The Closure of The Church of Our Lady of Fatima
The Church of Our Lady of Fatima was established in 1950 and was closed in 2006. The closure of the Church of our Lady of Fatima took place on Sunday June 4, 2006. A closing mass was held at the Church of Our Lady of Fatima at 1 PM. This mass was celebrated by the Most Reverend R. Anthony Daniels, Auxiliary Bishop of London. The Concelebrants were Rev. Thomas C. Blondin, Pastor of Our Lady of Fatima/St. John Vianney Faith Community, Rev. Dino Dalvador, Pastor of St Rose and Guadeloupe, Rev. Clare Coleman, Vicar General, Rev. Tony DelCiancio, Pastor of St. Thomas, the Apostle and Rev. Graham. After the mass, Liturgical items of the Church of Our Lady of Fatima were handed over by members of The Church of Our Lady of Fatima to members of St. John Vianney Church for use in the community worship. This was done as a sign that the journey of faith for members of Our Lady of Fatima Parish will continue there.
Next the Auxiliary Bishop Daniels made the final blessing to all the people that were assembled outside the church . A procession then was made with the Blessed Host in the Monstrance for about 3 kilometers to St. John Vianney Church. Included in the procession were the Knights of Columbus Honour Guard, flag bearers, parishioners on foot and in buses. The procession ended at St. John Vianney Church where a second service was held. After the service a reception was held at the St. John Vianney Gym where delicious finger food and cake were served.
Pictures of various events that occurred during this memorable day are below.
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Last updated on: June 6, 2006
Front view of the church
Auxiliary Bishop Daniels is celebrating the closing mass
The choir receiving communion
Cathy McLean receives the Vestment from John Redmond. The Vestment will be taken directly to St John Vienney as a sign that the journey of faith for members of Our Lady of Fatima Parish will continue there.
One half of the Knight of Columbus honour guard outside the church
The parishioners leave the church.
From the left, Rev. Dino Dalvador, Pastor of St Rose and Guadeloupe, Rev. Clare Coleman, Vicar General and Rev. Tony DelCiancio, Pastor of St. Thomas, the Apostle all who assisted Bishop Daniels at the mass.
The procession lines up on Elinor Street in front of the Church of the Lady of Fatima. The Honour Guard is waiting to escort the Blessed Host in the Monstrance that would be carried by Rev. Thomas C. Blondin
The honour guard with the golden canopy protects the Monstrance as it turns up Menard Street. Rev. Clare Coleman is walking to the right of the honour guard.
The houour guard escorting the Blessed Host in the Monstrance turns onto the Ganatcho Trail at Florence Street.
The front party of the procession passes over the Little River Pedestrian Bridge.
Still on the Ganatchio Trail, the Honour Guard passes the historic Pelee Passage Light House that was moved here in 1980 from its original location where it stood from 1902 to 1995 protecting lake shipping
The procession turns north on Carling Street to get back onto the Ganatchio Trail.. The alter servers now lead the parade with the cross.
St John Vianney parishioners line Dieppe to welcome the procession from the Church of Our Lady of Fatima.
Rev. Thomas Blondin enters the walkway to St. John Vianney Church carrying the Monstrance.
Rev. Graham passes the K of C Honour Guard at the entrance of St. John Vianney Church.
Reception in St. John Vianney School Gym.
Delightful music was provided by a harpist.
The Church of Our Lady of Fatima
1950 - 2006
Side view of the church from the parking lot.
The Last Mass
at 1 PM on June 4, 2006
Auxiliary Bishop Daniels is preparing the alter.
Auxiliary Bishop Daniels says prayers before the confessional at the back of the church.
Jacklyn McMurdie receives the Crucifix from Renee Weber.
Auxiliary Bishop Daniels' Final Blessing in front of the Church of our Lady of Fatima
The other half of the honour guard.
The parishioners are at the bottom of the entrance path to the church and the Rev. Dino Dalvador, Rev Graham, and Rev. Tony DelCiancio are to the right
Auxiliary Bishop Daniels at the side of the Church of Our Lady of Fatima after all the ceremonies.
The Procession from Fatima to St. John Vianney
Next in the procession are the flag bearers followed by Rev. Graham in the golf cart.
The procession as it goes down Menard Street.
The procession continues on the Ganatcho Trail in front of Sand Point Beach and Lake St Claire.
The honour guard with the golden canopy passes over the Little River Pedestrian Bridge
The Honour Guard protecting Rev. Blondin carring the Monstrance turns down Riverdale Street
Parishioners Bev Gardiner, a Eucharastic Minister who gives communion to shut ins and Mary Woodman wait on a bench on the Ganatchio Trail near Carling Street to welcome the procession.
Maxine Towers (centre), a Eucharistic Minister is waiting on Dieppe for the procession with another two St. John Vianney parishioners.
The statue of the Lady of Fatima that is on a cart is pulled onto the walkway into the church.
The parishioners from the procession and from the ones lining Dieppe enter St. John Vianney Church to attend a short service.
The Reception at St. John Vianney School
The center tables were laden with delicious finger food.
A large cake decorated with pictures of The Church of Our Lady of Fatama was cut for the parishioners to enjoy.
Sign in front of the church with the church in the background.
Fatima parishioners seated during the mass.
Auxiliary Bishop Daniels returns to the alter to pass on the religious items to St. John Vianney church.
The Auxiliary Bishop Daniels and the Concelebrants leave the church.
Auxiliary Bishop Daniels ready to give the blessing and Rev. Thomas C. Blondin, Pastor of Our Lady of Fatima and St. John Vianney Faith Community saying a few words before the blessing.
The statue of the Lady of Fatima is ready to be wheeled in the procession to her new home at St. John Vianney Church.
Next in the procession are the parishioners who will be walking and at the end of the procession are the buses carrying the rest of the parishioners.
The front party of the procession that includes the alter servers and Rachelle Leslie, Pastoral Minister leads the parade down Florence Street to the Ganatchio Trail
The colourful procession passes the East Windsor Dock on a beautiful stretch of the Ganatcho Trail.
The flag bearers, Lady of Fatima Statue, Rev. Graham in the golf cart and the walking parishioners pass over the Little River Pedestrian Bridge.
The police escort leads the procession down Cedarview. The police escort provided protection at all the intersections that the procession had to cross. To the right is a St. John's Ambulance bicycle rider that followed the procession to give any medical assistance necessary to the walkers. Also the St. John's Ambulance medical van fallowed the procession.
The procession proceeds along Clairview Avenue before turning down Dieppe
Led by the alter-servers, the procession passes the St. John Vianney parking lot. The St. John Vianney parishioners lining Dieppe Street give a loud applause welcoming the procession from the Church of Our Lady of Fatima.
The two men who pulled the cart with the statue of the Lady of Fatima park the statue in the Millennium Garden that is at the entrance of St. John Vianney Church. This was a beautiful spot to place her temporarily as all the flowers were in bloom
More parishioners enter the church.
Another view of the reception.
Two ladies were kept busy cutting pieces of the cake for the parishioners.. The cake was in a tent outside the gym.