70 Years - Belong - Believe - Become
St. Patrick’s Parish was officially established on January 6, 1953 by the authority of Bishop Ralph Hubert Dignan, Bishop of the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie. He appointed Father Philip Theriault as Pastor and charged him with the task of building a Catholic community and a place where people of the Lockerby area of Sudbury could meet for worship and community life.
A small group of Catholics first gathered on Sunday mornings to celebrate Mass in the hall of St. Theresa School – Sunday July 5th, 1953. This small group of dedicated people realized that the south end was growing and so decided to purchase land to construct a church building. With the financial generosity of Monsignor Humphrey and the parishioners of Christ the King Parish, the hard work and determination of the St. Patrick’s Men’s Club, the Catholic Women’s League and eager parishioners, funds were raised through raffles, dinners, teas and bingos. Much of the physical labour of pouring the original foundation and carrying the bricks from the C.P.R. yards was performed by the parishioners.
The first church building was blessed at its official opening on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1954. The original building faced Walford Rd. and was set on the foundation of the present upper hall. In 1960, the new rectory was built to house the pastor and his associates. On October 20, 1968 a new church addition was blessed by Bishop A. Carter and the building was given the shape of the cross with the head of the cross facing west. The distinctive roof line is reminiscent of a mine shaft echoing the area of Sudbury. In 1981 the lower hall was upgraded from the original concrete basement and the front office area was added to the existing rectory. In 1991 more property was purchased to add parking at the east side of the building. In 2006-2007 funds were raised to make the building accessible to all with a new elevator lift to the hall and church levels.
70 Years celebrating together - Belong - Believe - Become
Where: St. Patrick's Parish Hall
When: July 8th, 2023 after the 4:30 p.m. Mass
All parishioners and their guests are invited to a potluck supper on Sat. January 14th 2023 after the 4:30 mass. Please bring a dish of your choice. Items may be delivered to the kitchen before Mass.
70 Years celebrating together - Belong - Believe - Become
Thank you to all who attended. Your enthusiasm and energy was present throughout the whole evening.
A great big thank you to our 70th Anniversary Committee – Olga Bradley, Deacon Denis O’Donnell, Ruth-Ann Ingram, Zenaida Odense, Angelica Beauchamp, Emma Lopatka and Fr. Pat Woods – for sharing your time and talents.
Thank you to: The Lougheed Foundation, Rosary Florists (table flowers), the Mansour family (table wine), Door Prizes – St. Patrick’s CWL, Apollo Restaurant, Ruth-Ann Ingram, Emma Lopatka, Dr. Joseph D’Alosio, and our anonymous contributors.
Gratitude also goes to Michael Leblanc for our picture slideshow and Renee Debassige, secretary extraordinaire.
St. Patrick’s Parish – 70 years strong moving into tomorrow – Belong, Believe, Become.
70 Years celebrating together - Belong - Believe - Become
Thank you to all who signed up and added your portrait to this wonderful keepsake.
Many thanks to our volunteers who made the appointments and assisted with the photographs: Olga Bradley, Tony Chezzi, Zenaida Odense, Angelica Beauchamp, Emma Lopatka, Renza Caldwell and Catherine Dillon.
Stay tuned for the Directory’s arrival this fall!
70 Years celebrating together - Belong - Believe - Become