The Franciscan fraternity of Parc-Extension is located in the most densely populated area of Montreal. Some 32,000 people, of a hundred different ethnicities, live in this small quarter of less than two square kilometers. The Franciscans have been well established in the area since 2007 and animate the liturgical and parish life of the only Catholic Church in the neighborhood. The parishes of Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Roch, which share the same church, right next to the friary, serve the French, English, Spanish, Vietnamese and Pakistani Catholic communities in this part of Montreal. From the beginning, this fraternity has wanted to live in solidarity with the reality of the neighborhood, where there is in general a climate of respect for differences, mutual aid and solidarity. The fraternity tries to help consolidate this.

A Passionate Pastor

Brother Regi Mathew, OFM, is both the Guardian of this fraternity and the pastor of Saint Francis of Assisi parish. Originally from Kerala, India, he arrived in the Canada in 2015 to participate in the mission of the Franciscans of Canada. For Brother Regi, the remarkable diversity of the Parc Extension neighborhood is far from off-putting: “When I preside at the Eucharist, I am amazed to see people of so many nationalities in the church. Recently, I counted, and there were 27 distinct countries represented among the faithful. That’s extraordinary!”

When he arrived in Montreal in 2019, after first spending four years in Western Canada, Brother Regi began to learn French. Then, he joined the brothers of the Parc-Extension fraternity and was given responsibility for the parish. In this new environment, he quickly realized that the great diversity of the neighborhood was a stimulating opportunity for building harmony and collaboration. For him, this became an invitation to get close to the people and increase their opportunities for gathering, celebrating and opening up to others. “Truly, sometimes, just English, French and Indo-Asian languages are not enough to communicate well! In these cases, I rely on the power of a smile and a non-verbal welcome. A good touch and an open attitude can do wonders!”

Different Generations

While many parishes are seeing a gradual decline in congregants, Saint Francis of Assisi Parish is growing. “People feel at home here. In today’s socially and economically insecure environment, immigrants and refugees find a foundation of belonging and nourishment for their faith here. In addition, we are delighted to see that many of the original parishioners—of Irish, Italian or Polish descent, among others—continue to attend this parish.”

To meet the needs of its faithful, the parish targets activities for the different generations that enter through its doors. “We offer outings, pilgrimages, Bible study, prayer meetings, etc. Above all, we try to be attentive to the youngest, so that they feel well!” The model that inspires Brother Regi, in his pastoral work, is that of a family. “I see the parish community as a close-knit family, where all members feel valued, loved and welcomed. The sense of belonging is paramount!”