Staff

Rev. Fr. Ronald Cairns - Parish Priest

Fr. Cairns is the son of Dr. Joseph Cairns and Elizabeth MacDonald, RN. A native of Saint Thomas Aquinas Parish, Halifax, he graduated from Saint Patrick's High School and Dalhousie University (Bachelor of Arts, Philosophy) in 1980. He was awarded the degree Master of Divinity from the Atlantic School of Theology, 1983, and was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Halifax, April 26, 1986. He served as a Pastoral Assistant at Saint Mary's Basilica and Saint Michael's Parishes from 1986 to 1989, during which time he was the Chairman of the Diocesan Youth Commission and Chaplain to the Antioch Movement. In 1989, he was appointed by Archbishop James Hayes, Parish Priest at Saint Augustine's Parish, including pastoral care of Saint Augustine's, Chester, Saint Anthony's Mission, Hubbard's, and Saint Patrick's Mission, New Ross. In 1993, he was appointed by Archbishop Austin Burke, Chaplain to Dalhousie and Saint Mary's Universities, Halifax. He served the Archdiocese as Vocations Director, 1993-2000, and as Chaplain to the Cursillio Movement, 1994-2000. In 1999, he was awarded the degree Master of Arts, Pastoral Theology, by Boston College, Massachucets. Archbishop Burke appointed him Parish Priest at Saint Michael's Parish, Halifax, and Administrator of Saint Peter's Parish, Ketch Harbour, 1996-2001. He was appointed Parish Priest at Immaculate Conception Parish, August 2001. He is an active member of the Carmelite family.

Deacon Brian Smith - Pastoral Associate

Deacon Brian is married to Shirley, and they have one daughter Jessica. Originally from Liverpool, NS, he has been in Dartmouth for the past 32 years. Deacon Brian was ordained to the Permanent Deaconate on August 10, 2004 at St. Mary's Basilica in Halifax by Archbishop Prendergast. He has spent 18 years providing pastoral and Palliative care to residents of Ocean View Manor in the Parish of St. Andrews in Eastern Passage. He also spent 8 months at Hope Cottage in Halifax as a volunteer to the homeless. Deacon Brian has completed two units of Clinical Pastoral Education through the Canadian Association of Pastoral Practice Education. He has spent two years with his mentor, Rev. Dr. Chris Coffin, working as Chaplain intern at the Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility in Burnside, Dartmouth. He was appointed to Immaculate Conception Parish in Truro effective August 15, 2004, where he looks forward to working with the Parish community and Nova Institute for women, and many nursing homes throughout the county.

Mrs. Helen Lowthers - Parish Catechist

Helen is married to Jim Lowthers and is the mother of Erin, Trevor, Erica and Megan, and the grandmother of Isabel Katherine and Sophie Elizabeth. Born in Kentville, Nova Scotia, Helen attended Kings County Academy. Her secondary education includes graduation from the Nova Scotia Teachers College, and the Atlantic School of Theology. While living in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Helen took a position at the Antigonish Playschool, and was very active in the church community. In 1986, Helen moved to Truro, and took a position with Truro Playschool, which she held until she was employed by Immaculate Conception Parish in 1993. She has been and still is involved in many ministries in this parish. Helen belives that children are our most precious resource, and they need to be loved and nurtured.

Mrs. Nancy MacKinnon - Parish Secretary

My name is Nancy (Campbell) MacKinnon. I was born in Sydney, NS and grew up in the community of Catalone, just outside Louisbourg, NS. My dad is a fisherman, a boat builder and an excellent carpenter, my mom is a nurse in St. John, New Brunswick and I have one sister who works at the Fortress of Louisbourg. I graduated, with distinction, from the Cape Breton Business College in Sydney, NS (where I also worked for a short time) with a diploma in Business Computer Applications and I am certified in the Microsoft Office Suite. I am married to Danny MacKinnon, also from Cape Breton; Danny grew up in Glace Bay and moved to Marion Bridge as a teenager. Danny and I have three wonderful children: Brandon, Alicia & Madison. We moved to the Truro area in late March 2003 when my husband took a job with the Department of Natural Resources in Shubenacadie. We recently purchased our home and we are now living in Onslow. We are very happy with our move to Truro and love the area. We have met many wonderful people, and continue to meet many more. My first place of employment in Truro was with The United Way of Colchester County, a term position. I have been working here, with the Immaculate Conception Parish since late June 2004. Working here has and continues to be such a joy! I look forward to meeting each and every one of you in the coming years. God Bless!

Mrs. Melanie Ballard - Youth Ministry

Hi I'm Melanie (MacDonald) Ballard. I'm the ninth of twelve children and I learned my faith from my parents and other great volunteers in my home parish of Immaculate Conception in Heatherton, NS. Celebrating Mass and helping my mom with CWL activities were just part of growing up, not something to which I gave a lot of thought. After receiving my Bachelor of Arts degree at Saint Mary's University, and my Bachelor of Education degree at St. Francis Xavier university, I taught for two years at St. Mary Catholic Secondary School in Pickering, Ontario. I loved teaching, but my heart (and Jesus) was calling me home to Nova Scotia, which really is a beautiful place to live. Upon returning home, I lived in Halifax and became involved in youth ministry in the Archdiocese of Halifax, where I volunteered at summer camps and retreats. In September 2001, I began a one-year contract with the diocese to help prepare over 400 young adults for World Youth Day 2002 in Toronto. After World Youth Day, I worked at St. Pius X Parish in Fairview, Halifax as the Director of Religious Education. In May 2003, I married Joe Ballard (who I met through WYD activities) and settled in Truro. Here I became active in various ministries including Eucharist Ministry, Religious Education, Confirmation and Youth Ministry. Over the past couple years, since my return to Nova Scotia, I have felt more strongly Jesus' influence in my life. I know that it was His Spirit working through me, and others, that led me to my "jobs" with the church and to my marriage vocation. I hope that all young people can realize that they are not the future of the church, but are the present; they are full members of the church now, and should get involved. I invite you all to our upcoming youth activates.

Mr. Glen Crowe - Caretaker

My name is Glen Crowe, but I am better known to most folks as "Tiny", a nickname bestowed upon me when I first moved to Truro in 1975. I am the youngest of four boys and was born in Springhill, NS and I am delighted to this day that mom and dad tried one more time for a girl...oops! Due to my father being in the forces I lived many years in Ontario and moved a number of times due to postings. After retirement my parents moved back to Nova Scotia and I graduated from Oxford Regional High School in 1975. I moved to Truro in August of that year and worked at Crossley Carpets from then until January 1991. I met my wife Marg while working at Crossley and married her on December 10th, 1983. I was hired by Immaculate Conception Parish for the custodian position in May of 1992 and I am very blessed and thankful as I'm still working in that position today. How time flies. I was baptized and confirmed at the Easter Vigil in 1992 after a memorable year with the RCIA program offered at our church. I am a third degree Knight of Columbus, a Minister of Hospitality, a Lecturer, and that "out of key" voice you hear in the Choir would be me. I am involved with the women's prison ministry, and work with the Mental Health Association. For those of you who don't know me please introduce yourself the next time you stop in the Parish. God Bless.