We invite everyone across the Diocese of London to keep Pope Leo XIV in their prayers as he recovers from surgery for lung cancer. We pray for his healing, strength and comfort in the days ahead, and for all those caring for him.

Catholic Centennial Week 1926 - A Year of Celebration 100 Years Ago This Week Nineteen twenty-six was a banner year for Catholic London, marking the centenary of the founding of London, and it was the apex of Bishop Michael Francis Fallon’s episcopacy. Bishop Fallon crafted a wonderful calendar of events from September 26 to October 3 to highlight the achievements of Catholic London and its many beautiful architectural monuments. September 26 – Re-opening of St. Peter’s Cathedral and Solemn Pontifical Vespers and Benediction in the evening.. The Cathedral was closed for 18 months for a full renovation. Much of the changes and art work from the 1926 renovation are still visible today. September 27 – Solemn Requiem Mass For the Faithful Departed of the Diocese of London and a Organ and Vocal Recital in the evening. September 28 – Formal Opening of Brescia Hall and a Baccalaureate Service in the evening. September 29 – Opening of the New Saint Peter’s Seminary and Solemn Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament at Saint Peter’s Cathedral. September 30 – Laying and Solemn Blessing of the Corner Stone of the New Nurses’ Home at Saint Joseph’s Hospital. October 1 – Reopening of St. Mary’s Church (London). October 3 – Solemn Closing of Catholic Centennial Week at Saint Peter’s Cathedral and Solemn Pontifical Vespers and Benediction in the evening. The full program (pdf) and other information is available at this link dol.ca/centennial-booklet

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops has released a Joint Statement of the Canadian Catholic Indigenous Council and Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It reads in part: "Finally, we wish to acknowledge that this work must be rooted in the movement of the Holy Spirit. We invite all to continue praying for this healing journey as we look ahead to December 12, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the National Day of Prayer in Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples. May Our Lady, who came to St. Juan Diego in his own language and with the face of his people, accompany us on the path of Truth and Reconciliation."

We are continuing our multipart series of posts about the 1926 Catholic Centennial Week organized by the Church a century ago. The images you see here are from the Centennial Souvenir folder that was printed to commemorate that year. Today's "then and now" images are of St. Peter's Seminary. A seminary is an institution of higher learning that trains candidates for ordination to the priesthood, that prepares lay people and deacons for ministry in the Church, and which provides higher education in Catholic theology. St. Peter’s Seminary was founded 1912, as the seminary of the Catholic Diocese of London. A 25-acre site was chosen for a new building, at the northeast corner of Huron and Waterloo Streets, known as Sunshine Park. This property was donated by Sir Philip Pocock. Like Brescia College and many of the older buildings on Western’s campus, the seminary building is in the Gothic Revival style; specifically, Collegiate Gothic. The present building was dedicated on Wednesday, September 29, 1926, with Bishop M.F. Fallon celebrating Pontifical High Mass. St. Peter’s Seminary is now affiliated with Western University, through King’s University College. More information is at dol.ca. #CatholicCentennial1926

Join us for the 2026 Windsor-Essex Bishop's Dinner. It promises to be a wonderful evening with our Bishop and Bishop-Emeritus. Get your tickets now at this link ow.ly/uXQz50ZSqFY

We are continuing our multipart series of posts about the 1926 Catholic Centennial Week organized by the Church a century ago. The images you see here are from the Centennial Souvenir folder that was printed to commemorate that year. Today's "then and now" images are of the Redemptorist Monastery. Founded by St. Alphonsus Liguori in Naples, Italy, in 1732, the Redemptorists – the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Abbreviated from their Latin name as "CSsR") – are priests and brothers dedicated to missionary work. In the summer of 1912, the Redemptorists agreed, in conversation with Bishop M.F. Fallon, to establish a centre in London. Fr. John McPhail, CSSR, established St. Patrick’s Parish in 1913. In 1924, the Redemptorist Monastery was built on the same property as St. Patrick’s Church, on Dundas Street East. This building was demolished circa 1980 – it was located near the church and the present-day St. Patrick’s School, known now as St. Patrick Adult & Continuing Education. The Redemptorists also operated St. Alphonsus Seminary, in Woodstock, and Holy Redeemer College, in Windsor. More information is at dol.ca. #CatholicCentennial1926

We are continuing our multipart series of posts about the 1926 Catholic Centennial Week organized by the Church a century ago. The images you see here are from the Centennial Souvenir folder that was printed to commemorate that year. Today's "then and now" images are of Brescia College. As an institution, Brescia was founded in 1919 by the Ursuline Sisters of the Chatham Union. Going back to their founding in the 16th century, in the Italian town of Brescia, the Ursuline Sisters have long been promoters of women’s education. Brescia College operated as a woman’s university college, affiliated with the University of Western Ontario. In 1926, a new building was dedicated for Brescia, on a hill overlooking Western’s campus. Built in the Gothic Revival style, this edifice was formally dedicated on Tuesday, September 28, 1926, by Bishop M.J. O’Brien, the Catholic Bishop of Peterborough. Ursuline Hall, Brescia’s principal building, was built under the combined leadership of Bishop M.F. Fallon and Mother Clare Gaukler. The more recent photo was taken circa 2020. In 2024, Brescia ceased to exist as a separate institution and was fully absorbed into Western University. More information is at dol.ca. #CatholicCentennial1926

