THE STORY OF STS. CYRIL & METHODIUS SLOVAK ROMAN CATHOLIC PARISH
MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA
MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA
Broadly speaking, the history of the parish can be divided into three periods of time. From 1928 to 1948, the parish of Sts. Cyril & Methodius was the most important spiritual and social institution in the life of Slovaks in Montreal. During this time, Slovak immigrants typically had the intention of staying in Canada only temporarily. Their goal was to work for a period of time and then to return home to the mother country, bringing with them substantial monetary earnings. World War II interrupted this practice, and the rise of the Iron Curtain across Eastern Europe put an end to it entirely.
From 1948 to 1989, the rise of Communism in the home country meant that Slovaks in Montreal were isolated from their families, friends, and neighbors in Europe. They were obliged to turn inward and use their own, local resources.
In 1989, Slovakia gained its independence and ceased to be a Soviet satellite. The parish of Sts. Cyril & Methodius in Montreal was able to renew its links to the old country, and as a result, could directly cooperate with the Church there.
A more detailed history of the parish reveals that around 1900, the first known, permanent, Slovak immigrants to Montreal were Ladislav and Tereza Kovacik, a married couple. Contrary to the more typical experience of Slovak immigrants, they had arrived in Montreal from New York. Usually, Slovaks followed a reverse pattern and left Montreal to enter the United States. By 1938, Montreal was home to an estimated 5000 Slovak immigrants. Approximately 80% of them were Catholic.
The Slovaks who remained in Montreal were typically from the countryside and accustomed to hard, physical labor. They settled in concentrated numbers in downtown Montreal demarcated by St. Hubert St. (east), Bleury-Park Avenue (west), Craig St. (south), and Duluth Avenue (north).
During that time period, no Slovak priests were among the waves of immigrants to Montreal. The Slovaks turned to the parish of Holy Trinity which was served by a fellow Slav, Polish priest Fr. Wincent Helenowski. The young priest observed that a growing number of Slovak Catholics were attending his church on Richmond St.
In 1927, the Slovaks of Montreal were able to organize the Association of Sts. Cyril & Methodius, Br. 784, of the First Catholic Slovak Union (Jednota). As a community, they also began to organize cultural activities featuring the performing arts. In November of 1927, before there was any formal facility provided for their use, the immigrants presented a community play.
That same year, Fr. Helenowski informed the Archbishop of Montreal, Georges Gauthier, about the spiritual needs of the Slovak Catholics. The archbishop permitted the establishment of a Slovak Mission in the Chapel of Gray Nuns in the House for the Blind on St. Catherine Street. Archbishop Gauthier visited the mission and addressed the Slovaks present there. The text of his statement was published by La Presse, a Montreal daily.
The first Mass celebrated exclusively for the Slovak community at the mission was on January 29, 1928, with Fr. Helenowski at the altar. Regular church services began on February 9, and on March 8, Sts. Cyril & Methodius were officially declared by the Archdiocesan Office to be the patrons of the Slovak Catholic Mission in Montreal.
In September of 1928, a school for Slovak children opened its doors to 40 pupils. Initially staffed by members of the laity, it was later operated by Franciscan sisters. Now that the Slovak community had its own parish and school, events of all sorts, including theatrical productions, choir programs and other presentations by various musical groups, dance ensembles, banquets and picnics, were organized.
During Fr. Helenowski’s time at the Mission of Sts. Cyril & Methodius, he was unable to locate a Slovak priest to serve the immigrant population. In January of 1930, he was recalled to Poland by his bishop, and for several months, no priest at all was present at the mission.
In October of 1930, Fr. Urban Koval, a Franciscan, arrived in Montreal. From that time until the spring of 1997, the parish of Sts. Cyril & Methodius was served by Slovak-speaking priests arriving from a Franciscan convent based in New Jersey, United States.
From 1948 to 1989, the rise of Communism in the home country meant that Slovaks in Montreal were isolated from their families, friends, and neighbors in Europe. They were obliged to turn inward and use their own, local resources.
In 1989, Slovakia gained its independence and ceased to be a Soviet satellite. The parish of Sts. Cyril & Methodius in Montreal was able to renew its links to the old country, and as a result, could directly cooperate with the Church there.
A more detailed history of the parish reveals that around 1900, the first known, permanent, Slovak immigrants to Montreal were Ladislav and Tereza Kovacik, a married couple. Contrary to the more typical experience of Slovak immigrants, they had arrived in Montreal from New York. Usually, Slovaks followed a reverse pattern and left Montreal to enter the United States. By 1938, Montreal was home to an estimated 5000 Slovak immigrants. Approximately 80% of them were Catholic.
