Photograph of parishioners, Holy Redeemer Church, Venice, AB, late 1940s (?)
Photograph of parishioners, Holy Redeemer Church, Venice, AB, late 1940s (?). Picture shows large group of men, women and children standing in front of the church entrance. Some of the children at the front of the group appear dressed for their Holy Communion. Also pictured are two members of the Roman Catholic clergy. One is Father Ouellette, presumably the parish priest. The central figure wearing vestments indicating a higher order is Bishop Beaudoux.
According to Mary Biollo, also pictured are Charles Biollo, Annie Biollo, Dore Giaccobbo and Thelomina Michetti; they have not been individually identified.
The Holy Communion is one of the seven sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church. In the Italian immigrant tradition, it is celebrated as a rite of passage, and often is an occassion for a large gathering of extended family and friends.
The Venice-Hylo settlements were founded in 1914 by Italian immigrants. By the mid 1920s, the Venice community could attend the Holy Redeemer Church, with services led by Father Carlo Fabris.