St Pius X Parish is a Catholic parish in Calgary near the University of Calgary. It is also known as the University parish because we have many international students and teachers. Welcome to St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church “To Restore All Things In Christ” – Pope Pius X Motto NEW TO OUR PARISH LIVE STREAM Click here to learn more..... New Parishioner St. Pius X Parish in Calgary, Alberta welcomes all community members and visitors. Our vibrant parish is active in promoting the Christian message and living the motto of our patron, St. Pius X, “to restore all things in Christ”. Do you want to join our Parish? Please fill out the form below Registration Form Sunday Mass Saturday: 5:00 pm Sunday: 9:00 am & 11:00 am Weekday Mass Wednesday, Thursday, Friday at 9:00 am Join our Parish YouTube Channel each Sunday at 11:00 am for our livestream mass. Food in the Desert Liturgy of the Hours Daily at 6:30 pm with Deacon Dan via Zoom. Contact Deacon Dan to join. Faith Formation Our Parish has signed up for ‘Formed’, a website to help you with daily prayers and opportunities to increase your Catholic faith. To register: 1. Visit formed.org 2. Click Sign Up 3. Select “I Belong to a Parish or Organization” 4. Find St. Pius X Parish by zip code: T2M 2A2 5. Enter your email – and you’re in! Donate Our parish relies on your Sunday offerings for maintenance and growth. Thank you for your continued support. For more information on how you can support our Parish and/or our St Vincent de Paul Society as they continue to feed the hungry, click the button below. HOW TO DONATE Reconciliation & Adoration Father Sajo will hear confessions on Saturdays from 4:00 to 4:45 pm. Adoration is held on the First Friday of the Month after the 9:00 am Mass. Children's Liturgy Our Parish continues to support parents with their children’s faith journey with the on-line resources listed on the Children’s Liturgy page. LEARN MORE Children's Sacrament Preparation Registration for First Reconciliation is open but will close on October 4th . To register please click here For First Communion registration please click here For Confirmation registration please click here Preparation for all Sacraments are held at St. Pius X Parish Grocery Card Fundraiser St. Pius X is a participant in the grocery card program offered by local grocery stores. By participating in the program, we can all help fund raise for the Parish. The Grocery Cards are on sale after weekend Masses. Thank you for continuing to support our Parish fundraiser. FIND OUT MORE Diocese News The Diocese sends out a bulletin each week to Parishes with information to share with their Parishioners. We encourage you to read the Diocesan Bulletin and stay updated with the news in our Dioceses. Click here for the bulletin 2024- 2025 Ministry Invitation Our Ministry volunteers are essential. Ministry Sign ups for the current year started on the weekend of September 28/29. If you missed signing up, there are forms available in the church vestibule. Drop off your completed invitation in the Ministry Invitation Box. Fr.Sajo Jacob Email Father Sajo Priest (403) 289-3602 Dan Deck Gracia Dorval Deacon Parish Secretary Parish Bookkeeper Email Deacon Dan Email Parish Secretary Email Parish Bookkeeper (403) 289-3602 Rest in peace, Pope Francis With deep sorrow, Bishop McGrattan joins the Bishops of Canada and the faithful around the world in mourning the death of Pope Francis, who passed away in Rome on Easter Monday, Apr 21, 2025, at the age of 88. In his tribute, Bishop McGrattan reflects on Pope Francis’ legacy as a humble shepherd who called the Church to mercy, dialogue, and missionary discipleship. We invite you to read the full statement and join us in praying for the repose of his soul. Read full article Liturgical Ministries Find out More Parish Ministries Find out More Children’s Liturgy Get Involved Pastoral Health Care Catholic Women’s League St. Rita’s Ladies Group Society of St. Vincent de Paul Knights of Columbus Manna Ministry Grocery Cards Program Service & Outreach Ministry of Praise Rosary Adult Faith Formation Eucharistic Adoration Legion of Mary Men’s Prayer and Discussion Group Spiritual Dimension of Women Young Adult Group Prayer and Faith First Name Last Name Email Message Thanks for submitting! Send Parish Youtube link

