It has been a busy period for the parish community of Sant’Agabio, which, from Friday 27th to Sunday 29th September, hosted the ‘Neighbourhood Celebrations’ initiative, in collaboration with the Municipality of Novara and with the participation of numerous local associations, active in various fields and catering to different age groups, from the youngest children to the grandparents in our neighbourhood. There were many activities on offer, in addition to the associations’ stalls: games on the church playing field, a communal dinner in the square, a concert with folk dancing organised by Cassiopea, Sunday lunch at Pinetina Alessia, and games at the oratory for the children.
As part of this initiative, the Health Festival was organised, as it was last year, under the patronage of the local council, by the Novara Local Health Authority, featuring a number of information stands.
The event was preceded by the celebration of Holy Mass in the Cathedral on Sunday 8 September, attended by representatives from some of the associations involved. As we do every year, we joined the Mother Church in this act of entrusting the new pastoral year to Sant’Agabio, making a pilgrimage to the Cathedral where His Holy Relics are enshrined.
These three days of celebration kicked off with a concert by the music group from the lower secondary school of the Bellini Comprehensive School, held, braving the storm, on the afternoon of Friday 27th in Piazza Mons. Brustia, which had been transformed into a stage, allowing these young people to showcase their dedication and talent, expertly guided by their teachers.
On Sunday 6 October, we celebrated together the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, patron saint of our parish, with the celebration of Holy Mass presided over by Father Sabino Decorato, originally from Sant’Agabio, marking the twentieth anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. Afterwards, we gathered at the parish hall for lunch, providing yet another opportunity to strengthen our sense of community.
In the afternoon, there was the customary procession through the neighbourhood streets with the statue of Our Lady; this year, the route was altered so that the Virgin’s gaze might also reach other areas of our parish.
The feast was preceded by a three-day period of preparation, on the evenings of Thursday 3rd and Friday 4th October, attended by Sister Laura, the Sisters of the Immaculate Queen of Peace, and Father Giorgio Borroni, director of the Diocesan Caritas, who shared some reflections with us, accompanied by the recitation of the Holy Rosary. On Saturday 5 October, the focus was on music with a concert organised in collaboration with the Idu educational community, led by Giusy Pace, featuring three choirs to whom we extend our heartfelt thanks, which also go to the young people and to those who volunteered their time to organise and set up the charity stall.
But the celebrations don’t end there… This Sunday, 13 October, scholarships will be awarded to a number of deserving pupils from the lower secondary school at the Bellini Institute, who have demonstrated commitment to their studies; these scholarships have been donated by the ‘Friends of Don Francesco’ Association, in memory of the priest who knew them as children, and after whom our square is named.
On Sunday 20 October, during the 10.30 am Holy Mass, we will celebrate the start of the catechetical year together with all the children and their families… Let us help our children to find in Jesus a friend, a travelling companion.
We would like to take this opportunity to inform you that anyone wishing to receive a copy of the booklet on the sessions dedicated to Sant’Agabio, distributed during the Holy Masses on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th, may register their name at the parish office by the end of October.
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