On Tuesday May 8th, 1945, after the German forces surrendered, Victory in Europe Day was declared by the Allies (due to the time difference, the Soviet Union declared it on the 9th of May and Russia still celebrates it on this day). Around the world and in the United Kingdom, people starting celebrating the end of nearly six years of a terrible worldwide conflict. Dances, street parties emerged everywhere: Paris, London, New York, ...

Many, children and adults, have expressed how this day was the most joyful they've ever witnessed. The war in Europe was finally over. Soldiers celebrated with civilians, spontaneous parades took place. For a moment, rationing and privations even became memories of a distant past.

In reality, the war against Japan was not over until August 1945. And the end of the war was obtained with a great cost: the lives of millions. Estimations vary from 30 to 85 million victims, but the majority agree that twice as many civilians died as military personnel. And for many, it was as if life had to start from scratch with the destruction of entire cities and the displacement of millions.

In Johnstone, Cochrane Castle was used as a camp for German prisoners of war. Germany had many Catholic soldiers. Though they had Mass in one of the camp's huts every Sunday morning, on Christmas Day 1945, they were allowed to attend Mass in St Margaret's Church. "For the first time, 'Silent Night' was heard in German- 'Stille Nacht'."*

It makes us wonder if Canon Aloysius Reifenrath, who died in September 1945, ever visited the German POWs in Cochrane Castle. As German-born, and as parish priest in St Margaret's, one can only assume that 'Fr Louis' visited the POW camp and maybe said Mass in the camp's hut.