Father Cyril Okabanama, S.M.M.M.
Father Cyril’s inspiration in becoming a priest emanates very simply from the love of God and humanity. As a young Nigerian child, Cyril was a mass server and member of the block Rosary (those that gather every evening to recite the Rosary). This incited Cyril in becoming a priest so that he could continue serving God and His people in a special way.
Father Cyril came to Canada on mission, with the agreement of his congregation and that of Monsignor Mulhall, bishop of Pembroke. Father Cyril deeply enjoys celebrating mass in Canada. He also finds great gratitude in hearing confession because this gives him the joy of helping people reconcile with their God, which he finds essential in our worship of God.
Father Cyril wishes to encourage his parishioners and the general public to keep loving God and their neighbours. He says, “those who put their trust in God are like mount Zion - they cannot be shaken and they stand forever. No one should ever forget that to be near God is the greatest happiness.”
Father Cyril and Deacon Foster
Deacon Tim Foster
Father Cyril Okabanama, S.M.M.M.
Father Cyril’s inspiration in becoming a priest emanates very simply from the love of God and humanity. As a young Nigerian child, Cyril was a mass server and member of the block Rosary (those that gather every evening to recite the Rosary). This incited Cyril in becoming a priest so that he could continue serving God and His people in a special way.
Father Cyril came to Canada on mission, with the agreement of his congregation and that of Monsignor Mulhall, bishop of Pembroke. Father Cyril deeply enjoys celebrating mass in Canada. He also finds great gratitude in hearing confession because this gives him the joy of helping people reconcile with their God, which he finds essential in our worship of God.
Father Cyril wishes to encourage his parishioners and the general public to keep loving God and their neighbours. He says, “those who put their trust in God are like mount Zion - they cannot be shaken and they stand forever. No one should ever forget that to be near God is the greatest happiness.”
Father Cyril and Deacon Foster
Deacon Tim Foster
Deacon Tim Foster is originally from Cochrane, Ontario. He settled into Astorville, Ontario in 1986. Together with his wife, Suzanne, they have raised a beautiful family of four children, and now have three grandchildren. Tim worked as an Ontario Provincial Police officer for most of his working career. He is also an avid sportsman, having been involved in hockey as an OHL referee for a number of years and now regularly trains for half-marathon running. Tim used to spend much more of his time at the hockey rink, but now says that the church is his new devotion. He sincerely enjoys contributing to the parish and seeing the members of our community grow in their Catholic faith.
OUR HISTORY
Saint Thomas d'Aquin
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In April 1886, Monsignor Narcisse Zephirin Lorrain, bishop of Pontiac, granted permission to the
settlers of the head of Lake Nosbonsing to construct a small chapel on Lot 19 Concession 2 in East
Ferris. A lot of one-half acre was donated by Joseph Alphonse Levesque for this purpose. A small
chapel was built near the shores of Lake Nosbonsing by Pierre Guillemette and a crew of
labourers. Father Thomas-Georges Gagnon of Bonfield celebrated the first Mass in this chapel. In
October of 1886, Joseph Guillemette and Armanda Robert, were the first to be wed in the chapel.
In the Spring of 1887, Monsignor Lorrain named the new parish, “St Thomas d’Aquin". -
By 1902, the parish had grown in numbers and required larger premises. Father Antonin Astor oversaw the construction of a new church, where he was priest from 1902 to 1916. It is from Father Astor that the village « Astorville » has been named. In 1904, the church burnt to the ground. With much determination, the people of Astorville immediately banded together to rebuild the church. In 1966, the church structure was demolished and made way for the construction by Andre Rochefort of a new and what is known as the current house of God of today.
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Since its foundation in 1902, St Thomas d’Aquin Parish continues to be a location of worship for
our Lord, a gathering area for parishioners and the location of many marriages, baptisms, funerals
and other sacraments for the people of Astorville and its surrounding area.