Centenary Celebration of St Mary’s Hagersville and St Ann’s Alpole, Canada.

On Sunday morning, October 5th, 2014, members of the parish of St Mary’s Hagersville and St Ann’s Walpole, along with their guests gathered to celebrate 100 years of the Roman Catholic faith community in Hagersville.

In the weeks preceding this celebration, parishioner Dave Lane had published in the Haldimand Press a series of interesting and informative articles, accompanied by pictures, outlining the history of the church in Hagersville, which served to prepare the congregation for the milestone event. The church was beautifully prepared and decorated for the occasion by church secretary Mary Lane, custodian Luann Watson, school librarian Marie Peart and the children of St Mary’s School.

The inspiring music was provided by the Hagersville choir, under the direction of Barb Matten, organist, and Karen Trainer, assisted by St Ann’s choir under the leadership of Jayne Dennis.

At 10:30, as the combined choir performed the opening hymn, “Sing A New Song”, the altar servers, Hayley, Mattice, Victoria McKeen, Madison Webb, Ava Moretti, Hayden and Heidi Mattice, led the procession, consisting of lector Max King, concelebrants, His Excellency, Bishop Gerald Bergie, His Excellency Bishop Emeritous Anthony Tonnos and our dear pastor Father Ronald Sequeira, to the altar, escorted by 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, - Ken Burley, Bill Kelly, Wayne Kelly, Michael Kovacs, Louis Skraba, Doug Souilliere and Andrew VanExem.

The congregation was warmly welcomed by Max King and Bishop Bergie followed with eloquent opening remarks, after which the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass began. The theme of the liturgy of the word was that “ the kingdom of God will be given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom”, very appropriate for the celebration of such a significant anniversary.

Following the Penitential Act and the Collect, lector Rita Bennett read the 1st reading from the book of the Prophet Isaiah 5, 1-7, in which Isaiah uses the story of a vineyard to show how the Lord respects his people.

Responsorial Psalm 79 was led by cantors Dan and Vanessa Matten, - with the refrain, “The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.”

Lector Max King read the 2nd reading from the letter of St Paul to the Philippians, 4, 6-9, in which St Paul exhorts his followers to “in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

The readings were followed by the Gospel according to Matthew, 21, 33-43, in which Jesus uses the parable of a landowner to illustrate that the kingdom of God is for those who produce a good harvest. Which was proclaimed by our pastor Fr, Ronnie.

His Excellency Bishop Bergie then delivered the homily, using the readings of the day to demonstrate how the men and women of our community one hundred years ago, and in the years since then, persisted in bringing our parish to this day in which we celebrate our 100th anniversary. He likened our church, both the original building on King St West and newer building that replaced it in the present location on Main St South, to the watchtower in the gospel, a second home, from which the tenants were to guard their crops and bring about a successful harvest for the owner, who provided them with all that was needed to bring this about. As in the gospel, we are sometimes tempted to want more than is provided for us and this sense of entitlement causes us to betray our commitment to Our Lord and God. We must resolve to be ever vigilant against this temptation and be faithful to God and his commands.

Our church community is our spiritual home, a place of comfort and peace, where we are given what we need to foster and strengthen our resolve and the tools to bring us back when we stray. Here we gather together, sharing a common faith, and nourished by God’s presence in the liturgy of the word and by the reception of the Eucharist, our spiritual food, a gift from God’s own son, Our Lord Jesus Christ.
In addition, Bishop Bergie reminded us that, from our position in our “watch tower,” we must protect our crop from those who would attack it, from both without and within its fenced borders. In order to do this, he asked us to consider the lesson of the second reading of the day, in which St Paul admonishes his hearers to discern what is true, honourable, just, pure, pleasing, commendable, excellent and worthy of praise. This discernment will allow us to know the enemies of our faith and enable us to know how to combat the evil they would do.

In closing, Bishop Bergie invited us to join him in thanking God for the blessings he has bestowed upon our parish during the past 100 years and to ask his help as we move forward into the future.

Following, Bishop Bergie’s inspiring words, the congregation professed their faith by reciting the Nicene Creed and were led in the intercessory prayers by lector Maryanne Moretti.