This Week In The Parish New Here? Live Stream CALENDER We Celebrate Mass Weekly Mass Times Weekend Saturday, 5:00 pm Sunday, 9:00 am & 11:00 am Weekday Wednesday, Thursday, Friday at 9:00 am Friday, April 25 Saturday, April 26 10:00 am: Legion of Mary (Holland Room & Library) Mass in Anticipation of the 2nd Sunday of Easter 5:00 pm MASS : Carmen Klassen(+) Sunday, April 27 - 2nd Sunday of Easter 9:00 am MASS : Parishioners (Int) 11:00 am MASS: Aurora Campos (+) * Coffee & Social after Sunday morning masses 12:00 pm: RCIA (Library/Basement) Monday, April 28 Tuesday, April 29 Wednesday, April 30 Thursday, May 1 9:00 am MASS :Hanna Abu-Judom (+) 9:30 am: Eucharistic Glory -Reflection (Basement) 7:00 pm MASS: Stephanie Howe(+) Friday, May 2 9:00 am MASS: Linda Mulrain(Int) 9:30 am: First Friday Adoration (Church) Saturday, May 3 9:00 am: First Eucharist Retreat and Rehearsal (Basement/ Hall) 10:00 am: Legion of Mary (Holland Room 3:30 pm: Building Project Details meeting Mass in Anticipation of the 3rdSunday of Easter 5:00 pm MASS : Ann O’Connor(+) Sunday, May 4- 3rd Sunday of Easter 9:00 am MASS : Bob Coutts(+) 11:00 am MASS: Memorial Mass for Pope Francis (+) Coffee & Social after Sunday morning masses

Parish Bulletin New Here Live Stream 2024-2025 Ministry Invitation Our Ministry Ministry Invitation for 2024-2025 will be available soon. Keep watching this space. Sign Up for Ministries Ministry of Praise Our Parish has an active Ministry of Praise who continue to pray daily. Each month we post our prayer Intentions below This Months Intention St. Pius X Parish Bulletin April 27, 2025 April 19, 2025 April 13, 2025 April 06 , 2025 For the latest update on our Refugee family, the Khalid Family, please click here . Join our email list to stay up to date with the latest news and events from our Parish. This Months Intention E Mail Adress* First Name* Last Name Subscribe * indicates required Donate Diocesan Bulletin Click here to read the Diocese of Calgary Faithfully Bulletin Subscribe now Insights of discipleship in the Diocese of Calgary. Faithfully gives a snapshot of faith at work in the lives of everyday people. The diocesan online publication will be sent by email to all subscribers. Subscribe Now If You Choose to Talk About It “We all have a sacred trust to protect those who are vulnerable, particularly children, and to stand up and speak when we witness that trust betrayed.” ~ CATHOLIC BISHOPS OF ALBERTA & NWT talkaboutit.calgarydiocese.ca

Liturgical Ministries For all Parish ministries, please contact the Parish office to get in touch with the Ministry Coordinator. Additionally, you can fill out our Ministry Sign Up online form to register with one of the Ministries. Liturgical Ministries Please fill in a Ministry Sign Up form to volunteer for any of the following Ministries. These are general outlines of duties for all Ministries. For detailed instructions, please contact the office.All Ministers are expected to arrive around 45 minutes before Mass begins. Usher A minimum of two Ushers are required at each weekend Mass. Before Mass, the Usher will greet those entering the church and make them feel welcome. They will, if necessary, help Parishioners find seating in the church. The Usher assists with the Offertory collection, directs the Communion line, and assists Parishioners exit the church after Mass. Eucharistic Minister (EM) The Eucharistic Minister prepares the Communion vessels before mass, rings the altar bells at the consecration, distributes Holy Communion (Precious Body and Precious Blood), and purifies and cleans the Communion vessels after Mass. Lector One Lector is required at each Mass to read the Entrance Antiphon, First Reading, Psalm, Second Reading, the Gospel Acclamation and the Communion Antiphon. If there is no Deacon present, the Lector will also read the Prayer of the Faithful. Audio/Video (A/V) Minister Two A/V Ministers are needed for each Sunday Masses (9AM and 11AM) and a third AV Minister is needed for the 11AM live streaming . He/she will set up the A/V equipment before Mass, start and monitor the Livestreaming during Mass and securely put away all of the A/V equipment after Mass. Pianist/Instrumentalist As there are no choirs at this time, a pianist or instrumentalist (strings only) provide some music before Mass begins and during Communion. Altar Server An Altar Server can be a male or female of any age. They assist the Priest and Deacon during the Mass by participating in the Processional at the beginning of Mass (including carrying the cross), holding the altar candles during the Gospel, helping prepare the Altar for the Eucharist, and participating in the Recessional at the end of Mass (including carrying the cross). Children's Liturgy Leader and Teen Assistant (11AM only) Collection Counters Working in teams of 2 or 3 people, the Collection Counters count the Parish donations and prepare the bank deposit. As per Diocesan guidelines, all Counters must follow the Diocesan Volunteer Screening Procedures, which includes signing a Code of Conduct, as well as getting a Police Information Check (PIC). General Volunteer Throughout the year, our Parish requires the assistance of volunteers to keep everything running smoothly. If you can help out, either regularly or occasionally in any of the following ways, please sign up as a General volunteer and we will contact you about your availability and interests: Cleaning and pressing Altar linens Watering/caring for plants in the church Watering/caring for the outside gardens (seasonal) Assisting with Liturgical decoration (usually when there is a change of season, e.g. Advent, Christmas, etc) Selling grocery cards for our fundraiser Some minor cleaning duties around the church and office

Pastoral Health Care Service and Outreach Pastoral Health Care Members of the Pastoral Health Care bring Sunday communion to residents at Bethany Care Centre, after 9:00 am Sunday Mass. Members also assist at Bethany Care Centre on Thursday morning by bringing residents from rooms to 10:30 am Mass. They also visit the sick and elderly in their homes. Get Involved! Being part of one of the service groups at St Pius X means that you are also serving Christ and the Church! You are welcome to join our vibrant community! Please fill out our Ministry Sign Up online form to register with one of the Ministries and Groups. Ministry Sign up First Name Last Name Email Message Thanks for submitting! Send

Building Reports St Pius X Hall 2424 – 24 Ave NW, Calgary AB Functional and Physical Condition Assessment March 16, 2022 View File Recommendation to St. Pius X Parish Pastoral Council on the Parish Hall from the St. Pius X Building & Maintenance Committee May 7, 2017 View File St Pius X Hall 2424 – 24 Ave NW, Calgary AB Functional and Physical Condition Assessment March 16, 2022 View File St Pius X Chronology of New Hall Activities January 10, 2025 View File

St Pius X Parish ministries and other activities for our community Liturgical Ministries Find out More Parish Ministries Find out More Children’s Liturgy Get Involved Pastoral Health Care Catholic Women’s League St. Rita’s Ladies Group Society of St. Vincent de Paul Knights of Columbus Manna Ministry Grocery Cards Program Service & Outreach Ministry of Praise Rosary Adult Faith Formation Eucharistic Adoration Legion of Mary Men’s Prayer and Discussion Group Spiritual Dimension of Women Young Adult Group Prayer and Faith 2023-2024 MINISTRY INVITATION Our Ministry volunteers are essential to get our Parish back to normal. Over the past 20 months, Parishioners have moved away or have retired from their Ministries, and we are in great need to fill the following Ministries for the upcoming year. Please check which Ministries you can assist. Training is provided for most ministries. For a short description of the various Ministries please click on this Ministries Description pdf. MINISTRY SIGN UP

