| At the conclusion of Father Daley's term, Father John Kroetch O. M.I.
was appointed pastor. One of 11 children, Father Kroetch was born in the
small farming community of Strome, Alta. He received his early education
in Alberta and later studied at the Oblate Novitiate at Arnprior and at
Holy Rosary Scholasticate at Orleans. He was ordained on June 26,1965 in
his home parish of St. Agnes in Edmonton. Father Kroetch guided the 50th
Anniversary celebrations at Canadian Martyrs. |
| After the reassignment of Father Kroetch in 1980, Canadian Martyrs parish
had a succession of "caretaker" pastors under an Oblate Administrator,
each of whom directed his energies to the maintenance of parish life. This
period, however, also saw changes in the parish community - fewer young
people, families moving to the suburbs and the older parishioners moving
to nursing homes. At the same time, there was an acute shortage of priests
due to the heavy demand made upon the Oblates in their vast mission fields
in our north country as well as in South America. |
| Father Pat Larond came for a short time but his craggy face and gentle
eyes kept looking to the North rather than to his country of birth, France.
His wish was granted and he returned to the Northern Missions. |
| In 1982, Father Harold Conway O.M.I. was appointed Pastor of Canadian
Martyrs, assisted by Fathers Fred Miller O.M.I. and William Bernardo O.M.I.
and Parish Assistant Anne-Marie Bazinet. |
| Father Con way was well known to the parishioners. Prior to, and after
his ordination in 1939, he had taught at St. Patrick's College High School
and from 1948 to 1963, he had served as Principal. Between 1963 and 1969,
he was Principal of the Catholic Central High School in London, ant. In
1969 he was assigned as Superior, Holy Rosary Scholasticate and served in
this capacity until 1971. From 1971 to 1973, he served as Chaplain of the
Vaudreuil English Catholic High School. From 1973 until he retired from
active teaching in 1975, he taught at Pius X Catholic High School in Ottawa.
Concurrently he served as Pastor of St. Jude's, Hawkesbury, Ont. From 1976
to 1982, Father Conway was Pastor of Happy Valley, Goose Bay, Labrador. |
| Throughout his career, Father Conway was active in Teachers' Associations,
at national and international levels, and was a founder of the Canadian
College of Teachers and a member of the founding Board of Governors of the
Ontario Institute of Studies in Education, University of Toronto. In 1981
he received the Order of Canada. When Father Conway suffered a stroke, Father
Fred Miller took his place as Parish Priest. |
In 1987 Canadian Martyrs Parish received an extraordinary blessing with
the appointment
of Father Laurie Conlon O.M.I. Father Lawrence Joseph Conlon was born in
Ottawa East to John and Ethel Conlon and was baptised in Holy Family Church.
He attended Canadian Martyrs School, St.Patrick's College High School and
St. Patrick's College. He entered Holy Rosary Novitiate in 1941, spent 7
years at Holy Rosary Scholasticate and was ordained to the priesthood in
St. Patrick's College Chapel on June 26, 1949, in the presence of his proud
parents, his sisters and brothers, and rejoicing neighbours and friends
of Ottawa East.
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of Father Laurie Conlon O.M.I. Father Lawrence Joseph Conlon was born in
Ottawa East to John and Ethel Conlon and was baptised in Holy Family Church.
He attended Canadian Martyrs School, St.Patrick's College High School and
St. Patrick's College. He entered Holy Rosary Novitiate in 1941, spent 7
years at Holy Rosary Scholasticate and was ordained to the priesthood in
St. Patrick's College Chapel on June 26, 1949, in the presence of his proud
parents, his sisters and brothers, and rejoicing neighbours and friends
of Ottawa East.