Sharing Advent during COVID

We often take tradition for granted, after all the very meaning of tradition implies the continuation of customary behaviour and cultural continuity. We assume that next year will be much the same as the previous in terms of traditional events. However with the onslaught of COVID 19 many of our so called traditions have been challenged in ways no one would have imagined just a year ago.

We always assumed that we would gather with friends and family on Thanksgiving and Christmas and it would be a time for celebration, culminating with the welcoming in of the upcoming year on New Years Eve. This year we have been forced to take a very long look at just how fragile some of our traditions have become.

Public gatherings have been discouraged due to the restrictions placed on us during the last year so we have had to find alternative ways to keep traditions alive. With technology we are able to keep communication lines open and Zoom meetings have become the norm for many of us.

With reduced attendance because of limits placed on gatherings, Father Terry Sawchuck, parish priest in the Holy Angels Catholic Church, wanted a way to share a special Christmas message with the community of Schreiber and uphold the tradition of Advent. Cathy Carlino and Father Terry approached local artist Tracy Barry to produce an Advent art instalment on the windows of the church.

As Tracy Barry explained it, the idea was to highlight the four candles within the Advent wreath and display them on the windows of the church where everyone could see them. Tracy and her husband Keith took up the challenge and went to work creating the illustrations.

Schreiber Media Centre met up with Father Terry to get his impression of the final product. He took a moment to explain the significance of Advent within the Catholic faith and what the candles represented. Acknowledging there may be many who don’t wish to gather in public, he also likened the lighting of the candles to shedding light on the darkness that many may be feeling during these trying times, especially in the northern regions where light is at its lowest.

His message of hope to all people regardless of faith might be just what we need right now.