Parish History 2004 (continued)

The "Maternal Bond," statue, on loan, was placed on another gracefully designed wooden pedestal to the right of the altar.

The generosity of the parish community has made possible many other necessary electrical, plumbing and mechanical repairs in an aging structure. Changes to the confessional area are also in the works.

An article on the installation of the "Whatsoever You Do" statue in our church appeared in the Catholic New Times, April 11, 2004. An excerpt is reproduced below –

A Jesus sculpture that isn't just holy decoration By Din Yalonen       Sculptor Timothy Schmalz has created a work for Holy Spirit Church on Sheppard Avenue in Scarborough, Ont., which has recently been installed. It actually arouses questions.       Timothy said he aspired to make a Jesus during the Lenten period of Easter that defied convention. Well he has, in a way. It is not often you will find a Jesus situated in a Catholic Church as a beggar. He usually looks regal, transfigured, otherworldly, majestic, kingly, etc. In an age of severely boring and tired forms of religious depiction in church, it is good to see a professional work displayed with the courage to ask questions.       Timothy sculpted an out-of-ordinary hole into the begging hand. He said: "we are inundated with thousands of images a day. You need something out-of-the-ordinary to keep people's attention. The suggestion is that this Jesus figure has a hole to fill."       I thought about how the money we give usually goes down the hole of drug abuse. However, that's why this piece works as art. It evokes interpretation, not dogma. It's good to see a little art in church in place of the usual mindless decoration.

As the new year began, there were more problems for the aging church – roof leaks, flooding in the basement, cracks in the foundation. Repairs were made, but more permanent work was required on the foundation. Excavation around the structure in the fall.

When Lent arrived, the "Whatsoever You Do" sculpture was returned to a place of prominence – front and centre at the altar. The water of life fountain was situated in front of the "Maternal Bond" statue to the right of the altar. The fountain is used only during Lent.

New Stations of the Cross made their appearance in time for Lent – though unfortunately round-shaped ones – not square, as ordered, to match their surroundings. They are to be replaced later by square-shaped stonework.

Rev. Thomas R. "Dave" Harding
1918 - 2005

The parish was saddened to learn that Holy Spirit Parish's founding pastor, Rev. Thomas R. "Dave" Harding B.A., M.A., M.Ed., Ph.D. had died at Scarborough General Hospital on Saturday, Feb. 26 . Funeral Mass was held at St. Monica's Parish on March 1 with interment at Holy Cross Cemetery.

Father Harding was a professor at St. Augustine's Seminary from 1946-54. He served as associate pastor in many churches and was pastor at several more before he founded Holy Spirit church where he served from 1956 to 1970. He became director of the Centre for Human and Spiritual Development from 1976 until 1979. He retired in 1988 and was in residence at St. Monica's parish at the time of his death.

Karol Józef Wojtyla, elected successor to Pope John Paul I on Oct. 16,1978 – the 264th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, took the name John Paul II and became not only the first Polish pope, but the first non-Italian pope in 455 years. He died at the Vatican, April 2, 2005 in his 84th year.

During his 26 years as ruler of the world's 1.1-billion Catholics (13 million in Canada), he travelled to more places and spoke to more people than any other pontiff in history. He completed 104 pastoral visits outside of Italy and 146 within Italy – he visited Canada on three occasions, the last of which was to Toronto for World Youth Day in July, 2002.