Celebrating a Market Under the Stars!

From the desk of our roving parish reporter, Joanna Southwell:

Judging from the crowds that began arriving well before opening time, “Build it and they will come “ may well have been the vision behind the Italian/Tyrolean themed market that transformed the community space at Saint Francis In The Wood into a truly joyful experience for one delightful day (Nov 29).

Stepping into the market place was a visual treat. The European style shingled booths overflowed with handcrafted gifts and tasty offerings for all ages. I especially enjoyed chatting with some of the vendors and learning how they had turned their creative skills into homegrown businesses. One young man, still in high school, was so proud of the fact that he had succeeded in selling his entire collection of handmade black walnut cutting boards. He definitely plans to return next year!

As another community vendor put it “It was a day marked by kindness, generosity, and real connection — between visitors, vendors, and the whole community gathered there. There was something quietly special in the atmosphere, a sense of warmth and welcome that made the market feel more like a shared moment than an event. Thank you for creating a space where that kind of joy, gratitude, and generosity can take root.”

But the market was just one part of this wonderful event. The Fire and Ice Lounge proved to be a lovely spot to relax with friends and strangers alike, perhaps sipping a specialty coffee or a glass of mulled wine, while listening to talented musicians who entertained us on and off throughout the day. For those who fancied a pastry or other tasty snack, the selection of Italian style offerings was amazing. I highly recommend the tiramisu!

As I chatted with some smiling visitors it struck me what a sense of joy and warmth surrounded us. I asked a few people what stood out for them about their visit and each in their own way came to the same conclusion. The sense of friendship and community and welcome had made their visit a special experience.

There were so many other things on offer at various times during the event and I cannot do justice to them all. You will simply have to come to the market next Christmas season and check it all out for yourself.

Relive the memories and enjoy some behind-the-scenes moments from this beautiful day by clicking the link below to see all our photos.

Click here to see the photos

A round of applause for all our St. Francis Vendors

St. Francis-in-the-Wood Artisans

Bringing together the gifts and creativity of our parish community, each piece carries the same quiet attention you see in our Artisans mark—the delicate lines, the natural beauty, the small flash of colour that lifts the heart. Whether it’s a handmade craft, a lovingly baked treat, or a thoughtful gift, everything offered here is shaped by hands that wanted to make something good. Rooted in the spirit of St. Francis, this collection reflects simplicity, care, and generosity. What we create becomes a way of sharing warmth, welcoming neighbours, and tending the life we hold together.

Divine Tartan Candles

Divine Tartan Candles began with a simple hope: to offer light that can be shared. Blending 100% soy wax with rich, luxurious scents, each candle is poured with care and shaped by the spirit of our motto, “share the light.” The tartan in our name speaks to weaving together what matters—connection, belonging, and the threads that hold a community. These candles are made to be given, to be enjoyed, and to be passed forward. A small flame that catches the senses, warms a room, and carries love from one heart to the next.

A huge thank you to all our community partners, who helped make this years market a roaring and amazing success

The Bea's Knees:

Specalizing in custom celebration cakes for all occasions, as well as seasonal offerings such as Christmas cookie boxes, Easter cookie decorating kits, and Valentine's desserts!

Jocelyn Eloise Designs

Creating unique, thoughtful, and affordable personalized gifts for every occasion. Making gift-giving meaningful, memorable, and accessible.

Orazio's Olive Oil

Pure. Unadulterated. Organic. 100% Traceable. Orazio's Olive Oil is ethically and sustainably produced entirely on site in Italy, milled solely by mechanical means and cold-extracted within 24 hours of harvesting. The result is delicious, mild oil with a fresh, fruity aroma, a balanced flavour, with just a pinch of black pepper.

Find out more about us at https://oraziosoliveoil.com/

Soulful Guidance

Created by Amandah K Tanner to inspire connection, mindfulness, and emotional well-being. The collection features Oracle card decks, journals, planners, candles, bath bombs, room and body sprays, and glass water bottles — each crafted with care to encourage peaceful reflection and self-care. Rooted in the belief that everything begins with the heart, Soulful Guidance invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and find balance in your day. Every product offers a gentle reminder to nurture yourself and embrace life’s moments with calm and purpose.

Discover more about Soulful Guidance

https://www.amandahktanner.com

Little Handicrafts- https://littlehandcrafts.com/

Our irresistible ornaments are individually hand-stitched using traditional materials and techniques. Each one of our products represents a unique work of art. Furthermore, each item is made of only the best materials. For instance, our felt is made of a blend of real sheep’s wool. Our unique designs come from the artisans themselves, with many of our best selling designs actually suggested by our customers.