By Tim Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News
A joyful celebration of past, present and future was held Nov. 16 to mark the 60th anniversary of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Davidson, SK.
“The first of many Catholics who came to settle in the Davidson area arrived in about 1903. The first Catholic Mass was celebrated in 1906 in the old British Hall by Peter Habetz, omg, of Regina. In 1917, a small church was built under the direction of Fr. J. Lukas of Kenaston, and blessed by Regina Archbishop Olivier-Elzéar Mathieu on Aug. 6, 1922. Sacred Heart Church was officially established as a parish in 1945, with Fr. C. O. Fillion as the first pastor. The present church was built in 1957, designed by a Regina architect, the construction was carried out by foreman Con Painchaud plus many volunteers, with the project overseen by pastor Fr. John Floyd. The first Mass in the new Sacred Heart Church was celebrated by Fr. Floyd on June 7, 1959, and the church was blessed by Regina Archbishop Michael O’Neill on Oct. 20, 1959. In September 1998, Sacred Heart Parish, Davidson, formerly of the Archdiocese of Regina, was welcomed into the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon.” – Building The Church, Living the Gospel (2013) by Margaret Sanche and Daniel Classen
The Saturday evening celebration started with celebration of Mass for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time with celebrants Bishop Mark Hagemoen of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, present pastor Fr. Madonna-Godwin Aghedo, OP, and former pastor Fr. Phong Pham. Mass was followed by a banquet, a program and entertainment.
MC for the evening was Larry Packet. Mary Jane Morrison brought greetings and messages, and other speakers included MLA Greg Brkich, CWL rerpresentative Marilyn Willner, Knights of Columbus representative Brian Hanson, Bishop Mark Hagemoen, and Fr. Madonna-Godwin Aghedo, OP.
A musical number “My God” was performed by parishioners attired as religious sisters. The evening concluded with a performance of “Memorable Music of the Legendary Ladies of the 60s” starring Brenda Lee Cottrell.
