Visit to Saint Anthony of Padua parish

Visit to Saint Anthony of Padua

Today I had the chance to visit Saint Anthony of Padua parish in Little Burgundy, a part of town not far from where I live. I had never been to this parish before, although I knew the church had once been torn down to make way for an expressway, leaving only a parish centre with a small worship space. I suppose the parish could have been closed entirely, but many felt it was important to have a church presence in Little Burgundy.

Apart from meeting cute little kids like this one (who, I might add, absolutely wanted to be held by the guy in the pointy hat), I had a chance to visit with DESTA, the youth network that is doing a lot to help black youth (principally of Caribbean origin) finish school and gain skills meant to help improve their employability. I got a tour from the dad of the little one in the picture, and also met the Executive Director of DESTA, Frances Waithe. As it turns out she and I grew up in the same part of town and even attended the same schools, with the same teachers! This happy coincidence meant that this was not the visit of a stranger, but felt like an encounter between friends. And isn’t that the way church should feel? I’m already looking forward to my next visit.