RÍMSKOKATOLÍCKA FARNOSŤ SV. CYRILA A METODA V MISSISSAUGE AKO KULTÚRNY POTENCIÁL KANADSKÝCH SLOVÁKOV

The culture and way of life of Slovaks and their descendants living in Canada (in the more than one hundred and fifty years of its existence on the American continent) have undergone several changes due to cultural changes (acculturation and assimilation) and the influence of globalization (and the presence of multiculturalism). These reasons are manifested by unique cultural elements and manifestations of the culture of Slovaks living outside the territory of the mother state. The paper maps and analyses the cultural potential of the Roman Catholic parish of St. Cyril and Methodius in Mississauga in the context of preserving and maintaining the culture and identity of Slovaks in this parish. It deals tangible and intangible cultural heritage, cultural organizations, institutions – associations, events and human resources. There are a number of Slovak institutions in Canada, which play a key role in maintaining the culture and identity of Slovaks. The results of the research can be the basis for further research and represent the status of activity and functioning of the Slovak community in Mississauga – a Roman Catholic Parish as an institution based on ethnic principle. The research material was obtained through short-term field research in April 2023.