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Confirmations part of celebrations

The two-year, stained glass window project at the Tl’etinqox (Anaham) Sacred Heart Church was completed with a dedication ceremony.
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John and Norma Bos

The two-year, stained glass window project at the  Tl’etinqox (Anaham)  Sacred Heart Church  in the Chilcotin was completed with an official dedication ceremony and banquet to thank volunteers and contributors.

Fundraising and event co-ordinator Alana Bobby said Bishop David Monroe came from Kamloops on June 10 to officiate, along with Father Derrick Cameron from Williams Lake.

Five girls and a boy in the community were also confirmed in the church during the event.

The dedication was followed by a banquet to acknowledge contributions of the community and volunteers in fundraising for the windows.

She said a dream catcher made by Denise Gilpin was presented to stained glass artist John Bos and his wife, Norma, who attended the dedication from Williams Lake.

Bos said it took him two years to complete the 16 stained-glass windows in the church which feature various biblical scenes, some of which are hand painted, and some of which are framed by a diamond pattern.

“When you go into the church it feels special,” Bos said.

Bobby said a dream catcher was also presented to parishioners RCMP Const. Jon and Anna Collins and their family who purchased one of the windows for the church and are leaving the community soon and will be missed.

She also gave special thanks to her family, to youth Austin Char and Maryjane Char who helped with the fundraising efforts and to the Tl’etinqox Government for their generous donation to the project and for helping in organizing the dedication and banquet.

Bobby said the community raised a total $8,800 which was enough to pay for the windows, plus build a fence around the church and buy the special gifts and lots of door prizes for the banquet.

She said funds were raised by holding bingos, loonie auctions, setting up a collection box and other fundraising activities.

Bos said the project was also featured on the television show Best Job Ever. He said three hours of filming at his studio in Williams Lake was condensed into a five to six minute video which can be seen on his website at www.bosglassworks.com. Click onto the video.

“Again thanks to all for getting this accomplished,” Bobby said in her thank-you letter.  “Sechanakyagh Gulin.”