Mass celebrated in Macklin park on Feast of Corpus Christi

A procession through the community was part of the celebration. (Submitted photos)

By Barbara Kloster

[Catholic Saskatoon News] – Holy Eucharist was celebrated at the grotto in St. Joseph’s Park in Macklin on the Feast of Corpus Christi June 23, 2019. With the recent rain, the park was green and never more beautiful. The sky was clear and there was very little wind, so the weather was perfect.

There were over 230 worshippers from three parishes, Sacred Heart, Denzil; St. Mary, Macklin and St. Donatus, Cactus Lake, celebrating with presider Fr. Binu Rathappillil. The altar was set up in front of the grotto while the congregation were seated in a semi-circle in front of the altar.

After the blessing and the final hymn of the Eucharistic celebration, the Blessed Sacrament was exposed and carried to the church in a procession, escorted under a canopy carried by David Witzaney and his three adult sons.  The singing was led by St. Mary’s choir with full participation by the congregation.

The procession was led by representatives of the various parishes carrying flags and banners.

The first two flags were the Papal flag and the Canadian flag, followed by the provincial and the Town of Macklin flag. Next came the flags of the parishes that are still active: Sacred Heart, St. Mary’s, and St. Donatus. Then the banners of the parishes that have been closed: St. Anthony, Grosswerder; St. Elizabeth, Primate; and St. Peter, Cosine. Last in the parade of flags was the banners of the Catholic Women League and the Knights of Columbus.

En route back to the church, the Blessed Sacrament was raised six times by Fr. Binu at six different small stations that had been set up along the route, each representing the different churches.

When the procession reached St. Mary’s church, Fr. Binu led the people in benediction with a final blessing. The celebration was closed with the congregation joining the choir in singing “Holy God We Praise Your Name.”

Everyone moved into the adjoining hall to enjoy fellowship and a pot luck hamburger/wiener feast. Every family was asked to bring a dish for the potluck and true to the Miracle of the Loaves (John 6) “everyone was filled, with baskets left over”.