Holy Family Church in Sydney Mines celebrates its reopening on Sunday, September 7 with Mass at 10 am followed by a reception. All are invited!
The church has been closed and under repair since being severely damaged in Hurricane Fiona nearly three years ago. Parish Masses and events have been celebrated in the hall while the church underwent its renovation. But in the course of repairing the building, something else seeded and grew: a renewed community, nourished and strengthened with a shared purpose of service and sharing God’s love to all.
Pilgrims of Hope – From Hotdogs to Hope
By Norma Blinkhorn
The Son coming to give light and life to the world. It’s not just one moment. It happens every day. Christ comes to us each moment to enlighten our lives to bring new life. In the spring of 2022, we had the opportunity to host Synod conversations during lent. During this time, we heard the voice of many people echoing the involvement and participation of the whole People of God in the life and mission of the church, especially the cries of the poor and the marginalized.
Just like the story of the loaves and fishes that fed the multitude. In a world where division can so easily take root, we at Holy Family parish experienced God’s divine provision and the importance of faith and trust in Him even when resources were limited.
It all started with hotdogs donated by the Sydney Mines Knights of Columbus and a propane stove. During September 2022’s post tropical storm Fiona which devastated Cape Breton. Sydney Mines was without power, gas, and groceries. That gesture of responding to a weather disaster led to a movement – the Northside Gals, a group of 21 women that grew to more than 52 plus and a supporting group of men. A group of women that care about the community and care about children and seniors fostering the corporal works of mercy. The group’s mission was to help support our most vulnerable population while recognizing that everybody in our community has needs.
The group discovered immense poverty. The community stepped up in the aftermath of Fiona and it has continued to support the group’s efforts- it became a movement beyond any particular faith. Where everyone was welcome. It was an eye opener for the people who got involved in our community to see the poverty that was here. It wasn’t just poverty it was people looking to belong and to socialize.
We started with a Halloween party where children and families could come together to enjoy a hot meal and socialization. Everything was free and the community businesses came together to support the cause. The hall was packed. Everyone was welcome.
The next event was a Bethlehem experience in Sydney Mines in partnership with the Diocese of Antigonish.
During the hustle and bustle of the holiday season it is easy to get caught up in the commercialism and forget the real reason why we celebrate. The Northside Gals & the Diocese of Antigonish Youth Ministry laid the groundwork for an event they felt would help the faithful get back in touch with what is most important about Christmas. It offered a thought-provoking journey to the stable. The event featured depictions of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem. A pilot project funded by the Bishop Power Foundation.
As we reflect on the past three years and look forward to the New Chapter with all its opportunities to meet Christ each day. Just as the shepherds tell Mary what they’d seen and heard. We like to share the story of meeting Christ each day. As we venture into 2025, we witness the generosity of so many people who truly cared about their community and their church.
Working together with one Heart and one mind not striving for personal glory but for the success of our shared vision.
We met so many people wanting to help with volunteering whether it be feeding children, youth or the community. So many of you have stepped up to care for each other. We witness people coming back to church. Not only did they come back to church, but they stepped up to 
help rebuild the church community. You came when you could, you gave all you had, and you offered compassion, love and respect to everyone who came to enjoy the meal.
We witnessed the generosity of so many individuals, applying for grants, volunteering their labour to renovate the hall, preparing & serving community meals such as breakfasts after Mass, and working together for the common good of the parish. We are so grateful for the the Sisters of St. Marthas who gave us a generous donation to fund our breakfast program, The Good Samaritans who took on the tasks of raising money for our capital costs and community meals, The Men’s Club & Bingo committee who have taken on the tasks of fundraising for the operational costs and The Northside Gals for their community outreach.
We witnessed the generosity of many individuals and groups who gave us donations to do our work. We were overwhelmed with the generosity of individuals who contributed towards adopting families at Christmas. We witnessed communities on the Northside collaborating and working together to ensure that everyone’s basic needs were met. Words cannot describe what we all witnessed. We experience the birth of Christ in all those we encounter. There were times we were filled with tears of sadness, tears of joy and moments that left us in awe. All that we can say, we ponder on these treasures. As we move forward to the next chapter may we be an instrument of peace, love and joy. Let us offer each other words of affirmation, encouragement, kindness, peace love and hope.
Thank you, Holy Family Parish, for showing us what it means to hear and say “yes” to God’s call and to be totally dedicated to God. Holy Family Parish you are a great example for families to always be open to whatever God’s will might be and to always be listening for God to speak. Your example of being richly and warmly present to each other, to our extended family, and to the community and to the world has inspired me to be forever grateful for the generosity and love I have witness by so many of you.
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