Immaculate Conception Parish, Winnipeg, Manitoba at 181 Austin Street N., Winnipeg, Manitoba R2W3M7 CA - Our Parishes - Immaculate Conception

Article published on the Catholic News - Archdiocese of Winnipeg - November 2000

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION The atmosphere rivals that of Manitoba's major arts and -music festivals - large crowds of people, elaborate decorations, plenty of good food, music, drama, song, dance and laughter. The one important difference is that there is also solemnity and prayer. This is the Festa Do Senhor Santo Christo celebrated each spring by Immaculate Conception Parish in Winnipeg. Its centrepiece is a procession carrying m ornate representation of Jesus, Ecce Homo (This is the Man), surrounded by hundreds of fresh flowers, along city streets and into the church. The celebration reflects a Portuguese tradition of more than 300 years. Most, though not all, of the parish's estimated 900 families are of Portuguese origin. Seventy percent descend from the Azores. Most arrived here in the 1960s and 70s. When the original Immaculate Conception church burned down in 1978 the Portuguese community was invited to build a new one, and to adopt the parish as their new spiritual home. Today, Immaculate Conception is one of the strongest and most active parishes in our archdiocesan community. Although most families have gradually moved to other parts of the city, more than 3,000 people come to church every weekend for two Masses in Portuguese and one in English. "Of course," says Fernando Braga, “Our pastor, Fr. José Medeiros, would like even more people to attend." Though steeped in tradition, the parish is adapting to new ways. "Father is very open to creativity and participation of laity," says parishioner Laura Carreiro. "I do like collaborative ministry,” he says. Some 600 children are enrolled in catechism classes led by 50 catechists, and 105 received First Communion this year – plenty of future collaborators.

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