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First Reconciliation & First Eucharist "Jesus has made Himself the Bread of Life. Night and day, He is there. If you really want to grow in love, come back to the Eucharist, come back to that Adoration." ~ Saint Teresa of Calcutta Sacraments First Reconciliation & First Eucharist In the Diocese of Calgary, children must receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation prior to receiving the Sacrament of First Eucharist. Therefore, First Reconciliation preparation and celebration will take place in the fall and First Eucharist in the spring of the same school year. Children grade 2 and up who have received baptism or have made the Profession of Faith in the Catholic Church can register for both First Reconciliation and First Eucharist. Children who have had their First Reconciliation can register for the Sacrament of First Eucharist alone. If your child has already received First Eucharist but has not had their first Reconciliation, they can register for First Reconciliation alone. MARK YOUR CALENDAR: It is very important that all parents attend the parent only gathering for First Reconciliation to be held on Saturday September 14th from 10:00-11:30am. This is a mandatory session for parents. If child care is a concern, or for any questions please contact our Sacrament Preparation Coordinator Lindsay. * Dates and times are as the following, First Reconciliation: Parent Gathering : Sept 14 – 10:00-11:30am Session 1 : September 21 – 10:00-11:15am Session 2 : October 5 – 10:00-11:15am Session 3 : October 19 – 10:00-11:15am Session 4 : October 26 – 10:00-11:15am Session 5 : November 9 – 10:00-11:15am Session 6 : November 23 – 10:00-11:15am Retreat : December 7th – 9:30-11:30am Celebration of First Reconciliation : Parish Penitential Service date TBD --------------------------------------- First Eucharist : Session 1: SAT FEB. 8 10:00-11:15AM Session 2: SAT FEB. 22 10:00-11:15AM Session 3: SAT MAR. 1 10:00-11:15AM Session 4 : SAT MAR. 15 10:00-11:15AM Session 5: SAT APR 5 10:00-11:15AM Session 6: SAT APR. 12 10:00-11:15AM Retreat: SAT MAY. 3 9:30-11:30AM Celebration of First Holy Eucharist MAY 10/11, 2025 Registration Form

Funerals Celebration Of Life Please contact the parish office to book the date and time for funeral arrangements. To see the Sacred Scripture Selections and Prayers of the Faithful Please select from the following: Liturgy First Readings Liturgy Second Readings Liturgy Gospel Readings Prayers of the Faithful-A Prayers of the Faithful-B Prayers of the Faithful-C Psalms for Funerals Funeral Services St. Rita’s Ladies Group will host funeral receptions with Tea, Coffee and Juice for $5.00 per person attending. Food and desserts are to be provided by the funeral family.

Confirmation "Confirmation strengthens us to defend the faith and to spread the Gospel courageously." ~ Pope Francis Sacraments Confirmation Confirmation is for children who are in Grade 6 and up who have been Baptized. If your child requires First Reconciliation and / or First Holy Communion, additional formation sessions will be required. All the sessions will be held at the Church with both the parent(s) and candidate(s). The Confirmation Schedule will be emailed to those who are registered once it is finalized this summer. The preparation begins in November and continues through to the Confirmation Mass in the spring . Welcome to the Sacrament of Confirmation! If you have any questions please contact the Sacrament Preparation Coordinator Lindsay at pastoralassistant@stpiusx.ca or 403-289-3602. We look forward to journeying with you! May God bless you! Register For Confirmation *Mark your calendar for the following dates and times: INTRODUCTORY SESSION: WED NOV. 13 6:30-8:00PM SESSION 1 : WED NOV. 27 7:00-8:30PM SESSION 2 : WED DEC. 11 7:00-8:30PM SESSION 3 : WED JAN. 8 7:00-8:30PM SESSION 4 : WED JAN. 22 7:00-8:30PM SESSION 5 : : WED FEB. 5 6:30-8:00PM SESSION 6 : WED FEB. 19 6:30-8:00PM SESSION 7 : WED MAR. 26 6:30-8:00PM SESSION 8 : WED APR. 9 6:30-8:00PM RETREAT : SAT APR. 12 Registration 9:00am (Retreat begins 9:30am)- 3:45pm at St Michael’s Parish 800 85 St SW, Calgary, AB REHEARSAL : SAT MAY. 24 9:30-11:00AM Welcome to the Sacrament of Confirmation! If you have any questions please contact the Sacrament Preparation Coordinator Lindsay at pastoralassistant@stpiusx.ca or 403-289-3602. We look forward to journeying with you! May God bless you!

