History

Foyer Lacombe

a division of Placid Foundation

In 1974, Foyer Grandin, a 15-room residence for retiring members of the Oblate Alberta - Saskatchewan Province was built at 3 St. Vital Avenue, St. Albert, Alberta. Located on Mission Hill, the residence was situated next to the historical residence of Bishop Vital Grandin, first Bishop of St. Albert, and the Chapel of legendary Father Albert Lacombe.

In 1984, the Province merged with the neighboring Provinces of Grouard and MacKenzie to form the new Grandin Province. This increased the number of retirees, and an agreement was negotiated to purchase a 35-suite apartment building in downtown Edmonton. The facility, known as Placid Place, accommodated aging and ailing retired Grandin priests and brothers. This decision respected the fact that Oblates, a religious family, prefer to live in community, support one another and continue their prayer life rather than live separated in secular institutions.

Grandin Province created a "dedicated provident fund" and agreements were established with the Dioceses of MacKenzie and Girourd-McLennan. Placid Foundation was formed to operate Placid Place. Initially administered by Oblates, increaseing health care needs and diminishing numbers of active Oblates precipitated a major change.

In September 1997, the Grandin Provident Fund Trust, with charitable status, was established with trustees to manage the Trust; and a separate Board of Directors was established for the day-to-day governance of the operations.

In November 1997, Placid Foundation was established as an independent corporate entity for the express purpose of:

• operating retirement homes for the retired, infirm or disabled Priests, Brothers and Associates of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate Grandin Province, and
• providing health care and maintenance benefits for the needy, aged and infirm Priests, Brothers and Associates of the Order."

Over time, a steadily increasing number of aged, retired and infirm Oblates requiring care necessitated additional capacity. Mission Hill was selected as the perfect location for construction as it was rich in Church, Oblate and Grey Nun history and tradition, and a sacred resting place for our pioneer elders. Plans were made for a 23-bed addition to the existing Foyer Grandin. This provided much-needed space and modern facilities. Chapel, dining room, multi-function open space, and activity areas facilitated community life and interaction among the residents of both buildings.

Renovations to Foyer Grandin, and the addition of the new building, came together as a retirement complex which was anticipated to meet the present and future needs of Missionary Oblates. September 2002 saw the last of the residents of Placid Place move into their new home. On December 8, 2002 Bishop Denis Croteau, Catholic Diocese of Mackenzie-Fort Smith, officially blessed the new building and chapel. Archbishop Thomas Collins, Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton, with the Oblate Scholastics of St. Charles as cantors, led solemn vespers.

A year later, on December 8, 2003 (on the same day as Fr. Wilhelm Steckling OMI, Superior General of the Missionary Oblates, launched the new Province, OMI Lacombe Canada), the new facility was renamed Foyer Lacombe, in honour of Fr. Albert Lacombe, a great Oblate Missionary and a founding father of the Roman Catholic Church in Alberta.