Huron Expositor, 2007-11-07, Page 13Page 12 The Huron Expositor • November 7, 2007
News
Book chronicling history of Huron -Perth Catholic
District School Board launched recently
Laura Cudworth
To commemorate their contribu- ed a book, a
tion and to chronicle the history of daunting prospect
The Loretto Sisters arrived in the Huron -Perth Catholic District at first, but
Stratford in 1878. They, like the School Board, director of education Rowland got on
Ursuline Sisters and Sisters of St. Larry Langan launched a new book board, as did sev-
Joseph, would build the foundation "Our Roots ... Our Story," Thursday eral volunteers.
of the Catholic school system that at St. Michael Catholic Secondary They dug
exists in Perth and Huron counties School. through newspa-
today. "Four years ago, one of the things per clippings and
that concerned other archives,
me was the phoned former
somewhat disor- teachers, parents
ganized shape and board mem-
our archives bers, wrote the
were in," Langan stories and edited
said. the work.
With the help It was a journey
of Margaret of realizations
Rowland, who even for those
taught 27 years who spent their
in the system, lives in the sys-
they organized tem, first as stu-
the archives. dents then as
Langan suggest- teachers.
We're making
our list for
the Annual
Seaforth
Lions Club
25th anniversary ! �-- =;
SANTA CLAUS
PARADE
Friday, November 30 7pm
THEME: SILVER BELLS
Just use this form & join in the fun at
this year's parade! Brussels Santa Claus
Parade Saturday, December 1
SANTA CLAUS PARADE ENTRY FORM
Group/Company Name.
Contact Person•
Phone.
Mailing Address.
Type of Entry.
Donate Candy Be A Walker
Enter a Float Sponsor a Band
Casli Donation Other
Approximate number of participants:
Adult Children
Ai y Special Requirements.
Are you a former participant`s
Number of people
staying for refreshments.
Mail or Fax to:
Seaforth Lions Club
c/o Joe Sterner
P.O. Box 14,
Seaforth, Ont. NOK 1WO
Fax: 519-527-2389
Phone: 519-527-2389
green TM
breeze
power
Set. vICCOnta
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Available at all branches of
Huron County Library.
The cover of Our Roots...Our Story
"I think the
dedication and
selfless sacrifice
of the early set-
tlers insisting on
having a Catholic
school for their
children has gone
unnoticed,"
Rowland said.
She noted it
was a "huge
task" with little
or no financial
resources.
Larry Cook
researched the
Ellice -area
schools. He him-
self went to St.
Patrick ' s
Catholic School
in Kinkora when
it went from
grades 1-12. The
Sisters of St.
Joseph ran the
school.
"The sisters
really took care
of us. They gave
us hot lunches,"
he said.
They also
helped the stu-
dents put on a
first-rate
Christmas con-
cert every year. Preparation began
after Thanksgiving.
He noted there was a very strong
connection to the church. The reli-
gious foundation is what present
leaders in the board need to keep
building on, he suggested.
"If we are to continue we have to
make sure we are Catholic," he said.
Jim Gaylor taught at St. Mike's
starting in the school's second year
of existence in 1987 and retired in
2000. He too contributed to the
book, doing research and writing.
As a former teacher he was inter-
ested in the stories teachers had to
tell and how similar they were,
regardless of the era.
"Classrooms haven't changed," he
said.
After being immersed in the foun-
dation and history of the schools up
to the present, Rowland is confident
the big picture is looking bright for
the Huron -Perth Catholic board.
"I feel it's in very good shape," she
said.
The book is dedicated to Helene,
73, and Bill Regier, 72, who were
murdered in their quiet South
Huron farm home earlier this year.
The couple were devoted members
of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Catholic Church.
Jesse Imeson was arrested for
their murder and is awaiting trial.
The book is available through the
board office and costs $20.