PARISH HISTORY

Saint Peter’s Parish Community dream began in 1976 with hope, faith, prayer and love to become an established parish community. On October 17, 1976, the first Mass was celebrated by Father Rocco Volpe in the gymnasium of St. Peter’s Catholic School. Father Rocco, a Basilian priest became a prominent figure of support in those very early days of the parish’s humble beginnings. The faithful of this parish community in those early days, approximately 200 families, contributed in a very substantial way with their charity, brotherly love, financial support, and their tireless volunteer efforts.


To strengthen the effort and help establish our parish community, Father Ermanno Bulfon arrived in the late October’1976 and was appointed the first pastor of the parish. Over the years, St. Peter’s was blessed with several priests, whose individual contributions helped not only to strengthen the establishment of the parish, but its continued growth. Those individuals being: Fr, Vito Marziliano, Fr. John Borean, Fr. Joe Barbieri, Fr. Liborio Amaral, Fr. Bruno Massacavollo, Fr. Giacomo Giovanelli, Fr. Guiseppe Dal Ferro, Fr. Xavier De Pinto, Fr. Giorgio DiCicco, Fr. Giovanni Carparelli, Fr. Felix Linatoc, Fr. Augusto Porso, Fr. Vitaliano Papais, Fr. Claudio Moser, Fr. Michael Della Penna, Fr. Edwin Joseph Paniagua, Fr. Matthew Pendanathu, Fr. Jules Wong, Fr. James Wells and our current pastor, Father Michael Corcione.


The hopes and dreams of the early parish community was answered nine years after the first celebrated Mass back in October’76. During these nine years, there was an intensified fund raising efforts, a formal parish council was established with a constitution according to Canon Law and Archdiocese guidelines. The lay ministries and volunteer efforts of parishioners helped to sustain the parish growth during those early years. On June 15, 1984 a procession and Celebration of Light was held, followed by a groundbreaking ceremony on June 17, 1984 to mark the impending construction of the new church.


Arriving on the scene was Father Vito Marziliano, as an associate pastor to assist Father Ermanno in the duties of the parish. Father Ermanno passed away on May 16, 1985. With continued patience and sacrifice, plans for the construction of the new church forged ahead with the commitment and trust by the Archdiocese of Toronto in the faithful of this community.


Arriving in June’85 as the new pastor, Father John Borean began to work on the construction of the new church. Father John’s expertise in architecture and construction coupled with community support afforded him the opportunity to fortify the building endeavor to a successful completion. On June 28, 1986 a candlelight procession from St. Peters School to the new St. Peter’s Church building proceeded to commemorate the opening of the doors. On October 26, 1986 His Eminence, Cardinal Carter consecrated the church.


With an exploding population growth in Woodbridge came with it an increased parish community, one that brought in a variety of cultures and diverse experiences. To meet the increasing demands of the parish, additional Masses were scheduled in English, lay ministries and volunteers also grew in numbers as well as the addition of a parish staff. In August’87, Deacon Joe Barbieri arrived at St. Peters fulfilling his parish experience requirements to become an ordained priest. Father Joe Barbieri’s ordination was celebrated at St. Peters in May’88 and he remained at St. Peters until April’89 when he left to pursue further studies in Rome. Also in 1989, Father Bruno Massacavollo came to St. Peter’s as an associate pastor for one year. Deacon Liborio Amaral also arrived, but left in 1990 to pursue his studies for the priesthood and was ordained priest in 1992. Diego Maratta, an active parishioner at St. Peters became a deacon. Serving a short stint at St. Peters was Father Giacomo Giovanelli.


Arriving as St. Peter’s third pastor in 1995 was Reverend Guiseppe Dal Ferro, who at that time was in charge of a growing parish community of 6,000 families, three elementary schools and one high school.


Father Xavier De Pinto, a youthful and energetic associate pastor also arrived in 1995. Father Xavier easily connected with the youth of the parish and it was only fitting that he took over the youth group. Father Xavier also started the first RCIA course, began a Bible study class and was in charge of the marriage course. It was in 1997 that Fr. Xavier left St. Peter’s to become associate pastor at St. Andrews. Replacing Fr. Xavier was Reverend Giorgio DiCicco. Not too long after, the pastor Fr. Joe became ill and he returned to the house of the Father on March 19, 1998.


The St. Peter’s parish community saw in the next fifteen months, interim priestly appointments beginning with Reverend Gianni Carparelli, Reverend Felix Linatoc, Reverend Augusto Porso and Reverend Vitaliano Papais who became St. Peter’s fourth pastor.


In 1976, the late and beloved Fr. Ermanno Bulfon prayed that the “the people of God in Woodbridge” would become a “people that listen, ponder and live the Gospel, the Word of God.” In 1999, The Franciscan Friars, the Order of Friars Minor accepted the Archdiocesan appointment to St. Peter’s in July’1999 and became the privileged custodians of this legacy.


Excited and challenged by the task ahead of them, Father Claudio Moser, OFM who became St. Peter’s fifth pastor and Father Michael Della Penna, OFM who became associate pastor, set out to strengthen and build a community of faith. Father Claudio, whose many years of pastoral experience, administrative skills, patience, love and kindness to all became a pillar of strength at St. Peter’s in serving the people and their needs. Father Michael Della Penna, whose personable and friendly character endeared him to many, both of older and younger generations. For Father Michael, St. Peter’s represents a special place as our parish was his first assignment of his priesthood. Father Michael ran his first Bible Study, started St. Peter’s first youth group, “The Rock” and together with Father Edwin, helped establish the Secular Franciscans.


Arriving at the last week of September’2000 was Father Edwin Joseph Paniagua, OFM. Many in our parish were the recipients of Fr. Edwin’s brotherly love, enthusiasm and service to the community and his holiness was a beautiful example for us all.


Father Matthew Pendanathu, CSsR arrived to St. Peters in 2000 from India. Father Matthew helped parishioners by availing himself to their needs, by motivating and inspiring individuals by his life example, his dedication to the parish, the fulfillment of Fr. Matthew living his Christian journey within a Redemptorist spirituality.


Shortly after Father Matthew’s arrival, Father Jules Wong, OFM came to St. Peter’s. Father Jules, whose strong devotion to Mary helped strengthened parishioners in their own Marian devotion. Father Jules always ensured his days were dedicated to the recitation of the entire Rosary. Father Jules’s Marian life was truly a shining example for all of us parishioners to strive for. Father Jules strengthened his brethren in the Franciscan family, by becoming the Spiritual Assistant to the Order Franciscan Secular, the Third Order and he was particularly known for his occult knowledge and awareness on the dangers we face as Catholics in our closer following of Christ.


Our current and sixth pastor of St. Peter’s, Father Michael Corcione, OFM arrived in 2002 in high energy mode. Father Mike’s passion and strong faith, has been a shining example of a faith that is put into action. Father Mike reorganized the Youth Group, became the Spiritual Assistant to the the Third Order of the Franciscan Family and began St. Peter’s first ever passion play which is now in it’s sixth year.


Father Mike’s proactive approach to “doing something” is a vital aspect of his ministry. As Father Mike has expressed on several occasions, “faith is a gift, a gift that is not meant to be kept to ourselves, but to be shared with others.” Father Mike’s fidelity to Christ’s teaching, his living a close union with Christ, following in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi, is and continues to be, a special guide and excellent example for all of us at St. Peter’s.


In addition to Fr. Mike, helping to meet the needs of our parish community is, Fr. Claudio Moser (Assoc. Pastor, Guardian) and Fr. James Wells (In Residence).