Remember When? Christmas Masses at St. Anthony

Christmas Masses have always been the mainstay of the family Christmas at St. Anthony Church.

“And who could forget those Christmas Masses when some started on foot from home shortly after 4:00 a.m. and carrying lanterns. The bobbing lanterns in the distance looked like fireflies coming to pay their respects to the little Prince of Peace. Later, when buggies came, on the cold crisp December morning, the horses’ trot could be heard for miles. The warmly lit church, the be-candled altar, Holy Mass and the music, a violin and two guitars — for how many years did Frank Hoebing, Ed Stupavsky and Julie Herold (Pohl) play those long-remembered Christmas hymns?” — Taken from the 1959 parish history book.

For as long as these writers remember, there has always been a midnight Mass. One of our favorite memories is that of the procession of children, led by the “chosen” child, carrying the Baby Jesus to the manger scene. We remember lighted candles, the sweet odor of incense, the church decorated beautifully and filled to capacity, wearing our very finest Sunday best, and wonderful traditional Christmas hymns with violin and organ music resounding from the choir loft.

An added bonus was coming out of the church after the celebration to a cold winter night, hearing church bells ringing and perhaps experiencing a beautiful, gentle, glistening snowfall.