Beginnings
St. Joseph’s was founded in 1956. The first Liturgy was celebrated by Fr. Gregory Shushkewych on Ukrainian Christmas (January 7, 1956) at St. Andrew’s Roman Catholic Church in downtown Oakville. In the early years this small mission parish was served by the Redemptorist Fathers from their seminary in Meadowvale. In 1964 a 1-acre parcel of land was purchased on Maple Grove Dr.
Pastors of St. Joseph’s Parish
1956 - 1960 Redemptorist Fathers: Rev. Stephen Bachtalowsky, Rev. Joseph Bala, Rev. Michael Bzdel, Rev. Roman Chomiak, Rev. Michael Ferens, Rev. Michael Hrynchyshyn, Rev. Stephen Shawel, Rev. Stephen Shyry, Rev. Gregory Shyshkowych, Rev. Nicholas Yakymyshyn, Rev. Joseph Korba, Rev.Michael Baraniecki, Rev. Bosko, Rev. Nicholas Kopiakiwsky
1960 - 1965 Rev. Paul Dzulynsky
1963 - 1964 Basilian Fathers: Rev. Patrick Byce, Rev. Myron Chimy, Rev. Maksim Markiw, Rev. Cornelius Pasichny, Rev. Eugene Richlark, Rev. Volodymyr Shewchuk, Rev. Siermaczeski, Rev. Victor
Soroka, Rev. Leon Yakubow.
1965 - 1968 Rev. Morris Bosey
1968 - 1969 Rev. Lutoslav Kussey
1969 - 1972 Rev. Stephen Kuzma, Rev. Basil Filevich
1973 - 1973 Rev. Volodymyr Sharanewych
1974 - 1974 Rev. Vasyl Humeniuk
1974 - 1994 Rt. Rev. George Kowalsky, Rev. Joseph Krupp
1994 - 1995 Rev. Ted Harasymchuk
1995 - 2000 Rev. Roman Michalko
2000 - 2000 Rev. Victor Nazartchyk
2001 - 2001 Rev. Anton Semchuk
2001 (to date) Rev. Michael Loza
Parish Council Chairs:
1956 - 1957 Jacob Boyko
1957 - 1962 Ewstachi Hodlyk
1963 - 1964 Petro Babiak
1964 - 1966 Ewstachi Hodlyk
1967 - 1968 John Kaziuk
1969 - 1970 Andrij Boruschak
1971 - 1972 Ivan Boyko
1972 - 1973 Roman Stefaniw
1973 - 1974 Ivan Boyko
1974 - 1976 Ewstachi Hodlyk
1977 - 1978 Petro Babiak
1979 - 1980 Roman Stefaniw
1980 - 1981 Ivan Boyko
1981 - 1995 Andrij Boruschak
1995 - 2004 Steve Dacko
2004 - 2006 Bohdan Wynnyckyj
2006 - 2007 Bohdan Baluta
2007 - 2008 Bohdan Klufas
2008 - 2010 Marta Romaniak-Dlugosh
Pioneer Families (1956):
John & Olga Andrusyshyn, Dan & Zeta Babiak, Petro & Wilma Babiak, Andrij & Erna Boruschak, Jacob & Anne Boyko, Anthony & Anne Cheslock, Gregory & Julia Dniprenko, John Gural, Ivan & Julia Harisymovich, Ewstachi & Marta Hodlyk, Josafat Hrabowyj, Stefan & Eugenia Hrynchuk, John & Feliksa Kaziuk, Joseph & Maria Kira, Wasyl & Sonia Lesiuchok, Mychajlo & Anna Loha, Walter & Anne Lubinsky, Alex & Mrs. Shypka, Mychajlo & Olga Solilo, Dr. Norman & Anne Spikula, Stan Tokarchuk, Wasyl Wynnyczuk.
RECENT YEARS:
The chapel on Maple Grove Drive served the parish well since 1966. In 2008 a 4-acre parcel of land was purchased (corner of Trafalgar Rd & River Oaks Blvd). Two years later construction began on a 43,000 sq.ft. facility. which included a new church, a daycare and a modern parish centre. A small number of seniors who were founding members in the 1950s were delighted to attend the blessing of the new church in April of 2012. A chapel located off the narthex of the church has been dedicated to honour all our pioneer families.
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Note: Should anyone have any additions or corrections to the information provided in this section kindly notify Fr. Michael.