Moncton’s
Catholic Roots -
An Illustrated History of St. Bernard’s Church by Leo J. Hynes.
Soft Cover 240 pages. Shows minor handling
and
shelf wear. Interior in very good condition- almost as new .
Printed in 1982 by Tribune Press, Sackville, New
Brunswick. Appears to be first edition
Book # 4065 $79.95 (Canadian
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Some information from the book:
In April of 1900, the bell for St. Bernard’’s Church in Moncton, was
blessed
before it was put in the belfry for its first ringing on Easter Sunday.
Its
purchase price was $1,305 and the special collection at its blessing
amounted
to $1,116.50. The cost of the carpenters for its hanging was $42.00.
When the worshipers arrived at the church for the blessing or the
‘‘baptism’’
of the bell, they found it had been placed before the altar rail and
adorned
with flowers, the Union Jack, the Harp and Shamrock, and the flag of
Acadia.
Father Meahan first washed the bell with water previously blessed.
Psalms
of praise were then recited, followed by the pastor marking the “Sign
of
the Cross” on the bell with holy oil, seven on the outside and four on
the
inside. Toward the conclusion of the rite, incense was place into a
thurible,
which was placed under the bell so that its fragrant smoke would ascend
into
it, and, spread into the entire church.
Following the “Rite of Blessing”, father Meahan requested Moncton’s
Mayor
Sumner deliver the first stroke. After which hundreds of those present
stepped
forward in turn and enjoyed a like privilege.
The corner stone for this church was laid in 1888, at which time an
offering
in upwards of $400.00 had been placed on it by the people, irrespective
of
creed. The trowel with which the Bishop laid the corner stone was
offered
for auction and the highest bidder was Conductor Watts for the sum of
$19.00.
Within the walls of the uncompleted building, a coffee party was held
in
October, and the $1,170 raised helped with the construction price of
$40,000.
An opening Mass was held on the morning of 1 November 1891. In the
afternoon,
a baptismal service took place for Wiliam Walsh, born 27th day of
September
1891, of the lawful marriage of Thoms Walsh and Mary Stewart with
sponsors
Charles Keenean and Mrs. D. O’’Neill.
Father Leo J. Hynes, the son of James Hynes and Ellen Breau was
baptized
in St. Bernard’s Church, where his parents had been married. His
grandparents,
Andrew and Ellen (Casey) Breau were the godparents. In 1973, he became
the
pastor of this church. His close association with St. Bernard’’s
prompted
his writing its colourful history to commemorate the centennial year of
its
becoming a parish in 1882 and to reveal something of Moncton’’s rich
Catholic
heritage.
In his 240 page book, ‘‘Moncton’s Catholic Roots’’ - An illustrated
history
of St. Bernard’s Church, Father Leo J. Hynes traces the arrival of the
German
peasants in June of 1776 from Pennslyvania and their possible discovery
of
the ruins of the log chapel and the charred homes built by the Acadians
to
the year of 1982, when the Mother Church of Moncton’s Roman Catholics
celebrated
its Centenary.
This is a book filled with facts on not only the clergy and the
changes
that have taken place in Moncton’s Catholic Roots but the people
involved
and in so doing Father Hynes left a legacy for the family researcher.