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In 1842, at the request of some Métis people, Bishop Provencher of St. Boniface sent Fr. Jean Baptiste Thibault, a secular priest, to visit the western plains. He left on April 20, 1842, and offered his first Mass at Fort Edmonton on June 19, 1842. Lac Ste. Anne, then known as Manito Sakahigan, was not visited by him that year as he had to go back to St. Boniface to give his report. Records show that he blessed marriages and baptized in Oct. 1843 at Manito Sakahigan.

Father Joseph Bourassa joined Fr. Thibault in 1844 to mission in the prairies; they were to work alongside one another for eight years. On Sep. 8, 1844, Father Thibault blessed the lake and renamed it Lac Ste. Anne. Together, they built the first house-chapel at Lac Ste. Anne in 1844.
The first regular church was completed in 1852 and blessed by Fr. Bourassa on July 25, 1852. It measured 40’ x 25’ and stood where the second church at the Lac Ste. Anne Mission was erected in 1888 by Fr. Zéphirin Lizée, OMI and blessed by Bishop Vital Grandin, OMI on Feb. 10, 1889. It was destroyed by fire on Dec. 2, 1928.
Fr. Albert Lacombe, a secular priest, arrived at Fort Edmonton on Sep. 17, 1852. He spent the winter of 1852-53 among the Cree and Métis people at Lac La Biche and later at Fort Edmonton. He then settled at Lac Ste. Anne following the departure of Fr. Bourassa. Fr. René Rémas, OMI came to Lac Ste. Anne in mid-Sep. 1854 to be the Master of Novice of Fr. A. Lacombe. On Sep. 28, 1856, the latter pronounced his vows and thus became an Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate.
On Sep. 24, 1859, three Grey Nuns of Montreal arrived via St. Boniface at Lac Ste. Anne Mission to teach, take care of the sick in the homes and see to the cooking and housekeeping of missionaries. With the founding of St. Albert in 1861 as a mission, Lac Ste. Anne lost most of its people.
In 1930, a building 22’ x 40’, previously used as a dance hall, was purchased, transported and reconditioned by Fr. P. Lebre. It is the actual church.
The first pilgrimage to Ste. Anne was organized by Fr. Joseph Lestanc, OMI superior of St. Albert Mission, in 1889. There were 45 participants at the first pilgrimage.
    The pilgrimage sanctuary was begun in 1925; enlarged in 1926. On Nov.11, 1930, a hurricane demolished the whole building.
   In 1931 the erection of a big church began, to be used during pilgrimages. Rev. Father Ubald Langlois, OMI Provincial, blessed the “Pro-Basillica of Ste. Anne” on July 29, 1936. This pilgrimage sanctuary was demolished in 1980.
Father Hudon saw to the building of a new one which was blessed by Archbishop J.N. MacNeil on Aug. 17, 1980, on the Golden Anniversary of Lac Ste. Anne Church.
   Lac-Ste. Anne Parish serves 3 districts: Lac Ste. Anne (Darwell), Alexis Reserve and Alberta Beach.

Our Lady of the Angels parish began as a mission of the Parish of Our Lady of Lourdes, Lamoureux, served by the Franciscan Fathers from North Edmonton in 1908. The first mass was said by Father Arthur Rappard, OFM on May 17th.

In October 1909 a church was built, Roman style, measuring 40’ x 70’, on a solid stone-cement foundation; the cross on the spire reached the height of 90’. The first Mass in the church was said on Christmas Eve 1909. This church was solemnly blessed by Bishop Legal, OMI, on May 18, 1910. On July 31, 1910 a bell weighing 400 pounds was blessed by Fr. Berchmans, OFM.

In 1950, after being served for 40 years by the Franciscans, Our Lady of the Angels again became a mission parish of Lamoureux, the Archdiocese having taken over the parish from the Order.

Our Lady of the Angels Parish church burned to the ground on Sep. 22, 1967 during a violent windstorm. A short-circuit caused an explosion in the electrical panel in the sacristy. Services were held in homes and in Our Lady of the Angels School while the Christmas Eve midnight mass in 1967 was held in First United Church.

