“St. Anthony A Hope for the lost” – Celebration at St. Anthony, Grosswerder

By Naden Hewko, Catholic Saskatoon News

A bright evening greeted those who came to celebrate the annual Mass at the historic St. Anthony’s Church in the Grosswerder district on June 13, 2019, to mark the Feast Day of St. Anthony of Padua.

Preceeded by six outriders on horseback, celebrant Fr. Binu Rathappillil, VC, (pastor at Macklin, Denzil and St. Donatus, SK parishes) and three visiting priests arrived at the prairie church in an old-time buggy pulled by the team of horses of driver Victor Scheck. The priests from neighbouring parishes celebrating Mass with Fr. Rathappillil were Fr Greg Roth (Unity and Handel, SK parishes), Father Dan Yasinski (Kerrobert, Major, Dodsland and Luseland, SK parishes) and Fr Jean-Claude Ndanga, CFIC (Provost, AB and Consort, AB parishes).

The ringing of the bells heralded the entrance of the children of the district bringing up flowers that they laid at the altar. The altar servers and clergy followed. It was estimated that 240 persons attended this Mass. There were people from the local district as well as many others from surrounding places like Denzil, Luseland, Macklin, Unity, Provost, Lloydminster, Wilke, Camrose , Edmonton and even from the United States. Many of those who came have roots in the Grosswerder district and have family buried  in nearby St. Anthony’s Cemetery.

The choir from Sacred heart Church in Denzil, accompanied by organist Mary Lou Schechtel, provided the hymns for the service. Fr. Greg Roth gave the homily, describing the life of St. Anthony, the patron saint of Grosswerder.

At the conclusion of Mass, Fr. Dan Yasinski carried the relic of St. Anthony through the aisles blessing the people. This was followed by the prayers of the Novena to St. Anthony asking for the special blessing of rain. The hymn “Holy God We Praise Thy Name” sung in German closed the Mass.

This annual celebration has been around since 1907 when the settlers arrived. These were brave souls who left their homes in southern Russia and immigrated to Grosswerder, Saskatchewan. These pioneers were part of a larger group known as the St. Joseph’s colonists who settled in the area from Leipzig, through Tramping Lake, to Grosswerder and across to the Alberta border.

This particular district of the St. Joseph Colony was named Grosswerder after the home village in southern Russia of some of the settlers. The families in the area were devout Roman Catholics who gathered in their homes to pray. As they wished to have a church to worship in they built a small, sod church and named it St. Anthony’s after the patron saint of settlers from another village.

The men hauled poplar poles from Sounding Lake with their wagons and oxen to build the roof. This was covered with sod and leaked when it rained. A lumber addition to the building was built, but that also became too small. The people realized they needed a proper church so they applied to their bishop for help. At that time this area was part of the Prince Albert diocese. With a loan from the Bishop and many sacrifices on the part of the parishioners, enough money was raised to build.

On July 10, 1912, the cornerstone of the new church building was laid. Max Kasberger was the chief carpenter. St. Anthony’s was built by volunteers who walked many miles from their homes to help with the construction.

The church was officially consecrated on November 13, 1912. It still needed interior work but Mass could be celebrated. Three bells were ordered from the Bell Foundry of Fritz Hamm in Germany in 1913 and were hung on a stand for display until 1915 when they were raised with horses and pulleys up into the bell tower, firmly attached and covered with the steeple. Their special sound could be heard for over two miles.

The church became the center of the district, with a rectory built for the priest. The first parish priest was Father Palm after whom the school was named. The school was moved closer to the church and a teacherage provided for the teachers. This beautiful church served the district for 70 years until 1982, when it was closed due to a shortage of priests. The parishioners chose between attending Sacred Heart Church at Denzil or St. Mary’s Church in Macklin. But the people of St. Anthony’s wanted to keep alive the memory of those early settlers who brought the faith here with them.

The St. Anthony’s Historical Committee was formed in 1982 and in 1983 St. Anthony’s Church was designated as Municipal  Heritage Property by the Rural Municipality  of Eye Hill.

It was decided to hold an annual Mass in memory of the pioneers and in honour of St. Anthony, our patron saint on June 13 if possible, or a date closest to that day. Local men and women work hard to clean and prepare for this celebration.

On August 11, 2001, a fierce hailstorm ripped through this district breaking many windows in the church as well as in homes in the area. The church windows were promptly repaired but it was realized that more work needed to be done.

A committee under the head of Clara Ollenberger with help from Naden Hewko applied for a grant under the Saskatchewan Heritage Program. This had to be matched so they launched a huge fundraising campaign. Work under Zak’s Building Supplies and Contractor from Hague began. With advice and help from Dennis Sieben the restoration was completed in 2006.

In July 2007, the extended community of St. Anthony’s celebrated 100 years of faith with an afternoon Mass. This was followed by an outdoor program. Holding the annual St. Anthony’s Mass remained a priority. The people are keeping the custom alive with the support of parish priest Fr. Binu Rathappillil V.C.  who is very enthusiastic about celebrating Mass at St. Anthony’s.

 

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