Our Vision
Our Lady of Mount Carmel is a “Great Commission Parish.” Our goal was set by Jesus himself in Matthew 28:19-20. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
I. Sanctify Our Parishioners with the Sacraments
– At the heart of our parish mission is the call to sanctify the faithful through the sacraments.
– The Great Commission Parish framework enables us to provide sacramental preparation that ensures our parishioners receive the grace and understanding they need to fully participate in the Church’s sacramental life.
– With the help of formed.org, our parish prepares individuals and families for the transformative power of the sacraments.
II. Shepherd Our Community with Evangelization and Scripture
– A good shepherd seeks to care for each person in the community.
– The Great Commission Parish framework encourages us to reach out to our parishioners, those who no longer attend Mass, and even non-churchgoers in our neighbourhood, offering a welcoming invitation to know the love of Christ.
– Resources on formed.org support our efforts to evangelize those living in our parish boundaries, to bring hearts to Christ.
III. Teach the Faith with Clarity and Conviction
– Teaching the Faith is crucial for forming disciples who live out their Catholic identity.
– Our Great Commission Parish framework provides our parish with clear, engaging, and inspiring catechesis.
– Formed.org assists us in guiding parishioners through the core beliefs of the Catholic faith, and in helping them understand how God fulfills the deepest longings of the human heart.
Our History
The history of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Freelton, Ontario, reflects both the enduring spirit of its Catholic community and the evolving landscape of the region. The current church’s dedication ceremony drew unprecedented crowds, with attendees from neighbouring cities such as Guelph, Dundas and Hamilton, highlighting the Church’s significance within the broader community. Completed in 1890 in a Gothic architectural style with a prominent spire, it replaced its predecessor lost to fire two years prior. Inside, a pine altar decorated with flowers, hardwood pews, and stained-glass windows created a welcoming and reverent atmosphere.
The church’s opening was officiated by Bishop Dowling, aided by Rev. Father McEvay. The ceremony included Latin prayers, a high mass and an impressive musical program featuring St. Mary’s Cathedral Choir and a local string quartet.
However, Catholic roots in Freelton extended back nearly forty years before 1890. Early missionaries visited the area enroute from Dundas to Guelph, serving scattered Catholic families. The nearby community of Morriston, settled in the 1830s by diverse European immigrants, built a mission church in 1856, which remained active until 1910. Both Morriston and Freelton were supported by traveling priests until Freelton received its first resident pastor, Rev. William Lillis, in 1877.
The church sits on land purchased from Patrick Freel, Freelton’s namesake, bought for $500 in 1865. The original limestone church was hand-hewn by stonemason Dennis McCarthy, who took two years to construct it. Sadly, it burned down in 1877 due to a furnace accident. The 1890 reconstruction preserved its design.
Through the years, numerous pastors have guided the parish, among them Rev. William Becker—who oversaw the construction of the Waterdown church and the closing of the Morriston mission. In 1967, Marian Hall was built under Rev. Ford to host parish functions, then expanded in 1971.
What began as a congregation of sixty families with reserved pews, and a single weekly mass, has grown to over 300 families today, with daily mass and three weekend masses serving their spiritual needs. Over its history, the parish has remained the only Roman Catholic church in Freelton, Carlisle and surrounding areas, continuing the three pillars of its Vision Statement: 1) sanctifying; 2) shepherding; and 3) teaching.
Fr. Peter Robinson (Pastor)
Fr. Peter was born in Bancroft, Ontario, south of Algonquin Park in 1958. His journey has been unique: first, he was an Evangelical Protestant pastor and a missionary to Europe. (It was while working with Evangelical churches in Austria that he met Simone. They were married in 2000, and their daughter, Victoria, was born in 2001.) Then he became an Anglican minister. (This transition began while he was completing his PhD in Theology at St. Paul's University in Ottawa.) Finally, he journeyed home to Mother Church in 2015 and was ordained a priest in June 2021. Like three other priests in the Hamilton Diocese, he is now a married, Catholic priest in the Latin Rite.
Angela Clayton (Office Manager)
With passion and love for the parish, Angela has supported four priests during her tenure. She demonstrates her proficiency not only in her work but also in her interactions with parishioners. Angela is the cornerstone of our administrative team, ensuring smooth operations and fostering positive relationships.