The 100 years of faith we celebrate this year began long before the building of the first Catholic Church in Rocky Mountain House. Between 1841-1875 Oblates arrived at the Hudson Bay Trading post in Rocky Mountain House and the first Mass was celebrated there on October 5, 1845, by Fr. Pierre-Jean De Smet, a Jesuit.
Meetings began on July 1, 1925, about the possibility of building a Catholic Church in Rocky Mountain House and by August 27, 1926, the church reached completion. Archbishop Henry O’Leary blessed the church solemnly and dedicated the church to St. Matthew.
By 1976 construction began for a new church because the parish had outgrown the church, so many attended and the church was filled each Sunday to over-capacity. The first Mass in this new church was celebrated on Easter Sunday, April 10, 1977, by Father Ted Wesolowski. Archbishop Joseph MacNeil blessed the church solemnly on September 6, 1977. Eventually this church was renovated to include a center aisle, and this is what the church looks like today.
Throughout the many years there have been many priests who served at St. Matthew’s, some who were initially missionary priests, who travelled many miles to come to Rocky Mountain House and the mode of transportation and highways were not what we have today. Horseback and gravel muddy or snow-covered roads were the norm. They made many sacrifices to ensure God’s people were spiritually fed and tended to.
In addition, many religious sisters, from different orders, came to Rocky Mountain House to instruct the children in catechism classes and eventually some of these sisters lived in Rocky Mountain House and served not only the church community, but the larger community as well.
Such dedicated and faithful servants the priests and sisters were, and we continue to have good shepherds, our faith filled priests, who tend their sheep as Jesus did. Our current pastor is Father Rajesh Jesuraj SAC. We also have currently one deacon, Deacon Bernie Ouellette, who assists Father Rajesh whenever he can. He has been, for several years, an asset to our parish community
There have been, throughout the years, many dedicated volunteers, who without question donated hours of their time any time there was a need. Unfortunately, in recent years the volunteers seem to have declined as have the number of registered parishioners. I think that this may be a trend for many rural church communities. No longer are churches the only means to socialize and come together.
That being said, we do have weekly Children’s Liturgy at Sunday Mass, where many children attend, we have a vibrant youth group, and many parents bring their children to Mass. We have hope!
We have had vocations from the parish – Father Clarence Watrin was ordained to the priesthood in 1959, and Father Daniel Gurnick OFM was ordained to the priesthood in January 2010.
The people from the church, were instrumental in seeing to it that a Catholic School was built in Rocky Mountain House and St. Matthew Catholic School opened in 1981 as a K-6 school.
St. Matthew Catholic Church is blessed to have 2 Mission Churches; Jesuit Martyrs, Evergreen and St. Joseph the Workman, Caroline. Both vibrant churches, that allow people in those communities to worship closer to home.
– Submitted by Leslie Gurnick
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How are we celebrating our 100th Anniversary?
- In early June we participated in the annual Rocky Rodeo Parade. Our float was tastefully decorated with a large banner with our 100th Anniversary Logo on it. Fr. Rajesh, some older parishioners and some children rode on the float.
- Some of the stucco on the outside of the church building was repaired and the entire outside of the church received a new paint job. The banner was also secured to the outside of the church on display for all to see.
- The basement banquet area received a new coat of paint.
- The Grotto in the backyard was fixed and received a new coat of paint, as well a flower garden was also added to the front of the Grotto.
- Many volunteers remained true to the history of the church and came forward and volunteered when help was needed.
- We obtained a grant which has allowed us to have a free barbeque for the entire community
- We have done some fund raising to cover some of our costs: some committee members worked at the Co-op community barbeque; T-shirts, with our logo printed on them were sold; and proceeds from the sale of the book will also help cover some costs
- We will have a free barbeque open to the community at St. Matthew’s School, September 19 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Activities are also planned for the children. Everyone is welcomed
- Archbishop Stephen Hero will be celebrating Mass for us on September 19 at 5:00 p.m. Everyone is welcomed to attend.
- We will reveal a new statue of St. Matthew, home to an empty alcove which has been beautifully painted by one of our parishioners. The statue was purchased from The Holy Family located in the Villa de Guadalupe in Mexico City. The statue was brought to Canada by Ricardo Rodriguez, a parishioner. The statue will be blessed and revealed by Archbishop Stephen Hero at our 100th Anniversary Mass
- A History book has been compiled and will also be revealed and presented by the archbishop prior to or at the end of Mass
- 100th Anniversary votive candles were made and the first 80 people who buy a history book will receive a candle
- 100th Anniversary magnets will be given to the children who attend the barbeque
- After the Mass there will be a dinner to end the celebration.
