Sacred Heart Church Annual Christmas Events

Every year Sacred Heart CHURCH OF THE FIRST PEOPLES organizes many events especially during the Christmas season. One such event is the annual children’s Christmas party. This year’s party was special in many different ways. The parish had over 900 children registered for the party. So far this is the most number the parish has recorded.

As the saying goes, “Sacred Heart is the parish of miracles.” Indeed it was a miracle in itself to put up a party for 900 children but most important of it all was to see the many generous donors who helped us financially to make sure that all the children from 0 to 16 years old have good Christmas gifts this season. For most of these kids, this was the only gift they received for the season. So it meant a lot to them.

The party began at exactly 11am this past December 8 with a prayer of thanksgiving by father Susai Jesu. Oblate associates and young volunteers helped with the registrations. As the people were coming into the Church Hall, we had the Lions Club serving Hotdogs and different soft drinks to children and their parents. At the same time, we had several generous volunteers who helped with all different types of face paintings. It was joyful to see the excitement on all the children in the church hall and also the smiles on the faces of their parents.

The church hall was well decorated with stuffed bears around the entire building and filled with excited children. One cannot help but feel the positive energy in the room. A group of first nation’s children sang a few Christmas songs in Cree language. We also had one indigenous woman with her son sing and play traditional drums for us.

All the way from Saskatoon, Santa found his way into a fully packed Hall and immediately he began greeting the children and handing them different gifts according to their ages. What an experience to witness! Indeed, this was a special time for the children not only to get to meet and speak with Santa but also a good time for the parents to take photos of their children with Santa. At a certain time, all the stuffed toys around the church hall were given to the children. I was deeply touched to see from many children the gift of sharing and respect for each other.

At the same event, we had Archbishop Richard Smith present to witness and celebrate this Christmas event with the children of our parish and the neighborhood at large. We also had Fr. Warren Brown from Rome with us. Father Brown is a Missionary Oblate counselor for USA/Canada Oblate region. He was in town this weekend doing consultations for Lacombe provincial elections which will be taking place very soon. It was also good to have Fr. Warren Brown help celebrate the first two Sunday Masses with the faithful here at Sacred Heart CHURCH OF THE FIRST PEOPLES.

Apart from the joy of celebrating a Christmas party with these children, one thing I appreciated much was to see how different people, of different ages came together. Indeed, this was a great opportunity for all of us as a community to encounter each other with our presence and shared stories in the name of Christ. Pope Francis tells us that “this word is very important. Encounter with others. Why? Because faith is an encounter with Jesus, and we must do what Jesus does: encounter others.”

In an effort to provide opportunities to encounter others, this past weekend the parish organized and provided  Christmas food hampers for a complete Christmas meal for 550 families here in Edmonton. Many volunteers worked tirelessly to sort the food and assemble the hampers and deliver them throughout the city.  It was a good opportunity for me to speak with different people as I took registrations. Empathetic listening and timely encouragement was an essential part of the process. I also got to meet, talk, and laugh with the many different volunteers who came to help us. Finally, during delivering of the food Hampers, I came to see the conditions in which the people we are called to serve are living in. For me, this is an image of “encounter” that has remained with me.

As I continue on my ministerial internship here at Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples, it is my prayer that these and more experiences of this kind will empower me with both faith and materials ways of responding to the needs of people around me.

By Eugene Mwape Mule, OMI