The Blessing of the Bench

Wendy LaBlanc - St. Mary Magdalene, Picton

‘Come unto m e all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest’ is the comforting and familiar passage from Matthew 11:28. Those words were repeated by Bishop Michael Oulton on a warm and sunny late spring morning on the lawn of St. Mary Magdalene Church in Picton. The occasion marked the blessing of the bench donated by parishioners Marie and David Connor in celebration of the 200th Anniversary of the Parish.

Located in the shade of a large maple tree along Picton’s Main Street, the bench has space on one side to accommodate a wheelchair or stroller. Two historic carriage stepping stones which have stood on either side of the driveway for over 100 years now flank the bench and serve as pedestals for planters.

Marie Connor describes the donation of the bench as a form of outreach to the community. Indeed, judging by the numbers of people resting there, it certainly has been well-received by parishioners and passers-by alike and will be appreciated as St. Mary Magdalene Church continues into its third century of service to the community.