Monsignor John Hamilton — better known as ‘Father Jack’ — passed away Nov. 22. He was 87.
Father Jack was ordained in 1962. He served as vicar-general of the Archdiocese of Edmonton, and as pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish for 17 years, from the year 2000 until his retirement in 2017.
Funeral arrangements will be shared as soon as they become available.
In an interview when he retired at age 80, Father Jack said his role as founding pastor of Good Shepherd parish in Edmonton in 1978 is one of the most memorable of his major accomplishments.
“We had to start pretty well from scratch, and that was a big challenge that I enjoyed very much,” said Hamilton.
Hamilton received and kept the title of Monsignor, an honour he received after 15 years of service as chancellor of the Archdiocese.
Born and raised in Montreal, Hamilton was an altar boy who often found himself in mischief:
“Although my mother had been praying for a vocation in the family for years and years, I was always the kid that was in trouble it seemed,” Father Jack said. “They were surprised, because I had one older brother more disciplined than I ever was.”
Hamilton attended St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, N.S., and surprised his family when he decided to move to Edmonton to enter St. Joseph Seminary.
“Clear as a bell I remember the day I was ordained, and it feels like it was yesterday,” said Hamilton. “So I’ve been pretty well occupied, and busy, throughout those years and very satisfied. The Lord has been with me, animating me and pushing me on. I’ve been very blessed.”
Hamilton was ordained in 1962, served at St. Andrew and St. Joseph’s Basilica, and then became a junior high school teacher and consultant for Edmonton Catholic Schools.
In 1978, he was appointed both pastor of then new Good Shepherd Parish and Chancellor of the Archdiocese. He went on to serve as pastor of Sacred Heart parish in Red Deer, St. Matthew in Edmonton and then Our Lady of Perpetual Help, where he served until his retirement.
Hamilton, who was involved in his student newspaper and wrote for daily papers in Nova Scotia, didn’t leave journalism behind when he entered the seminary. For many years he edited a news magazine for the priests of the Archdiocese. That magazine later evolved into the Quid Novum Archdiocesan e-newsletter.
But preaching and celebrating Mass have been among his greatest joys: “Whether it’s here in the big church or off in a side chapel or in a school setting, I enjoy celebrating with whatever the congregation is at that time,” Hamilton said.
In a 2017 interview, Msgr. Hamilton recalled his best advice is to trust in the Lord: “He won’t do everything, but if we are willing to do our part, the Lord is always there to be with us, to guide us, to lead us, and to welcome us, always.”
“My only (parting) word to those here and those I’ve served is one of gratitude, because over the years, truth be told, I think they have ministered to me far more than I’ve ministered to them.”
Msgr. Hamilton was succeeded as OLPH pastor and vicar-general by Rev. Jim Corrigan.