History of Assumption Province

SERVING THE POLISH COMMUNITY IN THE ASSUMPTION PROVINCE OF THE MISSIONARY OBLATES OF MARY IMMACULATE

The establishing of the Polish Oblate religious province

After World War II, as the number of Polish immigrants arriving in Canada grew, the project of a separate religious unit for Polish oblates gained more relevance and urgency.

The new Polish immigrants, who had suffered so much from the Nazis during World War II, were reluctant to accept German authority over their pastors. There were also a growing number of Polish Oblates who favored it. In view of this, the Superior General appointed Fr. Joseph Rousseau OMI, Procurator General of the Holy See, as a special envoy to look into the needs of the swelling Polish community and possibility of creating a separate Polish administrative unit in 1949. His conclusions supported this decision.

However, it was met with resistance from the German religious authorities of the Province of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Regina (SK). The authorities at the time pointed to numerous difficulties - from personnel, to economic, to religious. Therefore, to mitigate the needs of the community, by a Polish oblate was appointed as a provincial superior. This is how Stanislaus Wachowicz OMI became Superior of the Oblate Province of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Regina from 1950 to 1956.

However, the determination of the Polish Oblates to establish their own religious province in Canada was very strong. The promoted idea of being delegated or leaving the mother-province of St. Mary’s aroused much controversy and emotion among the members of the province.

In the end, the general administration of the congregation in Rome approved the project of a separate religious entity, grouping Polish oblates. During the canonical visitation of the religious assistant general, Fr. John Walsh OMI, in June 1956, a decree was promulgated establishing a new province with Fr. Michael Smith as the first provincial on the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, i.e. August 15, 1956.

At the same time, the general administration of the congregation established in detail the relationship between the new and old provinces, focusing on matters related to the formation of young oblates and expressing the desire to develop a new province, the creation of which was justified by the welfare and spiritual care of those to whom the Oblates were called and sent.

The issue of finances was also addressed. The new province had already been obliged to contribute to the congregation in 1956, as well as to cover the costs of the initial formation of those young oblates who became part of the province as a result of the split.

If one adds to these two points the costs of day-to-day administration, it is with full appreciation that one should note the fact that the new province completely fulfilled all of these responsibilities, not receiving any financial support from the old one.

With the establishment of the Assumption Province of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate in Canada, Fr. Michael Smith OMI began looking for a place to house the provincial administration. The Provincial House was established in Toronto (ON) at 71 Indian Trail. The new provincial officially made it his official headquarters in the fall of 1958.

The first provincials of the Vice-Province of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Canada were Michael Smith OMI (1956-1966), Felix Kwiatkowski OMI (1966-1971), Edward Swiatek OMI (1971-1977), John Mazur OMI (1977-1984), Antoni Mendrela OMI (1984-1990).

Polish immigration in Canada from 1956 to 1989

According to Canadian statistics, between 1953 and 1971 the country welcomed some 55,000 Poles, and by 1980 a further 8,000. With a gradual increase in the number of immigrants coming directly from Poland since 1955. The place that most attracted Polish immigrants was the province of Ontario and its capital, Toronto. Until the 1970s, the city of Winnipeg, located in Manitoba, was considered the second largest Polish concentration. In the 1980s, its place was taken by Montreal.

In the first half of the 1980s, Poles reached Canada mainly through refugee camps located in Western Europe. After 1986, immigration directly from Poland increased again. These waves of arrivals from 1981-1989 were commonly referred to as the "post-Solidarity" emigration, which totaled about 80,000 people.

In 1988, the Polish ethnic group in Canada numbered 404,475, concentrated mainly in the cities (about 80%) of province of Ontario, as well as in Winnipeg in Manitoba and Montreal, Quebec. In Toronto, in addition to the traditionally Polish neighborhood that exists around Roncesvalles Street, a new Polish concentration has taken shape since the 1980s in Mississauga, a suburb of Toronto.

Development of pastoral institutions in cities (1956-1989)

Following the new immigration trends of Polish immigrants in Canada, the Oblates of the Assumption Province developed pastoral outposts mainly in Toronto and other parts of the province of Ontario. These were primarily urban outposts.

In Toronto, the Oblates continued their work in the St. Mary’s parish, as well as in St. Casimir's parish. St. Casimir's School was the largest parochial school in Canada. Each year the number of children enrolled in the school grew, and at the peak of its development, in 1969, it reached an enrollment of 506 students.

