History of Good Shepherd Parish:

Good Shepherd Parish is dedicated to Christ, the Good Shepherd.

St. John's Gospel, Chapter 10, records the account so familiar to all Catholics. "I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock and one shepherd."

The spirit of oneness and unity continues to prevail within our parish community.

The Parish was founded on July 17, 1976 at which time, Father Benoit T. Jobin was named pastor. His Grace, Archbishop Philip Pocock appointed Father Jobin pastor and gave him the task of forming the parish and building a Church. With our boundaries determined by the overcrowded conditions of our two closest neighbors, the new parish was comprised of 135 families from St. Timothy's to the South and 130 families from St. Luke's to the Northwest. Today, the parish boasts a membership of well over 2,500 families.

Following the establishment of the parish, Father Jobin began celebrating Sunday Mass at Holy Redeemer School, and the search commenced for a site suitable for a parish church. The parcel of land adjacent to St. Michael's School was found to be the most suitable site. On October 10, 1978, this piece of land was purchased by the Chancery Office for the Church building, and an appropriate sign was installed.

A nearby house was purchased and initially used as a rectory, meeting place and chapel. This home continues to serve as the living quarters for the pastor. Weekday morning Mass was celebrated at this location only steps from St. Michael's School.

In January, 1977, Sunday Mass began to be celebrated at St. Michael's School. At that time there were 293 families registered with an average Sunday attendance of between 700 and 800 parishioners. Also, Good Shepherd Parish now had a Parish Council, a C.W.L. Ladies Guild and Committees of Liturgy, Social, Education, Finance and Building in place. These were made up of some 105 parishioners all of whom were actively involved. The Constitution and By Laws of the Parish Council were approved by the Parish Assembly on November 22, 1976. This Council was motivated by ideals represented by the Parish name, Good Shepherd, to promote and foster the Christian way of life for the individual and collective betterment of its members.

Priests who have been appointed and served as pastors to Good Shepherd Parish include Father Benoit Jobin founder 1976 - 1985; Father Thomas Harding 1985 - 1986, Father Neil Varley 1986 - 1990, and our present pastor, Father John Weber, 1990 to the present.

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The Building

At a Parish Council meeting on October 10, 1978, it was announced the selection of the architect had been made by the Building Committee through a secret ballot, and that they had chosen Raymond Moriyama. The building committee had interviewed seven architects in total.

Raymond Moriyama is an architect who is widely known throughout Canada and beyond and whose designs - especially those of the Ontario Science Centre, the Metropolitan Toronto Library and several university buildings, are regarded as the work of one of the most inspired imaginations in the country. Moriyama spoke of architecture, not as an application of technique, but as an expression of the spirit. "Those of us who help to design the physical building of society," he said, " have an opportunity to bring meaning, purpose, value, dignity, even joy to human life."

Gencon Construction was awarded the construction contract and the ground breaking ceremony took place on Easter Sunday 1980. The budget for the Church was put at $675,000. The cornerstone was laid on June 29, 1980. The solemn blessing of the completed Church took place on May 9, 1981 by His Eminence, Cardinal Gerald Emmett Cardinal Carter.

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