Father Roland Demers: A Life of Faith, Service and Remarkable Encounters
We are fortunate in Hudson to have Saint Thomas Aquinas Parish, guided by its pastor, Father Marceliano Serrato, and enriched by the presence of Pastor Emeritus Father Roland Demers, with whom I recently had the pleasure of speaking.
Jovial, charismatic and blessed with a remarkable joy for life, Father Demers shared with me the defining moments of an exceptionally rich journey. At the age of 90, he reflects with clarity, gratitude and deep humanity upon a life devoted to faith and the service of others.
During his 42 years of priestly ministry, Father Demers spent three years in Chile as a missionary. His mission was to support a rural community in its efforts to overcome poverty. He was careful to explain, however, that his purpose was never to impose a Western way of life or worldview. Instead, he wished to become fully immersed in the community, understand its customs and respect its culture. This experience also enabled him to learn Spanish, one of the three languages he speaks, along with French and English.
His time in Chile left a profound impression on him. There, he encountered a society in which the Church and religious faith occupied an important place at the heart of community life. This reality stood in sharp contrast to the transformations Quebec has undergone over the past several decades.
Father Demers acknowledges that the Church in Quebec once exerted an overly rigid influence on people’s lives, eventually provoking a powerful reaction of rejection. In his view, the declining number of priests and the gradual disappearance of religious education from schools have also contributed to distancing people from religious practice. He observes that faith retains a more visible presence in certain Ontario educational institutions, while Quebec society has largely separated itself from its religious heritage.
These changes lead him to reflect with sadness on the distress experienced by some young people. He is particularly troubled by the tragedies that have affected several families in Hudson. Without claiming to understand their causes, he wonders whether growing individualism, isolation and the absence of guiding principles or role models may deepen the sense of emptiness felt by some. He believes that young people need, above all, to be heard and supported, to form strong human connections and to experience a genuine sense of belonging.
Father Demers devoted many years of his ministry to young people. From 1969 to 1985, he was assigned to Cité-des-Jeunes Secondary School, where his mission was to introduce students to the Christian faith. He also served in Pincourt from 1979 to 1985 and was appointed pastor of Saint Thomas Aquinas Church in Hudson in 1980.
In this predominantly English-speaking community, he observed that English-language services attracted large congregations, including many young people, while French-language Masses were generally less well attended. This difference, however, never created tension during his ministry. According to Father Demers, Hudson’s linguistic communities have always maintained a genuine respect for one another.
The same spirit of openness can be found among the region’s various Christian denominations. Every January, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity brings together Hudson’s Catholic, United and Anglican communities. This observance reflects their shared commitment to dialogue, solidarity and the values that unite them.
Father Demers is also deeply proud of his origins. Born in Valleyfield, he comes from a family whose roots lie in Lotbinière County, Quebec. He speaks with pleasure of his family’s connection to the renowned author Gabrielle Roy through a cousin of his paternal grandmother.
When I asked how he viewed the future, he returned to the profound changes that have transformed Quebec society. In his opinion, religion, after occupying an excessively dominant position for many years, was subsequently rejected almost entirely. Yet he believes that faith, when practised freely and compassionately, can offer valuable support during difficult times. He therefore regrets that young people today have so few opportunities within their education to explore spirituality or reflect upon life’s deeper questions.
We also discussed priestly celibacy. Father Demers believes that this commitment gave him the freedom and availability required to devote himself fully to his vocation and his community. He explained that, had he chosen marriage, he probably would not have pursued the priesthood.
Among the most memorable experiences of his career was a wedding he celebrated at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in New York. After being featured in Weddingbells magazine, doors opened for him in ways he could never have anticipated. Limousine transportation and a stay at the renowned Waldorf Astoria were among the extraordinary details of an adventure he still remembers as unforgettable.
He also told me about meeting the young American actor Macaulay Culkin, famous for portraying eight-year-old Kevin in the film Home Alone. According to Father Demers’s recollection, a scene from the movie was filmed at Saint Thomas Aquinas Church in Hudson, adding an unexpected chapter to the history of the parish.
Father Demers also speaks with emotion about the remarkable generosity of the people of Hudson. Over the years, their support has taken the form of numerous donations to the parish, including furniture that helped make the living areas of the rectory more comfortable and welcoming.
Throughout his life, Father Demers has met many distinguished figures, including Jean Chrétien, Maurice Richard, Yves Duteil, Jane Birkin and Diane Dufresne, for whom he feels particular admiration and affection. He is currently writing his memoirs, in which an entire page will be devoted to his encounters with prominent personalities from the artistic, political and sporting worlds.
There is little doubt that his memoirs will make fascinating reading. They will bear the unmistakable imprint of a deeply engaging man whose faith, curiosity and generosity have shaped an exceptional life. At 90, Father Roland Demers retains remarkable energy and a passion for life that show no sign of diminishing.
Father Roland Demers with Paula Mesa of Manoir Cavagnal, alongside a photograph of His Holiness the Pope, medals and letters of recognition,
including one from Prime Minister Mark Carney
Photograph with the late Corazon “Cory” Aquino, President of the Philippines 1986 to 1992
The generosity of the Hudson community: furnishings for the rectory and numerous donations to the parish
Photographs of Diane Dufresne and American actor Macaulay Culkin, best known for portraying eight-year-old Kevin in the film Home Alone
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