Edmonton indigenous church held final mass in school gym ahead of Pope’s visit to newly restored building after fire – Edmonton

For the past two years, parishioners from the Sacred Heart of First Nations Church in Edmonton have worshiped inside a school gym across the street.

A fire in 2020 caused by the remnants of a smoldering ceremony shut down the more than hundred-year-old building for restoration.

But with the renos scheduled to be performed next week ahead of Pope Francis’ visit to the Cathedral on July 15, this is the last Sunday mass to be held at his gym.

“Everybody is happy, we are back in the church… the fire has done quite a bit of damage,” said parishioner Kevin Morin.

“Next week we will be making a pilgrimage back to a beautiful newly renovated church after the fire, to find our home in the sacred heart,” said parishioner Mary Claire Stack.

While parishioners are excited to move, there is still a lot of work to be done.

The work was originally supposed to be completed in the fall, but the announcement of the Pope’s visit forced that time to be extended to July 17 – a week before the Pope’s visit to Edmonton cathedral.

“To get to that schedule, everyone had to work ten hours a day, almost seven days a week. There are people who even work here on Sundays trying to paint finishes, refinish floors when other trades aren’t here, so it’s very difficult,” said Church First Financial Clerk Sacred Heart, said Ron Martineau.

“Construction will not be one hundred percent complete by the Pope’s visit but it will be complete enough to welcome him upstairs and our guests there,” said Pastor Mark Blom, Vice President. President Mark Blom of Sacred Heart Church.

“There are things that are not necessary, such as the kitchen downstairs that won’t work, we don’t need that, we can run the church without that. The heating won’t be up and running but I mean it will be by the end of July, so hopefully we don’t need the heat,” Martineau said.

Father Mark Blom said that by next week, 95% of the project is expected to be done.

An effort of love is well-deserved for its members, who have been waiting to meet the Pope in person. And those who are looking to heal, reconcile and overcome the pain caused by the Catholic church’s role in residential schools.

“It is so beautiful that he is coming. It is a great blessing for reconciliation and forgiveness,” said parishioner Theresa Yetsallie.