In 1981, an Immigration Fund was established at the parish, which became a stepping stone of a broader Immigration Fund operating under the Central Commission of the Canadian Polish Congress.

Particular attention should also be paid to St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish in Toronto, which played an important role in the life of the Polish community at the time. In the 1960s and 1970s, the parish had the diocese's largest youth group and the "Highlanders" dance group. In 1969 the parish hosted Cardinal Karol Wojtyla and in 1986, Cardinal Józef Glemp on the occasion of the celebration of the 75th anniversary of its existence. During martial law, the parish sent food, clothing and medicines to Poland and organized aid for Poles arriving from refugee camps in Austria and Italy.

In 1960, Holy Angels Parish was established in Toronto (ON). Its establishment was a response to a marked increase in the number of Catholics. A large part of them were Polish and Italian immigrants. The initiative to establish the parish originated with Fr. Michael Smith OMI. Just a year later, the Sunday Mass was attended by approx. 700 faithful. Very soon a rectory and parish hall were built, and in 1971 the church building itself.

In the 1970s and 1980s, many Polish families settled in the rapidly expanding city of Mississauga. They came from Toronto's inner-city neighborhoods. They were a part of a fairly large emigration wave to Canada. On November 15, 1979, Archbishop Gerald Emmett Carter gave permission to establish a new Polish parish. Fr. Stanislaw Bak OMI became pastor of the new parish of St. Maximilian Kolbe in Mississauga. In 1984, a new church was built, with a large parish hall in the basement.

Before Mississauga became popular with Polish emigrants, in 1963, on the initiative of Fr. Michael Smith OMI, the Assumption Province established the Queen of Apostles Retreat House in Mississauga (ON). The house played a significant role in evangelization and formation activities. The center was intended to deepen and enrich the religious life of the Polish community. Over time, the team of oblates in charge of running it expanded the scope of its activities, transforming it into a retreat center for consecrated persons, clergy and laity from various national and linguistic groups.

Polish Oblates also continued their work at St. Hedwig Parish in Oshawa. In September 1958, a Polish school was opened in the parish. The number of students gradually increased and in the 1959/60 school year was 143 boys and 145 girls. In 1979, the Oblates handed the parish over to the Society of Christ Fathers.

A parish in the mining center of Kirkland Lake (ON), experienced the peak of its development in the 1950s. However, due to economic trends, beginning in 1965, Poles began to vacate the area. The ministry there was concluded in 1985.

However, the oldest Holy Spirit Parish in Winnipeg, Manitoba was thriving. Between 1986 and 1989, the parish sponsored 716 Polish families from refugee camps. A new church was built in 1986-1987 under the leadership of Fr. Christopher Pulchny OMI, and a modern parish hall was built in 1988-1989. The hall could accommodate about 360 people. In March 1988, a Council of Knights of Columbus under the auspice of Fathers Wojciech and Jan Kulawy OMI was constituted in the parish. However, by 1989 a working relationship with the Benedictine Sisters ended.

Life at Vancouver's St. Casimir parish was also well on its way. In 1961-1962, a parish school was built and run by the Resurrectionist Sisters. In 1970, construction began on the Copernicus Lodge, a senior citizen home. Its grand opening was held on April 29, 1973. In 1981-1982, a new rectory was built.

In 1961, Polish Oblates returned to pastoral ministry at Holy Rosary Parish in Edmonton, Alberta. In 1963, a new rectory was built. In 1972, the Servite Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary Immaculately Conceived (Silesian) came to work in the parish. Thus the immediate vicinity of the parish buildings included the religious house of the Servite Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary Immaculately Conceived. These accommodations were purchased by the parishioners. In 1976-1977, a kindergarten (Sisem Day Care) was established next to the convent.

The Assumption Province began ministry at two urban parishes in the province of Saskatchewan. In 1966, they took over the nascent Our Lady of Czestochowa parish in Saskatoon. The first Oblate parish priest was Fr. John Sajewicz OMI. In the fall of 1966, thanks to the efforts of Fr. Sajewicz OMI and the Catholic Association of Poles in Saskatoon, the Ignacy Skorupka Saturday Polish School was established. From 1976 to 1981, pastoral care at St. Anthony Parish in Regina was provided by the Oblate Fathers. After the Oblates, the pastoral care was taken over by the Society of Christ Fathers.

