OLDS — Father Nilo Macapinlac is on the move again after serving the people of St. Stephen’s Parish in Olds, which includes churches in Didsbury and Sundre, for six years.
He is being transferred to Beaumont, about 26 kilometres south of Edmonton to replace a priest who passed away at Easter.
His last day of office in Olds is May 27 and the following day he takes up his new post in Beaumont.
A farewell party was held for him May 19 at the Evergreen Centre.
In total, Fr. Macapinlac has been in the priesthood for about 20 years, including six years looking after a parish that included Maskwacis, where in 2022, the late Pope Francis gave a famous apology for the Catholic Church’s involvement in residential schools.
During an interview with the Albertan, Fr. Macapinlac said his first posting, which lasted for six years and four months, encompassed 13 churches, 12 nursing homes, five hospitals and two Catholic schools.
“And I was the dean of priests,” he added.
The Beaumont parish will be a challenging one in its own way because although he will only be assigned one church, the community’s population is both English and French speaking. Fr. Macapinlac said.
Fr. Macapinlac said he will take very fond memories of Olds with him.
“Olds is a very respected community, especially with our old folks over here, and also dedicated mayor and also a good relationship as well with the different ministers of economics, ecumenism.
“Different denominations are here too, and we have also a beautiful college, and also good farming community and generous people,” he said.
It could be frantic in his various postings, getting around to all the churches, schools and events.
“Sometimes I felt I needed the magic carpet of Aladdin to fly,” he said.
Fr. Macapinlac will be replaced in Olds by Father Alex Joseph, who until now, has been an assistant pastor in Saint Anthony parish in Lloydminster.
Fr. Macapinlac was thrilled and humbled by the crowd who came out to wish him well on May 19. As he moved around the hall, he was greeted by – or spoke to -- many of them.
The event lasted the afternoon and beyond, with food, tributes and music.
Fr. Macapinlac agreed the crowd was huge, absolutely packing the hall, but noted over the past six years in Olds he has served six communities in a wide area, from Bearberry to Three Hills, so many residents of those communities came to wish him well.
Others came from as far away as Edmonton and Calgary.
That’s not all. Some came from much farther than that, including Archbishop Jose Romeo Lazo of the Philippines, who ordained Fr. Macapinlac’s nephew.
Journalists from Radio Filipino were also on hand to cover the event.
More and more people came into the hall as the day went on.
Fr. Macapinlac said the feeling of love and appreciation was mutual.
“It’s the strength of our community that you know, the Holy Spirit inspires everyone at the same time because of their collaboration and things like that,” he said.
“I'm only like in the choir, a conductor, so they have their own role to play, either it is baritone or tenor or soprano or whatever it is.”
It was a full weekend for Fr. Macapinlac. Before attending the going away tribute, he presided over a wedding in Sundre. Earlier in the weekend, he presided over four masses, three of which were held in Olds.
