by L. Burkhart, Parish Pastoral Support Services Department
Photo Credit: Sharon Bender, Parish Pastoral Support Services Department
The sun was shining brightly and the temperatures soaring into the high twenties. It was Sunday, May 4, 2025, and God provided a day designed for love, honour and remembrance. It was the day chosen to host the decommissioning of St. Joseph Church.
The community of Vanguard was originally composed of individuals from Quebec, Ontario, U.S.A. Europe and the Ukraine. The town of Vanguard began in 1912. The fifty Catholic settlers at the time began construction of a church in 1913. Two years later the debt was paid and in 1916 Father Archille Thuot was assigned as the first resident priest as St. Joseph church was declared a parish. On May 7, 1951, the parishioners approved the building of a new church. In 1955 the new church was opened. With excitement and joy, the 100th anniversary of the parish was celebrated in 2013.
As with all living things, the life of a church is also cyclical. But the life of a parish continues. As the parishioners celebrated the decommissioning of the church, they also celebrated the last baptism to be held in the church. The mass on May 4 truly acknowledged the beginning of life within the church as the last baby baptized was the grandchild of the first baby baptized in the 1955 church. Archbishop Donald Bolen presided over the baptism. The life and joy of the family was a wonderful reminder of our life and joy with Jesus. Father Jule Adator, pastor of St. Joseph and Father Daniel Malone, associate pastor of Christ the Redeemer, concelebrated with Archbishop Don.
We join God’s family. Even when situations arise that cause us to move buildings, God’s family continues. It is a reminder that within sadness there is joy. Jesus’ love for us does not end. With the grace of God, we continue to spread the joy of His resurrection no matter where we pray and worship.
