Memories and reflections continue to pour forth as friends, family and parishioners remember the life and legacy of Rev. Les Drewicki, beloved pastor for more than 45 years in the Archdiocese.
“More than anything, he loved us all — the people of this parish — with the heart of a true shepherd,” said Deacon Dan Ritchie of St. Vital parish in Beaumont, where Father Les was most recently the pastor. “Our joys were his joys, our sorrows his burdens, and our salvation his mission.”
Father Les Drewicki died April 12. He was 71. The Vigil Prayers will be on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Basilica. The Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday, April 24 at 10 a.m. at the Basilica, followed by interment at Holy Cross Cemetery at 1 p.m.
Both the Vigil Prayers and Funeral Mass will be livestreamed:
- Vigil prayers will be livestreamed here at that time: https://youtu.be/N9rcPdibVTw
- as will the Funeral (interment at this same link at 1 pm if it is livestreamed): https://youtu.be/ZTofRHnJhTE
- Facebook link for both is at (only viewable for 30 days afterwards): facebook.com/archedmonton/live
Born and raised in Edmonton, Les Drewicki attended Newman Theological College and St. Joseph Seminary. He was ordained to the priesthood on Nov. 3, 1978 at St. Clare church in Edmonton, by the late Archbishop Joseph MacNeil.
Father Les was most recently the pastor of St. Vital parish in Beaumont. He had served St. Joseph’s Basilica, at St. Theresa’s parish in Mill Woods, St. Anne of the Prairies in Trochu, Our Lady of the Prairies in Daysland, St. Stephen’s in Olds, St. Mary’s in Red Deer and St. Margaret’s in Rimbey and Our Lady of the Assumption in Sylvan Lake.
We have asked close friends of Father Les to reflect on his life and legacy, his love of golf and sports, but most importantly the love of the people in his parishes.
Deacon Dan Ritchie, St. Vital, Beaumont:
It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our beloved pastor Father Les Drewicki, who faithfully shepherded our community at St Vital Parish with unwavering devotion and love. His priesthood was a true reflection of Christ’s heart — filled with compassion, humility, and a deep commitment to the spiritual well-being of every soul he encountered.
Whether in the celebration of the sacraments, his homilies, or in a quiet moment of counsel, he radiated the presence of God and brought comfort and strength to so many. He was not only our pastor but our friend, our guide, and a tireless servant of the Gospel.
He prayed for us constantly, often with tears, and found great joy in the growth of our faith. In his memory, we will continue to live as he taught us: with love, unity, and trust in God. Let us thank the Lord for the gift of his priesthood and pray for the peaceful repose of his soul. May he now hear the words he longed for all his life: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Two years ago to this day, I walked into the vestry at St. Vital and introduced myself to Father Les. I had just transferred in from the Archdiocese of Vancouver, and he had only arrived 3 weeks earlier from Rimbey. He congratulated me on my timing and said I would be most useful during what was to be a very busy Holy Week.
Within 30 minutes, we realized we were both avid golfers, both crazy for football and hockey and almost any other sport around. I knew immediately we would gel into a wonderful team, and we certainly did that. He was especially appreciative that I already had eight years service as a Deacon and was able to handle many tasks, which afforded him time for his other duties. The next thing I realized, he had me volunteering for almost every committee, RCIA, Confirmation, First Communion, Liturgy, etc., but always saying “you can say ‘no’ if you don’t want to do this or that”. I could not say no to him; he was always so pleasant and kind.
As a going-away gift from his parish in Rimbey, he received two season’s tickets to the Edmonton Elks football team. He asked me if I would like to accompany him to the opening game, which was a pleasure. What started as a nice day turned into showers but his season tickets were located beneath an overhang so we stayed dry throughout the game. He was very pleased with the view and looked forward to attending all the home games — however, most games were played Saturday evenings when Father had to be at Mass! His Deacon was most pleased to make sure that the tickets didn’t go to waste.
Father Paul Moret, Father Les, and myself with a rotating 4th, made sure that we made the rounds at different golf courses around Edmonton and surrounding area during the last two summers. Father Les was a proficient golfer and a pleasure to spend time on the links with; however, he would never reveal his final score and always insisting on hitting last, as he wanted to see how we did first.
Father Les was a private person and didn’t spend much time talking about himself, he was more interested in how you were doing. With some prodding he would eventually talk about himself. I learned he grew up in the shadows of Clarke Stadium, right across from Commonwealth Stadium. He was an accomplished Junior hockey player and talked about his teams and his coaches, I believe the years of sports took a toll on his hips that presented him with visible problems in the last few months.
