Lethbridge church reopens for St. Patrick's Day after 11-year closure
Lethbridge, Alta.'s St. Patrick's Church will be open for mass on Friday, thanks to the work of a volunteer group that went all the way to Rome to reverse a decision made by a Calgary bishop in 2011.
A Lethbridge Catholic church that was closed for more than a decade welcomed parishioners back on St. Patrick's Day.
St. Patrick's Church, located at 917 Fourth Avenue South, opened for mass on Friday for the first time since former Calgary Bishop Frederick Henry ordered it closed in 2011.
Henry, who resigned in 2017 because of health issues, said the closure was because of a lack of funds to restore the more than 100-year-old building and keep up with daily expenses.
An organization called Save Our Churches Association (SOCA) was formed a short time later to fight the decision and keep St. Patrick's open, along with other churches at risk of being closed.
It took its fight directly to Rome's highest appellate court, the Apostolic Signatura, which found Henry's decision was "not just a procedural error, but the decision itself was wrong."
parishioner Geoff Nickol said it was "amazing" to attend the mass, saying the church was "way bigger" than he remembered.
"It's huge and it's beautiful inside. The windows all came from Italy," Nickol said.
"We came here for probably about 20 years, and when they closed it we actually couldn't believe it. We wanted it to be fixed back up and for the parishioners to stay here."
In a statement on its website, the association called March 17 "a great day."
"A huge debt of gratitude is extended to the SOCA's loyal supporters over the years; to Philip Gray and the Saint Joseph Foundation of Hopedale, Ohio for guiding us through the long and complicated appeal process; to our Rome lawyers who successfully argued our case though it's multiple stages for three years and to the SOCA executive for their skill, perseverance and courage," SOCA wrote.
The reopening of the church is limited to just St. Patrick's Day and Sept. 24, but a commission has been ordered for find a permanent solution to keep the church open.
That's expected to conclude in January 2024.
With files from Quinn Keenan
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
In Pictures
In Pictures Jake Paul beats 58-year-old Mike Tyson as the hits don't match the hype
The boos from a crowd wanting more action were growing again when Jake Paul dropped his gloves before the final bell, and bowed toward 58-year-old Mike Tyson.
Montreal city councillors table motion to declare state of emergency on homelessness
A pair of independent Montreal city councillors have tabled a motion to get the city to declare a state of emergency on homelessness next week.
Canadians support bike infrastructure, just not the road: study
A new Nanos Research study reveals that a majority of Canadians support spending tax dollars on building bicycle infrastructure off the road, but that bike lanes on roads worsen traffic flow.
WestJet passengers can submit claims now in $12.5M class-action case over baggage fees
Some travellers who checked baggage on certain WestJet flights between 2014 and 2019 may now claim their share of a class-action settlement approved by the British Columbia Supreme Court last month and valued at $12.5 million.
Turtle plush toys recalled due to choking hazard: Health Canada
Health Canada announced a consumer product recall this week for a plush children’s toy, due to a potential choking hazard from the eyes of the toy detaching.
U.S. health officials report first case of new form of mpox in a traveler
Health officials said Saturday they have confirmed the first U.S. case of a new form of mpox that was first seen in eastern Congo.
Former soldier 'Canadian Dave' taken by the Taliban: sources
David Lavery, a former Canadian Forces soldier who helped approximately 100 people flee Afghanistan during the fall of Kabul, has been 'picked up' by the Taliban this week, according to multiple sources who spoke to CTV National News on the condition of anonymity.
NYC politicians call on Whoopi Goldberg to apologize for saying bakery denied order over politics
New York City politicians are calling on Whoopi Goldberg to apologize for suggesting that a local bakery declined a birthday order because of politics.
Trudeau talking trade with South American leaders at APEC in Peru, will address media
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is meeting with South American leaders in Peru today, in his second day at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Edmonton
-
'We're not the bad boy': Charity pushes back on claims made by 101-year-old widow in $40M will dispute
Centenarian Mary McEachern says she knew what her husband wanted when he died. The problem is, his will says otherwise.
-
'Keep that legacy going': Siblings revive one of Alberta's oldest general stores
It's a brisk, bright autumn morning when Julie-Ann McNeilly comes barrelling down a dirt road, steps out of her van and dives deep into the history of Johnny's Store.
-
Fire-stricken Jasper braces for winter as it adapts to new normal
Whether the remaining Jasper residents have chosen not to come back or can't because they lost their homes or businesses, or both, is one of many unknowns on Mayor Richard Ireland's mind as the season changes.