The liturgy of the Eucharist commenced with Offertory Hymn, “For the Fruit of All Creation” and the presentation of the gifts by the ushers, Lionel Gagnon, Harry Moretti, Joe Paiva, and John Webb.

The participation of the two Bishops concelebrating with Father Ronnie made the consecration a most dramatic one. The congregation performed the memorial acclamation with exceptional fervour, “We proclaim your death Lord Jesus and profess your resurrection until you come again.” Communion was distributed to the hymn, “Be Not Afraid.”

Just before the concluding prayers, Father Ronnie announced the latest Papal Synod, opening on this day in Vatican City, to study Family Issues. He then led us in prayers asking for the intercession of the Holy Family for the success of the gathering.

After the concluding prayers, Father Ronnie made a short speech giving his thanks to God who led him to our parish one year ago and expressing the honour he has felt in being our pastor and the one to lead us in this historic celebration of the 100th anniversary of our faith community. He thanked all those involved in the planning of the celebration, especially Rita Mauro and her committee: Ed McCarthy, Catherine Montague, Carolyn Jopko, Dave and Mary Lane, Paul O’Dwyer, Nick Montague, Max King, Jayne Dennis and John Goldsmith.

Father Ronnie also warmly thanked Bishop Bergie and Bishop Tonnos for their generous participation in our celebration and assured them of our love and appreciation. He closed by thanking his parishioners for love and support as we work together for the continued success of this faith community.

Father Ronnie then called upon master of ceremonies Ed McCarthy to give a brief history of the parish. To do this, Ed very briefly outlined the history already published in our local paper and then filled out these facts with personal anecdotes and observations which he had gathered from memories of his grandparents and parents, all life members of our faith community and descendants of the Irish Canadians that caused the Church of St Ann’s to be built almost 150 years ago.

The Church of St Mary’s was built by the efforts of the Italian Canadians that came to Hagersville to work in the quarries of JC Ingles. The family of Tony DiLello petitioned the Pope of the day, Pius X, who contacted Bishop Dowling of the diocese of Hamilton regarding the request. Bishop Dowling had just celebrated an important anniversary and as a result had received a large purse, out of which he very generously provided the petitioners in Hagersville with $6000 with which to build their church. Subsequently the original St Mary’s Church was built on a property on King St West. The church was assigned as a mission of St Patrick’s Parish in Caledonia.

Ed then proceeded to list the priests, all worthy men, but subject to human frailties, who served the parish during the past 100 years and gave personal anecdotes about each one.
It is now our duty to demonstrate as fully as possible our love and support to Father Ronnie, as his spiritual brothers and sisters. We urgently need to restore faith in our parish community, which will hopefully result in an increase in the contributions so necessary if we are continue on as a productive vineyard for the Lord.

Ed’s remarks received spontaneous and prolonged applause from those in attendance. When he had vacated the podium, Bishop Bergie rose to make his final remarks, thanking Father Ronnie for his excellent stewardship of this particular vineyard and congratulating the parishioners on their 100thanniversary. He then extended thanks to Bishop Tonnos, his mentor who, by his example, has demonstrated what it means to be a true shepherd of the Lord.

Then the altar servers led the concelebrants and their escort in procession to the back to the church accompanied by the choir performing “Hail Holy Queen”.

The entire congregation reconvened in the church hall for a period of fellowship and a delicious luncheon catered by Maureen Philips of Devine’s Restaurant.

Head table guests included Bishop Bergie, Bishop Tonnos, our pastor Father Ronnie Sequeira, Father Mario Fernandes, Pastor of St Patrick’s Church, Caledonia, MP Diane Finley, Haldimand County Mayor Ken Hewitt, Ed McCarthy and Rita Mauro.

In addition to a Papal Blessing, the parish received special recognition and congratulations from the following:

The Honorable Diane Finley on behalf of the Federal Government, His Worship Mayor Ken Hewitt on behalf of the Haldimand Council, Reverend Adolph Hahn on behalf of his congregation, Reverend Peter Davison on behalf of All Saints Anglican Church.

Unfortunately MPP Toby Barrett was unable to attend. However, he sent a certificate of recognition and congratulations from the province of Ontario.

From
Parish report committee.
Mrs. Rita Benette.