Catholics and Anglicans in Callander will be sharing one church on Christmas Eve.
This after the Diocese of Algoma temporarily closed the 131-year-old St. Peter’s Anglican Church as structural issues are reviewed.
A release says with Christmas celebrations up in the air, the Anglican congregation turned to their neighbours across the street at St. Alphonsus Liguori Catholic Church.
“I knew we had to do something to help,” said Fr. Daniele Muscolino, Pastor of St. Alphonsus Liguori Catholic Church since 2018, “so we’ve opened our home to our neighbours in time for Christmas.”
“The Catholic community has shown incredible grace and hospitality in our time of need by giving us a home,” said Fr. McAllister, who only recently arrived at St. Peter’s Church in October. “Our community being without a home brings to mind the struggle of Mary and Joseph who had no place to go, appropriate for this time of year.”
Both Fr. McAllister and Fr. Muscolino have been working together to arrange a seamless transition for both communities.
St. Peter’s will offer an Anglican service at 5 pm on Christmas Eve, while St. Alphonsus will celebrate Catholic Mass at 8 pm.
