Showing 100 results

Authority record

Administration of Ecclesiastical Temporalities

  • CA RCDCA AR-001
  • Corporate body
  • 1972-

The Administration of Ecclesiastical Temporalities is currently delegated by the Bishop to the Executive Director. This office looks after the secular functions of the Diocese, including administration, finance, staffing, etc. In 1972 the Alberta Catholic Directory first lists a business accountant in the Bishop’s Office, Mr. E. Howard Smith. In 1979 Temporalities were overseen by a Business Manager, Mr. Joseph Comessotti and the two worked together until 1981 when Smith retired. In 1986 the ACD lists Comessotti as Business Manager and in charge of Revenue/Project Forward. In 1987 Financial Administrator, Rev. Robert Devine was appointed to replace Comessotti in looking after temporal affairs and Stewardship. In 1990 Rev. Devine began administering the Hospice of St. Jude as well as heading the Stewardship Program and Mr. Denis Doucet was hired as Business Manager. In 1991 Fr Pat Cramer became Vicar of Temporalities and Chairman of the Diocese Finance Council. In 1992 Dr. Marilyn Smelski headed the Stewardship Program and in the following year Colin MacIsaac became Finance Officer, working with Doucet and Smelski. In 1995 the Annual Bishop’s Appeal took over some of the role of the Stewardship Program. It was headed by Richard Garnett.
By 1997 there had been an overhaul of the Business Office with the arrival of Michael Chan who became the Chief Operating Officer, and Lydia Ducharme, who became Financial Administrator. They were joined by Colin MacIsaac in a new role as chief Administrative Officer. The Annual Bishop’s Appeal was being run by Dr. Robert Gall.

Airdrie, St. Paul

  • CA RCDCA AR A2
  • Corporate body
  • 1972-

This community had been a mission of Carstairs and then of the Forest Lawn Church, [Holy Trinity] in Calgary before Holy Trinity was erected as a parish. Then it reverted to being a mission of Carstairs. Its first Sunday Mass was celebrated by Fr. Jim Clancy in the Community Hall in September 1962. Not regularly celebrated until 1969 a Saturday afternoon Mass was celebrated in the Airdrie United Church until St. Paul was erected as a parish on May 7, 1972 with Fr. John Palardy, then Chancellor, attending if from Calgary.
[FBTC, 328]

Akenstad, St. Nicholas

  • AR-002
  • Corporate body
  • 1911-1915

A community of Dutch people settled around Akenstadt, north of Strathmore. The parish was canonically erected on February 16, 1911, and called St. Nicholaus, with property donated by the CPR Irrigation Company. This community was named for Fr. Van Aaken who came with the pioneers to this district. However, no church was ever built there and the community was served from Strathmore. Records indicate that Mass was celebrated at the Akenstadt School or at the home of A.J.J. Weyers until 1915. Other pioneer family names include the Bartelens, Cammaerts, Damens, Gaertzs, Vanderswesterns and Voermans.

Allerston, St. Isidore

  • AR-003
  • Corporate body
  • 1911-

The town of Allerston was settled between 1911 and 1918. Mass was celebrated in the school house until 1912. Through the influence of Fr. J. J. Bidault, OMI, the construction of a Church in Allerston was underway. Bishop Legal came in a procession of twenty boys on horseback to bless the new Church on July 31, 1912. In honor of the farming community, the church was named after St. Isidore, the patron saint of farmers. The priests were shared with the community in Lethbridge from 1910- 1921 and from Milk River, 1921 onwards. In 1976, there were concerns regarding the structural integrity of the building and it was relocated onto a new foundation.

Anderson, Neville Ramsay

  • CA RCDCA AR A4
  • Person
  • 1898-1988

Born at Mount Corbet, Buttevant, County Cork, Ireland in 1898, Monsignor Anderson was educated at Churchtown, Cork, and in Hamilton, ON. He graduated from St. Michael's College, Toronto, and studied Theology at St. Augustine's Seminary, Toronto. He was ordained for the Diocese of Calgary by Bishop Kidd at St. Augustine's Seminary in August 1925.

