Faith isn't bricks and mortar
While watching the beautiful Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church burn Sunday, I was reminded of a similar fire in 1979.
One week before Easter, Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ottawa burned to the ground.
The stone building was not only our place of worship, but a place to reflect, meditate, find peace.
Some of life's most memorable occasions are experienced in a church — weddings, funerals, worship, spiritual renewal and healing.
As a student in the Catholic grade school, I spent a minimum of one hour a day in the church.
This was the church where I made my first communion, was confirmed, and got married. This was going to be the church where my unborn daughter was going to be baptized in two months.
Not to be.
The fire was started by a homeless man who had taken shelter that night in the balcony of the church. He used a candle for light, to avoid drawing attention to himself.
The man accidentally knocked over the candle, causing the fire. He escaped without injury but, unfortunately, did not report the fire to authorities.
By the time anyone noticed the flames, the church could not be saved. Nothing was saved.
There is no other feeling I can compare to the way I felt when my church was burning. It was a combination of anger, disbelief, and deep sadness.
It didn't take me long to realize a church is not a building. It's where we gather with other people of faith to praise and worship together. It's just a building.
I remember celebrating Easter Sunday Mass in the Ottawa University chapel. What I remember most about the occasion was even though the building was gone, our faith wasn't. Neither was our unity, our faith community, and our God.
My daughter was baptized in the Catholic school gymnasium. Basketball goals and bleachers were removed to make room for folding chairs, a piano, and an altar.
Eventually, the gym was converted into the beautiful church that is used today.
I learned the true meaning of Christianity from the pastor of the parish by the forgiveness he showed toward the man who started the fire.
Initially, the man was charged with arson. The priest requested the charges be dropped because he believed the man was remorseful and had asked the priest for forgiveness.
Talk about turning the other cheek!
My thoughts and prayers are with the congregation and the Hillsboro community.
— SUSAN BERG
