New Church

Fifty years ago the Passionist Community of Canada, at the invitation of Archbishop Cardinal McGuigan, built a beautiful new church in a farmer’s field. Today, that building stands in the centre of a vibrant and bustling urban landscape. Now it is time that, as a Parish Family, we bring to life our vision for a new church building.

The world has changed in a half-century. The Passionists’ original dream included a seminary for vocations to the priesthood. The Church’s understanding of ministry has broadened to include the profound call to lay people. The population of our parish has become wonderfully diverse. And our responsibility to creation has become a spiritual and practical priority. These contemporary realities must be reflected in our community vision. For the Passionists, this is an opportunity to renew their commitment to the future of St. Gabriel’s Parish, and to provide the lasting legacy of a new church.

The new church affirms and emphasizes the warm and inclusive sense found in the parish community over these fifty years. In addition, the architecture promotes an even deeper sense of inclusiveness, as it links our community of faith with the community of Earth. The Sun plays through skylights in our worship. The Garden is not simply beautiful, but also instructive about our interrelationship with all living beings. Our sense of sacred space extends beyond the walls to encompass the illuminating green of the Garden. This, beyond the financial investment, beyond the actual architectural beauty, is the legacy that the Passionist Community feels privileged to present.

It is with great gratitude and a deep sense of mission that we embrace this new vision, and walk together into a promising future.

More on the new church

Do you want to know more about the new church?
Read about the eco-theology behind the church and its application in these two articles recently submitted to the Celebrate Liturgy Magazine:

St. Gabriel's Church: A LEED™ church building project #1 (deals with theology)
St. Gabriel's Church: A LEED™ church building project #2 (deals with practical application)