By Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Essex Free Press
With the year 2000 being a millennium year, and as part of Woodslee’s St. John the Evangelist Parish’s 125th anniversary, the students at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Elementary School were encouraged to write a letter to their future selves.
Those words were sealed in a time capsule – buried beneath a large boulder for the past quarter-of-a-century.
Recently, that time capsule was unearthed, and its contents – including the letters – were rediscovered on Sunday, when the time capsule was opened. The letters and the rest of the time capsule contents – including school memorabilia, a year book, history of the church, photos, and church bulletin will be viewable during St. John Parish’s upcoming 150th anniversary celebration.
In 2000, Donna Murawski was the Chairperson of St. John the Evangelist School Parent Advisory Council.
She recalled the excitement the students had in writing the letters, which was to note where they hoped to be in 25-years.
“These letters would be put into a time capsule to be opened in 2025. So, here we are. The rock has been moved, and the time capsule pulled out of the vault,” Murawski said, ready to explore the contents tucked-away for a quarter-of-a-century.
Unearthing the time capsule was not a small endeavour, she added, noting the church had to rely on a neighbour with a backhoe to help remove the large rock. She was happy to announce on Sunday the time capsule “had survived beautifully with no damage.”
In addition to writing the letters, the students also signed the time capsule, with most of the signatures still legible.
Throughout the years, Murawski said the past students have mentioned the letters, and excitement is buzzing as the parish’s 150th anniversary nears.
Unearthing the time capsule was an especially emotional moment for Murawski, not only as an individual who organized the initiative 25-years ago, but because three of her children were students of the school then. One of her children passed away March 13, and she was looking forward to seeing that letter. He would have been there to eagerly take part in the celebration.
Seeing the content of the time capsule was “just amazing,” Murawski said. “It is an exciting time.”
Students will be able to pick-up the letters they wrote to themselves after the 1pm mass on Sunday, June 22. Those unable to attend, but would like their letter, can connect with her to make arrangements. She will try to mail the letters to the past students who want them.
The 150th anniversary of St. John the Evangelist Parish will take place June 18-22. June 18 will be Youth Day, with a school mass, free luncheon for the students, and an afternoon of games and activities.
June 21 will be the Golden Years Day, which will offer a luncheon at noon for parishioners 75-years-of-age and older and those who have been married for 50-years or more, followed by games and fellowship. Holy Hour will take place at 4:30pm.
The big celebratory 150th event will be Sunday, June 22. Mass will be at 1pm with Bishop Fabbro, food, refreshment, games, historical displays, and family photo opportunities in the hall. Everyone is welcome to join in.
Information from St. John the Evangelist Church notes in 1875 parishioners met in a barn-type building on what is now Oriole Park Drive. In the late 1800s, a more formal wooden structure was constructed on the site of the current church and parking lot. The current building was opened in 1900.
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