Everybody knows St. Albert is partying it up for its 150th anniversary this year but not everyone makes the connection that it all started with the founding of the mission.
That's why the St. Albert Parish has its own slate of celebrations throughout the year and it all starts this weekend. Jan Moran, one of the organizers of the church's 150th jubilee, invites the general public to come together to recognize where it all began.
"What we want it to be is a celebration of what we have been for the 150 years," she said. "We also want to see it as a time to bring the parishioners together, to build community spirit, to help people feel that they belong to our parish."
It was on Jan. 14, 1861 that two Oblate missionaries named Father Albert Lacombe and Bishop Alexandre Taché stood on top of a big hill overlooking a river. They decided that the land here was especially fertile and would serve well as a land that would nourish a settlement.
The village of St. Albert was named in honour of Lacombe's patron saint. Now, the city boasts a population of more than 60,000 and the parish itself serves about 2,200 families.
A 37-year member of the church, Moran said it is obvious the land served its original purpose but it's the location where the two missionaries first met that holds special significance to many.
"The thing that always strikes the people who are a part of the parish is they look at the hill as being sacred. It's a centre of their life. It's a place to be nourished spiritually."
The 11-member committee has been working hard for a few years to develop the jubilee program that includes a special event every month. In July there will be a special pilgrimage by foot or bike from St. Albert to Lac Ste. Anne, a distance of about 57 kilometres.
In September, the parish will host a gala celebration of the Eucharist with Archbishop Richard Smith of the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton. That will be followed by food and entertainment in an outdoor tent on Mission Hill.
Official launch starts Saturday
The parish will host a special liturgical celebration this weekend with Bishop Denis Croteau, OMI presiding over masses at 5 p.m. on Saturday and 9 and 11 a.m. on Sunday.
At 2 p.m. Sunday local performers Maureen Rooney and Paul Punyi will step back in time to have a conversation with Father Albert Lacombe and learn more about the man who was such an important figure in our local history.
Afterwards guests are invited to attend A Taste of St. Albert Mission in the parish church hall. Visitors can enjoy some culinary samples of food from the past including buffalo stew, bannock and the famous swamp tea.
"I guess it's horrible tea but we'll have some better tea beside it," she laughed. "Maybe it's because it came from the Sturgeon River water!"
Entertainment will include fiddlers and games. Everyone is invited to attend.
"Come see the roots. How did this all start? We're the oldest town in Alberta. The first bridge in Western Canada. There's so many things that we should be proud of in terms of who St. Albert is."
To contact organizers or to learn more about the parish and the yearlong jubilee and its events, please visit www.stalbert150jubilee.com.
