On April 26 — a Sunday that was as bright and warm as can be — I visited the Holy Name of Mary Parish in Almonte, joining over 80 parishioners for the 10:30 AM Mass. The Gothic Revival church at 134 Mill Street was consecrated in 1875, but the local Roman Catholic community’s presence stretches back to a simple wooden mission church erected on this property in 1842, most often referred to as St. Mary’s. When that initial structure burned to the ground on Christmas 1868, the determination and generosity of parishioners led to the speedy construction of the grand stone church that stands here today. In fact, nineteenth century parishioner William Madden went as far as to mortgage his home and farm for $2,000 in order to help construct the new church.
The church’s consecration on October 7, 1875 was a grand affair. An 1885 publication by Fr. D.F. Foley entitled Sketch of the Parish of St. Mary and preserved on microfilm captures the grandeur. This was only the second consecration of a Catholic church in the Diocese of Ottawa, outside city limits. The first had been the church in Saint-Eugène, a community near the Quebec border, in the eastern-most corner of Ontario. According Fr. Foley’s account:
The eve was a day of fast and abstinence for the parish, in order to secure from heaven the blessings to be conferred upon it. His Lordship Bishop Duhamel came from his episcopal city to perform the sacred rites. It was the first visit of our new bishop. An immense crowd gathered at the station previous to the arrival of the evening express from Ottawa. On alighting from the train His Lordship was met by the pastor, Rev. Father Stenson. A large procession was formed, headed by the Almonte Brass Band, and the Bishop and visiting priests were conducted to the presbytery. Addresses from the congregation were presented to His Lordship. He replied most happily, and produced a most favorable impression on those who had the pleasure of hearing their newly appointed Bishop…
In the evening, the procession of the clergy started from the presbytery, solemnly conveying the sacred relics destined for the main altar. The relics were those of Saints Irenaeus and Marcellinus. From early morning crowds of people were seen hastening their steps to St. Mary’s to witness the imposing rites about to be performed. Solemn pontifical Mass was celebrated by His Lordship. After the first Gospel, a sermon, appropriate to the occasion, was given by the Rev. Father St. Laurence of Ottawa. In the evening, at vespers, the venerable Father Dawson delivered an eloquent discourse, taking for his subject ‘The Church.’ The 7th of October was a day to be long remembered by the people of this parish, and each returning anniversary should be a day of gratitude for blessings received and to be received.
Much like the name of the settlement, once known as Shipman’s Mills and then Almonte after 1856, the name of the church changed as well over the course of its history. Originally and colloquially called St. Mary’s, the parish gradually became known as the Holy Name of Mary. But it wasn’t until 1996, during a period of parish renewal spearheaded by Fr. William Penney, that a new church sign reflected the community’s official name.
Two liturgies are celebrated on Sunday mornings, notably at 9:00 AM and at 10:30 AM. The Parish Choir sang from the loft and the choristers were accompanied by a pianist. The repertoire included hymns from both the Catholic Book of Worship III and from the Glory & Praise hymnal. The choir led the faithful in singing “All You Who Seek Comfort Sure,” “Lord, Prepare Me, to Be a Sanctuary,” and “There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy,” among other pieces. The 10:30 AM Mass incorporated a children’s liturgy. The signs of a healthy, multi-generational parish included the names and requests for prayers for children receiving First Communion, as well as those receiving Confirmation, all posted to the walls of the church.
The Parish’s pastor is Fr. Connor O’Hara, assisted by Fr. Hezuk Shroff, the associate pastor. Fr. Connor also serves as the Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall and recently shared a video testimony of his own faith journey. On this Vocations Sunday, when the Church is called to pray for seminarians and for those who dedicate themselves to the priesthood and religious life, Fr. Connor spoke with conviction about the clergy as good shepherds who seek out those who are lost and care for the souls of people entrusted to them. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep, as we read in John 10.
In his homily, Fr. Connor shared two personal experiences from his own ministry of how he was present to those who were entirely alone in the world or experiencing great distress. In his first example, he spoke of an elderly lady who had surpassed the age of 100, only to find herself having outlived her friends and family. Hers had become a lonely existence and she was dying alone in a long-term care home. “I thanked God that I could be beside her,” Fr. Connor said.
Fr. Connor also shared an experience at a busy conference. A young person saw Fr. Connor in his Roman collar and recognized that he was a priest. The individual sat down next to him and asked if it was possible to pray for a friend who had just committed suicide. Fr. Connor invited the individual to a quieter place to talk. He shared that the Church encourages us to pray for people who have committed suicide. Just because someone does something seriously wrong does not mean that they had the capacity to fully consent. This is especially the case for someone struggling with mental illness. “We are not called to pass judgment. We are simply called to pray for people — to pray that God will have mercy on them. This young person had come to me distraught, but after we spoke, I felt that she had a glimmer of hope again,” Fr. Connor said.
The two personal examples in Fr. Connor’s homily aimed to highlight the importance of spiritual fatherhood in the Church. This year, six seminarians are discerning the priesthood in the Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall. A special collection was taken in parishes throughout the Archdiocese to support their formation.
After Mass, parishioners were invited to gather in the church’s narthex for coffee, cake and fresh fruit. Many spent time visiting their friends in the congregation, while Fr. Connor was present to greet parishioners as they stepped out into the warm, spring sunshine.
Christopher Adam
Born in Montreal, Christopher Adam has called Ottawa home for the past twenty years. He received his MA from Carleton University, with a thesis focusing on twentieth century European church history, and a PhD in History from the University of Ottawa. Over the years, he has published widely and works in the faith-based charitable sector in Ottawa.