Father Basil Courtemanche, Fifth Pastor

1978-1993

September 7, 1978

Fr. Basil F. Courtemanche was appointed pastor. He had been a professor, the Dean of Studies, and a vice president at St. Augustine's Seminary, and had served as pastor and associate pastor in several parishes in the Archdiocese of Toronto.

1983

Fr. Courtemanche organized the celebrations for the 60th anniversary of the founding of the parish. Bishop R.B. Clune was the principal celebrant at a Mass of Thanksgiving on April 10, and G. Emmett Cardinal Carter at another on September 18. Several other functions were held, and a parish history was published.

1985

Extensive renovations were carried out in the church and basement. The baptistry was moved from the south transept to the north, and a new font was installed. The Blessed Sacrament altar was reconstructed in the south transept and the celebrant's chair took its place. The altar table was enlarged and the sanctuary steps rebuilt. The renovations were done to bring the interior more in line with the liturgy of Vatican II.

November 25, 1993

Fr. Courtemanche died at age 74

Photo of Fr. Basil Courtemanche is courtesy of the Archives of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Toronto (ARCAT).