Lethbridge church reopens for St. Patrick's Day after 11-year closure
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
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.