The Slovaks who remained in Montreal were typically from the countryside and accustomed to hard, physical labor. They settled in concentrated numbers in downtown Montreal demarcated by St. Hubert St. (east), Bleury-Park Avenue (west), Craig St. (south), and Duluth Avenue (north).
During that time period, no Slovak priests were among the waves of immigrants to Montreal. The Slovaks turned to the parish of Holy Trinity which was served by a fellow Slav, Polish priest Fr. Wincent Helenowski. The young priest observed that a growing number of Slovak Catholics were attending his church on Richmond St.
In 1927, the Slovaks of Montreal were able to organize the Association of Sts. Cyril & Methodius, Br. 784, of the First Catholic Slovak Union (Jednota). As a community, they also began to organize cultural activities featuring the performing arts. In November of 1927, before there was any formal facility provided for their use, the immigrants presented a community play.
That same year, Fr. Helenowski informed the Archbishop of Montreal, Georges Gauthier, about the spiritual needs of the Slovak Catholics. The archbishop permitted the establishment of a Slovak Mission in the Chapel of Gray Nuns in the House for the Blind on St. Catherine Street. Archbishop Gauthier visited the mission and addressed the Slovaks present there. The text of his statement was published by La Presse, a Montreal daily.
The first Mass celebrated exclusively for the Slovak community at the mission was on January 29, 1928, with Fr. Helenowski at the altar. Regular church services began on February 9, and on March 8, Sts. Cyril & Methodius were officially declared by the Archdiocesan Office to be the patrons of the Slovak Catholic Mission in Montreal.
In September of 1928, a school for Slovak children opened its doors to 40 pupils. Initially staffed by members of the laity, it was later operated by Franciscan sisters. Now that the Slovak community had its own parish and school, events of all sorts, including theatrical productions, choir programs and other presentations by various musical groups, dance ensembles, banquets and picnics, were organized.
During Fr. Helenowski’s time at the Mission of Sts. Cyril & Methodius, he was unable to locate a Slovak priest to serve the immigrant population. In January of 1930, he was recalled to Poland by his bishop, and for several months, no priest at all was present at the mission.
In October of 1930, Fr. Urban Koval, a Franciscan, arrived in Montreal. From that time until the spring of 1997, the parish of Sts. Cyril & Methodius was served by Slovak-speaking priests arriving from a Franciscan convent based in New Jersey, United States.
THE PRIESTS OF STS. CYRIL & METHODIUS
Msgr. Wincent Helenowski : Jan 1928-Jan 1930
He was a young, Polish priest who established the parish. He was recalled to Poland in Jan 1930.
Rev. Urban Kovaľ, OFMC: Oct 1930-Nov 1934
He was a Slovak-speaker who finished the organizational work for the parish.
Rev. Anton Billy, OFMC: Nov 1934-Dec 1934
He replaced Fr. Koval for a few weeks. His health failed shortly after his arrival, and a replacement priest was needed.
Rev. James Benish, OFMC: Jan 1935-Feb 1935
He was a temporary replacement for Fr. Billy. His stay was a brief few weeks.
Rev. Felix Feličko, OFMC: Feb 1935-Aug 1939
He relocated the Slovak mission into its own church building on Chenneville Street. The Slovak community had it first community hall at this location.
Rev. Karol Knap, OFMC: Assistant to Fr. Feličko.
Rev. Matej Sedlačko, OFMC: Assistant to Fr. Feličko.
Rev. James Benish, OFMC: Aug 1939-Aug 1951
His 12 year tenure saw many changes in the Slovak church. In March of 1944, Archbishop Joseph Charbonneau officially elevated the Slovak mission to independent parish. He also blessed the very first church building owned by the Slovaks which was at the corner of Marie-Anne and St. Denis Streets. The parish elected its first wardens, and a Základinu (Foundation) was established to finance large church projects.
Rev. Fabian Onderovsky, OFMC: Aug 1951-Aug 1954
His stay at C&M was for three years. A new steeple was added to the church building, a parsonage was acquired, and a new organ was purchased.
Rev. Alfred Kolodzej, OFMC: Assistant to Fr. Onderovsky.
Rev. Florian Billy, OFMC: Aug 1954-Aug 1960
Rev. Matej Sedlačko, OFMC: Assistant to Fr. Billy.
Rev. Cyril Orendáč, OFMC: Aug 1960-Oct 1966
During his tenure, three priests were assigned to the parish. The Second Vatican Council met at this time, and Fr. Orendáč was the first priest in Montreal to celebrate Mass in the Slovak language. In 1966, a church building on Jean Talon Street was purchased. It had originally been constructed in 1944 as an auxiliary community hall for the nearby French parish of St.-Matthieu. Bishop Valerian Belanger consecrated the main altar on September 25, 1966.
