The new church in Natuashish, Newfoundland and Labrador.
It was early June 2007, in the northern community of Natuashish, in Newfoundland and Labrador, in the former Diocese of Labrador City-Schefferville, and everyone was excited and in suspense. After years of having a church hall which operated as a church, a court, a theatre, and whatever else, the elders put their foot down and said that they wanted a proper church with real pews and that it would be used for nothing else but prayer and sacraments. A good demonstration of “grey power”!
Many discussions were held prior to building—with the community, with the priests and bishop and any other interested parties. The location was settled, with one side of the church looking out on the most magnificent view of mountains. No need for stained-glass windows with a view like that. The windows would be almost floor to ceiling. There was also going to be a space within the complex for offices, sacristy, meeting area and a small apartment for the priest and pastoral ministers.
The building of the church at Our Lady of the Assumption Mission began in the fall of 2006 and went with such rapid pace that by Christmas of 2006 we were able to have Mass in the not-quite-completed worship space. It was beautiful. A convent of Carmelite nuns had donated their chapel furnishings: pews, altar, and tabernacle which began the furnishing of the new church. The Archdiocese of Montreal has also been very generous in donating a beautiful statue of St. Anne plus baptismal font, Stations of the Cross, sanctuary lamp, processional cross and a fine chalice which the Cardinal had re-done and donated to the new church.
Our plane arrived, Bishop Douglas Crosby, O.M.I., of Cornerbrook and Labrador, and I stepped off the plane to be whisked to the new building. It was and is absolutely a beautiful and awe-filled sight. All was in place. The blessing began and the community was very involved with all aspects of the service: incensing, gathering of the gifts, procession of selected members of the community. Then the blessing began. If anyone ever doubted that indeed, the walls, the doors, the altar were blessed and anointed—they were blind. Bishop Doug believes in not being stingy with the symbols of the Church. I believe that the various anointings amounted to about three litres of blessed oil!
Father Chris Rushton, O.M.I., pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption Mission in Natuashish, Newfoundland and Labrador with Sister Norberta Ryan, P.B.V.M.,and elders Justine Rich and Mary Collins.
The next day was equally exciting. Anyone in an aboriginal community knows that Confirmation is extremely important and well attended. The candidates were well prepared, although we did not know exactly how many there might be. But we had a method, tested many times to be trustworthy, that anyone approaching the bishop for Confirmation had to have a white registration form filled out and presented to the elder sponsors.
As usual, there were minor hitches to make the experience a memorable one. The loudspeaker system was needed elsewhere and therefore one had to use a theatrical-projected voice even to be heard in the front rows. It was a warm day; with so many people, doors and windows needed to be opened. Friendly dogs, not wanting to be left out of the festivities, made frequent visits. And the candidates kept coming…and coming...and coming! It was marvellous and a Gospel experience of what Good News is all about. In the line were young men and women who wanted to be confirmed but had missed out in previous ceremonies for many and sundry reasons, all valid and understandable.
When everything had almost finished and the bishop had washed his hands, I went up to him to say, “Not finished yet, there is a lady 56 years of age who wants to be confirmed.” What faith. What celebration of a reality that had been long awaited…a new centre for a believing community…their Church.
Later in the fall, a computerized bell was installed. Now the Angelus is heard daily at noon and six p.m. People not only set their watches by it but also pray a very ancient prayer in honour of Our Lady.
The community is still looking for pews to finish off the church. The nuns had only a limited number. We hope to be able to find these in churches that are closing and that might want a home in a beautiful setting with a very faith-filled community.
(Father Chris Rushton, O.M.I., is pastor of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Natuashish and Shetshatshiu, in the Diocese of Cornerbrook and Labrador, Newfoundland and Labrador.)