About Us Our Patron saint Who was Saint Pius X? On June 2, 1835, Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto saw the light of earth at Riesi, Province of Treviso, in Venice; on August 20, 1914, he saw the light of heaven; and on May 29, 1954, he who had become the two hundred fifty-ninth pope was canonized St. Pius X. Two of the most outstanding accomplishments of this saintly Pope were the inauguration of the liturgical renewal and the restoration of frequent communion from childhood. He also waged an unwavering war against the heresy and evils of Modernism, gave great impetus to biblical studies, and brought about the codification of Canon Law. His overriding concern was to renew all things in Christ. Above all, his holiness shone forth conspicuously. From St. Pius X we learn again that “the folly of the Cross”, simplicity of life, and humility of heart are still the highest wisdom and the indispensable conditions of a perfect Christian life, for they are the very source of all apostolic fruitfulness. His last will and testament bears the striking sentence: “I was born poor, I have lived in poverty, and I wish to die poor.” His feast day is August 21. Source: Catholic Online Parish History A Brief History St. Pius X Parish 1954 – 2017 “On November 11, 1954, Most Reverend Francis Carroll, Bishop of Calgary, blessed St. Pius X School at 18th Street and 24th Avenue NW, which had been opened the previous September. After the school site had been chosen and the school nearly built, the Bishop, with his Diocesan Consultors, decided on June 7, 1954 to erect a parish named St. Pius X, the name chosen by the Bishop for the school, in honor of the pope who founded the Diocese of Calgary.” 1 The first Mass of the new St. Pius X Parish was held at St. Pius X School on Sunday, July 18, 1954. The first parish priest was Father Bernard Holland. Father Holland came to St. Pius from Bellevue, in the Crowsnest Pass, where he had a multitude of interests, one of these being hockey. He was even the Secretary of the Crowsnest Hockey Association. He was a very humble, gentle but nervous person. He had a big mind about what he wanted to do to please people and what was necessary for the community in general. One of the first things he did upon his arrival at St. Pius X was to form the Sarto Society. This was an all-men’s group whose expressed purpose was “to organize and attend to the temporal welfare of the parish, leaving him free to look after the spiritual needs of the people”. This wouldn’t happen today, however, in 1954, it was quite extraordinary. To the Sarto Society was entrusted the great challenge of raising funds to build a church. Father Holland decided to build the church on farm property, owned by the diocese, where the present Parish Hall is located. A census was taken of the northwest community to determine how many people would belong to the parish: at that time there were 250 families. The Catholic Women’s League was also organized by Father Holland in 1954, with Adele Schwinghamer as President. The League filled a need as a spiritual as well as a social organization in the new parish. With over 200 members, the C.W.L. was also “needed to care for the church, the rectory and the pastor’s clothes and meals. The meal book was devised to remind Father where he was expected for dinner, each day.” The membership was divided into nine groups, with the Captains on the Executive. The small groups would gather every two weeks and the whole community would gather once a month. During 1954, while Sunday mass was still celebrated at St. Pius X School, a building fund drive was launched and designs were sought for a church building for the new parish. The church was a Quonset style of building with a bell tower on the front, giving the church a Spanish Adobe type appearance. A small apartment on the north end of the church housed Father Holland. The first Mass in the new St. Pius X Church was celebrated on Christmas Eve 1955. “The building served two main functions. First it was a church with an altar at the north end; rows of stacking chairs completed the church-like appearance. The church could be converted quickly into a hall by dropping a curtain in front of the altar and removing the chairs and kneelers. Once the parish had its church/hall built, life settled into a comfortable, but active routine. Perhaps one attribute which distinguished St. Pius X was friendliness. Father Holland always preached, “if you see someone you don’t know, go and introduce yourself and learn his/her name, then, on the following Sunday, introduce that person to one other person or couple.” “The Provincial Gaol, opened in 1958, was given to Father Holland as a chaplaincy. It was his care to say Mass on Sunday afternoons, to visit weekly at the gaol, becoming acquainted with the men, counselling them, keeping in touch with their families and often assisting them when they were released. In the meantime, the parish grew rapidly. Several schools were built in the parish including St. Francis High School. The temporary church was seriously over-crowded in spite of a schedule of four masses on Sunday. In 1962, Father Holland unveiled plans for his “roundish church”; construction began in 1963 on a tender of $141,000. with a loan of $90,000.” 