Pax
Vobis
A History of the Diocese of Saint John - its Bishops and Parishes
by Rev. Dr. Michael McGowan
While walking through the City Market
with Gramp, we met Billy Donnelly who was looking for a lift home to
Barnesville. But he first needed to stop at 16 Richmond Street to pick
up a parcel from Mrs. Dacey.
As we sat in the car and waited, I kept looking up at the high steeple
on the big church at the top of Richmond Street. When Billy got back
into
the car, he noticed Cliff was leaning out the window and looking way
up.
He remarked. “In the early 1870's my Grandfather William McDade and
some
other fellows from out our way, worked on putting that 230-foot steeple
on the church that was built in the 1850's.” He continued, “I think it
was
Bishop Connolly who chose this spot on Waterloo Street to build the
Cathedral
of the Immaculate Conception.”
From the 2004 publication Pax Vobis - A History of the Diocese of
Saint John - its Bishops and Parishes by Rev. Dr. Michael McGowan,
I have learned that Bishop Thomas Louis Connolly, the 2nd Bishop of
Saint John was born
in Cork, Ireland in 1815 and served from 1852 - 1859. The arrival in
Saint
John on September 11, 1852 of this distinguished figure with an
outstanding
personalty, vision and oratorical skills was well received. He was not
only
involved in the building of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
but
was also instrumental in obtaining a large tract of land for the
present
day St. Mary’s Cemetery on Loch Lomond Road and also in the founding of
a
band of religious women, dedicated to care for the poor, young, and
sick
which was the beginning of the Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate
Conception.
Pax Vobis is a 126-page book filled with many photos in
both black and white and colour of the churches in the Saint John
Diocese with historical details of their establishment.
You will find information such as:
St. Vincent de Paul - “On a hill
which now overlooks the small and thriving town of Oromocto, St.
Vincent de Paul Church has stood for over 80 years. It began as a
mission of St. Ignatius
Parish, Petersville in 1860, when Rev. Luke O’Regan became the resident
pastor.”
St. Patrick’s -“Mass was first celebrated in
Stanley in 1836 by Rev. Michael McSweeney, the first missionary priest
of
Fredericton, in the large room of ‘The Tavern’ then kept by Mr.
McGuire.”
Sts. Peter and Paul - “The first bishop to
visit Bartibogue was Bishop Joseph Octave Plesis of Quebec. In June
1813, he administered the sacrament of Confirmation to eight children.”
St. Joseph’s - “The history of St. Joseph’s
Parish really began in 1847 when Bishop William Dollard blessed Saint
William’s Church
in St. Martins. This was the main church and Father Andrew Barron, the
first
parish priest, also had mission churches at Black River, Upham, Little
River,
Loch Lomond and Saddleback.”
Holy Rosary - “Holy Rosary Parish (St.
Stephen) was established in the fall of 1887. Previously, Roman
Catholics in the area belonged to St. Stephen’s Parish in Milltown, and
before that were served by the parish priest of St. Andrew’s. There
was, however, a Catholic school in the area of the present parish
dating back to 1859.”
“St. Gertrude’s Parish, one of the oldest and
most historic parishes in the Diocese of Saint John, claims the
distinction of having had the first Catholic Church in New Brunswick
within its boundaries. A small chapel dedicated to St. John the Baptist
was erected near Woodstock in 1717 by Rev. Jean Loyard, a Jesuit
priest, and was in regular use serving the Maliseets of the St. John
River for some 50 years.”
Pax Vobis - A History of the Diocese of
Saint
John - its Bishops and Parishes by Rev. Dr. Michael McGowan provides
the family researcher with many interesting facts concerning the
spiritual
life of their Catholic ancestors and the individuals who nurtured their
faith.
For others, at home and away, it will serve as beautiful commemorative
trip
down memory lane.
Copies available http://www.rubycusack.com/Book-Pax-Vobis.html
‘Pax Vobis”, the title of the publication meaning, ‘Peace Be
With You’, is the motto on the Coat of Arms of the Diocese of Saint
John.
