Slovak Roman Catholic church of Sts. Cyril and Methodius celebrated the 85th anniversary of the founding of the parish in Montreal. 165 visitors celebrated this important occasion in the church hall.
Festive mass concelebrated Parish Administrator Peter Sabbath and two Slovak priests in Montreal, Father Gabriel Juruš and Father Rudolf Grega.
At the ceremonial banquet, former curator Mike Micak acquainted those present with a history of the early Slovak mission in Montreal and its first Sts. Cyril and Methodius church as well as further developments in the Slovak parish until today. At the main table, in addition to priests Grega, Sabbath and Juruš were honored the oldest, over 90-year-old and still active parishioners, Lydia Matusky and Stefania Cincík. Stephen Skoda represented all curators. Vladimir Cincík was the MC. Present was also the Honorary Consul of the Slovak Republic Dezider Michaletz.
In his greeting, Father Sabbath said: "Dear Parishioners, I would like to express my joy at the presence of so many who came out for the Mass and banquet for the 85th anniversary of our parish. To see present those who laboured, and whose parents laboured, to build a beautiful church and parish community in a new country, to see whole generations of families present who have been receiving their sacraments at Sts. Cyril & Methodius, was heart-warming. On behalf of the parish Wardens, my deepest thanks to those who worked so hard to make our celebration so wonderful. May this event be the beginning of a new and enthusiastic commitment to build a stronger and more vibrant parish. God bless you."
Congratulations to the Slovak community in Montreal for all their activities and ongoing support for the Slovak parish in this beautiful metropolis of Canada.
Photos: Vladimir Cincík and Rev. Gabriel Jurus