In 1969, at the invitation of the Canadian Episcopate and the Canadian Polish Congress, Polish parishes in Canada (namely, St. Hedwig Parish in Oshawa, Our Lady of Perpetual Help in St. Catharines, various parishes in Toronto, Holy Spirit Parish in Winnipeg, Holy Rosary Parish in Edmonton) were visited by Cardinal Karol Wojtyla. During this visit, relics of Polish saints: Stanislaus the Bishop, Jacek Odrowąż and Jan Kanty from Wawel Cathedral were bestowed on various communities. In August 1976, Cardinal Karol Wojtyla was in Canada again, accompanied by seven Polish bishops.

The Church in Canada provided assistance to the people and the Church in Poland, through such charitable actions as "Bread for Poland 1957", "Polish Mobile Clinic", also during martial law. Catholic University of Lublin (in particular the construction of the John Paul II College) was generously supported financially by Polish Catholics in Canada.

Staff of the Province of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary from 1956 to 1999

In 1956, the new Assumption Province included 42 priests, 11 seminarians and one novice. All the religious brothers remained in the Province of Our Lady. In the Province of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Regina, 91 priests, 28 seminarians and 17 brothers remained. None of the brothers were transferred to the new province because of the work being done in Battleford.

In his first letter to the members of the new province, Fr. Michael Smith OMI wrote that the issue of vocations was foremost on his mind since the province's inception. As any concerned provincial, in vocations he saw an opportunity to ensure its future and possibility for growth and development.

Edward Swiatek OMI was ordained a priest in September 1956, and Joseph Suroviak OMI in 1958.

In 1957, Fr. Franciszek Frazik OMI, who had arrived from Belgium, was added to the province; in 1958, Fr. Zygmunt Musielski OMI, who had arrived from France, and in 1959, Fr. Jerzy Kania OMI.

In 1958, the province's personnel balance was 48 priests, 3 so-called "scholastic fathers," 10 seminarians and 2 religious brothers. Of this group, two oblates were Slovaks, while all the others were of Polish descent. In the following years, more local Oblates were ordained priests: Rudolph Nowakowski OMI (1960), Christopher Pulchny OMI (1975), and Tadeusz Nowak (1984).

As early as the 1960s Assumption Province leadership, began trying to recruit Missionary Oblates from Poland to work among the Canadian Polish community.

In 1966, Provincial Father Felix Kwiatkowski OMI was in Poland and sought permission from the state Office of Religious Affairs for several Polish oblates to travel to Canada. After lengthy formalities, the first group of young oblates directly from Poland also arrived in January 1967. It included Zygmunt Kozak OMI, Fr. Wilhelm Rozmysłowski OMI and a seminarian, Jan Szkodziński OMI.

By November that same year, they were joined by three more seminarians who just finished their second year of theological studies - Stanislaw Ignatiuk OMI, Tadeusz Skorupski OMI and Stanislaw Moszkowicz OMI. All of them continued their religious and theological formation and studied English at the seminary of the St. Mary’s Province in Battleford, Saskatchewan. The last Oblate to arrive from Poland in the late 1960s was Fr. Ryszard Kosian OMI.

O. Edward Świątek OMI, the Canadian provincial, suggested that, due to the specific conditions of ministry in Canada, the best time for them to move to Canada was after perpetual vows. Continuing theological studies in Canada was supposed to facilitate a quicker grasp of the English language.

In response to these suggestions, seminarians Władysław Karciarz OMI and Zbigniew Zapasek OMI arrived in 1972 to work among the Canadian Polish community. They settled at St. Joseph Seminary in Edmonton, to which the scholastic community previously housed in Battleford has been relocated.

 In 1973, Fr. Edward Świątek OMI, requested another form of personnel support: for experienced Polish Missionary Oblates to serve among members of Assumption Province for a few years. On this basis, Fathers Marek Czyżycki OMI (1973-1975), Antoni Mendrela OMI (1973-1975) and Ignacy Pluszczyk OMI (1973-1975) come to minister among the Canadian Polish community.

In 1975, the Canadian provincial wrote to the Polish provincial: "I renew my request for more Missionary Oblates to strengthen our ranks. I would be very grateful if they were people who would really want to give themselves to work among our emigrants wholeheartedly, out of conviction, and not out of persuasion or a desire for adventure. Because if he comes across a seeker of comforts or adventures - he will find an excellent field here. This applies not only to fathers coming from Poland (...), it is just as valid for fathers already born here in Canada."

At that time Assumption Province averaged from fifty-eight to sixty Oblates, and these numbers generally remained constant.

