Basilica celebrates 40 years

Church's beauty and liturgical music called 'divine' by Lt. Gov. Lois Hole

By RENATO GANDIA
WCR Staff Writer
Edmonton

Teresa Feehan remembered her father Albert Knowler who was the lead tenor in the choir back in the mid 1920s, when St. Joseph's was still a crypt church.

"I think (the celebration) is absolutely marvellous. I enjoy it so much," she told the WCR.

She was baptized, received her First Communion and Confirmation and was married in this church.

"There's a feeling of rejoicing and thanksgiving for what this church has meant to me over the years. I still come back here from time to time even though I now belong to St. John the Evangelist Parish.

"It's my spiritual home so I'm really happy to be here today."

More than 1,000 people attended the concelebrated Mass presided at by Archbishop Thomas Collins and attended by members of the community at large such as Alberta Lt. Gov. Lois Hole, Alberta Chief of Justice Allan Wachowich, and several MPs and MLAs.

Hole told the congregation during the program after the Mass, "This basilica holds so many wonderful memories for many people."

Liturgical music

"In fact, one of its important legacies is to inspire people through some of the world's great music. To all who worship here and to those who simply visit to enjoy the wonderful music, congratulations on your 40th anniversary."

Hole said she hoped the basilica's "beautiful building and the good works of the people who worship here prevail long into the future.

"Your presence in Edmonton is simply divine. And again I want to thank everyone here. This is very special for me to be here today. I want you to know that I would not have missed it for anything."

"It was just a frame and that frame was called the 'strong bone.'" - Anita Patsula

Collins told the people, "Beauty is also a sign of God's presence. As we look at the images of beauty in this church we are called how to be better God's people."

He noted that the basilica is situated where it should be, a place where people can find peace amidst the busyness of life. "It should be right here on Jasper Avenue, in the hustle and bustle of our lives."

In his homily he reminded the people that from this cathedral we find physical signs of solidity as this church is built upon stone and metal.

"From this cathedral church we move out to spread the word of God . . . carrying with us the fidelity, solidity and the fire of faith."

Because the celebration fell on the feast day of Sts. Peter and Paul, the archbishop spoke on the qualities of the two great disciples of Christ.

"Peter is the rock, Paul is the fire and we need both of them if we are to serve the Lord," Collins said.

Although Peter "started as a Jello . . . he eventually became a rock by the grace of God."

He became a great example for all of us because of the solidity of his faith, his fervour and fidelity to the person of Jesus Christ.

"He is a constant reminder of what the Lord has to work on . . . Through the grace of God he was able to fulfill the mission he was given.

Paul is different from Peter. The only thing they have in common is that they both needed the grace of God, the archbishop noted.

"Paul is the fire that blazes to spread the word of God. He is a great saint and he probably made others great saints because apparently living with him was difficult.

"They speak to us of what it is to be called by Christ. We need to recognize our own weaknesses. We need to recognize them to be open to the grace of God."

The parish held a sold out dinner and dance in the church basement the previous day. A documentary about the basilica was shown at the dinner.

"When I was looking at the slide presentation there was a picture of the basilica when it was just being built. when it was just a frame and that frame was called the 'strong bone,' " remembered Anita Patsula.

Importance of rootedness

She also reflected on the "the need for the young people to carry on" as she saw some photographs of the young adults in the parish.

Celia Navarro is one of these young adults.

"The basilica has become a place of refuge for me because I came from a very religious country. I used to go to church everyday because churches are everywhere in my home country, the Philippines."

For her, coming to the basilica is like having a place to have a date with Jesus Christ . . . to talk with him.

"This community provides for me a venue to meet Jesus Christ, interact with other people, nourish my faith, do things with other young adults and grow in my faith."

She loves this community because of its welcoming atmosphere as witnessed by the priests and Sister Annata Brockman.

Initially Darin LaBonte came to the basilica because of its location. But what keeps him attending this parish is the beautiful building and the great experience he finds within the community every time he comes.

"The young adult in here is growing stronger and stronger. There's a great atmosphere here at the basilica."

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