Sod-turning ceremony for the new church was conducted by Archbishop Anthony Jordan, OMI, on May 26, 1968. The official dedication and blessing of the new church by Archbishop A. Jordan, OMI, took place on Sunday, May 11, 1969.

On October 4, 1993 Archbishop J.N. MacNeil blessed the church extension.

Msgr. Walter Fitzgerald was born at Frampton, Quebec, April 10, 1907. He did his theological studies at St. Joseph’s Seminary, Edmonton, from 1938 to 1942. He was ordained March 21, 1942 at St. Joseph’s Cathedral by Archbishop J. H. MacDonald.

From 1943 to 1973, he was a teacher at St. Joseph’s High School, Edmonton. He was also Director of Religious Education for Edmonton Catholic Schools, 1956-1973 and for Edmonton Archdiocese from 1963 to 1978. From 1972 to 1986, he was Director of Communication Centre. He retired in 1985 and received many awards.

In 1956 he completed his M. Ed at Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In December 1985, Pope John Paul II made him a Prelate of Honour.

He died on August 23, 1992. Interment took place in the family plot in St. Emerence Cemetery, Riviere Qui Barre.

Msgr. Donald Gerard MacDonald was born at Heatherton, NS, on September 18, 1929. He attended St. Joseph’s Seminary in Edmonton between1951 and 1955, and he was ordained June 4, 1955 at Antigonish, NS, by Bishop John R. MacDonald.

Over his career as a priest he served the following parishs, Assistant at St. Joseph’s Cathedral (1955); Assistant at Assumption Parish, Edmonton (1955-1957); Assistant at St. Andrew’s Parish, Edmonton (1957-1960); Pastor at Rimbey and missions (1960-1968); Champlain at the University Hospital, Cancer Institute & Veterans Home, Edmonton (1969-1972); Co-Pastor at St. Anthony’s Parish, Edmonton (1972-1973); Pastor at St. Anthony’s Parish, Edmonton (1973-1978); Rector at St. Joseph’s Seminary (1978-1981); on leave of study (1981-1982); Rector at St. Joseph’s Seminary (1982-1985); Pastor at St. Theresa Parish, Edmonton (1985-1990); Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Red Deer (1990-1993); Rector of St. Joseph’s Basilica (1993-1998); Pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish and Administrator of Holy Spirit Parish, Edmonton (1998-2002).

In May 1991, Pope John Paul II granted him the honour of Prelate of Honour. He was appointed Vicar General in April 1998. He retired from active ministry in August 2002 and he died on January 10, 2005.

Father Lorenz Maier (1927-2007), the son of Franziska Maier and Lorenz Schwoelger, was born, and baptised, in Bavaria (Germany) on May 19, 1927. Maier was raised by his grandmother in the Catholic faith, and while he experienced the call to the priesthood at a young age, he rejected it, instead studying to be a banker in Germany.
After a business failure in Germany, Maier immigrated to Canada in the 1960s. In 1971 after moving around the country he settled in Tiverton, Ontario and started a market garden business. At first the business was very successful with minimal competition, however it was overshadowed by a large grocery store chain and eventually when bankrupt. Acknowledging the change in food production and purchase, Maier changed professions leaving sales for the trades and worked as a high pressure welder in Ontario on several nuclear power plants. When the plants were completed Maier moved to Fort McMurray working as welder in the oil industry for a few years. From Fort McMurray Maier made his way to Hinton where he worked on building the Way of Holiness Prayer Retreat Centre. At the center Maier once again felt the calling to become a priest and began to take courses at Newman Theological College towards a diploma in Theology.
In 1987 Maier entered St. Joseph Seminary and studied for three years. Maier was ordained to the Diaconate on Dec. 8, 1990 by Archbishop J.N. MacNeil. Maier completed his pastoral internship at St. Joseph Basilica Parish and at the age of 64 was ordained to the Priesthood on Oct. 17, 1991 at St. Joseph Basilica by Archbishop J.N. MacNeil. Maier joined the Parish Team at St. Joseph Basilica on Oct 18, 1991 (the day after his ordination) and served at the Basilica until July 11, 2001 when he took the position of pastor at St. Boniface Church in Edmonton.
Maier was a prolific writer in both German and English. He corresponded frequently with his family and friends overseas. His self-publications include poems, plays, and many spiritual writings including “An Etude for the Lord,” “A Symphony for the Lord,” and “I Sought God: A Testimony,” in which he summarizes his spiritual journey. Father Maier died on April 10, 2007 at the age of 79.

