Saint Mary of the Purification Roman Catholic Church celebrated its 150th anniversary here on the weekend. The weekend included displays, special services, and a dinner. A highlight of the weekend festivities was a commemorative mass celebrated by Bishop Douglas Crosby of the Diocese of Hamilton on Sunday.
“Today is the Feast of the Ascension. Only St. Luke describes the Ascension, both in his Gospel and in the Book of Acts of the Apostles, which he also wrote!” the bishop said in an address to the congregation. “It is a key moment of transition between the Risen Jesus’ presence on Earth, and the ministry of the Church guided by the Spirit.”
“And here we are – celebrating 150 years of the Church’s ministry here in Mount Forest. In the history of the Church that is still very young – but in the history of the nation – it goes back a long way.”
“For Roman Catholics, a parish is a home, a place of prayer, proclamation, liturgical celebration, and worship. For 150 years, people of this parish have come here alone or gathered as a community of faith to offer praise and thanksgiving, to pray for forgiveness of sins, to implore special attention for children, for parents, for those in particular need. How many prayers have been offered in this quiet, beautiful worship space?” he added.
“Here sacraments are celebrated at key moments in our lives: Baptism – of newborn children or of those who make a life choice about their faith; Confirmation – anointed by the Spirit to be more like Christ; Eucharist – nourished/strengthened to do what he did; Reconciliation – forgiveness and healing for sins, failings, weaknesses; restoration to the fullness of community life; Matrimony – that fundamental and exclusive commitment of love and life, “the domestic church,” as Pope John Paul II liked to call it; Holy Orders – a sacrament that we need to promote more in our time for the good of the future of the Church and of the faith community; and the Sacrament of the Sick – where the seriously ill are anointed and commended to the Lord for healing and restoration to wholeness.”
“We gather as a parish in this sacred space to sing praise, to listen to sacred scripture, particularly the Gospel stories that nurture and inspire, to pray for thanksgiving, to be renewed in faith and courage, to be blessed and strengthened, to be sent out to carry and proclaim the Gospel by word and deed,” the bishop said.
“It is important to remember, beautiful a building that it is, important role that it plays in the town, wonderful history that it has had over the past 150 years, importance that it holds in our own personal lives, let us always remember that it is only a building – made of bricks and mortar. It is made a holy place by the people who come, by what happens when they gather, and by the One they meet here. This place is holy because a relationship is nurtured between God and the people, between Jesus Christ and His disciples, between the Holy Spirit and those who are anointed. A community is formed. We are gathered to remember what Jesus did – and to do what Jesus did. We are sent forth from this place to be witnesses to the Good News in this community and beyond,” he told parishioners.
“The church is an important place in Mount Forest not only because it is architecturally significant, but because, day after day, week after week, year after year, parishioners/citizens spill out of these doors, are sent forth, committed to do good, to promote the highest ideals, to make the community a place of justice, love and peace – reflecting the very values of the Kingdom of God revealed in the scriptures that are proclaimed here.”
“Today, we remember and give thanks for the priests who have served here over the years, especially the current Pastor, Father Murray Farwell – a son of the parish. Their daily efforts to build the parish as a community of faith are essential.”
“Thank you also to those who have served and who serve now on the parish pastoral council, the finance committee, the liturgical committee, the choir and various liturgical ministries, the Catholic Women’s League, the Holy Name Society, and the Knights of Columbus – your committed service is vitally important because it means the parish fulfills its responsibility to be an example for the broader community of a vibrant community of faith and of the liturgy celebrated at its best,” he said.
“And thanks to you, faithful parishioners, followers of Christ, whose generosity makes it possible to care and maintain this church in our time and into the future – and whose love and service is a witness in this community to the love and mercy of God.”
“Words of Pope John Paul II at the outset of the new millennium: “Remember the past with gratitude; live the present with enthusiasm; go into the future with confidence. Stake everything on charity.”
“Today is a day for giving thanks – for the blessing of a parish community in which we can live in peace and raise our children in security, for the blessings of a beautiful and holy place of worship where we can gather to worship in peace and freedom, and for the blessing of a people who promote and nurture justice and peace here and abroad by what we say and how we say it, and what we do and how we do it,” the bishop said. “May we continue to follow Jesus Christ faithfully into the future – for the good of all!”