Lethbridge
-
Lethbridge and area charities, businesses to be impacted by Canada Post workers strike
Early Friday morning, the union representing Canada Post workers officially went on strike. The strike will have a wide-reaching impact on many Canadians, and it comes at a difficult time for charities.
-
Lethbridge-West residents still without representation five months after MLA resignation
A back-and-forth question between Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi when it comes to calling a Lethbridge-West byelection has no distinct answer nearly five months later.
-
Students put math, science skills to work for cardboard boat in Lethbridge competition
Two hundred students from across southern Alberta set sail at the University of Lethbridge Thursday, in cardboard boats.
Vancouver
-
'A wake-up call': Union voices safety concerns after student nurse stabbed at Vancouver hospital
The BC Nurses Union is calling for change after a student nurse was stabbed by a patient at Vancouver General Hospital Thursday.
-
Heavy rain mixed with strong winds hitting B.C. south coast over the weekend
Residents in Metro Vancouver will likely be getting out their umbrellas this weekend as the region faces heavy rain and wind.
-
Cleanup underway after rockfall closes Highway 7 west of Hope, B.C.
A rockfall has closed a stretch of Highway 7 in British Columbia's Fraser Valley.
Vancouver Island
-
WestJet passengers can submit claims now in $12.5M class-action case over baggage fees
Some travellers who checked baggage on certain WestJet flights between 2014 and 2019 may now claim their share of a class-action settlement approved by the British Columbia Supreme Court last month and valued at $12.5 million.
-
Insurance bureau estimates $110 million in damages from October storms in B.C.
Intense flooding that hammered British Columbia's coast last month has led to more than $110 million in insured damage claims.
-
Nanaimo nurse suspended for 'unauthorized access of patient records,' college says
A Nanaimo nurse has agreed to a seven-day suspension for accessing patient records without authorization.
Saskatoon
-
Sudden death investigation underway in Saskatoon
Saskatoon police are investigating a sudden death in the 1300 block of 8th Street East.
-
Several collisions reported following freezing rain in Saskatoon
Saskatoon police responded to several collisions involving multiple vehicles Saturday morning following freezing rain and icy road conditions in Saskatoon.
-
Saskatchewan tire recycler suing province for $10M over multiple year contract dispute
A Saskatoon rubber manufacturer is taking the province to court, claiming millions of dollars in damages for breach of a contract as part of a dispute that's lasted more than two years.
Regina
-
Snowfall warning in place for parts of southeast Sask.
Several areas in southeast Saskatchewan are under a snowfall warning on Saturday.
-
Local Canada Post workers picket for 'fair contract' as part of nationwide strike
Thousands of Canada Post workers, including those in Saskatchewan, have gone on strike ahead of the busy Christmas season.
-
These are the 8 former Riders playing for the Grey Cup in 2024
The Saskatchewan Roughriders may have come up short of the Grey Cup, but the season was a substantial improvement on two fronts: the team made the playoffs, and the number of former Riders in the championship was down from 2023.
Toronto
-
Woman seriously injured in shooting in Willowdale
A woman has been seriously injured in a shooting in Willowdale, Toronto police say.
-
Cold case that puzzled Toronto-area police for nearly half a century cracked. Here's how they did it
For nearly 45 years, the identity of the human remains found along a rural road north of Toronto remained a mystery. It was on July 16, 1980, when a Markham, Ont. resident made the discovery near a wooded area on Eleventh Concession, between 14th and Steeles avenues. Unbeknownst to them, the remains belonged to William Joseph Pennell, a convict who had escaped a Kingston prison a month earlier.
-
Woman dead, another in hospital after being struck by alleged impaired driver in Niagara Falls
A man is facing impaired driving charges in connection with a hit-and-run in Niagara Falls that left one pedestrian dead and another in serious condition early Saturday morning.
Montreal
-
Quebec public health-care workers denounce 'privatization' amid $1B deficit
Health-care professionals in Quebec continue to denounce the government’s privatization of the network as it starts tightening the belt with hiring freezes.
-
Montreal city councillors table motion to declare state of emergency on homelessness
A pair of independent Montreal city councillors have tabled a motion to get the city to declare a state of emergency on homelessness next week.
-
Book fair highlights Quebec's thriving English writing culture
Despite English being a linguistic minority in the province, the consensus among the large crowd at the Quebec Writers’ Federation (QWF) annual gala was that English writing is still a vibrant part of Quebec culture.
Atlantic
-
Tom Forrestall, beloved Nova Scotia artist and Atlantic realism pioneer, dies at 88
Tom Forrestall, a celebrated Nova Scotia artist remembered for pioneering the Atlantic realism tradition, died at the age of 88 on Friday.