2 The new St. Pius X Church (the present church) was blessed by Most Reverend Joseph L. Wilhelm, Auxiliary Bishop of Calgary, on December 22, 1963. The old, temporary church was reduced and became the parish hall. Following the completion of the church, Father Holland began negotiations to buy a house immediately west of the Parish Hall to serve as a rectory. Before these were completed, he suffered a severe heart attack and died on October 2, 1964. The Basilians at St. Pius X After the death of our founding father, Bishop Carroll had no diocesan priest to replace Father Holland. “Bishop Carroll turned to the Basilian fathers to accept St. Pius X Parish with the possibility of chaplaincy and other relationships with the University of Calgary but with the proviso that the parish would first be divided. St. Luke’s Parish was divided from St.Pius X on October 8, 1964. It was agreed that the assistant priests should be supplied by the Diocese until the Basilians had sufficient personnel. The parish was relieved of the chaplaincy to the Provincial Gaol.” 3 Father Michael Oliver, C.S.B., arrived on November 4, 1964 as administrator. The first Basilian to become University Chaplain was Rev. Edward Sullivan, C.S.B., in 1966. Since Father Oliver, St.Pius X Parish was fortunate to be served, until August 2001, almost 37 years, by priests who continued to forge an alive and active Christian community. Father Oliver was only a temporary Administrator until Father Curran, C.S.B., arrived in mid-1965. His first challenge – to remodel the sanctuary, in compliance with the decision of the Second Vatican Council to have the altar turned around as the priest would be facing the congregation. At the same time, Parish Councils were to be established. A committee was set up to study already functioning Councils. “It was decided, to no one’s surprise that none of the Council Constitutions suited the needs of St. Pius. The Committee settled for a set of guidelines which could be modified as needed, but always subject to the parishioners’ approval at each annual meeting! Those initial parish annual meetings were well attended! And very lively!” Laity became much more involved in church ministries with over 100 lay persons performing liturgical functions. Church music was given new impetus and folk groups sprang up to implement the music of the “senior choir”. A new pipe organ was installed in the upper left balcony. It proved to be a very difficult organ to play. To solve the problem, Parish Council sent Leslie Smith to Toronto to learn the secret of playing this remarkable Walker from Frankfurt, Germany. He was so well trained that he was hired immediately by St. Mary’s Cathedral upon his return to Calgary.” Eventually the organ was moved downstairs, installed behind the altar, and later sold to a Lutheran Church in Pennsylvania. The Parish Council’s Social Committee revived parish social events on such occasions as New Year’s Eve, St. Patrick’s Day, and Halloween, and the hall was filled for these socials. “In addition, a Bowling League was formed and operated successfully for six years; a Mixed Bridge Club enjoyed weekly gatherings for many years;” and, even a bi-weekly Ukulele Group “made music” during Father Tom McReavy’s tenure, with his involvement. Throughout these years of change in the parish, the ladies of the C.W.L. added community projects such as catering to their list of involvements. The parish hall and the kitchen were equipped with dishes, cutlery, tables, and table linen from catering projects. In addition to these “paying” catering jobs, the ladies served dinners for deanery meetings and priests’ reception in the hall. They catered a large receptions in St. Mary’s Cathedral on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Confederation in 1967. The C.W.L. also went out to the city community to provide many Christmas dinners to the homeless of the Inner City Drop-in Center, and the mentally handicapped from Advance Industries and V.R.R.I. The arrival and presence of the University of Calgary campus within the parish boundaries meant that another Catholic Community existed in our midst with needs that were different from our parish needs. In 1964, St. Pius X priests assumed the University Chaplaincy on a part time basis, which became full time in 1966 when the Basilians, with Father Hugh Foley, then FatherTed Sullivan, took over this role until their departure in 2001, except for a period from 1971-78 when the Resurrectionist Fathers took over the chaplaincy. In 1973, the Diocese mandated that St. Pius X run Catechism classes for all Catholic students attending public school in North West Calgary. This program continued every Saturday during the school until 2012. In 1979, the Diocese of Calgary and St. Pius Parish determined that more space was needed at St. Pius to adequately accommodate the parish and the U of C Community, so an addition was built to the church. The University Community remains a vital part of our parish and yet a community in its own right. In 1997, we began purchasing property adjacent to the church. The first property, now our rectory, came by chance, when Mr. Vincent, a neighbor, passed away and his wish was that the parish would buy his property. Thus began our newest expansion journey. Over the next few years we managed to purchase all the properties west of the parish hall to 24th street on 24th avenue. In August 2001, the Basilian fathers were moved to St. Thomas More, Calgary. Thirty-seven (37) years of Basilian parish leadership saw 26 priests serve as Pastor, Associate Pastor, or, U of C Chaplain. The Basilian Fathers are a teaching order so most of the priests who served the parish were teachers, and education was very important in their ministry at St. Pius. Their influence is