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Before Establishment of the Parish In the 1970s, Chinese Catholics living in Edmonton were gathered by Sr. Gertrude Kwan to form the Chinese Catholic Community. Once a month on Sunday, they would attend a bilingual Sunday Mass celebrated by an English-speaking priest in a Catholic Church near to Chinatown. In May 1982, Fr. Francisco de Assisi Lau, a Salesian priest, was assigned by the Hong Kong Salesian Provincial Superior to take up the pastoral mission in Edmonton. The same Catholic Community at St. Patrick Parish continued to have one Sunday mass celebrated in Chinese (Cantonese) every week. Under the leadership of Fr. Lau, working groups were formed to take care of different aspects of the community: spirituality development, communication and relationship with parishioners. The community registered as a formal entity after a year. In September 1984, the Edmonton Salesian Chinese School was established. The objective is to provide Chinese language and cultural education for the local Chinese children, and evangelization and outreach to the Chinese Community at large. Classes are held every Saturday morning in a Catholic school that was run by the local Salesians. The school celebrated her 20th anniversary on the in 2004. In the following year, Fr. Lau set up the Building Committee and started raising funds for the purpose of acquiring a permanent building for the community. In June 1986, with approval of Archbishop Joseph MacNeil (Archbishop of Edmonton), an agreement was signed for the purchase of the Hungarian Catholic Church in Chinatown (10665-98 Street) with a seating capacity of about 250. The community was renamed Mary Help of Christians Chinese Catholic Church. Renovation was carried out in the following year. On May 23, 1987, the church was consecrated by Archbishop MacNeil who also proclaimed the Church to become the Chinese Catholic Parish and Fr. Lau as the first Pastor. After Establishment of the Parish In June 1991, Fr. Lau was assigned to Los Angeles, U.S.A after serving the Chinese Catholics in Edmonton for nine years. Fr. Joseph Ho S.D.B. succeeded him as the new Pastor of the Parish. During the following years, more and more Chinese immigrated to Edmonton and the number of parishioners also increased. But capacity and facilities of the Church were barely sufficient and the building itself was quite wore out. With the support of many parishioners, and together with endorsement from the Edmonton Archdiocese and Salesian Society in Canada, a Building Committee, consisting of experts from different fields was setup to search for a more suitable site for a new Church. Eventually, a suitable building was located not far from downtown, which then belonged to the Knight of Columbus. The transaction took place in January 1997. Reconstruction of the building was carried out in two stages and the whole project was completed in two years. The Edmonton Chinese Catholic parish moved into this building located at 10140-119 Street in September 1998. On November 22nd in the same year (Feast of Christ the King), Consecration of the new Church was officiated by Archbishop Joseph Mac Neil. Number of parishioners has now increased to about 400 families. At present, three Sunday Masses are celebrated every weekend: two in Chinese (Cantonese) and one in English . Three Sunday school classes are conducted. There are also three formation groups for parishioners of different age and they meet once a month. There are also preparation class for children of suitable age to receive their first communion and confirmation. An adult catechism course (RCIA) is run annually for adults who are interested in or looking forward to take up the Catholic belief. More than twenty working groups have been set up with enthusiastic parishioners serving the whole community. The
Chinese Catholic Parish will celebrate her 18th anniversary in May 2005.
During the last two decades, this community has made tremendous progress
from a “homeless” situation to the present condition. For all these, we
have much to be thankful for – the gracious love from our almighty heavenly
Father; guidance and help from our Blessed Mother, Mary Help of Christians,
and the care and assistance from the Edmonton Archdiocese and Salesian
Society. The whole building including an ample parking lot occupies an area of 40,000 sq. ft. The upper floor holds a sacred and majestic but outstanding by its simplicity newly built church which offers 450 sears, together with a small chapel and sacristy. Whereas the office, library, large and small conference rooms, kitchen, entrance, lobby and a multi-purpose hall with a 600-people capacity are all on the ground floor. At the back of the Church is an open parking lot with 60 parking spaces. The small house next door serves as the Rectory. The multi-purpose hall is an ideal environment for many large scales or sport activities, such as weekly Tai Chi, social dancing and badminton classes. Sunday Cafe is in service about once a month. Annual functions include Chinese New Year Carnival, Parish annual retreat during Lent, Parish Patron Feast Day Celebration in May, summer sports tournament, Christmas celebration, New Year eve countdown party and gatherings of different nature. The mass schedule
is here. For detail on any other services please
inquire the office (baptism, wedding, RCIA,
mass with special intentions, sunday school).
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堂區成立之前 堂區成立後的發展 歡迎您也來與我們一同分享上主的恩賜！ 新聖堂的建築物佔地約四萬多平方呎。樓上是一間可容納四百五十人、神聖而莊嚴的新建聖堂，另有祭衣房及聖體小堂一間。地下包括辦公室、圖書館、大小會議室、廚房、休憩間和一個可容納六百人的多用途大禮堂。室外是一個可停泊六十部汽車的停車場。隔鄰是一間兩層小屋，是為神職人員住宿之用。 多用途大禮堂是舉行各項大型或球類活動的場所，例如：每星期的太極班、社交舞班、羽毛球班。及約一個月一次的主日茶座等。年中大型活動計有：新春嘉年華、復活節前的堂區教友退省、五月份的主保瞻禮慶祝、暑期球賽、聖誕慶祝、除夕晚倒數聯歡，及各式各樣的聚會。 |
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