In advance of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Tuesday, September 30, two new granite benches were blessed outside Église St-Pierre-Apôtre in downtown Hawkesbury on Sunday, September 28.
The bench facing east bears the inscription in French, which translates to: “In homage to the Anishinabe and Haudenosaunee peoples, guardians of this land, in the spirit of truth, reconciliation, and peace.” It evokes the rising sun, life, renewal, and early spiritual roots. The bench facing west is engraved with Psalm 85:11—”Love and truth meet together, justice and peace kiss.”
The parish believes the benches represent the Church open to the world, the path ahead, and the call to walk together toward reconciliation.
“Placed facing each other, these two benches invite us to sit, listen, and dialogue. They become a permanent invitation to welcome, fraternity, and mutual respect,” said a social media post from the parish.
A grant from the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund made the project possible. The benches were created by Martel et Fils Monuments.
The benches were blessed by Father Éric Robichaud, who also prayed for the reconciliation process between the church and Indigenous people.
“Heavenly Father, as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation approaches, we stand before you to present the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people of Canada. We honor the memory of the victims who have suffered under the yoke of abuse committed over several generations. (…) We pray today to heal and repair the irreparable as we move forward in the process of reconciliation.”
Hawkesbury Mayor Robert Lefebvre also delivered remarks at the blessing ceremony for the new benches outside Église St-Pierre-Apôtre.
Photos: James Morgan
