A Votive Mass of Thanksgiving was celebrated June 22nd by the De La Salle “Oaklands” Community in Toronto to commemorate its closing and to give thanks to the Lord for the many blessings bestowed on and through that community for nearly 80 years.
Most of the community members are moving to La Salle Manor in Scarborough. Brothers from the Manor, friends, and representatives of the De La Salle College Cadet Corps joined the Community for the Mass. With mixed emotions, they honored what Brother Domenic Viggiani, President of De La Salle College, referred to as the “end of the beginning,” but not the beginning of the end.
Brother Dennis Malloy, DENA Visitor, and Brother Jerome Sullivan, DENA Auxiliary Visitor, delivered poignant remarks of appreciation and thanks to the Brothers and to God. Brother Dennis also thanked employees for their service to the Brothers.
Brother Raymond Schell, Community Director, presented the house staff with special tokens of appreciation on behalf of the Brothers they assisted over the many years. Brother James Dries, DENA Vocation Director, and Brother John Patzwall, former Delegate of the Superior General to Toronto, also attended the ceremonies and the festivities that followed.