The Place:
Both water tower and Le Fort Centre are now on the campus of St. Mary’s University, which moved to the site of the old Lacombe Home in 1999. The Lacombe Home was built by the legendary
Father Albert Lacombe, a priest of the Oblate Order and one of the best known and most revered early missionaries to work in Western Canada. The Lacombe Home was built on 200 acres of land near Midnapore donated by equally legendary local cattleman
Pat Burns. As well as the land, Burns also donated beef, dairy products and dairy cattle to the home. Lumber, coal, cash, even transportation of materials were all donated to build the home by well heeled friends of the Father.
Officially opened in 1910, the home continued in operation until fire claimed it in 1999. Several ancillary buildings survive, including the water tower, the site now the campus of
St. Mary's University. St. Mary's, which had its beginnings in 1985, moved to the site in 1999, offering a liberal arts program. The buildings from the Lacombe Home which survive have been repurposed for use by the university and new buildings have been added to the campus. In 1986 St. Mary’s College became St. Mary’s University College and in 2014 the university changed its name from St. Mary’s University College to St. Mary’s University.
Le Fort Centre, once classrooms for the Lacombe Home, has been restored and has become classrooms for St. Mary's. The following bronze plaque has been mounted by the front entrance.<
LE FORT CENTRE
This Alberta Heritage Building (1913) that housed the classroom of the famous Lacombe Home has been restored as a tribute to and named for Monsignor Joseph E. Le Fort, through the generous support of Ronald P. Mathison, in memory of his mother Mary Theresa Mathison (nee Cush).
Monsignor Joseph E. Le Fort was born in Medicine Hat, Alberta in 1920 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1945. He has faithfully served the people of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary for over 60 years. The restoration of this historic building serves as fitting recognition of this eminent Albertan's distinguished service to the people of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary and to St. Mary's University College.
Calgary, Alberta
June 30, 2007
ST MARY'S
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
The Person:
The following is an obituary for the Monsigneur, published in The Calgary Herald from Dec. 20 to Dec. 22, 2012.
Joseph LeFORT
LeFORT, Monsignor Joseph E.
January 8, 1920 – December 18, 2012
Monsignor Joseph E. LeFort passed away after a lengthy illness on Tuesday, December 18, 2012. He was the son of Henry and Adelaide (nee Beausoliel) LeFort and was born at Medicine Hat, Alberta on January 8, 1920. He was educated at the Catholic schools in Medicine Hat and graduated from St. Theresa's Academy in 1939. Monsignor did his philosophy studies at St. Joseph's Seminary in Edmonton, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Patrick's College, Ottawa. He completed his theological studies at St. Augustine's Seminary in Toronto, and was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Francis Carroll in 1945 at his home parish, St. Patrick's, Medicine Hat on May 13, 1945.
Monsignor LeFort served as the Bishop's Secretary and Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Calgary from 1945 until 1959, and also served as administrator of St. Joseph's parish for a period of six months. In 1959 he was appointed pastor of St. Ann's Parish, Calgary. He also established St. Bernadette's Church as a mission of St. Ann's. In 1967 Monsignor LeFort became the founding pastor of Canadian Martyrs Parish in Calgary and in 1982 he was appointed pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Calgary.
Besides his parish duties Monsignor LeFort served in many capacities in the Catholic Church of Calgary, including Director of Religious Education and Chairman of Catholic Charities, and served on many other committees and boards. In the community Monsignor was the first National President of the John Howard Society of Canada, and served on the board of the Canadian Mental Health Association. He was also an active member of the downtown Lions Club.
He enjoyed the Arts and was an avid Bridge player, reaching the status of "Grand Master". Among other activities, he was a great supporter of the Precious Blood Sisters and played a very active role in the establishment of their present monastery in the Erlton Community. Monsignor also served on the board of St. Mary's University and was instrumental in raising donations for the young University. In recognition of this, the LeFort Centre at St. Mary's is named for him.
In living memory of Monsignor Joseph LeFort a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park.
From The Calgary Herald