In the 1960s, the Province of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary saw the arrival of Italian Oblates, who began working at Holy Angels Parish in Toronto, and later at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Toronto. What united the Italian and Polish oblates was the common idea of working for and among emigrants of their own nationality. The beginnings of the Italian community, working within the structures of the Assumption Province, were initiated by two oblates arriving directly from Italy, who were joined by two others working so far in the northern reaches of Canada. In the following years, more Italian oblates arrived, so that at its highest point, in the 1970s, the group numbered twelve oblates.

It was a time when Oblates made choices to continue their ministry in Assumption Province or move elsewhere.

In 1977, Fr. Wojciech Wojtkowiak OMI, after a traditional 2-3-year trial stay in Canada, requested to remain in the Assumption province permanently.

In the same year, neo-presbyter Fr. Richard Czepek OMI left to work among the Indian population in the Oblate vice-province of Mackenzie. After less than two years of work in Mackenzie, Fr. Ryszard Czepek asked for a transfer to work in a Polish parish.

In 1979, Fr. Stanislaw Blaszkowski OMI left the Assumption province.

The province entered the 1980s with a staff of 54 fathers and 1 religious brother. At the 1980 General Chapter in Rome, it was reported that since 1972, 9 fathers had died, 2 had left the province, and among the remaining working fathers, 4 had been "borrowed" from other provinces, 3 from Poland and 1 from the Mackenzie Province.

More Oblates from Poland went to Canada. In 1982, Father Zdzislaw Bzura OMI went to Canada; in 1983, Fathers Marian Sukiennik OMI and Teofil Szendzielarz OMI; in 1984, Father Stanislaw Bijak OMI; in 1985, Father Mieczyslaw Fidyka OMI; in 1987, Father Roman Majek OMI and in 1988, Father Marian Gil OMI.

In the same year, the tradition of sending seminarians from Poland to Canada was revived. This group included: Janusz Blazejak OMI, Waldemar Puchała OMI and Robert Nowak OMI. In 1989, Fr. Stanislaw Kowal OMI arrived in Canada.

Pastoral assistance of oblates from the Polish province in Polish parishes

In 1977, Fr. Alphonse Kupka OMI of the Polish Oblate Province was the first to give retreats in several Polish Oblate parishes. In 1978, Fr. Leonard Glowacki OMI followed in his footsteps, and in 1979, Fr. Jozef Kowalik OMI. This opened up a new form of cooperation between the two religious provinces, becoming part of the relationship between the two provinces. In 1982, Fr. John Mazur OMI proposed that the father preaching the Lenten retreat stay for duration of six months in Canada, in order to provide pastoral assistance during the spring and summer.

Other forms of cooperation between the oblates of the Province of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the oblates in Poland

In addition to pastoral cooperation, the provinces also developed other forms of cooperation, concerning language study and studies. In the 1972/1973 academic year, Fr. Edward Klimuszko OMI studied at the Catholic University of Lublin. The process of becoming familiar with Polish culture and the study of the Polish language were continued in Poland in 1973 by seminarian Christopher Pulchny OMI and Fr. Rudolph Nowakowski OMI. In 1976, Fr. Christopher Pulchny OMI continued learning the Polish language with Fr. John Mazur OMI. The two Canadian confreres stayed for an extended period of time at Oblate communities in Poznan and Katowice, among others. Canadian seminarian Jozef Budziak OMI was sent to the Obra Theological Seminary to study in the mid-1980s.

Of particular note is the financial support given by the Assumption Province to Poland. It addressed the maintenance and repair needs of, among others, the Oblate Theological Seminary in Obra, the novitiate at the Holy Cross, and the student house in Lublin, as well as the construction of churches in Kedzierzyn, Gorzow Wielkopolski, Wroclaw-Popowice and the purchase of an Oblate house in Warsaw.

Assumption Province also financially supported Polish Oblates missionary efforts abroad: missions in Cameroon, Madagascar, the organization of a Polish parish in Malmö, Sweden. In some cases, the involvement of Polish Oblates working in Canada went beyond material support and included expertise and loaning of personnel at governance level.

Polish immigration in Canada from 1990 to 2016

In 1990-1996, Poles immigrated to Canada mainly as part of a family reunification campaign. The country then welcomed a further 35,000 Polish immigrants. A significant percentage of this entire immigration wave was made up of young, professionally qualified people, often with higher education and a good command of one of Canada's official languages. This made it much easier to start and advance in Canada, and enabled fairly rapid integration into Canadian society.