We are continuing our multipart series of posts about the 1926 Catholic Centennial Week organized by the Church a century ago. The images you see here are from the Centennial Souvenir folder that was printed to commemorate that year. Today's "then and now" images are the Mount St. Joseph Orphan Home. Shortly after the arrival of the Sisters of St. Joseph in London, they founded Mount St. Joseph Orphanage, which opened on April 29, 1900. This was opened on the property of the former Hellmuth Ladies College, founded in 1869. The property had a main building and a chapel in a separate building. In 1953, Mount St. Joseph also became the Motherhouse for the Sisters of St. Joseph, with the orphanage moving to Fontbonne Hall, at 531 Queen’s Ave. The sisters ran the orphanage until 1965, at which point it became Madame Vanier Children’s Services – today known as Vanier Children’s Mental Wellness, located on Trafalgar Street. (Information courtesy of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada Archives) More information is at dol.ca #CatholicCentennial1926

This collection takes place today and tomorrow. Please give what you can.

We are continuing our multipart series of posts about the 1926 Catholic Centennial Week organized by the Church a century ago. The images you see here are from the Centennial Souvenir folder that was printed to commemorate that year. Today's "then and now" images are the Mother House of the Sisters of St. Joseph. In 1914, the Sisters of St. Joseph acquired Sacred Heart Convent (formerly, the convent of the Sacred Heart Sisters), which served as their Motherhouse until 1953, located at the corner of Dundas and Colborne streets. In 1953, the sisters moved to Mount St. Joseph, at the corner of Richmond and Windermere Streets, where they operated a school, as well as a guesthouse for families of patients at St. Joseph’s Hospital. In 2005, they moved to their current building, on Windermere Street. Since 2014, St. Joseph’s Hospice has operated from their new residence. The Sisters of St. Joseph of the Diocese of London are now part of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada. (Information and Photo Courtesy of Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada Archives) #CatholicCentennial1926

We are continuing our multipart series of posts about the 1926 Catholic Centennial Week organized by the Church a century ago. The images you see here are from the Centennial Souvenir folder that was printed to commemorate that year. Today's "then and now" images are House of Providence/Mount Hope . At the invitation of Bishop John Walsh, the Sisters of St. Joseph arrived in London in 1868. Shortly thereafter, they founded Mount Hope, as a home for orphans and for the elderly. In 1899, it became known as the House of Providence. The House of Providence was housed in a property that was originally built in circa 1854, the home of William Barker. This building was expanded in 1877, to accommodate more residents. The original Barker House was demolished in 1963 when Marian Villa was built, while the 1877 extension was demolished by 1980, with the construction of St. Mary’s Hospital. Marian Villa and St. Mary’s are now part of the Mount Hope Centre for Long Term, which forms part of St. Joseph’s Health Care London. Mount Hope is presently operating as a 375-bed facility for long-term care. (Information courtesy of Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada Archives) #CatholicCentennial1926

We are continuing our multipart series of posts about the 1926 Catholic Centennial Week organized by the Church a century ago. The images you see here are from the Centennial Souvenir folder that was printed to commemorate that year. Today's "then and now" images are St. Joseph's Hospital. St. Joseph’s Sisters have a long history in the Diocese of London, with their ministry in health care being an important part of their legacy. Inspired by the good work of the sisters at Mount Hope, the provincial government, through Dr. W.T. O’Reilly, asked Mother Ignatia Campbell (1840 – 1929) to establish St. Joseph’s Hospital. The sisters purchased the stately home of Judge William P.R. Street, at the northeast corner of Richmond and Grosvenor Streets, where St. Joseph’s Hospital started, in 1888. Mother Ignatia also founded Chatham’s St. Joseph’s Hospital, in 1890. An important expansion to London’s St Joseph’s Hospital, a new nurses’ residence, was formally blessed on Thursday, September 30, 1926, as part of Catholic Centennial Week. Today, St. Joseph’s Hospital is part of St. Joseph’s Health Care London, with multiple sites and services. #CatholicCentennial1926

We are continuing our multipart series of posts about the 1926 Catholic Centennial Week organized by the Church a century ago. The images you see here are from the Centennial Souvenir folder that was printed to commemorate that year. Today's "then and now" images are the Sisters of the Precious Blood Monastery. The Congregation of the Sisters Adorers of the Precious Blood was founded in 1861, in St. Hyacinthe, Quebec, by Catherine Aurelia Caouette. Since their founding, the sisters have been a contemplative community devoted to prayer. The Precious Blood Sisters came to the Diocese of London in 1913, at the invitation of Bishop M.F. Fallon, led by Mother Mary Teresa Lamphier. After residing at different locations in London’s core, they came to 667 Talbot Street in 1923, which is at the southwest corner of Talbot and Mill Streets. By the 1970s, the Talbot Street building was in need of major repair. The Ursuline Sisters graciously gave a parcel of land, to the west of Brescia College, to the Precious Blood Sisters, backing up into Medway Valley. A new monastery was built in 1977 at 301 Ramsey Road. Today, the Precious Blood Sisters continue their ministry of contemplative prayer. -------- Newer photograph courtesy of the Precious Blood Sisters. #CatholicCentennial1926