Father came over to my residence for both the Grey Cup and Super Bowl the last two years along with another of our golfing group. My wife prepared an eight-course meal of nachos, wings, ribs, shrimp, and other delicious fare. Every time she came over with a new dish, he would say “no, I can’t eat anymore” …and then see how savoury it looked and dig in. He always paid her compliments whenever he would see her, and managed to talk her into joining RCIA as well as a sponsor. He would tell all the parishioners what a culinary experience it was to be fed by the Deacon’s wife while watching the championship game.
There were many favourite memories of my time with Father Les, but traveling to Deanery Meetings, football games, or hitting the links listening to Father talk about his life experiences in both rural Alberta and growing up in Edmonton was very enlightening. He knew all his fellow clergy, Priests and Deacons alike.
When I first reported to the Archdiocese and was assigned to St. Vital, I was told the pastor was Father Les Drewicki and that he was very deacon-friendly, as reported by each deacon who had worked with him. I too, can attest that he was indeed not only deacon-friendly, but a dear friend to both clergy and lay people throughout the Archdiocese of Edmonton.
Rest in Peace Father Les
Deacon Jim Scott, 82, Fr. Les’s first permanent deacon. Deacon Jim and his wife Eileen live in Forest Ridge Manor seniors’ lodge in Stony Plain:
I first met Father Les in 2004. I was completing my final year of diaconate formation and had been advised to find a priest to be my spiritual director. I met with Father Les in early 2004. He was unable to be my spiritual director, but he did ask me if I wished to serve as his deacon. This was agreeable to me and I started in July 2004 and preached my first homily in the parish of St. Stephen’s that month.
Father Les was a great priest to be working with. He always treated Eileen and I with great kindness. He was well loved by the parishioners in Olds and Trochu. It was a bi-parish with St. Stephen’s in Olds and St. Anne of the Prairies in Trochu. There were also mission churches in Sundre, Didsbury, and Three Hills. To begin with, Father would ask me to preach on the weekends when he had another obligation such as a wedding. That way he would not have to write two homilies.
He oversaw the major renovations at St. Stephens in about 2008. The renovations included an enlarged Sacristy, the addition of offices, a balcony, and meeting room upstairs. Father was confident in his ministry. His style of delivering his homily was to stand on floor level from the head of the main aisle. He always included some humour and there was always a message of love. At the beginning of Mass he always explained the history behind the readings.
On the weekends when I preached, Father would always take Eileen and I out for supper at a local restaurant after the 5:30 p.m. Mass on Saturday. This was always a real treat. We really got to know him very well. He would be full of questions so that he could learn more about us. He really liked people.
I have no particular incident as a fond memory but I can relate one of his idiosyncrasies. The priest’s quarters were attached to the church. Father Les would come through the door in front of the choir, then make his way to the sacristy in the far corner of the church. As soon as he was in the sacristy, he removed his collar. It remained out until he made his way back to the rectory. When he took us to the restaurant he changed into a golf shirt and no collar. I understand that when he went on overseas trips he never wore his collar, even though other priests wore theirs.
Danny Kinal, childhood friend:
I started school in Grade One at St Clare Catholic School, 1955. It bordered St Clare Church at the time, a smaller wooden structure. Along the way I met many inspirational families. We were all “good Catholic families” in size … the Kinals eventually had seven, the Brophy Family seven, the Bahry Family six, the Drewicki Family three. It was only 10years later Doug Drewicki and I met beyond school, through sports. Doug was an exceptional Little League baseball hitter; it seemed that almost every hit was a home run. Thes three families produced eight teachers and a priest.
And suddenly there was Les Drewicki, the Hockey Star. We all grew to know each other better because we all went to Mass as a family, and families meet one another through their children at school. Les was always known and described as a gentleman … caring, soft spoken, precise and concise with his words. Some of his classmates would reminisce and say “I thought he might become a priest”… and he did. Father Les was so well known for his brief homilies. Fr. Les would impart a very worthy message in six to eight minutes, and then have us sit and reflect on the message for longer. He taught us to “reflect”… Requiescat in pace
Deacon Claude Baril, St. Margaret, Rimbey
I’ll never forget the first time I met Fr. Les. I was the adult server at St. Anthony’s in Didsbury. I was to go to a golf tournament right after Mass, so I informed him that I would be departing right after the service. He replied, “We will get you out on time”. That was the beginning of a friendship that endured for years.
Under his guidance I grew in my service to our parish, and one day he came to me and said “You should be a deacon. It wouldn’t be much different from what you’re doing now”. Little did I know the journey he was placing before me.
Fr. Les was my pastor in three parishes: St Stephen’s in Olds, St. Mary’s in Red Deer, and St. Margaret’s in Rimbey. Some would say I was following him around. All the time our friendship grew. I remember golfing with him once; my club touched the sand and he made me take a two-stroke penalty. Only a friend would do that. I often think of the words of wisdom he shared with me over the years. Simple and sincere. He had many friends. It was an honour being counted among them.
For more stories, subscribe to the Window newsletter
