St. Patrick of the Island

278 Shamrock Drive, Pincourt, Quebec, J7V 3W8

(514) 453-2492

St. Patrick of the Island serves the English community in the region of Vaudreuil-Soulanges (Between the western tip of the island of Montreal and the Ontario border). About 50 per cent of the parish's 500 active families are young. In a given year there are approximately 13 baptisms, and the number of first Communions and Confirmations is slightly higher. During the Easter season Bishop Luc Cyr comes here for Confirmations. For the english community, there is also St. Thomas Aquinas in Hudson which is a bilingual parish.

Parochial administrator: Fr. Gilles Bergeron (514-453-5525)

Priest Of Service: Fr. Jerome Pastores

Parish Office: (514-453-2492)

The Parish office is open Tuesday and Thursday 9:30 / 12:00, 1:30 / 4:30.

Bulletin announcements should be written and left in the sacristy by noon Sunday.

Baptism: Please call at least three months before the birth of your child.

Marriage: By appointment at least six months in advance.

Registration: Fill in the form on the bulletin and give it to an usher.

Sunday Masses: Saturday at 5p.m. Sunday at 9:15 and 11:15

Weekday Masses: 7:30pm  Tue., Wed.  -  9:00am, Thur., Fri.

Background

The parish was founded as a mission in 1960, and worship first took place in the basement of Notre Dame de Lorette and then, in 1962, at the newly constructed St. Patrick elementary school. By 1965 there were 400 families on the rolls and the church was built. Back in the early 1970s, faced with rising heating costs and its $400,000 mortgage, the parish was in crisis. A drastic decision was made to relocate religious services to the small and plain parish hall, and to convert the church to a revenue property. The original church was used as a hall for bingo, for dances and for selected social activities, from 1973 until 1989, at which time the parish was clear of debt. The church was consecrated by Bishop Robert Lebel in May, 1990.

The church itself holds 400 and is covered with a shingled mansard roof that almost hugs the ground. The rectory, built for the "good old days," is large and contains suites for several priests. The interior of the church is open and warm, and the rows of pews are set at an angle towards the sanctuary. A feature that strikes the eye is the Stations of the Cross, which are large framed oil paintings donated by the late Frank Morahan

Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration

(www.stpati.org/chapel.htm)

A feature of the Parish, since October 1995, is a Perpetual 24-hour-a-day eucharistic adoration. This takes place in a sea of tranquility: a small chapel originally built for the founding Oblates. The Blessed Sacrament has not been alone from the beginning. about 250 parishioners participate and others have begun coming from neighboring parishes. Joanna Gacek, the current co-ordinator, has a video promoting perpetual eucharistic adoration that she is willing to lend to other interested parishes. In the Jubilee year, the chapel was designated as a place of pilgrimage by Bishop Lebel who included "a visit to this chapel in the Jubilee indulgence process". He referred to the chapel as "a gift of God to our diocese and a stirring example for other parishes that open their church for adoration, despite not always being able to open on a twenty-four hour basis." The chapel has become for many adorers a focal point in their lives where they can encounter their Maker who is always ready listen to their troubles and sorrows and accompany them in their loneliness and desolation.

Ministers of the Word and Eucharist

The laity can exercise their baptismal priesthood as ministers of the Word and

special ministers of the Eucharist and use their particular gifts to contribute to the

liturgical life of their parish. Ministers of the Word and the Eucharist receive

instruction which includes practical training to proclaim the Word of our Lord and

serve communion.

Altar Servers

The young people of our parish who have made their First Communion can become Altar Servers. Their function is to help the priest at Mass and other celebrations.

Catechists for Faith Education

Catechists are practicing Catholics who wish to help our young people learn about

their faith. Any practicing Catholic can become a Catechist. To help you out, we have training sessions and experienced resource people.

We are in the beginning steps of Faith First, which is a religious education program from kindergarten to grade 8. Our ambition is to prepare our children to know and live the Catholic way of life.

Altar Society

The Altar Society consists of men and women who work inside the church making

sure that the sanctuary, the altar, the vestments and vessels needed for the

celebration of Mass and other celebrations are clean and in good order on a

weekly basis.

Music Ministry

The Choir, The Griffin family, and Noel Morahan

Provide spiritual music at the week-end masses. Practice for the choir is after Wednesday's mass.

Ministry to the Sick and Elderly

This ministry was established for the benefit of those parishioners who are in hospital or at home recovering from an illness or a shut-in who just needs a friendly visit. Through the years many of these kind deeds have been performed and are still being performed. Some of our parishioners are in seniors residences or even on their own. If you know of anyone who would like a visit for whatever reason, please call.

Secular Franciscans

The rule and life of the Secular Franciscans is to observe the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ by following the example of Saint Francis of Assisi, who made Christ the inspiration and the centre of his life with God and people.... They should devote themselves especially to careful reading of the gospel, going from gospel to life and life to the gospel.

Parish Wardens

There are 6 parish wardens whose function is to maintain, administer and manage the church building, it’s property and the monies of the parish. They are responsible for the financial and legal undertakings of the parish. The term of office is 3 years, with two wardens’ terms of office ending every year. The names of the present board of wardens can be found in the parish bulletin.

Ushers

The ushers assist at Mass by greeting the people at the door, choosing people to bring up gifts, taking up the collection, helping the congregation and are available in case of emergency.

Knights of Columbus: (www.kocmtl.org)

St.Patrick of the Island Council 9180 meets the third Tuesday of each month at 7:30. The Knights of Columbus is an international organization of Catholic men dedicated to the ideals of faith, charity and fellowship. Worldwide, there are over 12,000 councils and 2,000,000 Knights.

Special Events

Co-ordinates fund raising events.

Parish picnic, New year's eve dance, St. Patrick pub night, garage sale, etc.

Video Library:

We have a large library of VHS videos for both adults and children. These can be borrowed after the 9:30 Mass on Sunday. Donations to renew the library are appreciated.

Food Basket:

A stockroom of non-perishable food is maintained to provide emergency supplies to those in need. Contact the Parish Office for more information.

Schools in the Parish:

St. Patrick ; 514-453-6351

Edgewater; 514- 453-4534