Oblate presence: 1962-2010 Geographical location: Mid-North of Quebec
At the invitation of Bishop Albert Sanschagrin, Apostolic Administrator of Amos for the Oblates to take charge of a parish in Chibougamau, it was proposed by Father Paul-Henri Barabé, Provincial, seconded by Father Emile Allie and unanimously accepted that the Province of Notre-Dame-du-Très-Saint-Rosaire, after agreement between the two provinces, on September 28, 1961, take charge of this new foundation, which would at the same time be a pied-à-terre for the Indian missions and the missions at the construction sites throughout this region. However, the Provincial Council set as a condition that this entire apostolic field, which until now belonged to the Province of St. Joseph of Montreal, be annexed to the territory of the Province of Notre-Dame-du-Très-Saint-Rosaire. A request will be sent to Rome.
On November 3, 1961, a cablegram from the Superior General was received approving the project of a parish in the city of Chibougamau. At a meeting of representatives of the Province of St. Joseph of Montreal, the Province of Notre-Dame-du-Très-Saint-Rosaire of Quebec City, and the Apostolic Vicariate of James Bay, which was convened at the Provincial House in Montreal, it was agreed that the implementation of the current plan would be entrusted to the Province of Notre-Dame-du-Très-Saint-Rosaire of Quebec.
The new parish will be called Queen of the Rosary.
At a meeting of the Provincial Council on July 9, 1962, the Provincial proposed, and was seconded by Father Emile Allie, to erect a religious residence in Chibougamau, under the name of Queen of the Rosary. This was approved unanimously by the Council.
The Oblates officially left the parish on May 15, 2010.
Eugène Lapointe OMI
