FROM THE DIARY OF ST. ANDREW'S PARISH FAMILY

1965 - 1994

Compiled by Father Emmanuel Schembri OCD, former pastor

1965

Jun 15 - St. Andrew the Apostle Parish is officially erected in North-east London. Assignment of Fr. John McMaster as founding Pastor by Bishop Carter with his letter of May 28, 1965.

Jul 31 - Fr. McMaster takes up residence at the rectory (rented temporarily on June 18) at 1295 Sorrel Rd, to serve 500 families.

Aug 2 - First Parish Mass celebrated at St. Stephen's Church on Webster St. (now Knights of Columbus Hall). The name is assigned by Bishop Carter in recognition of the distinguished service of Monsignor Andrew P. Mahoney, Vicar General.

Aug 8 - First Sunday Masses offered... 7:30 a.m. at St. Stephen's, 9 and 11 am at Evelyn Harrison Public School. First edition of Sunday Bulletin. Transition goes along fine, save it is a hot day.

Sep 5 - The 11 am Sunday Mass is substituted with two Masses: at 10:15 and 11:30 am.

Sep 7 - Formation of St. Andrew's St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Sep 12 - Organization meeting of the Usher's Society at the rectory.

Sep 15 - The 61st Cub Pack meet for the first time (in the hall of Blessed Sacrament).

Sep 28 - Formation of the CWL. 73 members attended. Mrs B. Walzak first President.

Oct 10 - Babysitting service available from now on at Evelyn Harrison Public School during the 10:15 and 11:30 a.m. Masses. Courtesy of the young ladies of the CYO.

Oct 12 - First meeting of St. Andrew's Parish Council. Invitation for potential members for the Parish Council had been announced in the bulletin on September 12.

Oct 15 - Election of the Board of Advisors: H. LeBlanc, J. Lasek, T. Johnston, F. Flanagan, T. Hagerty, J. Pearson.

Oct 17 - General meeting of the four CFM groups in St. Andrew's.

Oct 24 - Hector J. LeBlanc is elected chairperson of the Advisory Board.

Oct 27 - First funeral in parish: Mrs. Sarah Lamure. St. Stephen Church.

Nov 9 - Knights of the Altar organized. Letters and cards are mailed out to all homes in order to conduct a parish census.

Nov 10 - Architect Philip Carter Johnson is engaged to complete the drawings of our church building.

Nov 14 - Board of Advisors with volunteers carries out parish census. At this time the census is in high gear with over 50 people participating. One casualty... cross dog -- result torn trousers in line of duty.

Dec 2 - Formation of a choir for Christmas Music under the direction of Mrs. L. Howard.

Dec 20 - First monthly edition of the Parish Council News.

1966

Jan 29 - CWL hold a bake sale at St. Anne's School. Very successful.

Feb 4 - First Parish Get-Acquainted Dance a huge success. Held at the Dutch Canadian Club on Gore Rd.

Mar 13 - Organization meeting of St. Andrew's Parish Credit Union at St. Anne's School. 55 people in attendance. Provincial Charter for St. Andrew's arrives in April.

Apr 17 - James Carey is elected St. Andrew's Lay Representative to Synod II of the London diocese.

May 8 - SOD-TURNING CEREMONY at Church site with Monsignor Andrew P. Mahoney V.G. officiating. Land donated by Joseph Fallon in memory of his wife Alice Ditrich Fallon, a native of Mount Carmel. (FOR FURTHERS NEWS ABOUT FALLON SEE 'ST. ANDREW'S PARISH NEWS' VOL 2 NO.5 - 1966).

May 16 - Constitutions and By-Laws for our Parish Council are adopted as revised. (The Council is composed of a minimum of 30 volunteers. 7 members are elected by the parish to form the Board of Advisors who, in turn, will elect a chairperson. Two members of the Board are replaced every year.)

Jun 4 - First Parish Picnic, at Our Lady of London Camp (Camp Olalondo).

Jun 5 - The contract for the building of our church is signed with Ellis-Don Ltd.

(Jul 29 - Foundations and basement walls completed for our church, also the Narthex Floor.)

(Sep - Some 800 Parish Directories are delivered to the parish members.)

Dec 26 - Cornerstone of the Church blessed and laid by Monsignor Mahoney.

1967

Jan 10 - First meeting of the Girl Guides and Brownies, who are sponsored by the CWL.