Rev. Urban Kovaľ , OFMC: Assistant to Fr. Orendáč .
Rev. Matej Sedlačko, OFMC: Assistant to Fr. Orendáč .
Rev. James Benish, OFMC: Oct 1966-Sep 1970
Returned to the parish he had served 15 years earlier. This time, his stay lasted 4 years. He completed renovations to the church building on Jean Talon, which included expanding the choir loft and purchasing a new organ.
Rev. Kazimír Cverčko, OFMC: Retired to Montreal during the tenure of Fr. Benish and spent many years assisting that pastor and his successors.
Rev. Fabian Onderovsky, OFMC: Oct 1970-Jan 1971
His second assignment at C&M was brief. Three Sunday Masses, including one in English, were established at the parish. He passed away after just a few months.
Rev. Edwin Mihalko, OFMC: Feb 1971-Jul 1973
He stayed for two years in Montreal. He introduced modern, musical services for the youth of the parish.
Rev. Roman Ondečko, OFMC: Jul 1973-Apr 1997
He was the longest serving Franciscan at C&M. His tenure was nearly 24 years. During this period, significant demographic change occurred in the parish. Contemporary social trends that affected much of Western Civilization also influenced Slovak Catholics in Montreal.
The founders of the parish gradually passed away, and the number of funerals substantially surpassed the number of weddings and baptisms. The Franciscan Order which had provided the parish with Slovak-speaking priests since the 1930’s ceased to attract vocations from among Slovak youth.
Slovakia itself was effectively sealed behind the Iron Curtain, and what little immigration from the mother country that did occur rarely produced new priests. The religious and social life of the parish became more Canadian, and the use of the Slovak language declined. The parish ceased to be the center of life for the majority of Slovaks in Montreal.
During this period, one notable, religious vocation was produced. The Rev. Stanislav Stohl, a Montreal Slovak in his 30’s, left a successful computer career to study for the priesthood. He was ordained by Pope John Paul II in 1989.
Also in 1989, Communist rule of Slovakia came to an end. In theory, it was now possible to obtain a priest directly from the mother country. At the advanced age of 80, Fr. Roman could finally consider retiring from his Montreal ministry, and he did so in 1997.
Rev. František Zeman, ThD.: 1997
He briefly replaced Fr. Roman. He is a professor of Theology and an educator. During his stay, the Board of Wardens and the Archdiocese of Montreal arranged for the appointment of a new priest from Slovakia.
Rev. Gabriel Juruš: Nov 1997-Jul 2000
He was the first pastor at the parish to have been born and fully educated in Slovakia. His appointment created a new link with the mother country. New Slovak immigrants joined the parish and brought their old world traditions with them. This infused a stronger Slovak character into the largely Canadian parish.
During this period, one more religious vocation from the parish emerged. In 1997, Rudolf Grega, Jr., son of Rudolf and Anna Grega, Slovaks who immigrated to Canada in 1981, entered seminary in Montreal .
Msgr. František Zeman, ThD.: Jul 2000-Dec 2000
Again, he served as a short-term replacement.
Rev. Vladimir Litva, ThD: Dec 2000-Jul 2005
Rev. Eugen Rybansky: Nov 2005-Aug 2006
Rev. Frantisek Krusinsky: Aug 2006-Aug 2010
Rev. Peter Sabbath: Parochial Administrator from the term of Fr. Krusinsky until April, 2015.
EWTN Interview: Fr. Peter Sabbath - A Jewish Convert Becomes a Catholic Priest
The material for this brief history, including the list of priests, was taken largely from the memorial book published in 2003 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the parish of Sts. Cyril & Methodius.
He was a young, Polish priest who established the parish. He was recalled to Poland in Jan 1930.
Rev. Urban Kovaľ, OFMC: Oct 1930-Nov 1934
He was a Slovak-speaker who finished the organizational work for the parish.
Rev. Anton Billy, OFMC: Nov 1934-Dec 1934
He replaced Fr. Koval for a few weeks. His health failed shortly after his arrival, and a replacement priest was needed.
Rev. James Benish, OFMC: Jan 1935-Feb 1935
He was a temporary replacement for Fr. Billy. His stay was a brief few weeks.
Rev. Felix Feličko, OFMC: Feb 1935-Aug 1939
He relocated the Slovak mission into its own church building on Chenneville Street. The Slovak community had it first community hall at this location.
Rev. Karol Knap, OFMC: Assistant to Fr. Feličko.
Rev. Matej Sedlačko, OFMC: Assistant to Fr. Feličko.
Rev. James Benish, OFMC: Aug 1939-Aug 1951
His 12 year tenure saw many changes in the Slovak church. In March of 1944, Archbishop Joseph Charbonneau officially elevated the Slovak mission to independent parish. He also blessed the very first church building owned by the Slovaks which was at the corner of Marie-Anne and St. Denis Streets. The parish elected its first wardens, and a Základinu (Foundation) was established to finance large church projects.
