May 2014, members of the fire department, Town council and residents gathered at a special service to celebrate Matthew's final chemotherapy treatment. "These guys (firefighters) have been wonderful. At the end of his treatment, they came to the church and were part of our celebration. They've been a common thread all through his treatment," said Foster. "Then formalizing this relationship as chaplain with the fire department... my son is pretty excited. There's no one prouder www.edwardjones.com than him." The function was organized by Ward 1 Town Councillor Ralph Robinson and the Bronte Fire Station. Foster is also grateful for Robinson's support in coordinating the gathering after he found out Matthew had leukemia. "It was known that Matthew liked firefighters and fire trucks, so Robinson arranged (the event and said), `Why don't we have a day where we get the fire department to come?' We had it after a worship service," said Foster. "All the kids in the congregation got to see the fire truck and interact with the firefighters." As a pastor, Foster's faith was a "source of strength" that helped his family deal with Matthew's treatments and recovery, he said. "I really don't know how I could cope without it. I was overwhelmed as a pastor when Matthew was diagnosed. We had people praying for him and our family from all over the world. Many people didn't even know him and they were praying for him," said Foster. "I was just overwhelmed by the Christian community supporting us in that way." Foster said Matthew is doing "fantastic" now and has regular post-treatment checkups at McMaster Children's hospital to examine his health. He noted Matthew's hospital visits will gradually drop to once every three months, eventually leading to a yearly health check. Doctors will continue to monitor his health until he's 18, at which point Matthew can visit a general practitioner for updates. "Right after his treatment, he grew almost two inches. He just shot right up. He's got way more energy. The people at McMaster were fabulous. We've had lots of really good support," said Foster. "We're not even looking back. It was a part of life and we got through it." Because of his new commitment, Foster will be leaving his chaplain post at Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital after four years. Is your RRSP working hard enough? Marc Nutford - Financial Advisor 2387 Trafalgar Road, Oakville, ON L6H 6K7, 905-844-4043 marc.nutford@edwardjones.com · www.edwardjones.com Member ­ Canadian Investor Protection Fund Claude's vaCuum shop Includes Deluxe Air Package Sales · Service · Parts Free Estimates on Repairs Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday · 9am - 6pm Wednesday · 9am - 5pm Saturday · 9am - 4pm sale $39999 Supreme 100, 10 Years Warranty 128 Kerr St., Oakville, ON L6K 3A7 905.842.5658 | claude2@cogeco.net www.claudesvacuum.com www.oakville.ca Skate and Helmet Rentals Now available at Sixteen Mile Sports Complex! $3 ­ helmet $6 ­ skates $7 ­ combo (skates and helmet) Identification required to rent skates and/or helmets. Acceptable forms of ID include a driver's license, passport, birth certificate or citizenship card. 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