Parish History
On November 14, 1937, Holy Tinity Parish was canonically founded by a decree issued by the Most Reverand Bishop R.H. Dignan, Bishop of Sault Ste. Marie Diocese. It was also on this date that Reverand J.S. Nietupski was assigned as parish priest and served as first Pastor until May, 1943.
Within a week of the Bishop's decree the first Society in the Church of Holy Trinity was formed, namely the Altar Society, which assisted the needs of the Altar and Church.
The first Mass was celebrated on December 15, 1937, in the temporarily erected chapel at the newly acquired Rectory at 426 Burton Avenue. The Sisters of St. Joseph's Order prepared the chapel for the regular Sinday Mass service.
Next to the Rectory, on the north-east corner of Burton Avenue and Jean Street, in the Donovan section of the City of Sudbury, the first sod was turned on June 20, 1938, and the official laying and blessing of the cornerstone was marked on August 14, 1938. the new Church was built by Anthony Zettler, under the direction of P.J. Gorman, Architect.
ON May 1, 1943 Reverand H.J. Murphy, now the Very Reverand Monsignor H.J. Murphy , was appointed as Pastor and from the monent he arreved, new church history began for some 800 families.
There were many church organizations, all flourishing under the outstanding guidance and spiritual direction of the beloved Monsignor Murphy. To mention but a few:
The League of the Sacred Heart,
The Legions fo Mary with 14 praesidiums,
The guides and Brownies, and the Scouts and Cubs, with their very able Leaders,
The Sodality and the Single Working Youth,
The Catholic Women's League, organized on January 25, 1959, and replacing the Confraternity of Christian Mothers, Ladies of Mary, and Altar Society,
The Parent-Teacher Associations of 3 affiliated schools: St. David's, St. Joseph's and St. Gabriel's; latterly Lapalme School,
The Men's Club, replacing the Holy Name Society,
The Credit Union,
The Hockey Teams,
The Playground Associations: Antwerp and Victory,
The Youth Camp at Rock Lake,
The Inquiry Classes,
The Junior and Senior Knights of the Altar,
The Girls choirs,
The Senior Adult Choir,
The Croatian String Band,
The Parish Council.
Father Murphy was named Diocesan Director of Immigration, and he was named Dean of the Diocese; he was also designated Papal Chamberlain by proclaimation from the Holy See and became a Monsignor.
There were four Priests and twelve Nuns that have come from Holy Trinity Parish during the time when Monsignor Murphy was Pastor.
During that period a Shrine on Jean Street, beside the Church, and a Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, on the grounds between the Chruch and the Rectory, were built.
In September, 1979, Reverand B.J. Burns, who had served at Holy Trinity as assistant from the years 1960 to 1965, returned as Pastor and continued with his ambitious and tireless work. He added new Lectors and installed new Lay Ministers. The newly formed youth group became very active.
Father Burns had necessary work and repairs done to the Church and Rectory; with complete and modern renovations the the Church Auditorium and Kitchen, a project of which the ladies of the parish are very proud.
In 1983 the St. Joseph Shrine was built next to the Rectory.
Father Burns was greatly involved in the field of Education and Teaching, and Community at large. He also served as Dean of the Sudbury Deanery.
In September, 1985, the newly appointed Bishop M.A. Gervais made changes which moved Father Burns to Precious Blood Cathedral in Sault Ste. Marie to replace Monsignor H.J. Murphy who was retiring.
Reverand James Myles Sharpe, formerly pastor of St. John the Evangelist Chruch in Garson, is now Pastor of Holy Trinity Church. He came to Holly Trinity from Christ the King Church on September 1, 1985.
Father Sharpe was born in Creighton Mine. He entered St. Peter's Seminary, London, Ontario, in 1948. He spent two summers with the Canadian Officers Training Corps at La Citadelle, Quebec City and at Camp Borden, to receive his commission as Captain in the Canadian Army.
Father Sharpe was Ordained on June 4, 1955. His first Mass was in St. Michael's Church, Creighton Mine. He has served as Pastor in various locations and is the Chaplain of the Knights of Columbus.
There are a number of men from the parish who are members of the Knights of Columbus; some have been members for many years.
Father Sharpe takes a keen interest in the Youth and Parish activities.
The Youth Group of the Parish continues to be very active.
In 1985 the Junior Girls Choir was organized.
In August, 1986, Father Sharpe assisted in the dedication of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Shrine built near the intersection of Hignway 69 and the Kilarney turn-off in honour of Monsignor H.J.Murphy, founder of the Holy Trinity Youth Camp at Rock Lake. The project was sponsored by the Men's Club of Holy Trinity Church.
There are three shrines on the grounds of the Church that compliment each other making Holy Trinity unique.
