Librarian
Maxine Whitehead
History of the Diocese of Hamilton: 1960s - Present
Credit: Photograph courtesy of The Catholic Register
Fr. Benoit Boulanger in front of St. Philippe church in Burlington
St. Philippe’s parish was founded in 1968 to meet the needs of the French-Canadian families in the Burlington area
By the late 1960s Canada had embraced a policy of bilingualism and multi-culturalism. People from all continents of the world began to flow into Canada during the tenures of Bishop Ryan and Bishop Paul Francis Reding. This would result in English-language parishes with peoples from some fifty or more different linguistic and ethnic groups. Many “national” parishes, from French to Korean, were now established or had been established long since. Diversity was already a strong tradition in the diocese. As the church progressed to become more culturally diverse, there always remained a deep bond of unity as seen in our common loyalty to the teachings of the church and our love of Christ in the Eucharist.
Entering the 21st century, the diocese has taken particular care to ensure that the spiritual and social needs of all its people are met. In the years to come may we build with conviction and hope so that the journey begun here upon Earth will truly lead us into God’s kingdom in heaven.