parroquiaguadalupe

Calgary's Hispanic Community:

Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish

Versión en español

Since 1977 . In 1977, seven Hispanic families approached Fr. Lawrence Moran, CSB, to request help in forming a Latin American Catholic faith Community in Calgary.

Fr. Salvador's mini biography.

Our Parish in the present

Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish.

Edmonton Trail & 25 Avenue NE Calgary, Alberta T2E 1Y2 Canad

Foundation:

1977.- Seven Hispanic Families approached Fr. Lawrence Moran, CSB, to request help in forming a Latin American Catholic faith community in Calgary.

Soon thereafter; the little group began meeting for Bible studies at the city's Basilian House. Originally known as Our Lady Queen of the Nations, the community altered its name to the 'Spanish-Speaking Catholic Community' in 1984.

Edge at St. Mary's Cathedral:

1986.- St. Mary's new assitant rector, Fr. Andrew Pyon, received Bishop O'byrne's permission to celebrate a Spanish Mass at the Cathedral. St. Mary's rector, Fr. Bill Sthepenson, welcomed the newcomers, encouraging them to the parish's faiclities for their meetings and other activities.

Time at St. Ann's Church: 1993.- Both the Catedral Church and Our Lady of Grace Italian/English Church hosted Spanish-language Masses. The Hispanic community itself, had by now grown substantially in size. Under the administration of Pastoral Co-ordinator Sr. Marjorie Perkins, FCJ, its members began organizing a formal parish infrastructure, including Pastoral and Parish Councils. Two years later, with Sr. Marjorie's direction and assistance, they moved to St. Ann's Church. St. Ann's congregation provided office space in the parish rectory, and shared their facilities at the parish hall. Spanish-speaking priests celebrated Mass on alternate Sundays.

1996.- In May the itinerant congregation finally realized its dream of acquiring a permanent home. After The Calgary Chinese Community moved prom St. Paul's Church to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, the Spanish Speaking Community assumed administration of St. Paul's located at 2519 Edmonton Trail NE. It re-named the vacated church Our Lady of Guadalupe.

1998. On September Bishop Henry granted formal permission for the name change and notified the community that he would decree it a formaql parish as sson as the Cardinal Archbishop had designated acting pastor Fr. Salvador Ahumada or a successor as parish priest.