New parish named for Corpus Christi

Collins blesses new church site in booming Millwoods

- WCR photo by Bill Glen Archbishop Thomas Collins blesses the site of the future Corpus Christi Church in Edmonton's southside Millwoods region.

By BILL GLEN
WCR Staff Writer
Edmonton

It will be known as the Church of Corpus Christi.

Archbishop Thomas Collins made the announcement to more than 400 people who gathered June 18 on a large vacant lot in eastern Millwoods.

Most sat while others stood under a cloudy sky to celebrate an open air Mass and a blessing of the site - home to a second parish in Millwoods.

But they also came in anticipation of hearing the archbishop name the future church.

"Because the Holy Eucharist is so very much at the heart of our lives and will be at the centre and heart of this church as it rises, on this feast of Corpus Christi, I name this church, the Church of Corpus Christi," Collins said after his homily.

"It is centred on the celebration of the Holy Eucharist; that the body and blood of Christ may always be our guide on the journey of life and that we may ever grow closer to our blessed Lord."

Sun broke through

As Collins walked about blessing the grounds, the sun broke through the clouds to the delight of the gathering.

The vast expansion of Millwoods in recent years forced the Edmonton Archdiocese to reconsider whether its sole Millwoods parish - St. Theresa's - could accommodate both existing and future parishioners.

Parking spaces at the Grant MacEwan College campus became fewer as the college expanded. St. Theresa's has about 100 stalls for some 1,500 parishioners.

The archdiocese had decided to sell St. Theresa's for a new, larger church to be built on the 34th Street and 28A Avenue site in Mill Creek Meadows. But because Millwoods has continued to grow, that plan was scrapped in favour of an additional parish.

Mass in schools

Almost two years ago, the archdiocese began celebrating Mass in Father Michael Troy and Holy Family schools to create a Catholic community in the booming eastern part of Millwoods. It also wanted to see if the community would be responsible for and support a new parish.

By the large and joyous Father's Day turnout, the community is indeed eager and willing.

"People in this community are very passionate about this proposal." Valden Palm

"This is a great example of our faith in this community," said Valden Palm, co-chair of the pastoral council that used the name 'St. Theresa's Sister Parish East of 50th Street.'

The Church of Corpus Christi has a much nicer ring to it, Palm said.

"We started with a core group of families at both schools and with St. Theresa's help, we have grown into a new parish," he said.

"Naming the church on Corpus Christi Sunday will always be a special day for us. This truly warms my heart."

The current plan is to initially build a hall for about 500 people that will be attached to the main church. Once the hall is operational, Masses at the schools will end and worship will be held under one roof.

As more funding becomes available, construction of the church will begin. The archdiocese is looking at seating for about 1,500 - a total of about 2,000 parishioners with the hall used for overflow.

A twin rectory will be built nearby that will house four priests - two for each parish in Millwoods, Palm said.

Father Martin Carroll, pastor of St. Theresa's, said he has been asked numerous times when the church will be built. He says the answer lies with the people and not himself.

"It depends on their contributions," said Carroll. "To build anything these days is getting more and more expensive so the sooner we can build the hall, the better."

Palm said a lot of fundraising must be done to get the plans in operation. The projected overall cost is $5-to-6 million.

"Optimistically, we are looking at about five years before we can get spade to ground," he said. "We are selling candles today so the fundraising is underway," he said.

Grade 7 student Teslene Walters volunteered as a junior server at the Mass.

"It's crowded at St. Theresa's sometimes. A new church will make our faith stronger because more people will come."

Terry Lupul will remain a parishioner at St. Theresa's. But he is excited to have a sister parish in Millwoods.

"It just wasn't feasible any longer to have one parish for Millwoods," he said. "It's nice to see another church in this area because the congregation will grow. We will see more practising Catholics coming to church."

Palm stood at the rear of the congregation following the announcement, absorbing the cheerful ambience.

"People in this community are very passionate about this proposal," he said. "It will go.

This is our destiny."

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