The Church has one Deacon, a number of Lectors, and a large number of Lay Ministers to assist the Pastor at the Church and to bring Holy Communion to the ill and shutins.
The Spiritual and Social needs of Holy Trinity Parish have been greatly attended to during the past 50 years by our Pastors and their assistant Priests and Sisters.
Many bingos, garden parties, teas, suppers, and socials have been held by the dedicated parishioners who have donated many hours of time and work to support the Parish and community at large, and the Third World.
Many various charitable orgaizations have been supported, such as: The Perinatal Unit, Cancer Treatment Centre, Multiple Sclerosis Society, Hearat Foundation, Kidney Foundation, and many more.
Other worthy causes that have been assisted are:
The Seminary Fund, Foster Parents Plan, Catholic Charities, Meals on Wheels, Birthright, Right to Life, and the Organization for Peace and Development, etc.
"HOLY TRINITY CHURCH" in gold block letters have been place on the front of the Church as a memento of "THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY"; as well as an illuminated Bulletin Board, with Mass Schedule, installed on the lawn.
ON NOVEMBER 14, 1987 -THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF HOLY TRINITY - WITH CELEBRATION OF MASS AT 5:15 PM, THE PARISHIONERS UNITE IN GRATITUDE FOR THE MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND BLESSINGS SHARED DURING THE PAST 50 YEARS. WE SINCERELY PRAY THAT GOD WILL CONTINUE TO BLESS AND SHOWER HIS GRACES ON THE PEOPLE AND HOLY TRINITY PARISH, AS WE LOOK TOWARD A CENTENNIAL.
On December 29, 1949, Holy Trinity Parish, signed an application for a charter to open a Parish Credit Union. Upon approval, the business of the Holy Trinity Parish Credit Union was carried on in a little office in the Church basement until November, 1961, when a new building was built at 419 Antwerp Avenue, and was officially opened by the Ontario Credit Union League (Sudbury) LImited, and later became a community credit union, known as the Sudbury North Credit Union Limited; and is now located on Kathleen Street.
In the spring of 1950, a Superstructure of the Church was commenced, resulting, upon completion, in a seating capacity of 555. The first neon stainless steel cross in Sudbury was placed on the steeple on the newly constructed Holy Trinity Church, and at the time, Electronic Bells of eight changes in note were installed; the Church then being only the fourth in Canada to have this new type chime. A handsome oil painting depicting the Church's namesake, "The Holy Trinity", was hung over the Main Altar, as a tribute to the Polish people who presented it - the master piece of an artist.
During the summer of 1954, the Youth Camp at Rock Lake was orgainzed. Each summer, from 1954 to 1971, Monsignor Murphy drove the children to camp each day by bus for six weeks; 3 weeks for the boys, 3 weeks for the girls. As a result of Monsignor Murphy's untiring efforts, many of the teenagers have been assigned as life-guards at Lake Ramsey, after obtaining their Bronze Medal. Monsignor Murphy received an Honorary Certificate from the Sudbury Centennial Committee for his services to the City and for his work amoung children.
The old Rectory was demolished in 1958, and a New Church Rectory was rebuilt on the same location.
In September, 1971, Monsignor Murphy was trasnferred to Precious Blood Cathedral in Sault Ste. Marie, his hometown.
The work of the Parish continued under the direction of Reverand P.J. Lowney who was appointed as Pastor. He served from 1971 to 1979 with great enthusiasm and sincerity.
The Parish Council carried out their duties on the different committees; Finance, Maintenance, Liturgical with Lectors and Lay Ministers installed.
The Social Services Committee treated the elderly residents of Sunset Haven to parties at Christmas and on other special occasions. The social work continued with C.W.L., and the ladies of the parish, in serving luncheons after First Holy Communion, Confirmation, and Funerals.
In March, 1975, the Italian Community was formed with the Annual Celebration of the Feast of St. Joseph, which continued to this day.
Meetings were held and plans were made with Father Lowney, the Parish Council and Committees, to renovate Holy Trinity Church. Renovations started in July, 1976, Meanwhile Masses were held in the Church Auditorium with a temporary Altar and set-up.
The two side Altars and oil painting were removed in order to construct a concave wall and the main Altar, Tabernacle, and Lectern were each supported by 3 circular columns depicting The Holy Trinity.
The Burton Avenue entrance at the front of the Church was transformed to a Vestibule newly constructed on the north wall of the Church. The main entrance still remains on Burton Avenue.
After the necessary changes and repairs to the Church were completed, the organ and the Adult Choir were moved to the front of the Church.
On January 30, 1977, Bishop A. Carter conducted a re-dedication ceremony to mark the re-opening of the newly renovated Church.
In 1978, the Catholic Ministries Program was initiated, woth one Deacon (Reverand Mr. Finlay MacLeod) ordained from the parish.