Fr. Anderson was appointed Secretary to the Bishop on his arrival in Calgary and was Secretary for eight years while serving St. Angela's Chapel until April 1929, when the Redemptorists came to Calgary. He was appointed Chancellor in 1930 at the same time that he was appointed to the Bishop's Council. In 1933 he was named pastor of Taber and its missions.

In 1934 he was appointed pastor of Drumheller and missions. During his 12 years there he built churches at Drumheller and Munson and by renovating disused school buildings at small expense and with volunteer help and with the help of the Catholic Church Extension Society he provided churches at East Coulee, Dorothy, Rosedale, and Nacmine.

In 1946 Fr. Anderson was appointed pastor at St. Joseph's, Calgary on the death of Fr. Fergus O'Brien where he remained for 21 years during the extraordinary growth of the North Hill in Calgary when nine new churches were built and eight parishes divided from the original St. Joseph's parish while it still remained the largest parish in the Diocese. In 1939 Fr. Anderson was appointed Dean of Drumheller. He was named Pro-Synodal Judge of the Diocesan Court in 1950, and was appointed Domestic Prelate to the Pope in 1957. In 1960 he was made Dean of North Calgary. Monsignor Anderson was named Vicar General in January 1963 and was appointed to the Council of Administration.

On the death of Bishop Carroll in 1967 Anderson was elected Vicar Capitular by unanimous vote on the first ballot, and served until the installation of Bishop Klein. He was re-appointed Vicar General by Klein and became pastor of St. Anthony's, Calgary in July 1967. He was pastor of Canmore and missions during the winter of 1968-9 and pastor of St. Patrick's, Midnapore until Sept 1970. He was appointed Director of the Priests' Centre in Sept 1970 and Director of Diocese Archives in 1971. He died on October 8, 1988.

Annual Bishop's Appeal

  • AR-004
  • Corporate body
  • 1992-2010

Approved by Bishop Paul J. O’Byrne and launched on Jun 15, 1992 by Catholic Charities, which was a separate charitable organization at the time, to raise funds for charitable works. The first campaign kicked off on Feb 21, 1993. The ‘ShareLife’ Committee had been preparing, planning and negotiating for months to get the Appeal going. The name was chosen after consultation with the Council of Priests. They wanted a name that originated with the Diocese and that ‘signi[ied] the Body of Christ active in a work of charity’. The first director was Richard Garnett. By Oct 19, 1992 the Annual Bishop’s Appeal had a name, logo, and a board of directors, including Fr. Burke Hoschka, Patrick Doherty (Chair), Richard Garnett and Fr. Ed Flanagan.
Its purpose was:
It was registered as a charity on Jul 24, 1992. The first theme of the ABA was ‘Love one another as I have loved you’.

Ascension, Calgary

  • AR-005
  • Corporate body
  • 1982-

As Calgary expanded, in 1981 the Diocese removed part of Corpus Christi's geographical territory to found a new parish. Fr. Jack Bastigal was the founding pastor. On Feb 28, 1982, Fr. Jack and Fr. Patrick O'Byrne, associate pastor, celebrated the inaugural liturgy for approximately 350 people in the gymnasium of St. Bede Elementary School. A week later the name, Ascension, was announced. A rectory was purchased on Bearberry Crescent, and an office was shared with Mount Calvary Church of the Lutherna Triune Congregation. This sharing culminated in the opening of a shaed church facility in 1988. Rev. R. Schoenheider was the Lutheran pastor. The new building was blessed on Nov 20, 1988 by Bishop Paul J. O'Byrne and Lutheran Bishop Robert Jacobson.

