HISTORY - 1949 to 2021

Producing a historical account of any entity’s seventy-two year life is a momentous task and a history of Sacred Heart Parish, Sarnia has been no exception. 

We began with a review of the “Historical Highlights of Sacred Heart” (1999) Anne Hummel and reviewed the information contained in “Gather up the Fragments” A History of the Diocese of London.  Michael Power, Daniel J. Brock, et al. 

Information and photographs contained in the archived booklet commemorating the Solemn Opening and Blessing of the newly built Sacred Heart Church, November 1^st 1959 and parish photograph albums circa 1986, 1999 and 2014 were reviewed. 

It was decided that the historical information would be written by individuals who had knowledge the parish and its ministries.  The writing styles reflect each individual and are varied.  We hope the readers of this work will keep that in mind as they look at the document.  Every effort was made to correctly identify the individuals who were involved in each area of parish life over the years.  We regret if anyone has inadvertently has not been acknowledged.

Sacred Heart Parish History – 1949 – 2021

“Keenly aware of Sarnia’s phenomenal growth in the late 1940’s, His Excellency, John T. Kidd requested Father T.G. Dill to establish a parish from the northern part of Our Lady of Mercy Parish, in what was then Sarnia Township. 

We would be remiss if we did not publicly thank Monsignor Lowry and his parishioners for their generosity in helping establish this parish.  Generosity of material and financial aid and fatherly guidance.”  Extracted from archived booklet commemorating the Solemn Opening and Blessing of the newly built Sacred Heart Church, November 1^st 1959.

On Sunday, September 5^th 1949, Most Reverend J.C. Cody, Bishop of London, turned the sod and blessed the ground for the construction of a basement church for the newly established parish of Sacred Heart.

Approximately sixty families would use the Sacred Heart four roomed school, which opened the next day, for Sunday Worship.

The construction was completed the following winter, and on Palm Sunday, April 1950. Mass was celebrated in the new church which was located on the south side of Charlesworth Avenue.

Clustering of Sacred Heart and St. Michael Parishes
Father Joseph Snyder, Pastor of St. Michael, Bright’s Grove, passed away suddenly at his residence on 4^th July 2009.  Father Snyder’s death brought about St. Michael and Sacred Heart forming a cluster of parishes, with Father Len Desjardins as Pastor of the cluster.  At this time Sacred Heart did not have an Associate Pastor.  Father Peter Poole was assigned to St. Michael to celebrate the Sacraments on weekends.
The excellent Lay Staff at St. Michael remained in their various positions to ensure the necessary day to day operations of the office and property.
The many active ministries, e.g., Sacristan, Music, Readers, Commentators, Eucharistic Ministers, Ushers, Greeters, Baptism Preparation, etc. continued.  St. Michael Catholic Women’s League and Knights of Columbus also continued
The Pastoral team at Sacred Heart extended their ministry by coordinating school masses and paraliturgies with St. Michael School. 
Parent/child meetings for the Sacraments of First Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation were held at St. Michael separate from Sacred Heart.  The Days of Reflection for First Communion and Confirmation were shared with Sacred Heart.  The celebration Confirmation was the only sacrament which was shared by both St. Michael and Sacred Heart.  Reconciliation and First Communion were celebrated at St. Michael.
(See Co-ordinators of Youth Ministry section for details of Youth Ministry at the clustered parishes.)