St. Catherine's Day Celebration

On Sunday, November 23, we celebrated our patron saint, St. Catherine of Alexandria, whose feast day is November 25.  The colour of the day was red to recognize St. Catherine's martyrdom.  After the service, the congregation enjoyed the traditional St. Catherine's wheel cookies prepared by Dorothy Poitras. 

Some interesting facts about St. Catherine of Alexandria (from Catholic Online):

She is venerated as the patroness of philosophers and preachers. St. Catherine's was one of the voices heard by St. Joan of Arc.

Catherine of Alexandria, the daughter of a noble family, converted to Christianity through a vision. She denounced the Emperor Maxentius for persecuting Christians and converted many, including Maxentius’ wife.  Maxentius had had his wife and other converts put to death.  He also condemned Catherine to death.  She was put on a spiked wheel, but the wheel broke.  Unrepentant, Maxentius had her beheaded.

“Maxentius' blind fury against St. Catherine is symbolic of the anger of the world in the face of truth and justice.  When we live a life of truth and justice, we can expect the forces of evil to oppose us.  Our perseverance in good, however, will be everlasting.”

Photos by Ann Blue.  Left to right:  St. Catherine's statue that stood in the church on Shaughnessy Street; Rev. Karen Urquart in red vestment; St. Catherine's wheel cookies.