Building the Shrine

The official signing of the land donation occurred on March 5th 2013. From left to right Guy Turcotte Bishop Henry Paul Moynihan.

Fr Bryan Frank and Deacon Brian West bless the steering, design, and fundraising committee members.

EVENTS:

• Gala Dinner

• Prayer Festival Parish Celebration

• Info Sessions

• Commitment Day Mar. 1st 2015

• The pledges were 2.1 Million Mar. 2015 - Dec. 2018

After costing analysis, the project was deemed too expensive. So back to a scaled back version that would be more affordable yet fulfill our most important requirements.

On the day of the groundbreaking mass we were visited by some interesting cloud formations. They were included in the design of the stained glass window.

Through divine intervention we came across a number of seacans of marble and marble statuary that was stored in a farmer's field North of Calgary.

We hired a special artist to refurbish the statues and build the altars for our new shrine.

We invited the community to come out and write some short prayers and their names on the structural beams. We also gathered special intentions and placed them inside the altar.

Due to Covid19 restrictions all our plans for a large social weekend were cancelled. Only the bishop, some priests, nuns and seminarians were able to participate in the Dedication Mass. We live-streamed the mass. It is through this mass that we officially became a shrine church.

Fr Bryan Frank and dedicated parishoners gathered on a cold and rainy day to officially bless the land.

Through guided providence we found Dr Frank Berg who is a professional fundraiser for large religious projects.

After consultations with the various committees Ron Boruk presents his preliminary designs.

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After some tendering invitations, the steering committee hired a local builder, Modco Structures Ltd. They had built a few successful projects in the valley and had good access to the various subtrades.

Our Stained Glass window was designed to be our representation of Our Lady of the Rockies.

We sold our old church property with a February 1, 2018 possession date. It will be redeveloped into condos.

We celebrated masses in the gym at Our Lady of the Snows for the next two years as our new church was being built.

The day has finally arrived when we can move in and start using our new building.