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
Sacred Heart
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A chapel was erected in the village Corbeil under the leadership of Father Thomas George Gagnon of Bonfield. This chapel was dedicated to the Sacred Heart and blessed by Bishop Lorrain in 1893. At first, the village of Corbeil was a church mission of Bonfield and subsequently in 1902, it became a mission of Astorville. During Father Sloan’s regime in 1916-1920, the basement of the church was constructed. Further construction was delayed due to the influenza epidemic of that time. In August 1920, Corbeil became a parish. Reverend Daniel J. Breen was the first pastor and work begun on a parish rectory and a two-classroom school. Father Breen also had a mission station in Feronia and served several stations and lumber camps along the Ontario Northland Railway.
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In 1930, Mr. and Mrs. Oliva Dionne became the proud parents of the five quintuplets, who were
baptized by Father McNally. Due to the birth of the Dionne quintuplets, the area of Corbeil and
Callander became a centre for news and publicity for years to come. -
In 1941, Reverend W.H. Lafrance set to work to direct the completion of the Sacred Heart Church.
In 1950, the Sisters of the Sacred Heart became the teaching staff of the four-classroom school at
the time. The old rectory became a convent and a new presbytery arose on the north side of the church. On June 1, 1977, a heavy cross fell on the parish when lightning struck and caused the church to burn to the ground. The long and arduous task of organizing committees for building a new church and planning fundraising, took place. -
Father Adrien Koens, along with a group of dedicated parishioners, oversaw the rebuilding of the
now existing church. The construction was completed in 1980. The church, built to conserve
energy, has windows on the roof facing west to let in plenty of sunlight. The wide seating area and wide sanctuary can allow up to 270 people to sit close to the altar. Much like in its beginnings, today the Sacred Heart church in Corbeil is a location of spirituality to practice one’s Christian faith in the northern part of the Municipality of East Ferris.