Yes, it has come to pass here in Toronto that - like in many other German parishes in Canada - the Redemptorist Fathers have suggested that the German speaking parishioners join the English speaking parishioners of St. Patrick's. For the present, we are promised a German mass every Sunday. We still have two priests who speak German, in a limited capacity, and Fr. Hoeppe, who will celebrate his 80th Birthday on April 26th still takes his turn every 2 to 3 weeks.
The lack of priests is the main reason for this decision; another one is that the German Parish is shrinking badly because our young people have settled into their various suburban parishes.
This merger could be a boost for Kolping Toronto; we're just not quite sure how it will play out. The final decision will be made in 2011. Many of our members have moved away after retirement and it takes some over an hour to travel to downtown Toronto to attend our functions.
The combined celebration of St. Nikolaus and Christmas in early December was well attended, thanks in part to the appearance of St. Nick who brought a small gift to the younger grandkids.
The General Meeting in January brought in a new executive. We are grateful to Werner Scheliga who was willing to take over the Leadership of our Kolping Family as its President. The other Executive members are as follows:
Vice President: Karl Wiker
Secretary: Ann Salb
Treasurer: Reinhard Drobing
Reporter to the National Newsletter: Steve Salb
Additional members on the executive are Margaret Stecker, Victoria Korte, Alfons Loeffler, Joe Schmid; all of them have other responsibilities as well.
It has become a tradition that our Kolping ladies prepare a Lenten Meal of pea soup in March to which the whole parish is invited. Profit from the meal brought in $1700 for Share Life. Thanks to the ladies and the male choir who supported us in this effort.
Our annual men's retreat in Marylake is taking place in April. Mary lake is a beautiful property 20km north of Toronto, managed by the Augustinian Fathers.
We would like to thank our Captain W. Scheliga for his efforts in Kolping for more than 50 years! We are looking forward to our spring outing and to the summer picnic.
NEWS FROM KOLPING TORONTO
