The present Pastor of St Augustine's Church is Fr. Gordon A. Cook, OMI, he followed Fr. John Brioux, OMI in 2009
In Father Cooks words...
In 1990 I joined the pre-novitiate of the Order of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in Edmonton, AB to begin the journey and studies to become a priest, desiring to be a missionary priest working among the First Nations people. I attended Newman Theological College in Edmonton where I received my Bachelor of Theology Degree in 1995.
On August 23, 1996 I made my final vows as an Oblate of Mary Immaculate, and on September 1, 1996 I was ordained to the Ministerial Priesthood. My first obedience was to work as a missionary priest in northwest British Columbia, where for ten years I was the Pastor of three missions: Moricetown, Hazeltons, and Stewart, which are in located in BC and Hyder, Alaska. Two of my major achievements were firstly, to bring about healing and reconciliation among the First Nations people with a very large number of them returning to Church; and secondly, to renovate a broken down old school gym in New Hazelton into a beautiful Church having a large sacred space for the celebration of Mass, a chapel, meeting rooms, and a hospitality gathering area. As well, I was instrumental in restoring two churches in the missions. I deeply loved working among the Native people on the eight reserves. They gave me so much wisdom, patience, and understanding about life and death among the First Nations people.
On August 6, 2006 I became the Associate Pastor of St. Augustine’s Parish, Vancouver, BC. From my time of being here, I can say that I like the community very much. One of my greatest enjoyments has been in being involved in the lives of the people in the Parish and in the lives of the children at St. Augustine’s School. The ministry of St. Augustine’s Parish has been very rewarding and enriching. After working almost alone for ten years in the missions, I am overwhelmed at how many volunteers there are in this Parish. My heart goes out to everyone with gratitude and thanks. Personally, I feel the community has been very good to me and has embraced me. And what can I say about living in the very beautiful city of Vancouver that has so much to offer.
My interests are photography, reading and studying theology, reading mystery books, and doing lots of walking, especially along Kitsilano Beach to Granville Island. My loves in life are my children and grandchildren. I love people, I love my Catholic faith, and I love being a priest. God has richly blessed my life, from being a farm boy, to being married, to being a grandfather, to being a “spiritual father” among God’s children, planting the seeds of the Catholic faith in souls and planting love and hope. I feel so very humble realizing how much God and so many people have blest my life.
May God bless you.
