Staff

The biographies of the OLPH priests, other priests in residence and support staff are provided below.

Parishioners are warmly welcomed to assist in the various work that needs to be done in the daily operation and maintenance of the parish. In particular, parishioners are encouraged to volunteer in the various parish Ministries

Fr. James Hannah (Pastor)

(416) 489-1540, x231

Born in 1947 and raised in Toronto. Attended Neil McNeil High School and St. Augustine's Seminary. Ordained to the deaconate in 1972 and to the priesthood in 1974 and assigned to St. Mary of the People Parish in Oshawa from 1972 to 1979. Went away for studies from 1979 to 1983 to become a Teaching Supervisor in Clinical Pastoral Education so that he might be able to train others for ministry. Returned to the Archdiocese in 1983 and was asked to establish the Office of Lay Ministry for the Archdiocese. In 1994 the office expanded and became the Office of Lay Ministry and Institutional Chaplaincy. In 1999 the office expanded again with the mandate to initiate Volunteer Screening in all the parishes of the Archdiocese. Fr. Hannah continued as Director of that Office until 2003 when he was reassigned as pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish.

Karen Corcoran (Pastoral Associate)

karen@olphtoronto.com
(416) 489-1540, x239

Karen was born and raised in rural New Brunswick. She convocated with a Bachelor of Arts from St. Thomas University in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Before coming to Toronto, she worked in Prince Edward Island in a centre for the developmentally delayed. She came to Toronto to work with refugees. She then registered at Regis College and began the process of obtaining a degree in theology. While studying theology, she had the opportunity to work as a chaplain in both a hospital and long-term care facility for seniors. Karen convocated with a Masters of Divinity from Regis College and began her ministry as a Parish Pastoral Associate at OLPH in January 2006.

Fr. Daniel Donovan (Weekend Assistant)

Fr. Dan Donovan was born and raised in Toronto. He is a graduate of De La Sale High School and of St. Michael's College. After completing his initial theological studies at the University of Laval, Quebec City, he was ordained for the diocese of Toronto in 1962. Between 1963 and 1965 (during the Second Vatican Council) he did graduate work in biblical studies in Rome and in 1971 completed his doctorate in theology at the University of Munster in Germany. Beginning in 1971, he taught theology in the faculty of theology St. Michael's College and since 1990 in the Christianity and Culture Program of the Faculty of Arts and Science of the University of Toronto. Although he reached the mandatory retirement age in 2001, he continues to teach in the Christianity and Culture Program. Father Donovan has published a number of books and has put together a well-known collection of contemporary art at St. Michael's. Throughout his teaching career he has always helped out on Sundays in one or another of the parishes of the Archdiocese - currently helping at OLPH.

In Residence

Fr. Guenter Petricek

petricek.guenter@gmail.com
(416) 489-1540, x229

Fr. Guenter Petricek was ordained at St. Michael’s Cathedral in May 1996. He served his first appointment as Associate Pastor at St. Anselm Parish in Toronto and was at the same time appointed to function as the Pontifical Master of Ceremonies for His Eminence Cardinal Ambrozic. In July 2000, he was appointed as Pastor of St. Gregory the Great Parish in Oshawa where he served until 2007. In January 2007, Fr. Guenter took some time out to look after his health. Since July he has been in residence here at OLPH. He serves at St. Stephen Centre and is also available to provide weekend relief for other pastors within the Toronto area.

Support Staff

Helen Sprokkelenburg (Administrative Assistant)

(416) 489-1540 x221

Born and raised in Montreal. Met her husband in Toronto and married at OLPH. Has three children, Theresa, Peter and Mary. Has three grandchildren, Keane, Claire and Matthew. Helen resides in Our Lady of Fatima parish. In her previous parish of Holy Name she was Eucharistic Minister, involved in Baptismal Ministry and filled in as Lector and Hospitality Minister as needed. Was employed in the business world for many years in administration, sales and marketing. Started at OLPH in November 2002.

Roman Pietraszkiewicz (Custodian)

Arrived in Canada from Poland in 1988. Roman's family followed in 1990. He has 3 children, Mark, Yanusz and Agnes. Roman also has 7 grandchildren ranging in ages from 1 yr to 17 years. He started work at OLPH in 1991 under Fr. Courtemanche.

Edward Pietraszkiewicz (Custodian)

Born and raised in Poland. He came to Canada in 1989 to visit his sister and decided to stay. He got married in 1994. Edward has over 20 years of experience working as a maintenance/handyman person. He started working at OLPH in March 2013.