Later migration was no longer either organized or easy to distinguish. It continued to settle mainly in cities. At the same time, there was a significant tendency for the former Polish group settled on the prairies to move to urban centers. This was particularly noticeable after World War II and was associated with the marked social advancement of both Polish immigrants and people of Polish descent. At the beginning of the 21st century, Vancouver, British Columbia, emerged as the second city (Polish cluster) after Toronto.

At the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries, one could also notice the process of stratification of the Canadian Polish community. "Its representatives are found on all rungs of the social ladder, represent many professions and, depending on their qualifications and education, belong to the low-income group (in 2001 - 12%), the middle-income group (about 20%), and the highest-income group (11%)."

"An analysis of data on the age structure of the Polish diaspora in Canada shows that it is dominated by people of working age (with a high percentage of people between 25 and 44) and that a large group is made up of children and young people under the age of 15. Such a structure was shaped mainly by the last wave of Polish emigration, which reached Canada in the 1980s and 1990s."

The new and wide-ranging group of Polish emigrants from the turn of the 20th century opens with the "Solidarity" emigration of the 1980s. "Labour migration" followed and gradually became the norm. One also started noticing those of Polish origin born in Canada, often unfamiliar with the Polish language.

All this makes the Canadian Polish community very diverse. On the one hand, this diversity is a richness - something that modern Canada is taking advantage of in its multicultural policy - on the other hand, it is the cause of many misunderstandings, divisions and conflicts in the Polish community. There is also a clear primacy of material values over spiritual ones.

Parish life and organizations of a religious and socio-cultural nature

Parish ministry centered around the Eucharist celebrated daily in individual churches. Other holy sacraments were also administered. The wide-ranging evangelization activities also included various forms of parish retreats and missions, preached in all parishes run by the province, especially during Lent and Advent. Very often these missions and retreats were conducted by Oblates from Poland.

The rich spectrum of parish organizations and associations is enriched by organizations and groups of a secular nature that uphold and promote native Polish traditions. An important role among them has been played in the past by the Sokół Sports Association, and traditional scouting teams also play an important role in the past and present. Polish schools existing at almost all major parishes played an invaluable role in maintaining Polish ethnic-identity, especially among the new generations. For the most part, these are so-called Saturday schools that provide Polish language instruction.

The commitment to Polish culture was evident in the activities of the Catholic Youth Studio (KSM) in Toronto, founded in 1994 and led by Father Marian Gil OMI. The studio's activities focused primarily on the preparation and broadcasting of a daily radio program, broadcast in Polish and English. The studio also published the monthly magazine "Family" in Polish, which was able to reach a circulation of 300,000.

The highlight of activity for the KSM was the annual organization of the Religious Song Festival, as well as concerts, film screenings and meetings with listeners. The audio-visual material, CDs and VHS tapes and other media collected in the archive are an excellent examples of Oblate involvement in this field.

The mutual relations between the Polish Province of the Oblate Missionaries and the Province of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the pastoral field were also demonstrated by the visits to Polish parishes of the clerical group "Guitars of the Immaculate" from the Oblate Theological Seminary in Obra (1992; 2001).

The wealth of evangelization forms, aimed mainly at young people, is complemented by a Polish walking (and car) pilgrimage to the shrine of Jesuit martyrs in Midland. In 1649, five Jesuit missionaries suffered martyrdom at the hands of the Iroquois. The first official Polish pilgrimage to Midland, organized by Polish oblates, set out from Toronto on August 17, 1947. Today, several hundred people participate in the walking pilgrimage, and more than 10,000 Poles from mostly eastern Canada, (but primarily from Toronto parishes), come to Martyr’s Shine in Midland, Ontario for the main ceremony.

Works of religious and spiritual formation

One of the ongoing concerns for the members of the Assumption Province is to promote, cultivate, encourage and facilitate religious and priestly vocations, including Oblate vocations.

Working with altar servers and youth in almost every parish provides the greatest opportunities for this. Candidates who wanted to join the ranks of the Oblate congregation were sent for the first stage of their spiritual formation to the novitiate in Canada, Poland or the United States. After the novitiate, young Oblates pursued seminary studies in Canada or abroad.

In 2003, Father Tadeusz Nowak OMI of the Assumption Province became rector of the Oblate Theological Seminary in Ottawa. He was also a lecturer in Sacred Scripture at St. Augustine's Seminary in Toronto. His involvement in the work of Oblate formation continued - to the extent possible in terms of personnel - also in other Oblate formation works in Canada and the United States.

