Saint Dominic Parish
The History of a Faith Community
January 22, 1954 - One acre of land donated by Toccalino family for the site of the new parish in Bronte; an additional four acres were purchased later.
June 22, 1955 - Bishop Joseph F. Ryan established Saint Dominic Parish and appointed Father Magnus W. Straus as the first pastor for the community of just over 100 families.
July 1, 1955 - First parish Mass celebrated in the rectory basement chapel,
July 8, 1955 - CWL established, Irene Dunnigan as president.
November 17, 1956 -Parish rectory completed.
December 18, 1956 - Saint Dominic School blessed by Bishop Ryan; Sister Eulalia Mane, principal.
November 17, 1961 - Saint Joseph School blessed by Bishop Ryan; Sister Denise, principal
November 25, 1961 - First meeting of St. Vincent de Paul Society; Herb Landry, president
February 18, 1962 - Laying of cornerstone of Saint Dominic Church by Father Straus
February 26, 1962 - Solemn blessing and official opening of Saint Dominic Church by Bishop Ryan
November 1965 - St. Ann School blessed by Bishop Ryan; Mary Moore principal
1967 - Georges Vanier School blessed by Bishop Paul Reding; Larry Loftus, principal
January 18, 1968 - Collapse of Parish Hall
November 30, 1968 - Resignation of Father Straus for health reasons; Father Ralph Diemert appointed new pastor
March 29, 1970 - Bishop Ryan approves plans for new office facilities adjacent to the Rectory
November 26, 1973 - Father Harry Schmuck appointed pastor
1975 - Church redecoration to conform to Vatican II
October 20, 1976 - First Parish Council Meeting; Barry Kay, chair
February 1, 1977 - Sister Joanette Paleczny, SSND joined pastoral staff
October 1, 1977 - Father Paul Boucher appointed pastor
June 30, 1983 - Father Stephen Bodnar appointed pastor
November 15, 1989 - Father Bodnar died suddenly
February 10, 1990 - New Parish Centre is opened
June 27, 1990 - Father Murray J. Kroetsch appointed pastor
December 8, 1991 - Daily Mass chapel opened
August 30, 1993 - Sister Joanette retired
1996 - St. Ann School closes; new Saint Dominic School is opened
June 1998 - Sanctuary renovations and new cross erected
1998 - First of a series of trips to The Holy Land
June 1998 - Sanctuary renovated and a new figure of the risen Christ erected
October 1998 - Church roof replaced - metal roof added over existing roof
June 2000 - Father Victor W. McNamara, retired; in residence at Saint Dominic
December 2000 - Interior church renovations completed - new pews, new carpet, new ceiling
June 26, 2002 - Father Roger W. Formosi appointed pastor
2003 - Mariusz Durbajlo, a seminarian, came for his pastoral internship of two years
June 2004 - Mariusz Durbajlo ordained as Deacon
2004 - New heating and air conditioning installed in Church
May 2005 - Ordination of Father Mariusz Durbajlo to the holy priesthood for the Diocese of Hamilton
June 2005 - Father Mariusz Durbajlo departure from Saint Dominic Parish to accept his appointment as Associate Pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish, Kitchener, in the Diocese of Hamilton.
June 2006 - New Stain Glass window installed on west side of the church. It was dedicated and blessed on Pentecost Sunday. The donor is Mr. Joseph Aigner, President of Artistic Glass in Toronto. He is a former Saint Dominic parishioner.