HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1977-06-30, Page 140Page 100
Confirms 76 at once......
•from page 99
to Goderich - The Buffales'and
Lake Huron - which was
opened in 1857 by Lord Elgin,
brought a large number of
Catholic labourers to
Goderich; as a result Father
Schneider obtained an
assistant, Father Auguste
Wassereau, a welcome
helper, described by Father
Schneider in his inimitable
way as "a 'vicaire' named
Wassereau born in
Phalbourg, Lorraine,
France" who would ease the
burden of caring for Goderich
and its missions of "Ashfield,
Wawanosh, Hay, St. Joseph
and Irishtown".
It is Father Wassereau who
records the confirmation of 45
boys and 31 girls in Ashfield
in 1858 by Bishop D. Farrell of
Hamilton (acting as ad-
ministrator of London
Diocese in the absence of
Bishop Pinsonneault), and of
a class of 26 children at
Goderich by Bishop Pin-
sonneault (who had moved
his See from London to
Sandwich) in 1860. The next
bishop of London, however,
Bishop John Walsh, tran-
sferred the See back to
London.
Father Schneider continued
on as pastor of Goderich until
1868, and as Father
Wassereau was moved in
1861, he was again alone
during his last seven years in
the parish. The Lizars sisters'
record of him, "He died in
France, but masses for his
soul's rest were devoutly said
in the far -away Canadian
parish where he was doubly
beloved".
For a short while a Father
Lewis Schneider looked after
the parish, but in September
1868, Father Bartholomew'
Boubat became pastor.
Father Boubat is remem-
bered for his care of the sick
and as a builder, In 1869 he
commenced building a new
, rectory, which was to last
some 45 years. The old rec-
tory was turned into a school.
The rectory completed, he
enlarged and remodelled the
frame church, which was
solemnly dedicated by Bishop
John Walsh, on his first visit
to Goderich on June 29, 1870.
Then he built a convent and
school, completing them in
1873. On November 4th of that
year, Reverend Mother Mary
Vincent, Sister Mary Francis
and Sister Mary Patricia
formally opened the first
convent of the Sisters of St.
Joseph of the Diocese of
London, situated outside the
City of London. This building,
no longer used as a convent,
still stands on the west side of
North Street. opposite St.
Peter's Church.
In 1874, Father Boubat was
succeeded by Father, P. J.
O'Shea. Father O'Shea was
transferred to Seaforth in
1880 and was succeeded by
Father B. J. Watters. In
February 1881, a class of 123
children from Goderich and
Hullett was confirmed by
Bishop Walsh; three years
later another 70 children were
confirmed. During Father
Watters' pastorate, he was
assisted at first by his uncle,
Father B. McGauran of the
Archdiocese of Quebec; in
1883 by Father D, A. McRae
(who was to return as pastor
in 1904) ; and from 1884 to 1888
by Rev. Father Henry B.
Lotz.
In September 1888. Father
(later Monsignor) Thomas
West became pastor. In 1896
he replaced the old frame
church built by Father
Wiriath in 1834 with the
beautiful church we have
today at a cost of $17,000.00.
Made of stone quarried from
the banks of the Maitland
River under the supervision
of Father West, its fine lines
even today - 80 years later -
evoke the admiration of
visitors. During the 15 -year
pastorate of Father West 141
children were confirmed by
Bishops O'Connor and
McEvay, the third and fourth
Bishops of the Diocese of
London,
NEW COLLECTION
PLAN
From September 1903 to
January 1904, Father (later
Monsignor) J. F. Stanley was
pastor. It was he who sub-
stituted a silver collection for
the penny collection.
Reverend D. A. McRae
returned to the parish as
pastor in January F904.
Father McRae was born in
Ross -shire, Scotland{ in 1842,
and emigrated to Ontario
with his father, brother and
stepmother in 1848, and at the
age of 11 he still spoke only
Qaelic. He stayed with his
father on the bush farm until
he was 21.
Following this, he spent
several years helping far-
mers with the harvest, cut-
ting and delivering wood,
supplying ties for the
railroads. In 1882 at the age of
40 he was ordained sub-
sdeacon, deacon and priest
all within a month.
In a statement of his life,
Father McRae writes, "When
it is taken into consideration
how I was rushed through the
higher orders, as explained
above, it can easily be un-
derstood that I had little time
to study the rubrics, and in
consequence was ill prepared
foyl the work now required of
me, This lack or want of in-
struction I have felt very
much even to the present
day."
Father McRae was pastor
of Goderich for 17 years. His
labours in Goderich are best
described in his own words:
"I left Parkhill to take
charge of Goderich, Ont. I
found the old brick residence
built by Rev. Father Baubatt
37 or 38 years before standing
on the same spot, the old
frame Church removed, and
a commodious new stone
Church erected on the same
ground. This was done by my
predecessor Rev. Father
West who did great work
there, also paying off the old
debt encumbering the parish
Turn to page 101 •
CONGRATULATIONS
GODERICH ON
150 YEARS
WELL DONE
from the Management & Staff of
STORES
SHOPPERS SQUARE
GODERICH
Congratulations Goderich
Asa
IIIGHTEOUSBESS EXALT
ETHA NATION: BUT SIN
REPROACH 10 ANY
PEOPLE" PROP 1:34.
You're always welcome at the
Huron Men's Chapel
in Auburn every Sunday Night
alt 8 p.m.
Evil prevails when good men do nothing
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A message from the Management and Staff of
290 South St. Goderich 524-7325
Having just completed our new renovations and additions we wish to Thank all our
Residents and their Families, also our neighbours, for their tolerance during the duration
of the construction.
All of us at Maitland Manor wish to Congratulate.
the Town of Goderich on their 150th. Ourbest
wishes for the Future of the Town — 'truly' a nice
place to be a part of.
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