Historical and Souvenir Program to Commemorate the 100Th
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
c t tfxisto’iical and Souvenir dJ\oqrani•+J TO COMMFMOR ATE The 100th Anniversary of St. Patrick's Parish, Watertown, Mass. ) HIST 974.443 CHURCH SAINT PATRICK 1947 2 ___________ CELEBRATION PROGRAM . - // t 'cUruition iPwglam SOLEMN PONTIFICAL MASS.- Sunday. February 23. 1947 at 10 o'clock X is t o f O fficers Celebrant: The Most Rev. Richard J. Cushing, D.D., Archbishop of Boston Assistant Priest: Rt. Rev. Michael J. Splaine, D.D.P.A. Asst. Deacon, Senior: Rt. Rev. lames F. Kelley, P.P. Asst. Deacon Junior: Very Rev. Basil Cavanaugh, C.P. Deacon of the Mass: Very Rev. Robert A. Hewett, S.f. Subdeacon of Mass: Dr. Leroy Cooney, D.D. PreachenThe Most Rev. Richard J. Cushing, D.D., Archbishop of Boston Master of Cer., Sen.: Rt. Rev. Walter J. Furlong, Diocesan M.C. Master of Cer., Jun.: Rev. John Quinlan Metropolitan Cross Bearer: Rev. Cornelius J. Donovan, P.P. Mitre Bearer: Rev. Walter J. Meagher, S.J. -rosier Bearer: Rev. Robert E. Brennan Book Bearer: Rev. Albert A. Jacobbe, P.P. Burgia Bearer: Rev. Edward F. Splaine Gremial Bearer: Rev. John Downey Thurifer: Dr. James E. Fahey, D.D. Acolytes: 1) Rev. Richard Norton 2) Rev. lames T. Sjmith. Acclytes of Vestnv Torches: />.*•; :••• S'.o[rt"drtl Keenan (Semiridrifln) •/ C *Mi. James F. Curtin (Seminarian) ' v . y o) Mr. .William R. Coen (Seminarian) " / 4) Mi. Robert.E. Gately (Seminarian). *. '. Choir: at. Patricks'.' \ : . ... ... :;V£>irect0r: Miss Emma Roche ■ •* : ••• * * 12:30 o'clock Djnner to Sisters now and formerly assigned to St. Patrick's Schools and “ S S S r “fe St- *** H-eptfo^en-ds 1:00 o'clock at a S h . ° rdained lr° m PariSh “ d to ^ lo n a d Place: Saint Patrick's High School Hall. OUR ARCHBISHOP 3 HIS EXCELLENCY RICHARD J. CUSHING, D.D Archbishop of Boston CELEBRATION PROGRAM BANQUET OF PARISHIONERS OF ST. PATRICK S Monday Evening. February 17, 1947 at 7 o clock Watertown Senior High School Halls I—Supper if-Speakers and Entertainment Toastmaster: Rev. James T. Smith Speakers: Rt. Rev. Msgr. Michael J. Splaine, D.D., P.A., (Pastor of St. Merry's Brookline): Hon. Daniel J. Gallagher III—Dancing (After Entertainment) HIGH MASS FOR CHILDREN Satv :day Morning, February 22, 1947, at 8:00 o clock Saint Patrick's Upper Church CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINMENT Monday Afternoon, February 24, 1947, at 2 o'clock Watertown Senior High School Halls Entertainment and Pictures OUR PASTOR 5 RT. REV. MONSIGNOR DANIEL C. RIORDAN, P.P, PARISH HISTORY Before the year 1830 the few Catholics residing in Watertown and its vicinity were attended by priests from Boston whose mission extended from Massachusetts Bay to the Hudson River, New York; but long before that year ©vents of historic importance occurred which form an interesting background to the history of the Catholic Church in Watertown. In 1631, shortly after the town fathers had selected the present plough- lands" on the Charles River as a site for their township, Richard Brown, a "ruling elder" maintained that the churches of Rome were true churches , and in this opinion Rev. Mr. Phillips, the pastor, seems to have concurred. In order to put an end to the controversy that such an avowal caused Governor Win- throp Deputy-Governor Dudley, and Mr. Nowell, the elder of the Boston con gregation, came to Watertown to confer with Rev. Mr. Phillips and Mr Brown. No satisfactory conclusion resulted from the conference. A day of humilia tion and prayer was recommended, but the disturbance ended only when Mr. Brown ceased to be the ruling elder. After the destruction of the Catholic settlements Minas and Grande Pre, Nova Scotia, many of the unfortunate Acadians were scattered over these regions, and "friendless, homeless and helpless they wandered from city to city." It is certain that some of these Acadians were among the first Catholics within the limits of Watertown. For two years one of their priests, Rev. Jus tinian Durant, resided in Boston. In 1775, an invitation was sent by Washington to the following Catholic Indian tribes in Maine; the Penobscot, the PassamoQuoddies, and St. John's, to join the cause of freedom. Delegates from these tribes came to confer with the Massachusetts General Assembly, which received them at Watertown. Ambrose Var, the chief of the St. John's tribe was the spokesman, and his salutation was: "We are thankful to the Almighty to see the council." The Indians promised to aid the cause of the patriots, and their only reQuest was, we want a "black gown" or "French priest.” The General Assembly of Massa chusetts expressed its satisfaction at their reQuest for religion and