Rev. Charles Gregory Nearning was born on Aug. 3, 1920 in Nova Scotia. He completed his theological studies at Holy Heart Seminary in Halifax between 1942-1944 and at St. Joseph's Seminary in Edmonton between 1947-1948. He was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop MacDonald for service in the Archdiocese of Edmonton on May 23, 1948.

Throughout his time in the archdiocese of Edmonton Rev. Nearning served at the following parishes and missions: Hardisty, St. Anthony's (Edmonton), Clandonald, Vegreville, Wainwright, Immaculate Heart of Mary (Edmonton), and St. Pius X (Edmonton). He passed away on May 13, 1996.

Donald Joseph Arthur Stein was born in Edmonton, Alberta on June 4, 1934. He attended the Grand Seminary at St. Boniface in Manitoba between 1956 and 1960 and ordained to the priesthood at St. Joseph’s Cathedra on June 4, 1960. During his career as a priest he held many positions in the Archdiocese of Edmonton including Assistant at St. Edmund’s Parish (1960-1963), Assistant at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Camrose (1963-1964), Assistant at St. Patrick’s Parish in Edmonton (1964-1968), Pastor at Redwater and Gibbons (1968-1970), Pastor at Assumption Parish (1970-1975), Pastor at Lloydminster (1975-1980), Pastor at St. Theresa’s Parish in Millwoods (1980-1985), Pastor at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Camrose (1986-1992), Pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Sherwood Park (1992-2000), Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Red Deer (200-2008). In 2008 Rev. Stein retired.

Rev. Felix Edward Otterson was born on June 25th, 1923 in Edmonton, Alberta to Edward Patrick Otterson and Margaret Anne Stevens. He studied theology at St. Joseph Seminary between 1944 and 1948 and was ordained to the priesthood on Feb. 8, 1948 at St. Joseph's Basilica by Archbishop MacDonald.

Rev. Otterson dedicated his life to education serving as teacher, professor, principal and chaplain at various educational institutions in Edmonton including St. Joseph's College, St. Joseph's High School, St. Mary's Boys High School, and Austin O'Brien High School.

In addition Rev. Otterson served the parish of St. John the Evangelist from 1986 until his retirement on Aug. 12, 1998.

Rev. Otterson was named a prelate of honour in recognition of his outstanding service in many aspects of church and community life. His legacy and contribution to education and the Edmonton Catholic Community were recognized by the dedication of the Monsignor Fee Otterson Catholic Elementary/Junion High School in 2010.

In 2011 he received an Alumni Honour award from the University of Alberta.

Rev. Otterson passed away on September 9, 2012.

Rev. Wilfred John Rose was born on June 7, 1943 in Edmonton Alberta to Wilfred Stanley Rose and Olive Connolly Rose. He attended St. Joseph Seminary in Edmonton between 1964 and 1968 and was ordained to the priesthood on May 18, 1968 at St. Joseph's Cathedral by Archbishop Anthony Jordan.

In addition to serving as parish priest at several Edmonton parishes including St. Patrick's Parish, St. Joseph's Cathedral, St. Matthew; he also served in Red Deer, Trochu, and Beaumont.

In addition during his time as a priest, Rev. John served on Marriage Encounter Teams, as Vice-Chairman for the Senate of Priests, as the Archdiocesan Director for Vocations and Spiritual Director for the Legion of Mary.

Rev. Rose held a Master of Theology from Newman Theological College and only nine days prior to his death he obtained his Doctorate in Theology from L'université Catholique de Paris.

He died on February 22, 1994 and is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in his family's plot.

