Nancy Branco-Drozdiak (Parishioner)
Entered
January 8, 2026
from Mississauga
Growing up in a European community as a child, we were fortunate to maintain our Portuguese traditions while fully embracing Canadian culture. Sundays, in particular, were sacred. They were days reserved for church and family - something that feels almost forgotten now, as businesses operate seven days a week. There is no forced time to slow down and take in what is important when your work/life schedule makes it challenging - work and life blur together.
Back then, Sundays were something to look forward to. Store’s were not open and businesses did not operate that day. We went to church and Sunday school, visited cousins and friends, planned picnics and outings to Niagara Falls, Lake Simcoe and Centre Island, attended Portuguese festas throughout the GTA, or simply sat together at home for Sunday dinner. Those moments were simple, yet they grounded us, were the making of core memories and many foundations of which we revert back to when sharing time with cousins and extended family in the present day.
Church was something I genuinely enjoyed - especially when Mass was in English but over time I came to appreciate Portuguese Mass as well, learning the prayers, the songs and the hymns. My favourite part of Mass, however, was not the language but the priest who celebrated it: Fr. Eduardo Resendes, who later became Monsignor. He was a kind and gentle soul who always felt like family.
As a little girl in the late 1970s, attending Mass served only by altar boys, I once asked him, “Father, why is it only boys who serve at Mass?” Instead of dismissing my question, he asked why I wanted to know and whether I wanted to serve. Of course, I said yes. Although it was not the norm at the time, he told me to come and prepare with the boys. I became the first girl altar server in that church, S. Salvador do Mundo and later, many others followed - I was 6 years old. That small moment shaped me more than I realized at the time.
At festas, he was like the uncle on site and in moments of uncertainty and darkness, he was a steady light to my faith. I called upon him for his guidance often during my youth and he was never too busy for me. When I feared my newborn son might not survive, Monsignor was one of my first calls. I asked if he would go to SickKids Hospital as soon as possible to baptize him - it was important to me, just in case. I had given birth only hours earlier at Credit Valley and he told me he would try. When I arrived at the hospital, he was already there, blessing my son in the NICU. He gently told me, “When you take your son home, we will do it properly in the church.” Sadly, that was not meant to be, but in that moment and through him, my faith became stronger than ever.
He made time for me, for my son and for my family. When my father was in hospice during his final days, my father held on until Monsignor returned from his travels. He celebrated the Anointing of the Sick with him, offering comfort and peace. I was also blessed to visit with him before my mother’s condition worsened and she too received her final Sacrament from him.
There are countless memories I hold close to my heart. He was a profound influence in my young life. In all the years since, whenever I have gone to church, I have found myself comparing every priest to him and I have yet to meet another like him. He was a Godly man. He was my priest. But he was so much more than that.
I am deeply saddened to hear of his passing. He was 91 years old - the same age my father would be today if he were still with me. May God welcome him into His Kingdom with open arms, for he truly lived the life he was called to serve.
My condolences to his family and all who were touched by his grace. May he rest in eternal peace with our Lord and those that have gone before him. He was an incredible Shepherd of God and has left a light in this world that will continue to guide and comfort all who were blessed to know him. Rest in peace, descanse em paz Monsignor, you are in my prayers. 🙏🏼🕊️
