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215 Children--215 Chimes

In an act of remembrance, St. John's parishioners sounded the church bell 215 times--once for each child recently found buried in an unmarked gravesite. 

At noon, on Sunday June 6, 2021, parishioners gathered to pray for, and honour, these young ones--taken from homes and loved ones--who were "schooled" in a culture that was foreign and often hostile to them. 

These 215 children were some among the thousands of Canadian Indigenous youth who were exposed to harsh conditions and mistreatment within the Indian Residential school system, in attempts by Canadian authorities, through the Church, to reshape them. 

The youth suffered severely under this mistreatment...many did not survive to return home.  

Christ have mercy.  Lord have mercy.  Christ have mercy.