Assembly of Women Religious, Diocese of Calgary

  • CA RCDCA AR A5
  • Corporate body
  • 1999-

In 1979 women religious in the Calgary Diocese were surveyed to see if there would be any interest in establishing a council in response to Bishop Paul J. O'Byrne’s call for collaboration. At the end of 1979 the data was sent to a steering committee comprising Sisters Joan Wigbers SP, Kathleen Kelly SSS, Salvator Falardeau OP, Lois Anne Bordowitz FCJ and Carla Montante SP. The sisters voted 71 to 3 in favour of forming a group to support a number of functions such as communication, social, sharing, support, ongoing formation and vocation awareness. (There were 6 don’t knows). Groups already existed in Calgary and Lethbridge. The fledgling Council for Religious held its first meeting, with 50 participants, at the FCJ Convent in Calgary in April 19, 1980, when the first executive was installed by Bishop Paul with Sr. Carla Montante as chair. The purpose of the Council for Religious of the Diocese of Calgary was to:

  1. Be a vehicle for communication in the Diocese
  2. Provide opportunities for religious to share their ministries
  3. Foster mutual support and growth by sponsoring workshops, days of prayer, socials, etc.

Bishop Paul saw the ‘Sisters’ Council’ as ‘the voice for Sisters in relationship to the apostolate of our Diocese, both to giving insights into what should be done and insights into what Sisters see as need within the Diocese’. He also felt that in 1985 this had not really been accomplished.

By 1987 the Council of Religious stated that it was ‘an organ of communication and a voice for all the religious of the Diocese'. Its purpose statement explained that ‘religious of different orders and congregations live and work in the various parishes or other structures of a diocese. Religious are part of the diocese and belong within the diocesan structure. If the religious are to have a voice within the diocese, they must group themselves together and from their ranks form a Diocesan Council of Religious.’

Bagnall, Lawrence J.

  • CA RCDCA AR B1
  • Person
  • 1941-

Born at Point of Pierre in Trinidad, British West Indies, on Sept 6, 1941, Fr. Bagnall was educated in Turner Valley, Calgary and at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Edmonton. He was ordained at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Calgary by Bishop Klein in Calgary on May 27, 1967. Fr. Bagnall served at Sacred Heart in Calgary, St. Patrick’s, Medicine Hat and St. Anthony’s, Drumheller. In 1973 he was appointed Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Oyen. In 1976 he went to Malawi as a missionary in the Chikwawa Diocese at Nsanje Mission and at the Njale Mission in Thyolo. In 1980 he returned for five months as Administrator of St. Peter’s Parish, Milk River before returning to Africa as Assistant Pastor of St. Michael’s Cathedral, Chikwawa. For six months in 1982 he was posted to Our Lady of Fatima in Muona before returning to St. Michael’s. In 1984 Fr. Bagnall returned in Alberta to become Pastor at St. Augustine’s, Taber and in 1989 he was appointed Pastor of St. Peter’s Calgary. After a year’s sabbatical he was appointed Rector of St. Mary’s Cathedral in 1993. He retired Jul 31, 2008.

Beaton, Fr. Ronald

  • CA RCDCA AR B2
  • Person
  • 1874-1948

Ronald Beaton was born in Broad Cove, Inverness County, Nova Scotia on Dec 3, 1874. He studied at St. Francis Xavier University and in Roman and he was ordained for the Diocese of Antigonish on Aug 15, 1902, [or May 24] at St. John Lateran. Fr. Beaton came to Calgary in May 1914, encouraged by his Archbishop Neil McNeil, to whom Bishop McNally had appealed for priests. Beaton was sent straight to Coleman as the population of the mining communities of the Crow’s Nest Pass was growing and had only one priest. Beaton took charge of Blairmore, Frank, Bellevue, Hillcrest and other smaller missions, living in a hotel in Frank and later at the Belevue Hotel. A church was built in Bellevue with the help of parishioners and the first Mass was celebrated privately on May 1, 1915. Beaton lived in rooms over the sacristy and did his own housekeeping. He blessed the church on May 9 and dedicated it to St. Cyril after a church near Lochaber in Scotland, the home of his ancestors, and in recognition of the many Slavic peoples of the Pass. After three years in the Diocese, alone and labouring hard, his health was compromised. He was given permission to move to the Diocese of Victoria in 1916/1917. For his services there he was made Domestic Prelate in 1938 by Pope Pius XI. Monsigner Beaton died Mar 4, 1948.

