70 It Happened in Iona litany of the saints, a challenge for the choir, was sung (in Latin) both at the opening and closing of the Forty Hours thus giving the devotion an added dignity. During this two-day period parishioners were encouraged as well simply to visit the church to pray and reflect. To make sure there was always someone in the church a list of names was posted, usually two people per hour. In the late night and wee hours of the morning most often one person for a two-hour stretch was the order of the day — and night. For a number of years I was posted for the 4-6 a.m. period. Walking up to the church at that early hour and spend¬ ing those two hours alone in the dark building lighted only by the flickering of some fourteen candles and by the approaching dawn was an experience never to be forgotten. Midnight Mass at Christmas was probably the most heart- stirring event of the year in the church which was always nicely decorated and sweet smelling with generous quantities of spruce all across the sanctuary and on the pillars. The weather was almost always favorable, except for the great storm of 1947, and large crowds would come from all parts of the parish by horse and sleigh and later by car. For this occasion the church was often lighted with gas lamps which gave the place a cosy and unique atmosphere. Always a highlight of the Mass was Luke's account of Christ's birth read so well by Father McCarthy and which early in life became for many of us our best known and most beloved Bible passage. Youngsters were expected to sleep awhile on Christmas eve after which lunch would be served not long before leaving for Mass at midnight. All this added to the excitement of the evening, especially being able to eat so close to the hour of Communion for this one time of the year. Even with our prior sleep it was difficult at times to refrain from dozing off during Likely the most visible small group in the church was that of the altar boys. Since my four older brothers had been "on the altar", I might have expected to be as well. The call came rather late, around grade nine, when Father McCarthy gave the green light to me and to a couple of other lads of similar age. Learning the Latin responses was a challenge but also somewhat fasci¬ nating. Then came the practice sessions with the priest and eventually getting dressed in black soutane and white surplice for a period of sitting back to observe from close range. Finally it was into action and becoming a regular server. Low Mass was the easiest to serve, Benediction was busy and tricky, but the High Mass was the greatest on-going challenge and best team