Cooperation between the Polish province and the Assumption province in the formation and training field also developed. From 1991 to 1993, Fr. Rocky Grimard OMI studied the Polish language and simultaneously taught English at the Oblate minor seminary in Markowice.

Three candidates from Canada attended the novitiate at Holy Cross: Wiesław Jasek, Mieczyslaw Burdzy OMI and Pawel Ratajczak OMI. Marcin Serwin OMI, on the other hand, first became a student at the lower seminary in Markowice, and then, after completing his novitiate in 2006, took up seminary studies at the seminary in Obra.

In the 1990s, oblates from Poland, Fathers Wojciech Kluj OMI (1992-1996 - bachelor's degree in canon theology and missiology) and Wojciech Kowal OMI (1992-1997 - canon law), undertook their studies at St. Paul's University in Ottawa. Fr. Wojciech Kowal OMI, after defending his doctorate in canon law, was hired at the Faculty of Canon Law at St. Paul's University in Ottawa.

Queen of Apostles Retreat House in Mississauga, Ontario, hosts a variety of programs for religious and lay groups, as well as individuals. In its original design, it primarily catered to Marriage Encounter and Engaged Encounter pre-marriage programs. These are conducted for many ethnic groups in their native language, including English, Polish, Spanish, Korean and Cantonese. Since its inception (1963), it has served more than 18,000 married couples to enrich their religious life and prepare for marriage.

The Centre also hosts retreats for elementary, high school and university students. It is used by Presbyterians, Lutherans and United Church members, among others. Of particular note is the large ecumenical meeting in May 2000.

Of late, many professional groups call it home, such as Catholic Health Care Providers of Ontario, OA Sunrise, COGS, various teacher groups and others.

In 1956, Father Michael Smith OMI, together with Father Joseph Capiga CR and Monsignor Franciszek Pluta, began organizing pastoral meetings of Polish priests in Ontario. Soon the Conference of Polish Priests of Eastern Canada was established. Its purpose was to coordinate pastoral work among the Polish Canadian community. Under its auspices came out "Pielgrzym" - a Polish-language illustrated monthly, published from 1984 to 2001.

The Province of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary has also engaged in evangelization activities outside Canada, materially supporting the activities of, among others, the missions run by Polish oblates in Cameroon, Madagascar and the pastoral ministry in Ukraine. It has also become involved materially and personally in helping the Oblate missions in Kenya (Brother Roman Zapadka OMI), for which the entire Oblate region of Canada has assumed responsibility. The Assumption Province's participation in this mission is economic and personnel in nature

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Among other works in Toronto, the St. Stanislaus - St. Casimir's Parish Credit Union and the Copernicus Lodge retirement home are worth mentioning. Both of these institutions were built for the Polish community and Oblates are still ministering there today.

In addition, the province runs a thriving Missionary Association of Mary Immaculate in Mississauga, under the spiritual guidance of Fr. Adam Filas OMI, engaged in organizing and distributing aid to the missions run by the Oblates.

Pastoral outposts in the province of Ontario (1990-2016)

In the last quarter century, members of the Assumption Province continued to work in most of the metropolitan parishes adopted earlier. Continuing their most important center and concentration - as well as that of the Canadian Polish community - remained Toronto and the province of Ontario.

The St. Casimir Parish in Toronto, ON, had a Saturday Polish School, which provided Polish language instruction for more than 150 children. In addition, the parish provided religious instruction for children from secular schools. In the 1990s, seven Masses were celebrated on Sundays, including one in English and an evening Saturday Mass as an anticipation of the Sunday Mass. Currently, six Sunday Masses are celebrated (including a Christmas Eve Mass on Saturday).

In 2006. - at the invitation of the pastor Father Alfred Grzempa OMI - sisters from the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of Christ the King for Polonia came to work in the parish. Currently, the parish includes about 3,000 families. Sunday Mass is attended by more than 2,500 people.

St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish in Toronto (ON) became heavily involved in the organization of World Youth Day in 2002. Among other things, the parish hosted catechesis and meetings for young people coming from Poland.

The parish has produced seven priests in its history, four of whom joined the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Six female parishioners joined the congregation of the Felician Sisters. About 1,300 families belong to the parish. More than 900 people attend Mass on Sundays. A Polish school operates on Saturdays.

