|
|
Monsignor
DeSantis' health was beginning to deteriorate, but
he had overseen the completion of the expansion, so that
St. Angela Merici Church could once again properly accommodate
and serve its parishioners.
His failing health finally forced his retirement
in 1960. At a testimonial dinner held in his honour, and
sponsored
by all the societies of the church, almost a thousand parishioners
and friends gathered at the St. Angela Merici Youth Centre
to pay tribute, and to bid farewell to a spiritual advisor
and counsellor. Monsignor DeSantis subsequently returned
to stay with relatives in New Jersey, where he would pass
away in 1964.
1960 saw the arrival of the Missionary Fathers
of St. Charles, also called the Scalabrini Fathers. The first
Scalabrini
pastor was Father Ugo Rossi, and it was he who would be instrumental
in arranging to have a convent house established for the
Sisters of the Holy Family.
The Sisters of the Holy Family arrived in 1963.
They operated the parish nursery school and
assisted
with the pastoral care of the parish. The Sisters of the
Holy Family left circa June 1998/1999.
The Scalabrini Fathers presided over the adoption of
the new liturgy instituted by |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
P10548 - Sister
Giuseppina, Sister Benedetta Zicco and Sister Rosaria Impellizzeri.
Courtesy of St. Angela Merici Church |
|
| |
|
|
|
P10537 - Distribution of the San Giuseppe bread,
May 18, 1980. Photo by S. Bonanno, Courtesy of St. Angela
Merici Church,
|
|
|
|
|
Vatican II;
church renovations were undertaken to bring the altar closer
to
the people; Italian or English was
substituted for Latin during the Mass; and
community singing and increased participation in the Mass followed.
Father Umberto Rizzi was instrumental in founding the Coro
Italiano di Windsor, the official representative of the local
Italian community at many multi-cultural events.
La Voce Italiana, a half hour program, in Italian, of
religious and cultural information, news and music airing
on CHYR Radio
on Sundays, was first started by Father Raniero Alessandrini
in 1969.
The remodelling of the church in 1975 completed the
physical changes to the interior of the church brought about
by the new liturgy. The remodelling
culminated with the arrival from Italy of woodcarvings of the Risen
Christ
and Last Supper, which would be used in the altar area.
In 1989, in order to better meet the needs of our parishioners,
an elevator was installed in the bell tower of the church.
As St. Angela Merici Church celebrated the 50th Anniversary
of its founding, a major building renovation program was
undertaken. Included among the renovations and improvements
were
the installation of new stained glass windows, new pews and
carpeting, and a new carved wood background around the altar
area.
The Scalabrini Fathers have, for the past twenty-nine years,
been charged with administering to and serving the spiritual
needs of the parish. The nursery school, youth groups, choirs,
senior citizens association and countless other parish groups
and societies have prospered and flourished under the guidance
and support of the Scalabrinis who, in their work, continue
to promote and maintain the spirit of the founder of the
parish, Monsignor Costantino DeSantis.
|
