Appartments take up a large part of two of the lower floors in new pastoral centre
The B.C. Catholic
For many years the Archdiocese of Vancouver has helped priests in their retirement years. When the offices of the archdiocese moved to the new John Paul II Pastoral Centre in 2015, a new way to help was provided.
That’s because a large part of two of the lower floors in the new pastoral centre were dedicated as the St. Joseph’s Residence for retired priests.
“The St. Joseph’s Residence is a living witness to the love the people of the Vancouver Archdiocese have for their priests,” Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, told The B.C. Catholic. “It is their support and generosity which has made it possible for our retired priests to live in a fraternal environment which honours their years of priestly ministry.”
The retired priests residence was funded mostly through private donations. The St. Joseph’s Society, which assists retired priests, also donated $4 million, said Francis Wong, the archiocese’s director of finance. However it was the Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception who donated the land for the building.
“Part of the draw for the residences was their location,” said Father Gary Franken, vicar for priestly life for the archdiocese and a member of the review committee for the residence. “The location is close to transit and amenities.”
A lot of care went into the design of the rooms, he added. “The architects had a number of things well in hand in terms of what a senior would want, such as a walk-in shower without a lip to fall over, extra handrails in the washrooms, and so on.”
The residence can hold up to nine priests, though as of the beginning of March there is only one living there, Father John Barry. Father Franken noted that fewer priests have been living in the rectories of their churches, so the retired priests residence has provided a way “take care of our own. We want to make sure we can manage (the residence) as well as possible in accordance with needs and expectations over the next several years.”
Father Franken said the suites are a great place for retired priests to live independently. “I’ve already picked out my favourite, but that’s many years away,” he laughed.
