Feast of St Anthony

In the picture is Myself Ljubinko Matesic Consul General of the Republic of Croatia(Mississauga Office) and Mayor Rick Bonnette.
One of the things that make Halton Hills and North Halton such a great place to live is the variety of events that are going on. It seems like every weekend there is an event we can attend. A lot of these are run by small groups of dedicated people who freely give of there time, for no money, but for the satisfaction of providing quality entertainment and for bringing the community together.
Last weekend in Acton we had the “Praise in the Park” which is run by all the Acton Ministerial Association is a ecumenical service. The event is normally held in the Rotary Bandshell in Prospect Park, but this year due to inclement and threatening weather it was moved to the Christian Reformed Church.
Yesterday was the Highland Games, the Georgetown Horticultural Society Anniversary, Acton Trunk Sale, Limehouse Beef Dinner and other events. Also I saw signs of at least 2 bike runs through the rural area yesterday. Some of them wisely using police to help cross our busy highways and side streets. Halton Hills is a popular destination for bikes, but that is a topic for another day!
Today was the Feast of St Anthony at the Croatian Centre. I have had the honour of working with the Croatian Centre as a Councillor and have been attending this event for many years. The event is a popular one and is always well attended by Croatians from across the GTA, Canada and the US. The Ambassador is usually in attendance and is always appreciative of the fact that the Mayor and some councillors are able to attend.
This year Mayor Rick, Councillor Robson and I were joined by Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion who was there but had another event to get to and could not stay.
The Feast always involves a huge meal of pork, lamb, chicken and the best coleslaw and potato salad I have ever had. After lunch we go out to the pavilion and witness traditional Croatian dancing, singing and colourful costumes from different areas of Croatia.
The Croatian community here has seen this Centre grow from a small pavilion with a few soccer fields to the building of the Queen of Peace Cathedral. All have led to a active social and cultural Centre for the Croatian Community here in Halton Hills. The spires of the church rise as a landmark and are easily identifiable when you fly over Halton Hills, or from the 401 and 407.
The establishment of the centre was a divisive one at the time that had people expressing concerns over it and a lot of fear over how it may develop. The Town worked with the Centre and the residents and today we have the Queen of Peace Croatian Centre as a vital part of our community.
That partnership and a desire to work together were very helpful in allowing Halton Hills negotiate a lease agreement for our soccer teams to use their fields as we had a shortage of them. This has helped to take the pressure off our ever growing soccer registrations.

On a sad note today it will be the last feast of St Anthony with Father Stiepan Pandzic who has been the Parish Priest for a number of years. He was instrumental in building the Centre to what it is today. Father would always come over to talk and always spoke of the partnership and desire to work with the Town and the residents. His quiet demeanour has served the Halton Hills Croatian Community well. His successor will have big shoes to fill. He is off to a new assignment in St Louis.
Father I say “hvala.”