A mission of evangelisation.
The late Pope Benedict XVI created “Personal Ordinariates” in 2011 and 2012 to welcome and serve Anglicans who wish to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church. In the time since their creation, Pope Francis expanded membership in these special jurisdictions well beyond those original Anglican groups who wished to join. Because of this enlarged mission of evangelisation, Ordinariate communities are composed of a wide variety of people including converts from many different traditions, Catholic re-verts, as well as cradle Catholics who have come to know and appreciate the venerable English Mass.
The Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter is one such diocese created by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012. Shepherded by his Excellency Steven J. Lopes, the diocese includes nearly forty Roman Catholic communities across English speaking North America.
The Deanery of St. John the Baptist was established in order to help Bishop Lopes better tend his Canadian flock. The Deanery has offices in Calgary, Alberta and administrates one parish (St. John the Evangelist, Calgary) and four communities in various stages of formation. The Very Rev’d Fr. Robert-Charles Shane Bengry was appointed Dean of the Deanery by the Bishop and the Rev’d Deacon Joseph DeCaria was appointed Vice-Dean.
TRADITIONAL CATHOLIC COMMUNITIES
With only five congregations, the Deanery of St. John the Baptist is a tiny part of the Lord’s vineyard, but we have a great joy and confidence in our mission to share the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ. All of the communities of the Canadian Ordinariate are small — only two even own their own buildings — but we pray for, and are working towards, a greater stability and growth according to God’s providence and cultivating hand. We’re a young missionary diocese but we think that’s a marvellous calling. Perhaps you feel the same way. Find out more about our communities by exploring the links at the top of this page: “Our Communities”.
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