As the old year came to a close and the New Year arrived, a problem surfaced that made day-to-day operations of the church difficult. The aging office telephone system began acting erratically – messages were lost and at times the whole system failed – no one could phone in or out.

It was obvious that the old system needed replacing. Technicians installed the new equipment and everything was working well as Epiphany approached.

As a safety measure, the entry stairs on the east side of the church were resurfaced.

In addition, tiles have been installed on some sections of the roof of the church. Water damage has occurred in the storage room on the right side of the altar.

The Archives of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Toronto has launched its new website at www.archtoronto.org/archives. It provides access to information on the services and programs that are provided by the Archives including Reference, Genealogy, and Sacramental Records searching. In addition, the site presents the history of the Archdiocese of Toronto, including biographies of each of Toronto's Archbishops and Bishops.

APRIL – The fund drive for a new church organ, came to a successful conclusion, the goal of $22,000 reached. Delivery and installation of the instrument in the church including its necessary electrical sound equipment changes, went according to plan and the parishioners heard our talented Andrew Kwong at the keyboard with its first notes on Easter Sunday, April 16.

MAY – Problems with the aging building itself continue — a section of the roof's soffit was damaged a fell during a storm and required immediate replacement. More leaks in exterior walls at the rectory added to the list of repairs. Happily, parishioners continued to respond to the Church Improvement fund.

JUNE – Father Tom said the parish ShareLife drive had once again matched the previous year's totals – a testament to the generosity of the community.

He also said plans for the 50th anniversary celebration for Holy Spirit church were going ahead and that a special mass was to be celebrated.

Father Tom said that the memorial plaque containing the names of special donors to the new organ would also be unveiled at the 50th celebration mass.

Father Brian Shea, who has been in residence at Holy Spirit church and assisting Father Tom at mass for the past few months has received a new posting. In the Archdiocese of Toronto's annual list of clergy appointments, Father Shea has been named associate pastor at St. Patrick's parish in Markham as of June 28.

Father Brian made many friends during his stay at Holy Spirit and. the parish wishes him well in his new posting.

JULY-AUGUST – Re-tiling all of the church roof has become a necessity and work has been scheduled for late August. Concrete repairs to the southeast entry area, to prevent further damage through the winter, have also been scheduled.

SEPT. – On Sunday, the 24th, Holy Spirit celebrated its 50th anniversary with Most Rev. Richard J. Grecco, auxiliary bishop of Toronto, presiding at the 10 o'clock mass. Holy cards marking the event were distributed to each family following all masses.

The plaque commemorating the new electric organ – our 50th anniversary gift to each other – was installed and on display.

Landscape gardeners planted a large bed of beautiful red salvia at the foot of the new bronze crucifix at the front of the church building, which was created and donated by the sculptor Timothy Schmalz.

He said, some weeks after the piece was erected that: "I really like the way it is displayed, the foundation and pillar."

The Knights of Columbus, Council 3296, generously purchased new Catholic Book of Worship III hymnals to replace the older ones that served us for some time – a much appreciated gesture.

OCT. – Re-tiling of the church roof was begun and replacement of cement sidewalks at the base of the front steps and at the east side's front entrance was completed.

NOV. – The resurfacing of the church roof was finished and as was the first stage of installation of a new sound system. Plans for a second Christmas concert in December to help defray the cost of that system were begun. Recent troubling incidents near the church have necessitated plans for enhancing security including upgrading outdoor lighting.

DEC. - The plan for a second Christmas concert came to successful fruition on Saturday, Dec. 9. The appreciative audience enjoyed singing Joy to the World accompanied by Andrew Kwong on the organ as it thundered over the new sound system.

Among the highlights were mezzo Katarzyna Sadej with pianist Joy Lee, soprano Lisa Damara, tenor Adam Bernardino, Elizabeth Loewen on violin, Mark Andrews on piano and Andrew Kwong taking a turn as baritone. Their talent created a delightful evening of music that captured the enthusiasm of everyone and provided the ticket proceeds needed for completing the sound system.

Work was begun on enlarging the reception area at the rear of the church proper where a statue of St. Therese will be installed.

Pope Benedict XVI accepted the resignation of Cardinal Aloysius Cardinal Ambrozic, 76, as the Archbishop of Toronto on Saturday, Dec. 16. In the same Vatican announcement, the Pope named Monsignor Thomas Collins, presently Archbishop of Edmonton, as the next Archbishop of Toronto. He will become the 12th bishop and 10th archbishop of Toronto to lead the diocese since it was established in 1842.

 

Archbishop Collins 59, born in Guelph, Ont., was ordained in 1973. He was named bishop in 1997 and appointed Archbishop of Edmonton in 1999. He has also served as rector of St. Peter's Seminary in London. Archbishop Collins' installation ceremony is scheduled for early 2007.

The Archdiocese of Toronto, stretching from Toronto north to Midland, from Oshawa on the east to Mississauga on the west, embraces 1.6 million Catholics, celebrating mass at 223 parishes in more than 30 languages.