 The Slovenian Parish of Saint-Vladimir–Mission Slovene, in Montreal, is served by the
members of the Congregation of the Mission of St. Vincent de Paul - C.M. (the
Vincentian Fathers or Lazarists) of the province of Slovenia. They also serve in two
Slovenian Parishes in Toronto.
On May 28, 1957, Rev. Jože Časl, C.M. was appointed associate pastor at the
Parish of Saint-Louis-de-France with the special mission of ministering to the spiritual
needs of the Slovenians in Montreal and surrounding areas.
From the end of May 1957 until August 1963, the Slovenian Community
(Association Slovene Catholique, Montreal) held Mass at Saint-Louis-de-France
Parish and, occasionally, in the chapel of College Mont Saint-Louis.
On August 22, 1963, the Association Slovene Catholique, Montreal, purchased the
Slovak church at the corner of St. Denis and Marie-Anne. This church became the first Slovenian Parish in the
Archdiocese of Montreal. It began operating as a parish on January 1, 1964.
On February 12, 1982, a commercial building at 3470 Boul. St. Joseph E. in Montreal-Rosemont area was
purchased and soon after the church on St. Denis and Marie-Anne was sold.
The new premises were renovated and the new church was ready for the blessing by September of 1983. The celebration of the blessing of the new church was presided over by Most Rev. Franc Kramberger, Bishop
of Maribor, Slovenia, on Sunday, September 11, 1983.
Just in time for the Silver Jubilee year of the parish, the church got stained-glass windows, designed by artist
Janez Kovačič. and hand-crafted by Ciril Stojko, both of Slovenia.
Currently, around 360 families are registered as members of the parish.
The following priests, Vincentian Fathers, served in this parish:
1. Jože Časl from the beginning as spiritual guide and then as pastor until 1965;
2. Stanko Boljka: from 1965 until 1969;
3. Andrej Prebil: from 1969 until 1972;
4. Ivan Jan: from 1972 until 1976;
5. Janez Jeretina: from 1976 until 1983;
6. Franc Letonja: from 1983
http://www.brezmadezna.com/montreal/montreal.htm
The aftermath of World War II brought an influx of immigrants to Canada, especially from Europe. Among
them were Slovenians arriving from refugee camps in Austria and Italy. They escaped from their country
because of the terror of Communism. The first group of Slovenians came to the Toronto area in 1947
.
Men went to work on farms, in forests, in mines or for the railroad and women did housework to “pay” for
their transportation to Canada. This work lasted up to one year.
After paying their “dues,” they settled in Toronto because jobs were available. Toronto was growing at that
time as the industrial centre of Canada.
On December 12, 1948, Rev. Jakob Kolarič, C.M., arrived in Toronto. He took over the spiritual care for the
Slovenians in the city. Soon he was followed by Rev. Jože Časl, C.M. and then by Rev. Janez Kopac, C.M.,
who helped Rev. Kolarič in his pastoral work for the Slovenians, whose numbers were growing with every new
ship coming from Europe to Canada.
At the beginning, they found their “home” at Mount Carmel Church in the city centre. Attending Sunday
Mass continued into social gatherings. Having their own priest, the wish to have their own parish and own
church, not being guests elsewhere, grew stronger and stronger with every gathering. Social events were
organised to collect funds to make these wishes a reality
.
On February 10, 1953, a lot was purchased on 609 Manning Avenue. On the same day, the Archbishop of
Toronto, Cardinal McGuigan, created a new parish under the name Our Lady Help of Christians, Slovenian.
On May 12, 1953, the plans for the new church, drawn up by architect Peter Dimitroff, were submitted to
the City of Toronto for approval. During the summer, the plans were approved. The new parish signed a
contract with Franc Stojc, a Slovenian contractor, who started digging on December 7, 1953. The construction
of the hall and the church proceeded quickly for there were many volunteers.
Bishop Gregorij Rožman, who shared the fate of his countrymen as a refugee and immigrant, visited the
Slovenians in Toronto several times. His first visit was on July 30, 1949. As the construction of the new church
neared completion, Bishop Rožman came again to lead a spiritual renewal, as preparation for the blessing of
the first church for Slovenians in Canada.
Toronto Archbishop Cardinal McGuigan blessed the new church on December 19, 1954. The solemn
celebration was a crown for the hard and dedicated work of the priests (Vincentian Fathers) and the Slovenian
faithful in building the church.
Soon after the parish was established, the pattern for parish activities started to develop. The Vincentian
fathers introduced spiritual renewals before Christmas and Easter, parish missions, retreats.… As the parish
grew, new organizations were formed. First: Parish Council, The Catholic Women’s League, St. Vincent de
Paul Society, Baraga’s Mission Circle, Legion of Mary, Scouts, Slovenian Saturday School (in 1953), Youth
Club, Youth Choirs, Men’s Choir, Church Choir, and dance groups.
Pastors, Vincentian Fathers:
1. Rev. Jakob Kolarič: from the beginning of the parish until 1960;
2. Rev. Andrej Prebil: from 1960 until 1969;
3. Rev. Tone Zrnec: from 1969 until 1979;
4. Rev. Jože Mejač: from 1979 until 1981;
5. Rev. Ivan Plazar: from 1981 until 1988;
6. Rev. Valentin Batič: from 1988
Assistants, Vincentian Fathers:
Rev. Jože Časl, Janez Kopač, Franc Sodja, Stanko Boljka, Tone Zrnec, Ivan Plazar, Janez Jeretina, Matija
Balažič, Jože Mejač, Franc Letonja, Ivan Jan, Ciril Čarga.
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