First Communion at Our Lady of Mercy Church....
May 6, 1961
April 30, 2017
Grandmom, then granddaughter.
Same parish, different churches - 56 years apart.
My service was in what was later referred to as, "the old church", that year. As you can see from the cornerstone on the right, the current church was opened in 1962.
This old black and white photo from that day hardly does justice to the beauty that was found in that old church. The paintings, the statues, the stained glass windows, and the elaborate carvings on the end of each pew were simply spectacular. Sadly, as the number of parishioners from the four towns OLM encompassed grew it became apparent the tiny church would not be adequate for the growing numbers and a new church was built about half a mile away, across from the parish school.
When I was in eighth grade, we used to have cheerleading practice in what was then the empty shell of the building. It seemed wrong somehow to be doing cartwheels down the formerly carpeted aisle I walked during Mass.
This is the church in 2017, updated many times since I was a child.
Granddaughter #1's First Communion day was truly special. What a blessing to be there with the Englishman, our three daughters, three granddaughters and two son-in-laws.
M's mom said to her that she wanted it to be a day,
that when she looked back years from now, she would smile.
I have absolutely no doubt that she will!
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