Feb 25 - Fr. McMaster moves into the rectory on 1 Fallons Lane (then 1275 Pack's Lane) accompanied by the elements of swirling snow.

Apr 23 - First Mass celebrated in new Church.

Jun 2 - Consecration of the church altar by Monsignor F.J. Laverty.

Jun 11 - SOLEMN BLESSING OF ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH by Bishop Carter of London.

Dec 3 - Celebration of the first folk Mass at St. Andrew's, during the noon Mass. Gerry Woodman is (will be) the director.

1968

Mar 31 - Church Unity Prayer Service. St. Andrew's parish hosts Gethsemani United and St. Alban's Anglican churches.

Sep 1 - The practice of family Gift Bearers begins in the parish.

Nov 10 - The pipe organ is blessed by Monsignor Andrew Parnell Mahoney (followed by a recital conducted by William Wickett, organist of St. Peter's Basilica).

1969

Jan 15 - The first talk of the Insights for Growth is held in our parish hall. The sixth and final talk takes place on Feb. 18.

Mar 6 - Fr. McMaster officiates at the blessing of the new addition to St. Lawrence School.

Mar 9 - Share Lent '69 Appeal. It is recommended that each family hold a hunger meal and give the proceeds saved to Share Lent.

Mar 29 - First City Wide Parish Council Workshop held at King's College, organized mainly by the folks from St. Andrew's.

Apr- Problems with the exterior walls of the Church begin to appear.

Apr 20 - Folk Choir go on tour to Windsor and sing in three parishes: Immaculate Conception, Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Rose.

Apr 21 - Parish Council approves a New Constitution and Bylaws. Elections to the Board of Advisors to take place in June each year instead of the Fall.

May 18 - St. Andrew's Capers unfold the hidden talent in many a section of the parish as young and old tap the light fantastic on the stage of St. Lawrence School.

May 25 - Solemn Closing of Synod Two of the London Diocese at St. Peter's Basilica. Kick-off of St. Andrew's Softball Team.

Jun 8 - Bishop Carter forms a Diocesan Pastoral Council. Ted Lynch of St. Andrew's becomes the first lay person elected to represent the London Lay Deanery on this Council.

Jul 27 - Senior Folk Choir on tour to three parishes in Sarnia.

Oct 4 - First Parish Golf Tournament.

Nov 30 - The Folk Group of the Parish made their first record called "With Joy".

Dec 5  - Another 1000 records of our Folk Mass Record are ordered.

Dec 21 - First Communal Celebration of Penance held at St. Andrew's.

1970

Jan 15 - Week-end of Cursillo for men in our parish hall. Some 50 men attend.

Feb 1 - Sunday School classes begin during the 10:30 Mass. Communion in the hand begins.

Feb 5 - A ten-week Christopher Leadership Course in public speaking begins at St. Andrew's.

Jun 21 - The Senior Folk Choir sings for Prime Minister Trudeau in Strathroy at the Kiwanis Park.

1971

Mar 18 - The weekly series of Insights to the Catholic Faith, based on the Creed, begins. It is organized by the parish Adult Education Committee and ends on June 24.

Jun - The Folk Group make their Third Album.

Jun 16 - St. Andrew's Scouts host a church parade involving all the cubs and scouts of the North London Division.

1972

May 7 - Jimmy Quinlan's Memorial Concert at the Centennial Hall by our Senior Folk Choir.

Jun 25 - Installation of the first 7 Extraordinary Ministers for the Distribution of Communion at the week-end Masses.

Jul - Repairs made to the exterior walls. Later on in the year, extensive repairs to the roof of the vestibule of the Church.

Oct 22 - The services of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine are no longer available for Public School children (due to shortage of volunteers).

Nov 30 - The feast of St. Andrew is celebrated with Mass according to the Byzantine Rite. Fr. Theodore from Brantford is the main celebrant.

Dec 24 - The first Christmas Pageant for children.

1973

Jan 21 - 5% of our offertory collection begins to be directed to the missions (by the Parish Missions Committee).

May 13 - Father John McMaster, the founding pastor, dies of a bad heart condition.

Jun - Father Marcel L. LeBoeuf appointed pastor

Jul-Sep - Parish census and re-registration

Oct 2 - St. Andrew's Credit Union is dissolved (and its funds are in trusteeship with the Stabilization of the Ontario Credit Union League, Toronto.)

