THE NORTH & WEST VOICE - December 1996 HISTORY OF OUR LADY FATIMA PARISH The 8" of December, 1996 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of Our Lady of Fatima parish. Situated several miles from Vancouver, more precisely in the city of Coquitlam, the collective efforts of several generations are to be applauded in preserving the spirit of co-operation and devotion first shown by our pioneers. A look into the past to 1946, permits us to not only link up with the past history of this parish but also to see the deep faith of our forefathers, a faith that persists today into the 20" century. THE UNFOLDING OF THE PARISH The beginning It was November 17th in 1946, when Rev. Fr. Teck publicly, announced that Our Lady of Lourdes parish would be cut in half and that the new section would become a parish called Our Lady of Fatima. Over 30 French-Canadians united to. decide on a plan that would organize their eventual dream. The division came as a result of overcrowding and some great distances between the church and some of its parishioners, most of whom did not have cars. Who would of thought that 5 wooded acres on Alderson Avenue, bought that same year, would become what we have today. Rev. Fr. Ovila Meunier, 0.m.i., was the founding pastor, in charge of rousing the people in his area to build up this young parish. It was on the 8th of December 1946 that some of the parishioners joined in a Mass in one of the 2 small houses on the property, to celebrate the feast of the Immaculate Conception. Before long, the little house could not hold all the worshipers on the weekdays, and the gym at Alderson Avenue School become more and more crowded on Sundays. Transporting park benches from Blue Mountain Park for Sunday Mass became a real chore. The construction of a real. church became a necessity. To answer this very real need, a parish hall consisting of only 4-walls was built, no roof, no doors or windows, just 4 walls in the spring of 1947. This served for a time as church school and meeting hall. PARISH VOCATIONS A parish such as this one was certainly responsible for sponsoring spiritual as well as social gatherings. Having a school to teach their children quickly became priority number | and this task was assigned to the Sisters of the Child Jesus. With Fr. Meunier’s strong desire and the devotion and labour of its members, the school accepte its first student, in 1947 - 19. Just two years later, the schoo boasted 12 classes, harboured — nearly 300 students and wen’ learning came to an abrupt, in 1951 , when the:€ schools went protest heavy the school re age of maturity. As well, it to come to terms with an ever increasing population. In 1957, Fr. Leduc and the Sisters of the Good Shepherd together built a bilingual secondary The Provincial Government, namely the Department of Health bought the property and convent and with some renovations, it became a branch of Woodlands Hospital, a home for the mentally handicapped. The Sisters of Holy Cross, with the help of lay teachers, took up the slack and taught at our school for many years. The speed of the construction would never have chieved were it not for aliant efforts and the rosity of the faithful of of Fatima, There lly in the 60’s, an 2d. vitality in this faith fared acts of generosity by our parishioners. school/boarding school since bilingualism was a fact of life since 1947. The next year, in June 1958, a new church at the comers of Walker and Delestre was built. Despite all the hard work, Fr. Leduc never saw the fruits of his labor because he suffered a heart attack before the work was completed. He was replaced by the Rev. Fr. Girard Labonte who filled the position of pastor from 1958 to 1962. The beautiful convent was sold in 1968 for lack of moneys and boarding students, as well as a desire of the religious community to return their sisters to Quebec. “Wish to Congratulate our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church upon celebrating their 50th Anniversary of serving our community.” “Félicite la paroisse Notre-Dame de Fatima pour son cinquantiéme anniversaire.” Pacific Branch 263 upon Reaching their 50th Anniversary ADeoRidcenape ye: 937-0111 4057 Ridgeway Ave Coquitlam V3J 184 \ Coquitlam RC. fe (604)931-5252 } = The Royal Canadian Legion Pacific Branch 263 Frank Whitford president OUR LADY OF FATIMA, A LARGE WELCOMING FAMILY Beginning in the 70’s, the developing parish was becoming more and more a multicultural mosaic, as was the whole province of B.C. In 1975, the parish Council was headed by a Scotsman, in 1993, by an American, who 20 years earlier had established his family in Maillardville and today, the chairperson is a capable woman from Winnipeg. Always sensitive to the needs of its community, Our Lady of Fatima has striven to welcome. and respect all who enter her doors. During those same years, many Filipino came to call this parish their own. In 1980, the parish sponsored a Vietnamese family by providing them a home and helping them to adapt to North American life. This parish also supported two Asian seminarians who had suffered in refugee camps and needed some temporary help. One of them was ordained in 1993 in Vancouver, and credits the warm welcome from Fatima as a strong motivator to continue. During the 70’s and 80’s, the parish has undergone exterior and _ interior transformations. Many immigrants from overseas made their home here and enlarged the parish and a devastating fire destroyed the gym in 1984. It was reconstructed as Fatima Centre. Three years later, its builder, Oblate pastor, Rev. Fr. Paul Antoine Hudon who had been at Fatima from 1983 to 1987, was sent by his Superior to work in a remote mission. Our Lady of Fatima was no longer considered one, and the Oblates had completed their task here. On Canada Day, he was replaced by Rev. Fr. Craig Scott, the first secular priest to come to Fatima. Through its evolution Over the “years: tne composition of the parish has changed, but never the fundamental Catholic values. Generosity and solidarity are probably the two best adjectives to describe the parish of Our Lady of Fatima. Over the last ten years, the spirit of sharing is just as alive as ever. Since 1987, the “Tree of Need”, a stark leafless tree, has transformed over the month of December into a lush evergreen, with its base completely hidden by gifts for the needy. The leafless tree is hung with requests for items on paper decorations. Each parishioner is invited to pick one and buy this item and re- turn it gift wrapped by a cer- tain date for distributor by volunteers. After 50 years, we can see that the 925 families registered at Our Lady of Fatima are continuing the long tradition of giving. This parish is rooted in rich soil which has permitted the parish to blossom and grow. The desire to remain united, despite cultural differ- ence, and to build a solid fu- ture has permitted this com- munity to grow ever stronger. Happy Anniversary and long life to Our Lady of Fatima parish! We wish to Congratulate er CHAN JIM Saas RIDGEWAY PHARMACY “Your Prescription is our Specialty” Our Lady of Fatima Church “Congratulations On Vour 50th Anniversary” Felicitations pour votre cinquantiéme anniversaire. Circ Marisa R. Andrews IBC Customer Service Manager Austin & Nelson 1036 Austin Ave. Coquitlam 933-2124 Congratulations on Celebrating Your 50th Anniversany From All of Us at AUSTIN BUTCHERS “Your Tourtierre Meat Specialists” and Meats for Your Freezer 939-0911 1046-C Austin Ave., Coquitlam, V3K 3P2 Ke. Congratulations . on your 50th Anniversary from all the staff ; ~ Your Friendly Neighbourhood Pub 1000 Austin Ave., 931 51 1 5 ; \_ Coquitlam hots Sere: upon Vour Oth Anniversary” From all of us at Maillardville Lanes “Where All Ages like to Strike Out” - 526-7610 933 1/2 Brunette Avenue, Coquitlam, B.C. age pn aren I i ape tt IY ren nN i yy sts ranges a a en a aN a NN a ee eee