still apparent in our parish and our parish programs. The Multicultural Years 2001-2017 After the departure of the Basilian Fathers in 2001, St. Pius X embarked on what might be described as its multicultural period, blessed with pastors, in succession, from Poland, the Philippines, and, Mexico. In August 2001 Fr. Bogdan Sianozecki was appointed Administrator, then Pastor in 2001. During this time, our Facilities Expansion Committee set out to survey parishioners, parish groups and staff to determine the wishes and needs for the facility expansion. A plan was put in motion which included a renovated church, more meeting rooms, new offices, more storage space, new hall facilities and a new parking lot. A new Rectory was built on the Vincent property across the street. In May 2009, during Father Silvano Vargas’ tenure, renovations began to the church sanctuary. The renovations to the church required that the sanctuary be vacated over the summer of 2009, so, we moved back to our roots. All masses at St. Pius X were held in the original church, now the Parish Hall. The space was small and intimate. A general sense of closeness developed within the community. Parishioners look upon this period with great fondness. The first Mass was held in the newly renovated church on September 9, 2009. Bishop Henry presided at this Mass and the dedication of the new Altar and Tabernacle. The new fire alarm was also unexpectedly initiated during the dedication Mass. Since then a new crucifix, stained glass windows, A/V equipment, altar furnishings, and, piano have been added to our beautiful Church; the buildings west of the Parish Hall have been demolished and a temporary parking lot has been set up. During this same period, Bishop Henry instituted the Permanent Diaconate shortly after he became Bishop of Calgary. Deacon Dave Bentham was assigned as Deacon to St. Pius X in September 2004. Deacon Stephen Robinson, a long-time parishioner, joined him at St. Pius after his ordination to the diaconate in June 2008. Deacon Stephen transferred to St. Luke’s parish in 2015, and was ably replaced by Deacon Dan Deck. In 2012 the houses on the properties acquired by the parish west of the Church Hall were removed and construction of a gravelled parking lot for the Parish on that site was completed. Fr. Luis Moreno Nava presided over the Parish until Fr. Bill Corcoran’s arrival in 2014. In 2016 the Parish commenced an assessment of its current facilities with a view to determining what facilities will be required moving forward. The Parish has also been in continuing discussions with the City of Calgary on a proposed interchange at Crowchild Trail and 24th Avenue, N.W. and its impact on Parish Church, Hall, and, Parking Lot. In late 2018 a New Parish Hall Committee was struck to commence a feasibility study with the intention of planning to build a new Parish Hall within five (5) years. The Parish’s long commitment to the University of Calgary Catholic Community was moved on March 17, 2019 to the St. Francis Xavier Chaplaincy, along with SAIT and MRU students to St. Bernard’s Parish in Parkdale. This brief synopsis makes it appear that the history of St. Pius X Parish has been buildings, renovations and priests, but that is far from the truth. It reflects the change and growth of the parish but not the “heart”, the remembrance of the “little things” that demonstrate the spirit and faith St. Pius X Parish flourished over the past 62 years. The life of the parish has been the people who made up, and still make up our parish family; those families and individuals who have been, and are, generous with their time and talents, ever friendly, committed, and enthusiastic. “We strive to be a Parish thriving in spirituality, gratitude, service and hospitality”. This continues to be our challenge and battle cry as we move on in our history Footnotes: 1 From the Buffalo to the Cross, M.B. Venini Byrne, pg. 181 2 idem, pg. 182 3 idem, pg. 183 Submitted by: Al Roach May 2017 Updated: June 2019 Acknowledgements: Tedd Jennings, Dawn Gartner, Dave Rowbotham Our Parish Schools "Let us thank all those who teach in Catholic schools. Educating is an act of love; it is like giving life" ~ Pope Francis Elementary School Junior High School St. Pius X School Elementary Bienvenue to St Pius X School! The school is a Kindergarten to Grade 6 French immersion school. The students’ days are filled with living and learning in the Catholic faith. Within the school, St Pius X is building more inclusive communities where respect for one another, the community and diversity are celebrated. Using these values as building blocks, they create a positive school community by developing relationships through activities such as student leadership, social justice projects and professional development opportunities. Contact St Pius X School: Phone: (403) 500-2015 Go to School Website Madeleine d’Houet School Junior High Madeleine d’Houet School is a Calgary Catholic School. Catholicity represents their “raison d’être” and for that very reason, it becomes necessary to elaborate their spiritual objectives. Presently, Madeleine d’Houet School is a vibrant Junior High that serves the northwest quadrant of Calgary. Students who have completed Grade 6 in an all-English reg ular program may enter a three-year Late Immersion program in Grade 7. Students are enrolled in separate Late Immersion classes for Grades 7 and 8 and are merged with Early Immersion students for Grade 9. Contact Madeleine d’Houet Phone: (403) 500-2008 Go to School Website