declared itself ready to procure a French priest but truly added that it did not know w nere to find one. The Indians earnestly joined the American cause and helped a great de til in the freedom of the colonies. So few were the Catholics in this section of Massachusetts in 1790, that the Rev. John Thayer, Pastor of the Catholic Church in Boston, declared that their number did not exceed 100 souls. In the early years of the nineteenth century, multitudes of the oppressed people of Europe flocked to these shores to enjoy the peace and freedom proffered by the Constitution of the new re public. By the influx the number of Catholics increased to such an extent that it became necessary to establish independent parishes in the district attended by the priests from Boston. In the year 1830, Watertown, Waltham, the Newtons, Weston, Concord and other neighboring towns were formed into a district "mission," and a name buiMing 50 feet and 35 feet was erected on the land now known as the old Catholic cemetery in Waltham. The pastor of this new mission continued to reside in Boston until 1839 when the Rev. T. Fitzsimmons took charge. At that time the congregation had 300 members. The successors of Fatner Fitzsimmons were Rev. M. Lynch, Rev. James Strain and Rev. P. Flood. A Thomas Allen who came to Watertown in 1844 recalled that he boarded with a family who lived over a little store which stood where Thomas McAnn's shoe store is now located on Main'Street. ,.. , ° n Sundays a priest came to that house and celebrated Mass on the t w i f 1 table ,whlle. ail *hf Catholics of the vicinity were assembled to hear the Mass, and receive Holy Communion. 0,^ 3 ® pnesthad ™glk a long distance to reach the town, so he came a l a r i cl^eTm d tW Waf, no extra bedroom, the inhabitants emptied however,howSrer as the boarders allT fT slept ® h®on pnesfcots in slept/ one room. Jt gave him a little privacy, PRESENT CURATES 7 DR. JAMES E. FAHEY, D.D PARISH HISTORY 8 Shortly after Rev. Patrick Flood assumed the care of the little church in Waltham It was destroyed by fire, and as the majority of worshippers were in Watertown it was deemed expedient to erect a church in that town. In 1846 Father Flood endeavored to secure a temporary place for services, and after many vain efforts, succeeded in obtaining the use of what was then know nasthe "Whig Reading Room," located at Watertown sQuare Here the little congregation continued to assemble until it purchas^ he old Meth odist Meeting House which was moved from Galen Street to Church Hill and was remodelled to become the first Catholic Church in Watertown. The congregation continued to increase to such a large extent that it was necessary to seek still larger accommodations. Cooperating with Fr. Flood the parishioners secured for themselves the site of a new church, also erected on Church Hill Street (now the parish hall) which had seating for more than 800 people. The cornerstone of the church was blessed on September //, 1847 by Rt. Rev. Bishop Fitzpatrick assisted by the pastor Father Hood, and Rev. P. O'Beirne. Although the edifice was unfinished in December of the same year, the congregation would assemble therein every Sunday, and by extraordinary and persevering efforts on the part of pastor and people, it was completed and dedicated by the Bishop in the month of June 1848. In 1851 the Rev. Bernard Flood, a probable nephew of Rev. Patrick Flood, was sent as an assistant. He came as a young priest from the Grand Semi nary of Montreal and like Father Patrick Flood had been born in Castle Tara County, Caven, Ireland. The parish still comprised the missions at Waltham, West Newton and Concord, where new churches were built. When Rev. Patrick Flood died in 1863, Rev. Bernard Flood was appointed pastor, and in 1864 he moved to Waltham and left the remaining portion of the Watertown parish to the care of Rev. John W. McCarthy who resided as parish priest until September 1871. During his pastorate Newton Upper Falls became a separate parish. Fr. McCarthy had as an assistant Rev. Edward S. Galligan. Rev. M. M. Green was appointed pastor in September 1871, and in June 1872, Rev. Robert P. Stack was commissioned to assist him. Among the many splendid things which he did was the erection of the present Church of Our Lady Hel; of Christians in Newton to which he was transferred as parish priest in 18', 9 when that parish became a separate entity. Rev. Robert P. Stack then took over St. Patricks in Watertown and under his energetic administration great improvements were made. The church was enlarged and decorated; and a brick schoolhouse costing about $35,000 was built on Church Hill, (now used as the grammar school), Fr.