In the summer and early fall of 2020, with the news of the pending merger of St. Sebastian, St. John the Baptist, and St. Albert the Great Parishes finalized, things began to move very quickly. The new combined parish would be called St. Maria Goretti Parish (St. Maria was 11 years old when she was killed and she forgave her assailant with her dying words). Mass would continue at the former St. Sebastian Church, and St. Albert’s and St. John the Baptist would be closed on Sept 28, 2020 and most likely sold. St. Albert’s final Mass would be Sunday Sept 27th at 5pm and would be streamed live on YouTube.
This would give the little friends one last chance to attend Mass together; something they first did together way back in 1967, over 50 years ago. Several of the little friends, who were still in the area, made it to the service. Pat M, Joey W, and Chuck K were some that were seen in the crowd. The rest of the little friends were able to watch on YouTube as the final Mass took place. The Knights of Columbus were there and the procession looked great. The entire Mass was an hour and a half long and the final words of the Mass were done in Latin as it was in 1955. The final song sung at a St. Albert Mass was “Oh Maria”, a favorite of the Class of ’75.
Oh Maria
Hail Mother of Mercy and of Love
Oh Maria
Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us Sweet Seraphim
Heaven and earth resound our hymn
Salve, Salve, Salve Regina