Bellevue, St. Cyril

  • CA RCDCA AR B3
  • Corporate body
  • 1914-1997

After the community of Bellevue was established in 1903 when the mine was opened the Catholic population was visited by Oblates. Fr. Ronald Beaton came in 1914 and established the parish, built a church which was finished in 1915 on land donated by the Western Canadian Colliery Company. The title, St. Cyril was chosen by Fr. Beaton.

Calgary Catholic Immigration Society

  • CA RCDCA AR C4
  • Corporate body
  • 1981-

Formed from the amalgamation of Calgary Immigrant Services and the Diocesan Immigration Services in 1981. It hired counselors and settlement workers and a team of volunteers to assist immigrants and refugees. It was committed to family reunification, advocacy and the creation of a climate of acceptance within the general public. Opened Cabrini House in 1980 as transition housing.

Calgary Inter-Faith Community Action Committee (CIFCAC)

  • CA RCDCA AR C14
  • Corporate body
  • 1969-1974

The Calgary Inter-Faith Community Action Committee was co-founded in 1969 by Fr. Patrick O’Byrne who became its executive director. This association of clergy and laity played a key role in such ecumenical initiatives as the Calgary Drop-In Centre, the Calgary Inter-Faith Food Bank, and the Interfaith Thrift Stores. It was a high profile organization in Alberta which also founded the Pastoral Institute, Carter Place, and the expanded religious studies programs and library holdings at the University of Calgary.
In 1977 the officers of the CIFCAC were: Rev. Leslie Files (President) – Presbyterian, Fr. Pat O’Byrne (Executive Director) – Catholic, Ms. Kay Chute (Secretary).
In 1978 CIFCAC started the Southern Alberta World Development Animation Project (SAWDAP).
In 1980 CIFCAC became an Association. It opened the Calgary Inter-Faith Food Bank in 1983. The idea had originated in Phoenix, Arizona and had already taken root in Edmonton. Fr. Jack Bastigal was instrumental in initiating the Food Bank in Calgary.

Camp Cadicasu

  • CA RCDCA AR C15
  • Corporate body
  • 1922-

In 1922 the Calgary Council of the Knights of Columbus raised funds to establish a camp for boys in unfortunate circumstances. Camp Cadicasu was improved over the years and is used as a summer camp for youth and adult groups.

Carroll, Francis P., 1890-1967

  • CA RCDCA AR C2
  • Person
  • July 7, 1890 - Feb 25, 1967

He was born on July 7, 1890 in Toronto where he also studied at St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto. He attended St. Augustine’s Seminary in 1913 and was ordained at the Seminary on June 2, 1917. He remained at St. Augustine’s for twelve years as professor of Scripture and then went to Jerusalem for two years to study at the Dominican Biblical School. After his return to St. Augustine’s, he was appointed Rector of the Seminary.

He took possession of the Calgary See on March 25, 1935. During this time, Western Canada had taken a hard hit from the Depression. Bishop Carroll continued to develop the Diocesan plan which began with Bishop Monahan—this serviced parish projects and consolidated some parochial debt.

After he became Bishop, there was an increase in native priests due to his encouragement as well as the growth of Catholic communities. During the latter part of his episcopate, more than half his clergy members were native priests.
Appointed fourth Bishop of Calgary in 1936 - a serious Biblical scholar, gifted speaker and effective administrator. In 1957 he was appointed as Assistant to the Pontifical Throne by Pope Pius XII. Bishop Carroll attended the first session of the Second Vatican Council until ill health forced his return home. Bishop Joseph L. Wilhelm was appointed Vicar General and auxiliary in 1963 until January 1965 when he left Calgary to become Archbishop of Kingston.

Carroll resigned as bishop on Dec 28, 1966, was appointed Apostolic Administrator, but he died on February 25, 1967.
Source: From the Buffalo to the Cross, pp. 133-135

Results 1 to 25 of 100