Perhaps lost in the planning for St. Albert’s 150th anniversary is the fact the Catholic church’s presence in the city also reaches back 150 years.
That’s why St. Albert Parish has undertaken a special project to develop a website for the upcoming jubilee celebration. The site was already launched a few weeks ago. Project co-ordinator John Onyskiw said its main goal is to reach out to the extended parish family and to spark some old connections. He said it’s also a good reminder to the rest of the city.
“If it wasn’t for the parish, there wouldn’t be a St. Albert. If it wasn’t for Albert Lacombe, we wouldn’t have the city.”
Onyskiw is a member of the local council of the Knights of Columbus, the group that has taken on the task of managing public relations for the jubilee, of which the website is just a small part. He wants everybody to get a sense of what the celebration will entail and what it’s all about. Although some of it is still in the developmental stage, there is a list of upcoming special monthly events for 2011 that should please many parishioners. It starts with a once in a lifetime interview and tea with Father Albert Lacombe. The event makes sure to mention that it is a re-enactment just to avoid any potential confusion. Other items on the calendar for next year include the pilgrimages to Lac Ste. Anne and at the parish grotto, plus the All Saints Memorial to be held in the cemetery.
The site will also feature some vignettes and a historical timeline to elaborate on the impact the church and its leaders have had since the beginning. This will come across like a scrapbook of memories with notes on all of the past parish priests from the very beginning up to the current priest, Father Andrzej Stendzina.
“It’s more some little tidbits of history over the years — how the priests have led it, how history has transpired or how we made history so to speak, and give some background of the parish itself,” Onyskiw stated, adding that the various jubilee committees have been trying very hard to reconnect with former parishioners across the country.
“What it means for the parish really is that there’s a lot that’s happened with the parish that we want people to be aware of. Here’s our celebration: come join us.”
To learn more about the St. Albert parish 150th jubilee celebration, check out the new website at www.stalbert150jubilee.com. If you or someone you know wants to get in touch with organizers to learn more about the events or to get involved, please contact [email protected].