Polish Oblates also continued their work at Holy Angels Parish in Toronto (ON). From 1987 to 2004, Fr. Edward Świątek OMI was its long-time pastor. In 2007, Fr. Mariusz Wilk OMI began working at the parish – ministering as its pastor from September 1, 2016 to 2025. More than 1,000 families belong to the parish. About 600 faithful attend Mass on Sundays.

However, in 2008, the Polish Oblates surrendered the parish of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Toronto, commonly known as Our Lady Parish on Davenport Rd.

However, the parish of St. Maximilian Kolbe in Mississauga (ON) was developing very rapidly. On September 1, 1991, Fr. Tadeusz Nowak OMI was appointed parish priest in place of Fr. Stanislaw Bąk OMI.

A Family Counseling Center was established, and assistance was organized for those dealing with financial difficulties.

On Good Friday 1995, the Chapel of Divine Mercy was opened. During World Youth Day and the meeting with Holy Father John Paul II in 2002, the parish received more than 1,000 young pilgrims. The parish includes 11,000 families. More than 8,000 faithful attend Sunday Mass. The parish has perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (24 hours, 7 days a week).

The John Paul II Polish Cultural Center has opened its doors next to the church. The design is that all those who wish will find it an agreeable place to showcase and exercise various aspects of their Polish heritage (Polish national holidays, host various visitors from Poland, participate in Polish elections), or just simply gather in a place they can call their “polish home.”

The Polish parish of St. Hyacinth in Ottawa is also thriving. About 1,200 families make up this parish. About 900 people attended Sunday Mass.

Among other things, the parish has a very active Polish Missions Relief Committee. Of note are the following groups: Pastoral Parish Council, Finance Committee, altar boys and lectors, parish choir, children's schola, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, Circle of the Living Rosary, Totus Tuus group, Knighthood of the Immaculate, Eucharistic Youth Movement, Home Church.

In Welland, near Niagra Falls, the province continues to minister at the parish of Saints Peter and Paul, with some 285 families and individuals registered (of which Poles made up half).

In the neighboring town, St. Catharines, there is the parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. More than 1,000 families belonged to this parish. About 700 people attend Mass on Sundays.

During the period under review, new parishes also appeared in the province of Ontario, served by oblates from the Assumption Province.

In the 1990s, the province assumed responsibility for various Italian-speaking parishes in the Diocese of London (ON), run by Italian confreres.

A brand new church of St. Eugene de Mazenod was consecrated in Brampton in May of 2011.

Its history began in 1990, when it became increasingly clear that St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish in Mississauga could no longer meet the needs of the Roman Catholic Polish families living in the area. Overcrowding at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church prompted Fr. Stanislaw Bąk OMI and lay activists to seek to establish a new parish. Bishop Terrence Prendergast, during a pastoral visitation in 1996, found these efforts justified. Shortly after that visitation, Fr. Adam Filas OMI was appointed pastor of St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish and decided to establish a new parish in Brampton (ON), on the outskirts of Toronto. Permission for its establishment was obtained on July 31, 1998. A year later, Fr. Adam Filas OMI began construction of the church.

About 2,500 families belonged to the parish. Sunday Mass was attended by more than 3,000 people. The parish provided religious instruction for children at all levels, and the Polish Saturday School gathered more than 300 children. Noteworthy among the many different parish groups were the Oasis of the Children of God and a group of 200 altar boys.

In 2005, the province took pastoral care of the parish of Our Lady Queen of Poland in Vilnius, Ontario - the oldest Polish parish in Canada. In 1875, the first St. Stanislaus Kostka chapel was built in Hagarty, in the area of Kashubian settlement. This date is considered to be the historical moment when the parish was founded. In the 1880s, the settlement's name was changed to Vilna. In 1936, the church burned down, and a new church was built under the name of Our Lady of Czestochowa.

Beginning in the 1950s, Ontario's Kashubia began to become a Polish summer resort. A center for Polish scouts was also established in the surrounding woods. Approximately 210 families belong to the parish. Fr. Miroslaw Olszewski OMI (2005-2011) became the first Oblate parish priest. He returned to the parish as pastor in 2025.

In 2019, Polish Oblates also took over pastoral care at St. Hedwig Parish in Barry's Bay, which neighbors Vilnius, Ontario.

On September 1, 2016, the Oblates of the Assumption Province of Canada began work at St. Theresa Parish in Courtice, Ontario. Fr. Tomasz Koscinski OMI became the first parish priest.