Oct 27 - The CWL London Deanery is hosted at St. Andrew's.

1974

Jan 19/26 - Guidelines and rental fees for the Church Hall have been approved by the Advisory Board.

Mar 10 - Peter Tillmann, architect, engaged and repairs to be made to the Church by Ellis-Don. Exterior walls re-bricked, new garage and chimney, interior walls, spire and gutters.

Jul - Sister Benedicta Stangl, OSU, joins the parish ministry team.

May 29 - The crowning of Mary.

Sep 8 - The Welcome Desk ministry is introduced in the parish.

Oct 4/5 - First St. Andrewfest, with a large beer tent, food tent, dancing, two music bands, games and live children theater.

1975

Jan 19 - Ecumenical Service held at St. Andrew's and attended by the people of St. Andrew's, Gethsemani United Church and St. Alban's Anglican Church.

Feb 11 - Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper.

May - Parking Lot is enlarged.

Sep - Directory of the Parish complete with pictures of the families published.

Nov 16 - Bishop Eugene La Rocque of Alexandria (Cornwall) blesses the statue of the Holy Family in memory of Fr. McMaster.

1976

Jan 20 - Beginning of the Charismatic Prayer Group (meetings on Tuesdays at St. Anne School library, until it starts to meet in the Church in Jun 22, 1976).

(Jul 14 - Morning Prayer and Communion begin every Wednesday.)

Dec 3 - First Friday Eucharistic Devotion for the first time.

Dec 31 - The Social Committee commences to run the New Year's Eve Dance.

1977

Jun 13 - St. Andrew's hosts the Priests London Deanery for their Day of Prayer. This is a special year of spiritual renewal for the priests of the diocese.

Aug 1 - This week the Trillium Award is delivered to the parish by the members of the Chamber of Commerce. We received the award because of the neatness, beauty and upkeep of our church-lawn and flower beds.

Aug 5 - Alcoholic Anonymous (AA) Group begin to hold weekly meetings in our parish.

Oct 2 - The Blessed Sacrament Parish Credit Union announces in the bulletin that it would like to extend its services to the members of St. Andrew's parish.

Oct 15 - The Morning Prayer and Communion is discontinued.

Dec 25 - The Nativity Crib Set for the church arrives from Montreal. The six figure set is carved of linden wood with a natural finish (like the statue of the Holy Family).

1978

Aug 21 - Installation of John Michael Sherlock as the ninth bishop of London.

Jun - Father Vincent Gleeson appointed pastor.

Sep - Retreat for a Better World.

Sep - Refugee Program in the parish involves many parishoners.

1979

Oct 11 - An eight-week Parenting Course : "I give You Me" program - Marriage and Family Renewal Program

Nov - Liturgy Workshop "Liturgy is Life" with Father Kelly Walker

Nov 27 - Healing Mass.

1980

Jan 13 - Healing Mass.

Feb 14 - Healing Mass.

Nov 23 - Ordination to the diaconate of Tom Janisse at St. Andrew's.

Nov 25 - Healing Mass.

Nov 28 - First Annual Dinner for Families for Children in Bangladesh and India.

1981

Mar - Church Organ overhauled.

Jun - Father Frank White appointed pastor.

Sep 27 - The parish bulletin announces that St. Andrew's Angels (Adults Team) have won the championship.

1982

May 1 - Rev. Joe Nevett, the first priest from St. Andrew's, is ordained priest at St. Peter's Basilica.

Sep - Sister Eveline Gagner joins the Pastoral Team.

Dec - Christmas Tree project for needy families an overwhelming success.

1983

Jan 6 - Journey I begins, a course in the Old Testament for adults.

May - Roof of vestibule and office area is replaced.

Jun 5 - As a result of a parish survey conducted by the Advisory Board, Sunday Masses are at 9:30 and 11:30.

Oct - Ministries of the People of God program initiated.

1984

Apr 7 - Confession Marathon.

May 12 - Rev. Michael Wunder, of our parish, is ordained priest for the diocese of Hamilton at Christ the King Cathedral, Hamilton.

Sep 24 - A Greeting Committee is formed to greet the people coming in the church for the Sunday liturgy.

Oct 14 (till the 21st) - Beginning of a week-long parish visitation and registration with approximately 100 volunteers assisting in this parish project.

