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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1984-06-06, Page 13Serving over 24,000 homes in Listowel, Wingham, Mount Forest, Milverton, Ariss, Arthur, Drayton, Harriston, Moorefield', Palmerston, Bloomingdale, Breslau, Conestogo, Elmira, Heidelberg, Linwood, Mary,hill, St. Clements, St. Jacobs, Wallenstein, Wellesley and West Montrose. Wednesday; June 6, 1984 Also honor priest Mount Forest parish marks 1 20th anniversary by Lynne Pinnegar It's not every day that a church celebrates its 120th anniversary, nor is it a common occurrence for a priest to mark 50 years in the priesthood. Both are happening in the Mount Forest Roman Catholic Parish this year and the parishoners are celebrating in an ambitious way, with a special mass honoring their priest tomorrow (June 7) and the publication of a history of the parish. The Reverend Father James Phillip Lardie has been the priest at St. Mary's in Mount Forest for the past 15 years. It was on June 9, 1934 that the Hamilton native was ordained to the priesthood. He had received his education at separate schools in Hamilton and St. Jerome's College, Kit- chener, before entering St. Augustine's Seminary. Two of the priests who attended the seminary 1,Vith Father Lardie will be at the special mass in his honor tomorrow evening at St. Mary's Church. They will join 20 other priests, Bishop Tonnes of the Hamilton Diocese, Bishop Sherlock of the London Diocese and a wealth of local dignitaries in paying tribute to Father Lardie. In the history of the parishbeing published, Father Lardie is described as a man whose "sincere dedication to ad- ministering the affairs of the parish has been evident in so many ways. His extensive practical knowledge and keen awareness of necessary repairs, along with his artistic talents, have made our church a source of great pride . . . However, material con tributions towards the upkeep of the church takes second place only to the spiritual guidance, the good example and faithful discharging of all priestly duties in the in- terests of his congregation." Following the 7:30 mass, presentations will be made to Father Lardie by the Catholic Women's League, Holy Name Society and Knights of Columbus. HISTORY OF PARISH A history of the Mount Forest parish is being published this year; both in honor of the 120th anniversary Of the laying of the cornerstone of the church and Father Lardie's milestone. Bob McIntee of Mount Forest is one of the driving forces behind the history. "The first cornerstone of the church was laid in 1864 and I have been accumulating historical data on the parish for the last two years or so," Mr. McIntee said. "We thought itwould be rather significant if we published a histo'cical booklet this year, coinciding 'with Father's 50th anniversary as well. Those are two very significant factors in the history being published this year." The booklet, which will be available at Kirk's Fruit Market and Royal City Realty in Mount Forest, as well as from church members Helen Morris, Kaye Lehman and . Helen Stortz, chronicles the history of the parish from when Irish immigrants frist began settling the Mount Forest area "with the added difficulty of being without a priest, for the first time in their lives." The booklet is dedicated to "the pioneers and , pastors who laid the foundation of our parish with unselfishness and devotion." Biographical sketches of the 16 priests who have served the parish are included in the booklet, as well as histories of the Catholic Women's League, Holy Name Society and Knights of Columbus. A history of the separate school and information about the nuns from St. Joseph's who staffed it for, years is also included. "We believe this account of our parish, from the very beginning to the present, will help us all celebrate our shared religious heritage in which we can take great pride," Mr. McIntee and Mary Bondi write in the forward to the booklet. Before the parish was established in Mount Forest, the Fathers of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) were given charge of the catholic community in Guelph and nor- thwards. In between visits from the Jesuits, the early settlers kept their faith through family prayer and Bible reading. Lay persons often had to officiate at baptisms, weddings and funerals.. The first church in the Mount Forest parish was built in 1858 on land purchased from James Corrigan. When the parishoners and itinerant priest Father Dumortier of Guelph gathered for mass at the newly -built church, however, they were shocked and surprised to find that it had been destroyed by fire the night before. Religious services resumed in people's homes, while plans were formulated to replace the short-lived church. In 1861 the land where the present church stands was purchased, and