The Adventures of Julie and Bella 2025

Today wasn’t my usual Sunday cooking adventure. Instead, I felt called to share a different kind of story—one that’s heavy on the heart and rooted in decades of love, faith, and family.

This morning, I woke early and made my way to Farnham to attend Mass with my parents. But this wasn’t just any Sunday Mass. It was the very last Mass ever to be held at St. Anthony’s Church—the church I grew up in, the one that has been a part of my family’s life for over 40 years.

St. Anthony’s is one of many local churches closing its doors for good, and to say that it’s heartbreaking is an understatement. For my parents, this place was never just a building. It was home. It was where they found community, connection, and a deep sense of belonging. Over the years, they’ve celebrated everything from baptisms to First Communions, Confirmations, Weddings, and yes—grieved through funerals—all within those sacred walls. It’s also where they renewed their vows during milestone anniversaries. They were excited to celebrate their 50th this September with their church family… but now, that family will be scattered elsewhere.

Walking into St. Anthony’s today, the familiar warmth was still there. The smiles, the hugs, the handshakes—proof that even in its final hours, the church was still doing what it always did best: bringing people together. That’s the thing about a true church family—no matter how long you’ve been away, you’re always welcomed back with open arms.

This final Mass was incredibly difficult. Tears flowed freely. Voices cracked during hymns we’d sung for years. But beneath the sadness was a quiet gratitude—for all the memories made, and all the ways St. Anthony’s shaped us.

As one chapter ends, I pray that each member of our church family finds a new place to worship—one that may never be quite the same, but hopefully holds even a fraction of the spirit we found at St. Anthony’s.

We carry the memories with us. We carry the love. And in that way, St. Anthony’s will never truly be gone.