By Fr. Santo Arrigo, C.Ss.R.
In May 2021, the Redemptorists of the Edmonton-Toronto Region sold the property of 131 McCaul Street to Tribute Communities for a multiuse development of condominiums, daycare centre, and new facilities to be used by Redemptorists and St. Patrick’s Parish Office into the future.
As plans for demolition became reality, the Redemptorists, representatives of Tribute Communities, members of the Parish Staff and delegates of the German Community at St. Patrick’s gathered in prayer and thanksgiving for the work and ministry that has taken place in the facilities at the Catholic Settlement House for generations. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, the Parish and Redemptorists were unable to mark the closure of the facilities as a community.
As part of our time of prayer and thanksgiving, we witnessed the removal of two cornerstones that were laid at two entry points of the property during two periods of construction in 1937 and 1951. When the cornerstones were laid in these respective years, time capsules were installed which contain donor records, religious items and printed memorabilia from that time.
Upon the removal of the 1937 cornerstone, the contents of the time capsule were found to be in a lead box which preserved them in excellent condition. Contained in this box were a 1937 copy of the Catholic Register newspaper, a list of donors for the building of the new hall, various religious medals, and an icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help.
The 1951 cornerstone which was laid by the entrance to the Dundas Street Day Care entrance when the second floor of the day care was constructed also contained a time capsule which housed another lead box. Due to deterioration of the drainage pipes in the wall adjacent to the cornerstone, all the contents were quite damaged. Of the items that were contained in the box, there were some religious medals, a journal with the names of donors who contributed towards the construction of the second floor day care space, an icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, a blue devotional booklet, and a type of newspaper that was not recoverable.
In our prayer of thanksgiving, Redemptorists and members of the German Community led the follow litany of thanksgiving which called to mind and heart the many blessings contained in the rich history which will be renewed and built upon in the new generation of 131 McCaul Street.
We give thanks for all that this building has been for so many people for so many decades. We give thanks in this litany prayer inviting your response: We Thank You, Lord
- For Redemptorists in their leadership and innovation… We Thank You, Lord
- For Religious Sisters in their service and care of children…
- For shelter and safety for newcomers during certain times of war…
- For credit unions, opportunities for employment, skill training…
- For many years of care of children in the Catholic Settlement House Day Care…
- For prayer times, play times, and food times…
- For passion plays, and youth sodalities…
- For Kirchweihfests, Christmas and Mother’s Day Dinners…
- For community, fellowship and belonging…
- For Kolping Society and Legion of Mary….
- For Christmas Concerts and the Männerchor Harfentöne…
- For Weinlesefests and Schlachtfests…
- For Dances, Bowling Nights, and social engagements…
- For Mission Bazaars and fundraisers…
- For Bingo and Seniors Meetings …
- For Pancake Sundays and Coffee Sundays…
- For Birthday, Wedding and Funeral Receptions…
- For Redemptorist Feast Day Celebrations and Dinners…
- For Bible Studies, Young Neighbours in Action, and Justice and Service Commission…
- For Family and Children Formation Events and Parties…
- For all of these and so much more for over 100 years…
- For past and present pastors charged with the care of the community…
- For staff and volunteers who continue to be the backbone of the German Community and parish community….
Loving and merciful Redeemer, you have called us together to be a community of faith and to build your kingdom here in this neighbourhood and city. As we remove the cornerstones of this edifice which mark many decades of service, we thank you for the blessings you have bestowed on your people who have amidst through these walls, and we entrust and pledge our continued commitment as Redemptorists and this parish community to continue to serve your people in new walls that will one day hold our new home.
When God closes a door, God opens a window. In this case, God builds a new window. We entrust the care and construction to God and look forward to the work of Tribute Communities in building “The Artistry” – www.theartistry.ca where the Redemptorists will have about 12,000 sq ft of new space that will be used by St. Patrick’s Church Offices and Ministry, as well as creative ministry space for the Redemptorists in the downtown core. We look forward to sharing with you updates on plans for the new space, as we move from the demolition to construction phase.
Settlement House Coming Down…