Oct 18 - The R.C.I.A. program begins to be conducted here at St. Andrew's.

Nov 4 - Coffee and cold drinks begin to be offered in the hall after the two Sunday Masses, on the first Sunday of each month.

Nov 26 - Spire is removed from church as final solution to the leaking problems.

1985

Jan 12 - First Parish Liturgy Workshop, open to the various liturgy ministers.

Jan - Redecoration committee working on aestethics in the Church.

Feb 10 - "Healing of Hearts" mission

June 16 - Celebration of St. Andrew's 20th Anniversary.

1986

Jan 1 - The Parish Hall ceases to be rented for public assemblies due to new fire regulations. From now on it is used only for parish purposes.

Oct 1 - Women in the Church, a nine-week series begins on Wednesdays sponsored by the CWL.

Oct 16 - First practice of the newly formed Resurrection Choir (in May 1992 renamed Celebration Choir) which provide music for funerals in the parish.

Oct 18 - Sr. Susan Glaab, of our parish, makes her final profession as a Sister of St. Joseph at Mount St. Joseph.

Dec 10 - A Christmas Concert at the church. Choirs from John Paul II, St. Mark's, St. Anne's and St. Mary's schools perform together with our own church choir.

1987

Mar 15 - a new crucifix on the altar has been blessed by Bishop John Michael Sherlock. The crucifix is a gift from the CWL. Ernie Verbeem made and installed the cross.

Apr 5 - Babysitting begins during the 9:30 Sunday Mass.

Apr 22 - The Parish Advisory Board votes on a new parish constitution.

Jun 6 - Rev. Francis McKee of Stoneybrook is ordained priest at St. Veronica's Church, Montreal.

1988

Jan 24 - Ecumenical Service of the Word. St. Andrew's hosts the Gethsemani United and the St. Alban's Anglican Churches.

Feb 21 - The Journey series begin, every Sunday, for Lent.

1989

Jan 29 - Liturgical Dance by the children of St. Mary's School at the 9:30 Sunday Mass.

Apr 28/30 - Weekend Retreat for the parishoners at Holy Family Retreat House (Oxley).

Jul 1 - Father Patrick Mellon appointed pastor.

Oct 29 - The 9:30 Choir, under the direction of Miriam Allistone.

Dec 8 - New sound system installed in Church.

1990

Mar 25 - An announcement in the bulletin requests the need of 6 or more seniors to serve at funeral Masses.

Jun 17 - Twenty Fifth Anniversary of the Parish celebrated. Bishop Sherlock and various priests who served at Saint Andrew concelebrated.

Sep 30 - The church and rectory need new roofing. In the bulletin it is stated that the project should be starting next week.

Dec 16 - Mike Tremblay, of our parish, has recently been elected Vice-President of the Canadian Canon Law Society. (He serves as judge of the London Branch of the Toronto Marriage Tribunal and also lectures at King's College.)

1991

May 11 - First parish Giant Yard Sale.

Jun 2 - We are considering putting in casement windows in the church.

Oct 20 - Kick-off of the first season of Renew. The five seasons of Renew aim to bring our Catholic people together as the people of God and as friends of one another within a warm, loving community.

Nov 3 - A cross over the front doors of the church is installed this week. Funds donated by the CWL. It had been several years since a cross had been on the outside of our church.

1992

Mar 8 - We will have a signed Mass for the hearing impaired at the 9:30 Sunday Mass.

Apr 16-17 - The youth of our parish undergo a twenty-four hour Youth Fastathon for the first time.

1993

Jun 25 - The Discalced Carmelite Fathers are appointed at St. Andrew's. Fr. Manny Schembri, pastor, and Fr. Ralph Bruzzone, associate pastor.

Oct 13 - Visit of Fr. Camilo Maccise, Superior General of the Discalced Carmelites.

Oct 30/Feb 27 - Parish Directory Update. We are nearly 1000 families registered in the parish.

Nov 21 - Last Sunday of Renew.

Dec 12 - A Christmas Festival of Music and Prayer is organized by the three choirs of the parish.

Hopefully an update to cover the years 1994-1997 will be posted soon.
If you have any corrections or additions to suggest, please email me a message.

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Father Pius Edwin Sammut
Discalced Carmelite
pius@cheerful.com