Pastoral outposts in Canada's western provinces (1990-2016)

The ministry run by the Oblate Province of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in western Canada was also undergoing change.

In the Canadian province of Manitoba, the oldest, personal Polish parish of the Holy Spirit in Winnipeg (MB) still remained the most vibrant. The parish still operates a state-run Catholic school founded a century ago, as well as catechetical instruction for public school children.

There is also the John Paul II Polish Language Saturday School at the parish. In addition, the parish has: Parish Pastoral Council; Finance Committee; Liturgy Committee; altar boys and altar girls group; youth group, children's formation groups, pastoral care for the elderly, pastoral care for the sick (Seven Oaks Hospital), choirs "St. Cecilia" and "Millennium". Cecilia" and "Millennium" choirs; a group of extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion; a group of so-called "marchers" and lectors; catechists; the Cemetery Care Committee; the Economy Committee; the League of Catholic Women; the Knights of Columbus; the Rosary Sodality; Family Counseling.

In 2014, however, Assumption Province closed the pastoral ministry in a second parish in the province of Manitoba – St. Stanislaus Parish in East Selkirk. Fr. Jerry Talarski was the last Oblate priest to minister there.

Major changes in the organization of pastoral ministry were also taking place in parishes run by the Assumption Province in Saskatchewan. This traditional field of Oblate work consisted primarily of small parishes scattered across the prairies, with one resident priest.

In 1991, Polish oblates stopped working at the small urban parish of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Saskatoon (SK). After the oblates, diocesan priests took over pastoral care there again.

The Oblates have also reorganized work in parishes in the former Rama district. Fr. Andrzej Sowa OMI remains at St. Patrick's parish in Sturgis. Currently, the parishes of St. Thomas in Norquay, St. Anne in Buchanan and St. Anthony in Rama also belong to this parish.

St. Thomas parish includes approx. 23 families, about 20 faithful attend Sunday Mass;

St. Anne Parish includes about 33 families, about 30 faithful attend Sunday Mass;

St. Anthony Parish includes about 63 families, about 100 faithful attend Sunday Mass.

Oblates of Assumption Province continued to work at St. Henry's parish in Melvillem Saskatchewan until 2024. In addition, Fr. Wojciech Wojtkowiak OMI worked at St. Stanislaus Parish in Ituna from 1993 to 1994, and in subsequent years at Lestock. Since 2003, on the other hand, Fr. Heinrich Sicking OMI has ministered at Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish in Grayson. The parish in Grayson also served the churches of St. Elizabeth in Killaly, St. Michael the Archangel in Lemberg and the Sacred Heart of Mary in Marieval.

In the province of Alberta, members of Assumption Province continued to minister at Holy Rosary Parish in Edmonton. At the beginning of the 21st century, the parish included 1,500 families. Sunday Mass was attended by more than 1,200 faithful.

The parish had a Pastoral Council; a Finance Committee; a Building Committee; Eucharistic ministers; lectors; cantors; altar servers; catechists; the "St. Cecilia" choir. Cecilia" choir; "Bethlehem" ensemble; "Gloria" children's choir; Men's Club; Rosary Sodalition; Saint Theresa's Missionary Circle; Knights of Columbus; Senior Citizens Club; Circle of Friends of the Catholic University; "Good Shepherd" prayer group; "Totus Tuus" prayer group; Christ the King prayer group; Most Precious Blood prayer group.

As the Polish community in Edmonton grew steadily in the 1960s and 1970s, and especially after 1980, a second Polish parish, St. Mary of the Queen of Poland in Edmonton, was established in 1989. Our Lady Queen of Poland in Edmonton. The parish also saw the rapid formation of numerous parish organizations and committees, catechesis, preparation for the Holy Sacraments, including First Holy Communion and Confirmation. About 950 families belong to this parish. About 850 people attend Sunday Mass.

The only permanently staffed Polish Oblate parish in the province of British Columbia is St. Casimir's Parish in Vancouver. In 2007, Fr. Jacek Nosowicz OMI brought sisters from the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of Christ the King for Polonia to the parish. The parish currently includes about 1,200 families.

In addition, Polish Oblates also temporarily assisted the English-speaking parish in Prince Rupert. In September 2004, Fr. Slawomir Trzasko OMI began his pastoral ministry at the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary parish in Prince Rupert, and Fr. Jacek Nosowicz OMI continued it.