-
Canada Post strike: Maritime provinces working to ensure vital cheques arrive
All three Maritime provinces are working on alternatives to ensure residents receive vital mail, like government cheques, after Canada Post workers hit the picket lines Friday morning.
-
Thistle-St. Andrews Curling Club in Saint John, N.B., celebrates 150 years with past presidents bonspiel
The Thistle-St. Andrews Curling Club in Saint John, N.B., one of the largest east of Montreal, is celebrating it's 150th anniversary with celebrations that include a tournament.
Winnipeg
-
Eight-year-old girl among two dead in fatal motor vehicle collision: RCMP
An eight-year-old girl and her mother have died after a collision involving two vehicles in southern Manitoba.
-
Winnipeg police release photos of suspect in machete attack
Winnipeg police are asking the public to help identify a suspect involved in a machete attack last month.
-
LIVE AT 5 PM
LIVE AT 5 PM Santa Claus Parade to take over downtown Winnipeg today
The Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade returns today at 5 p.m. and be streamed live on CTV News Winnipeg.ca.
Ottawa
-
SIU investigating police-involved shooting in Orleans: 'You see this on TV'
Ontario's police watchdog is investigating after a man was shot and injured by police after he allegedly injured multiple people with a weapon in Ottawa's east end Friday night.
-
Glen Road rollover in eastern Ontario left one dead, injured another: OPP
A single-vehicle rollover Friday afternoon left one person dead, another injured and closed Glen Road in eastern Ontario for approximately eight hours, according to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).
-
Single-vehicle crash on Highway 417 in Ottawa leaves driver, 65, dead
An Ottawa driver has died following a single-vehicle crash on Highway 417 Friday afternoon, according to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).
Northern Ontario
-
Police in Canada collected wreckage after object shot down over Lake Huron
Newly released documents show the Royal Canadian Mounted Police collected wreckage after an unidentified object was shot down over Lake Huron in February of last year.
-
Teacher charged with sex assault of a minor at a school in northern Ont.
A 72-year-old teacher from Blind River has been charged with multiple counts of sexual assault involving two victims under the age of 16.
-
Timmins, Ont., rock band sets new world record Friday
The Timmins rock band Miners and Sons have made history. The group performed a rock concert in the world’s deepest base metal mine below sea level, breaking a Guinness World Record.
Barrie
-
Man suffers with signs of hypothermia after water rescue
One person was left with signs of hypothermia after being rescued from Kempenfelt Bay in the early hours of the morning.
-
Police search for suspects who allegedly stole three bottles from LCBO
Nottawasaga OPP are searching for two suspects who were involved in an alleged theft at a store in Alliston this week.
-
Orillia hosts first-ever pickleball tournament
The City of Orillia hosted its first-ever pickleball tournament on Saturday at the Recreation Centre, which showcased the growth and multigenerational interest in the sport.
Kitchener
-
Kitchener-Waterloo Santa Claus parade returns for another year
Kids and the young-at-heart lined Weber Street to catch a glimpse at old saint nick as the Lions Club of Kitchener held it’s annual Santa Claus Parade Saturday morning.
-
One person injured in crash at The Boardwalk
One person has been taken to hospital after a crash at The Boardwalk shopping centre in Kitchener.
-
Former Waterloo, Ont. school principal pleads guilty to luring, sending sexually explicit material
A former elementary school principal in Waterloo, Ont. has pleaded guilty to charges that include luring and transmitting sexually explicit material to someone believed to be under the age of 16.
London
-
Hand painted float among attractions at Saturday's Santa Claus Parade
The hand decorated parade float will depart in the London Santa Claus Parade on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. from the Agriplex.
-
WestJet passengers can submit claims now in $12.5M class-action case over baggage fees
Some travellers who checked baggage on certain WestJet flights between 2014 and 2019 may now claim their share of a class-action settlement approved by the British Columbia Supreme Court last month and valued at $12.5 million.
-
Canada Post workers in London joined 55,000 CUPW workers from across Canada on the picket line Friday
Postal workers hit the picket line Friday morning, and the strike comes as we head into the busy holiday shopping season.
Windsor
-
Essex OPP investigate in Belle River
Essex OPP were on the scene of an investigation in the area of 4th Street and Railway Avenue in Belle River this afternoon.
-
Pedestrian struck in Friday night vehicle collision on Chrysler Centre
On Friday evening, Windsor Police say they were called to a collision on Chrysler Centre between Vinny and Ypres for reports of a vehicle collision involving a pedestrian.
-
National Park badges surface at Point Pelee after nearly 100 years
A piece of national park history surfaced at Point Pelee National Park this week – a pair of parks badges from 1939 and 1940.