the cornerstone laid on July 3, 1864. Father P. S. Maheut; the first parish priest, had received his seminary training in France and had been ordained there in 1854. Father Maheut requested the bishop that the new parish of Mount Forest be called St. Mary of Purification because he had been baptized on that feast day`in 1834 and was ordained on that feast day in 1859. His request was granted. Bishop Farrel dedicated the parish church to St. Mary, of the Purification on Feb. 1, 1865. The parish has continued to grow and flourish since that time. A rectory was built in 1880, and was later used as a convent. The land for Holy Cross Cemetery was pur- chased in 1902. That same year disaster struck when St. Mary's Church was destroyed by fire. An article in The Arthur Enterprise described it this way: "Between 4 and 5 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 9, 1902 St. Mary's Catholic Church in Mount Forest was discovered on fire. In a short time the fine edifice was gutted, and costly windows, organ and rich interior fittings were consumed, a few vestments only being saved. The walls were standing and can probably be used in rebuilding. The origin of the fire, which started near the altar, is a mystery." By 1904 the church was rebuilt, and the first mass was celebrated on Oct. 9, 1904 in the new building. The first Roman Catholic School in Mount Forest was established in 1867, but in 1879 it was discontinued. In 1907 another separate school was established and in 1906 the site of the new school was selected on Market Street, where the present auditorium now stands. In 1952 Father T. Doyle initiated and promoted a plan for a new separate school, and construction off a modern five -room school was begun in 1953. A major addition was the construetion of 'the auditorium, which doubled as a gymnasium, in 1966 and later additional space was provided for Kindergarten classes on the upper floor of the auditorium. An addition to provide a principal's office, secretary's office, health room and staff room was begun in 1983. In 1908, through the efforts of Dean O'Connell, nuns from St. Joseph's were hired to teach the children. From 1932 to 1943 lay teachers were employed; butin 1944 the sisters from St.. Joseph's returned to Mount Forest. Lay teachers. were added to the staff in the` 1960s and 70s to augment the teaching staff and in 1978 the sisters with- drew. St. Mary's School is now completely staffed with layteachers who carry on the tradition of catholic education. "The reason for the closing of the Mount Forest convent was due to the steady decline in religious vocations," according to the history booklet published. "This decline was reflected in the severe shortage of sisters to staff the schools and convents." Going along hand-in-hand with the growth and development of the Mount Forest Roman" Catholic Parish have been the in - church organizations composed of parish- ioners. • ' The Holy Name Society was formed in 1916, with Father Daniel' F. Kehoe as spiritual leader. The group has contributed financially to the maintenance of the church since its inception, sponsors dances and members also take up the collection, act as ushers and lectors. First organized in 1922, the Catholic Women's League was disbanded for a few years prior to 1957. But Rev. Father Priester, a temporary pastor at St. Mary's, revived it. During the early years of its existence, the CWL's activities included bazaars, making clothing for children in St. Joseph's or- phanage and for those in need around the community, making costumes and assisting with school entertainments, sponsoring special movies for children and cleaning the church. The members cater to wedding dinners, receptions, Christmas dinner parties for various organizations and funeral lunches. Each spring the CWL Communion breakfast for members and teenage daughters is held, catered by the men of the Holy Name Society, and in the early fall the roles are reversed when CWL members cater for their Communion breakfast. The 25th anniversary of St. Mary's Catholic Women's League in 1983 was marked with an anniversary mass. Money from fund-raising projects throughout the years are donated to many causes. The Knights of Columbus, Fr. Doyle Council No. 6475, was formed on Apr. 15, 1973 and received its charter in November of that year. The council is engaged in charitable works in the community, and regularly donates to the Canadian Arthritis Society As the parishioners prepare for the special mass in honor of the 120th an- niversary of St. Mary's = and Father Lardie's 50th anniversary in the priesthood, they are looking for many more years of catholic fellowship in the community. FIFTY YEARS OF SERVICE—Rev. James Phillip Lar - die, priest at St. Mary's in Mount Forest, this week marks his 50th anniversary in the priesthood. .., .:::;r