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History / Our Patron Saint

- Parish Life
Quotes from
St. Gerard Majella

Consider the shortness of time, the length of eternity, and reflect how everything here below comes to an end and passes by. Of what use is it to lean upon that which cannot give support?
Who except God can give you peace? Has the world ever been able to satisfy the heart?
I see in my neighbor the Person of Jesus Christ.
The Most Blessed Sacrament is Christ made visible. The poor sick person is Christ again made visible.

St. Gerard Majella, Our Patron Saint

St. Gerard Majella was born almost 300 years ago on April 26, 1727, the youngest and only boy of five children in a small town in southern Italy. Frail at birth, he was baptized the same day. As a child, he was so good and prayed so fervently that his mother described him as being 'born for heaven'.

At age twelve his father died, leaving the family in poverty and forcing Gerard to leave school and work to help support his mother and sisters. Although he worked as a tailor, his heart was set on devoting his life to God and helping those in need. In his late teens he applied to join the Capuchin order, but was rejected due to his poor health.

At age twenty-three, he was accepted as a lay brother with the Redemptorists, a missionary order dedicated to preaching the word of God to the poor. He was a model of obedience and posessed extraordinary wisdom. St. Gerard died at age 29 from tuberculosis, but his short life was filled with good works, miracles, healings, reading hearts, spiritual ecstacy, visions and devotion.

St. Gerard has become known as the special patron saint of mothers (an unofficial title), with his intercession being sought for expectant mothers, unborn children and women in childbirth.
Prayer to St. Gerard Majella

Almighty and Eternal God, we thank you for the gift of St. Gerard and the example of his life. Because St. Gerard always had complete faith and trust in you, you blessed him with great powers of help and healing. Through him, you showed your loving concern for all those who suffered or were in need. You never failed to hear his prayer on their behalf. Today, through St. Gerard's powerful intercession, you continue to show your love for all those who place their trust in you.

Insert any personal prayer intentions here.

And so, Father, full of faith and confidence, and in thanksgiving for all the wonderful things you have done for us, we place ourselves before you today. Through the intercession of St. Gerard, hear our petitions, and if it is your holy will, grant them. Amen.
The History of St. Gerard`s Parish

The founding pastor of St. Gerard's parish was Fr. John O’Brien, with authorization to form the church coming from Bishop Francis Carroll, fourth Bishop of Calgary (1935 - 1967).
The new parish was established on August 17, 1960, under the name of St. Gerard Majella.
Negotiations for the purchase of acreage on Hays Farm were begun with Mayor Harry Hays in 1959. The property procured was on Elbow Drive at 89 Avenue SW, with the rectory and the hall ready for occupancy in December, 1962
“Almost overnight, the hall became a centre of great activity in all phases of parish life. All became quickly imbued with the vibrant spirit which prevailed at St. Gerard’s.”
St. Gerard's Church was blessed by Bishop Francis J. Klein (fifth Bishop of Calgary, 1967-1968) on June 28, 1967.
Total cost of land, hall, rectory and church, with furnishings, was $420,000.

“Since the opening of the church, the parish community of St. Gerard’s has been a model of progress and a leader in putting into practical effect the directives of the Second Vatican Council.”

“A long-standing and popular parish event is the Annual Stampede Breakfast, a tradition launched by Monsignor O’Brien in the early days, and still a gala occasion with a real Western’ flare.”

“St. Gerard’s has always been a generous church community. It has contributed very liberally to assist the Bishops in the development of new parishes.”

There have been many good and faithful priests who have served the parishioners over the last 57 years, with religious sisters having been a valuable spiritual asset to the parish.
St. Gerard's remains a vibrant and dynamic parish. As it was in the beginning, so it continues.