Emile Joseph Legal, OMI, was born in Saint-Jean de Boiseau, France in 1849. A man of remarkable creative talent and missionary zeal, five years after his ordination he joined the Oblates and arrived in the St. Albert Diocese in 1881. Just six years after his arrival he was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Saint Albert and in 1902 he succeeded Bishop Vital Justin Grandin as the second bishop of Saint Albert. On 30 November, 1912 he was appointed the first Archbishop of the newly erected Archdiocese of Edmonton. He wrote The History of the Catholic Church in Central Alberta and authored several important manuscripts relating to the Blackfoot people and their language. He designed and constructed numerous church and school buildings; he was an avid amateur photographer; he was known as a forthright communicator; to develop more lay leaders he encouraged the establishment of the Knights of Columbus in 1907, and the Catholic Women’s League in 1912. As Bishop of St. Albert and later Archbishop of Edmonton, he travelled extensively to remote missions across the region and opened new parishes in nearly every year of his episcopate. In putting his stamp on the Diocese, he gained a reputation as “The Organizer.”

Richard W. Smith was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia on April 28, 1959. He studied at St. Mary’s University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in commerce. He earned his Master of Divinity degree from the Atlantic School of Theology in Halifax in 1985.

Ordained to the priesthood on May 23, 1987 for the Archdiocese of Halifax, he pursued further studies in theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and earned a licentiate degree in 1993 and a doctorate in 1998.

Within the Archdiocese of Halifax, he served in a number of positions including vicar general and he was responsible for the pastoral ministry of French-speaking Catholics in Halifax. He served as chaplain to the deaf community in Halifax from 1986-1991. He was also a professor of theology at St. Peter’s Seminary in London, Ontario in addition to serving simultaneously as pastor of three communities.

In April 27, 2002 by Pope St. John Paul II, appointed him Bishop of Pembroke in Ontario. He received his episcopal consecration on June 18th that same year from Archbishop Marcel Gervais, with Archbishops Terrence Prendergast, S.J., and Austin-Emile Burke serving as co-consecrators.

Pope Benedict XVI appointed him to the Metropolitan See of Edmonton on March 22, 2007 and was formally installed as seventh Archbishop of Edmonton on May 1, 2007, Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, the patron saint of the Edmonton Archdiocese. He has taken the motto “Fiat Voluntas Tua” (Thy Will Be Done).

Archbishop Smith served as General Co-ordinator of Pope Francis’ historic visit to Canada, July 24 – 29, 2022. The Holy Father’s pilgrimage focused on Indigenous healing and reconciliation while also providing him the opportunity to encounter the faithful in Canada.

On February 25, 2025, Pope Francis appointed Archbishop Richard W. Smith as Archbishop of Vancouver.

Rev. Joseph William Burke was born on May 15, 1903 at Fortune Bay, Newfoundland (St. Jacques’ Parish) to Thomas Burke and Theresa Farrell. He completed his Theological studies at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Edmonton between1923-1928 and was ordained on December 9, 1928 by Archbishop H.J. O’Leary in Seminary Chapel.

During his ministry he served as an Assistant Pastor at St. Joseph's Cathedral (1928-1932), Pastor in Trochu (1932-1936), Pastor in Vegreville (1936-1950), and Pastor at Immaculate Heart Parish in Edmonton (1950-1972). He was a founding force behind the establishment of St. James Parish in the 1950s and he was a Chaplain at St. Joseph's Hospital in Edmonton from 1972-1977.

Rev. Burke retired in 1977 and lived a the Grey Nuns Regional Centre in Edmonton until his death. Rev. Burke died in Edmonton on January 03, 1980 and was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery on Jan. 8, 1980. He was an accomplished pianist; a Knight of Columbus (4th degree) for 54 years and K.C. Chaplain, Rev. Burke also served as the Director of the CWL Civic Action Group for 18 years.

Chaplain at St. Joseph’s Hospital & Aberhart Memorial Hospital 1972-1977. His ministry was marked by his sympathy and concern for the sick and the aged.

Born in Saint-Isidore, near La Prairie, Lower Canada, Adelard Langevin became Archbishop of Saint-Boniface in 1895.