latest
FEBRUARY 11, 2009
On the last Monday of January, Our Lady
of Mount Carmel Academy had a brief, freezing outdoor ceremony
for the raising of the new school flag. Designed by the
faculty and recently made, a copy of it can be seen on the
opening webpage. It shows the school’s two colors,
tan for Our Lady of Mount Carmel, and a deep blue as the
color of Our Lady. In the shield is to be found the letters
OLMC and the cross of Our Lady, with the crown won by sharing
in the mystery of the Cross set above. On the blue background
is to be found the letter M in honor of our holy patron.
As every morning line up, the national anthem was sung in
its original French version, with its very Catholic lyrics.
It was followed by the chant of the Sub tuum praesidium,
in English Under thy patronage (we fly, O Holy Mother of
God). These words are in fact the school motto.
After three months of preparation, and
handing in their treasure sheets every month, the children
of the Eucharistic Crusade were ready to make their commitment,
and promise to be faithful to their obligations. The ceremony
took place at the Offertory of Sunday Mass on February 1,
Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany. Eight children received
their Page medal and enrolled themselves under the banner
of the Divine Heart of Jesus, and one student consecrated
himself as a Crusader, committing himself to offer his entire
day to Our Lord in the Blessed Eucharist and to receive
Holy Communion frequently.
On Tuesday February 3rd and Wednesday
4th we received some welcome visitors. First of all, the
District Superior, Father Wegner, and with him Reverend
Mr. Ray Lillis, a deacon presently stationed in Toronto.
Mr. Larry Pidgeon also accompanied them, and immediately
started to sharpen up our sacristy, polishing the candlesticks,
thurible and another items in need of an expert clean. Then
on Thursday 5th, First Thursday of the month, we were able
to hold our first Third Order meeting here at the school,
attended by eight members and interested persons. After
a talk on the spirituality of the Society and its Third
Order, they all participated in a holy hour for priests
and vocations, the first holy hour to be held in the newly
remodeled chapel.
The next Sunday, February 8, Septuagesima Sunday, was set
aside for the Archconfraternity of St. Stephen, for the
altar boys. Now that we have a schola and a large enough
sanctuary, a High Mass is sung and served every Sunday,
the boys rotating around the different roles. The ceremony
took place just before the Offertory of Mass, and three
new Masters of Ceremonies, three new Senior Acolytes and
two new Junior Acolytes pronounced their promise “to
do my best to serve reverently, intelligently and punctually,
having the glory of God and my own eternal salvation as
my object.”
