About Us - holyrosaryburlington.ca

Message from Our Pastor

Our parish is happy to welcome all who visit with us and share in Christ’s life – especially at Sunday Mass. We welcome the talents and abilities of our parishioners who participate in our many parish ministries, especially in the service of those who are most in need. In a particular way, we are privileged to minister in local communities, such as our parish elementary and secondary schools, our hospital, our retirement homes and long-term care centres, and in collaboration with numerous diocesan and civic social-service providers.

Please know that we are here to welcome you and serve you. You have a home here. If we can be of further assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact us. Be assured of our prayers and good wishes for you and your family.

Fr. David Wilhelm

Pastor

Parish Staff

Our Team

Rev. David Wilhelm

Pastor

Ordained May 12, 1984, Fr. David Wilhelm has been a priest of the Diocese of Hamilton for 41 years. Before joining our parish in June 2024, he served in multiple roles, including Rector, Pastor, and Chaplain to religious communities.

He served as an Associate Priest at St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Brantford, St. Dominic Parish in Oakville, and Associate Rector of the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King. Additionally, he has served as the Rector of the Cathedral, Pastor of Holy Rosary Parish in Milton, Blessed Sacrament Parish in Burford, and Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Stoney Creek. Before arriving at our parish in June 2024, Fr. Wilhelm served six years as Chaplain to the Sisters of the Precious Blood in Hamilton and the Sisters of St. Joseph at Tansley Woods in Burlington. Fr. Wilhelm was born and raised in Walkerton, ON, and enjoys visiting his family there. He enjoys parish life and shepherding God’s people as we journey together in faith and our love for God and the Church.

Cynthia Livera

Office Assistant

Cynthia Livera is thrilled to be part of the team at Holy Rosary. She brings with her a deep-rooted Catholic faith and 15 years of experience as a parish office administrator. Her loves are her family and grandchildren.

Mr. Cristian Lecanda

Youth and Family Minister

Cristian, originally from Santiago, Chile, moved to Canada over 26 years ago and is married with three children. He has since worked with the Diocese of Hamilton from 2008 onwards and became Holy Rosary’s Youth & Family Minister in May 2022.

After finishing college, he gave time to work as a missionary in Canada and Peru, working with youth and young adults. Cristian has been working with the Diocese of Hamilton since 2008: at St. Raphael Parish in Burlington as Youth Minister, and at St. Michael Parish in Oakville, working as Parish Minister with the English and Spanish communities. Cristian is now serving at Holy Rosary as Youth & Family Minister, since early May 2022.

Trevor Price

Music Director

Mr. Trevor Price is an award-winning keyboardist with choral studies from the Royal Canadian College of Organists. He brings a wealth of expertise and experience to his role, having served as Music Director in many religious and secular settings for decades across the Greater-Hamilton-Burlington-Niagara area.

Dianne Taylor

Volunteer Screening Coordinator

Dianne joined our team to update our screening records and to ensure that all volunteers in the parish are appropriately screened under Diocesan policy.

She is a member of St. Benedict Parish in Milton and an active member of the parish’s CWL. She is a grandmother of eight and is often kept busy. She loves the long summer days and enjoys a good book on her back deck. When winter comes, she looks forward to her trips to warmer climates.

Did you know?

Important Facts

Holy Rosary: Burlington’s Second Parish

Holy Rosary was the second parish established in Burlington, with boundaries including Aldershot, Maple Avenue, Waterdown, and the lake. It is the smallest parish in Burlington, with around 800+ registered households, many of whom are seniors. With the development of Aldershot, we are seeing an increase of young families joining our parish community.

Burial Sites of Past Pastors

Several past pastors, including founder Msgr. Bernard Harrigan, are buried near the cemetery chapel.

The Casavant Pipe Organ

The parish has a Casavant pipe organ. For an extensive history of this fantastic instrument, click on the link below:

Casavant Organ History

Guiding Pastoral Initiatives

Pastoral initiatives were guided by Sister Rosanne Logel CSJ (1992-2007) and Mary Edmondstone (2007-2022).

Early Sunday Worship and New Church Dedication

Sunday worship began in 1947 at the Holy Sepulchre Cemetery chapel and moved to the newly-built school hall in 1951. The church was dedicated in 1955.

Interior Redesign Under Fr. Ciavarro

The church’s interior layout was reversed for over 30 years until a redesign under Pastor Fr. Anthony Ciavarro in the 1980s.

Launching the RENEW Program

Holy Rosary pioneered the RENEW program in 1980 under Fr. Ciavarro, which later expanded across the Diocese and Canada.

Timeline

Our History

July 6, 1947

Holy Rosary Parish was established from portions of the Cathedral Parish in Hamilton, St. John’s, Burlington, and St. Thomas, Waterdown. The first Pastor was Father Bernard Harrigan, with the first Mass celebrated in the chapel of Holy Sepulchre Cemetery

1951

Holy Rosary School was built. Under Father Blake Ryan’s leadership, a new church and rectory were constructed, with the 400-seat Church

1951

Bishop Joseph F. Ryan dedicates the Church

1987

The Church was redesigned with a 180-degree rotation and beautifully adorned with stained glass, statuary, and sculpture during Father Anthony Ciavarro’s pastorate

1994

A Parish Centre was added in 1994 during Father Ron Cote’s tenure

July 6, 2022

Celebrate 75 Years

Pastors who have served Holy Rosary Parish include:

Msgr. Bernard Harrigan (1947–1953)
Father Blake Ryan (1953–1964)
Father Harold Smith (1964–1975)
Father Carlo Bianchi (1975–1979)
Father Anthony Ciavarro (1979–1989)
Father Ron Cote (1989–2004)
Father Frank Trzupek (2004–2011)
Msgr. Murray Kroetsch (2011–2013)
Msgr. Edward House (2013–2016)
Msgr. Martin Vallely (2016–2024)
Father David Wilhelm (2024–present)

BOUNDARIES

Northern Boundary:
Old Plains Rd. East
Eastern Boundary:
Westside of Maple Avenue
Southern Boundary:
Northshore Blvd. and Lakeshore Rd.
Western Boundary:
Plains Rd. West

NEIGHBOURING PARISHES:

North:
St. Gabriel Burlington
East:
St. John, Burlington
South:
Lake Ontario
West:
Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King and St. Thomas Waterdown is West

Hospitals and other Institutions to which Pastoral Service is provided:
Joseph Brant Hospital. Pastoral care is also provided for Burlington Gardens, Cama Woodlands, Park Avenue Manor, and Hampton Terrace Lifecare Centres.

Source : https://crm.hamiltondiocese.com/ParishBoundaries/