A Visit to God`s House

Our morning was lovely. The sun was shining, it was a beautifully crisp Fall day, and we were headed to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church to celebrate mass as a school community. The boys and girls were attentive, they participated in the mass, and their wonderful behaviour should be applauded!

We were so lucky to remain after mass with our Grade 5 buddies for a tour! Care to join us?

Here is the foyer of the church. We left our coats here and entered God`s house. 

Then we entered our church. We were reminded that our church is our home. We are always welcome here. 

Just past the foyer is the baptismal font. We bless ourselves here when we enter. Babies are baptized in the smaller area and kids and adults in the larger, lower area. Both of Mrs. Beliveau`s kids were baptized here!

Mounted behind the baptismal font, between the foyer doors, is a narrow shelf. It holds three holy oils. They are for anointing the sick, for baptisms and for confirmations. These oils help us feel the presence of God. 

Beneath the oils is the Paschal Candle. We get a new candle each Easter. It helps us remember our baptism, because when we are baptized our baptismal candle is lit from this Paschal Candle. 

Then we saw these beautiful pictures at the back of the church. They are the stations of the cross, and depict Jesus' last days on earth. They were painted by Father Kenneth Kearns, the first parish priest at OLPH. Wasn't he talented? They are a one of a kind!

To the side of the church is a small chapel. When just a few gather for mass, they celebrate here. 

We gathered at the altar. It is the special table where the priest stands to say mass. Today Fr. Joachim said mass for us. 

This is the ambo. The Word of God is proclaimed from here. 

This is the view form the ambo, if ever you are proclaiming. Both Mrs. Lemire and Mrs. Beliveau are active proclaimers. Can you see all the pews? They take up the most room in our church, and that's where we sit. We are so important! God is present in us!

This is where the priest sits. Want to hear a secret? We discovered a special compartment in the arm rest! Not only are the song books stored here, but the fire drill procedures are here, too!

Behind the altar is a small, peaceful room called the Sacristy. The little red light you see high up lets us know that the Body of Christ is present. 

Here we saw the tabernacle, an ornate box that holds the Body of Christ. 

Here is the cupboard that holds the chalices the ciboriums. During mass, the chalice holds the Blood of Christ and the ciborium hold the Body of Christ. 

In the basement of the church is the Clothing Nook. Those who are less fortunate may visit and choose clothing, free of charge. Please consider dropping off your used clothing, but remember that they do not accept other items aside from clothing. 

We made a quick stop at the church offices! The very kind ladies showed us that all of our church records are tied in to the church where we were baptized. 

Back at the foyer of the church is the room where the priests put on their vestments before mass. They wear green for Ordinary Time, purple for Advent and Lent, and red for feast days. However, priests like Fr. Joachim wear brown vestments because they are Franciscan. 

Thank you to those who led us on our tour, as well to our parent helper! We all learned so much and are proud to call OLPH our home!