by Bernie MacDonald
Every fall season the Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church of Almonte invites all its Parishioners to come together at one time, under one roof, to celebrate the Holy Eucharist, to celebrate the spirit of the season, and to participate in a social gathering.
Throughout the year St. Mary’s celebrates three weekend Masses in the Parish Church on Bridge Street including Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning, during which time Parishioners can attend at one of the three times provided.
For the fall gathering however the gymnasium of the Holy Name of Mary School on Paterson Street becomes the gathering place for all the Parishioners; the adult Church Choir and the children’s School Choir perform together under the direction of School Music Teacher Mary Ann McKenna, the school children participate in the Liturgy and the Prayers of The Faithful, and Father Lindsay Harrison delivers a sermon directed toward the school children.
When the transubstantiation of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ is completed and the Body and Blood is distributed, the Mass comes to an end and the gym chairs are put aside, tables are brought out for the pot-luck lunch provided by members of the Parish, an abundance of food is provided as parishioners mix and mingle meeting with old friends and acquaintances they have not seen for a while, and with new members and families as well. A celebration as colourful as Nature’s hand in the surrounding countryside.
