Alain couple moves to Port Coquitlam

Active Holy Family Parish members will be missed

Special to the WCR
St. Albert

Al and Helen Alain know all about taking an active role in their parish community. They've been doing it now for over 40 years. Al and Helen met in Edmonton in the mid 1960s at a CYO function at St. Joe's.

They were both musically talented and they sang folk songs together and would often entertain and lead sing-songs at hospitals, seniors centres and church functions. They were married in Three Hills in 1965 by Father John Hesse.

Wherever they lived, they were active whether serving on parish councils, church committees, the CWL or the Knights of Columbus. Al and Helen seldom ever said no when they were called upon. And during those busy years, they raised three children: Corinne, Philip and David.

Except for a couple of short stints in Ontario and Camrose, St. Albert has been their home for close to 40 years. The Alains have been active in Holy Family Parish over the years and they played an important role in the campaign that raised the funds to build Holy Family Church in 1991.

Al and Helen were also active in the music ministry at Holy Family over the years and in 1997, members of Brother Anthony Council 10014 asked Al to organize and lead their men's choir. Thanks to Al's efforts, the choir has been a success, singing regularly at monthly Masses, seniors centres and Knights of Columbus functions.

But alas, the Alains are moving to Port Coquitlam, B.C. One main reason for the move is an infant granddaughter.

Farewell Mass

On Sept. 3, Al officially conducted the Brother Anthony Choir for the last time at the 5 p.m. Mass at Holy Family Parish. After the Mass, choir members and their spouses hosted a gathering in the parish hall in honour of Al and Helen. The highlight of the evening was when the choir asked Al to lead them in the song he had written in honour of the council's patron, Brother Anthony Kowalczyk, a servant of God who spent more than 35 years at College St. Jean in Edmonton.

The Alains will be missed in St. Albert, but we know that they will put their talents and their Christian values to good use in their new parish.

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