Rev. Fabian Onderovsky, OFMC: Aug 1951-Aug 1954
His stay at C&M was for three years. A new steeple was added to the church building, a parsonage was acquired, and a new organ was purchased.
Rev. Alfred Kolodzej, OFMC: Assistant to Fr. Onderovsky.
Rev. Florian Billy, OFMC: Aug 1954-Aug 1960
Rev. Matej Sedlačko, OFMC: Assistant to Fr. Billy.
Rev. Cyril Orendáč, OFMC: Aug 1960-Oct 1966
During his tenure, three priests were assigned to the parish. The Second Vatican Council met at this time, and Fr. Orendáč was the first priest in Montreal to celebrate Mass in the Slovak language. In 1966, a church building on Jean Talon Street was purchased. It had originally been constructed in 1944 as an auxiliary community hall for the nearby French parish of St.-Matthieu. Bishop Valerian Belanger consecrated the main altar on September 25, 1966.
Rev. Urban Kovaľ , OFMC: Assistant to Fr. Orendáč .
Rev. Matej Sedlačko, OFMC: Assistant to Fr. Orendáč .
Rev. James Benish, OFMC: Oct 1966-Sep 1970
Returned to the parish he had served 15 years earlier. This time, his stay lasted 4 years. He completed renovations to the church building on Jean Talon, which included expanding the choir loft and purchasing a new organ.
Rev. Kazimír Cverčko, OFMC: Retired to Montreal during the tenure of Fr. Benish and spent many years assisting that pastor and his successors.
Rev. Fabian Onderovsky, OFMC: Oct 1970-Jan 1971
His second assignment at C&M was brief. Three Sunday Masses, including one in English, were established at the parish. He passed away after just a few months.
Rev. Edwin Mihalko, OFMC: Feb 1971-Jul 1973
He stayed for two years in Montreal. He introduced modern, musical services for the youth of the parish.
Rev. Roman Ondečko, OFMC: Jul 1973-Apr 1997
He was the longest serving Franciscan at C&M. His tenure was nearly 24 years. During this period, significant demographic change occurred in the parish. Contemporary social trends that affected much of Western Civilization also influenced Slovak Catholics in Montreal.
The founders of the parish gradually passed away, and the number of funerals substantially surpassed the number of weddings and baptisms. The Franciscan Order which had provided the parish with Slovak-speaking priests since the 1930’s ceased to attract vocations from among Slovak youth.
Slovakia itself was effectively sealed behind the Iron Curtain, and what little immigration from the mother country that did occur rarely produced new priests. The religious and social life of the parish became more Canadian, and the use of the Slovak language declined. The parish ceased to be the center of life for the majority of Slovaks in Montreal.
During this period, one notable, religious vocation was produced. The Rev. Stanislav Stohl, a Montreal Slovak in his 30’s, left a successful computer career to study for the priesthood. He was ordained by Pope John Paul II in 1989.
Also in 1989, Communist rule of Slovakia came to an end. In theory, it was now possible to obtain a priest directly from the mother country. At the advanced age of 80, Fr. Roman could finally consider retiring from his Montreal ministry, and he did so in 1997.
Rev. František Zeman, ThD.: 1997
He briefly replaced Fr. Roman. He is a professor of Theology and an educator. During his stay, the Board of Wardens and the Archdiocese of Montreal arranged for the appointment of a new priest from Slovakia.
Rev. Gabriel Juruš: Nov 1997-Jul 2000
He was the first pastor at the parish to have been born and fully educated in Slovakia. His appointment created a new link with the mother country. New Slovak immigrants joined the parish and brought their old world traditions with them. This infused a stronger Slovak character into the largely Canadian parish.
During this period, one more religious vocation from the parish emerged. In 1997, Rudolf Grega, Jr., son of Rudolf and Anna Grega, Slovaks who immigrated to Canada in 1981, entered seminary in Montreal .
Msgr. František Zeman, ThD.: Jul 2000-Dec 2000
Again, he served as a short-term replacement.
Rev. Vladimir Litva, ThD: Dec 2000-Jul 2005
Rev. Eugen Rybansky: Nov 2005-Aug 2006
Rev. Frantisek Krusinsky: Aug 2006-Aug 2010
Rev. Peter Sabbath: Parochial Administrator from the term of Fr. Krusinsky until April, 2015.
EWTN Interview: Fr. Peter Sabbath - A Jewish Convert Becomes a Catholic Priest
The material for this brief history, including the list of priests, was taken largely from the memorial book published in 2003 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the parish of Sts. Cyril & Methodius.