THE WAY IT WAS In Douglastown

A Message From The Superior General Of The Sisters Of Our Lady Of The Holy Rosary

When the sisters of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary arrived in Douglastown, the Congregation, founded in Rimouski, was only 25 years old. Yours is the 11th mission since the foundation and the 4th one on the Gaspe Coast. This very clearly demonstrates the missionary spirit of the Foundress, Elizabeth Turgeon, as well as the courage of those who have gone before us and who were not afraid to meet youth where they were, in order to realize the mission of instruction and religious education. The mission of Frenchville, Maine, which opened a year before, favoured an exchange of English-speaking teaching sisters, between the Gaspe Coast and the United States. This was very precious for the Congregation. Celebrating 100 years of the history of our religious family in Douglastown offers us a wonderful opportunity to express our thanks to God for the marvels of His grace, very tangible in our own day, in the midst of the people throughout the 20th century. We wish to express special thanks to the Douglastown folks for their acceptance of our community through the years and that they continue to do so. May the Lord repay you a hundredfold in bountiful blessings!

Thanks also to Sister Vivian who allows us to relive, in this souvenir booklet, the wonderful years that we have realized, with the families of this area, an educational task which fasts. As we enter into the 21st century and the 3rd millenium, let us keep our hope strong in Him Who does not betray and Who calls us to meet other challenges. We are few in numbers on the Gaspe Coast, however, we want to remain there as long as we can possibly do so. One thing is certain: we will always remember you. Our 100 year old history has left its mark...

Awaiting the pleasure of celebrating with you,

Ida Coté,R.S.R. Superior General

DOUGLASTOWN
1900 - 2000

Saint Patrick's, Douglastown in 1900!... What was it like at the beginning of the twentieth (20th) century, as it opened a promising chapter in the life of the community? Let us take a look ... The main road stretches around the village from one detour to another as if to assemble the people. In the fall, cords of wood are piled up around the houses, they will heat the stoves and
the furnaces of every house. During the rude winter, life goes on inside most of the time, which creates more intimacy.

In the Spring, houses and barns open up to life in the outdoors, both for the inhabitants as well as for the animals. Every household owns a piece of land for cultivating. Poultry and animals live right next to the houses. Horses, those elegant animals, are a necessity. In their fancy harnesses, they trod to school, to church, etc. on rather rough roads.

	And there are many children. They can be seen on their way to and from school or at play, in any season. There are no public playgrounds, but there is plenty of space right around the house or behind the barn. Their presence creates a feeling of youth in everyone. The older folks don't mind their noise, it's the only noise there is in 1900.
First Convent Built in 1900 by Father Gillis Torn down in 1941

In the center of the village there is a cluster of community services, mainly a church, a school and a general store. The general store is 1900 style; in the same building, can be found a large collection of various articles from food, to tools, to so-called luxuries. Molasses and cane sugar (very little white sugar) are right next to a keg of nails, pieces of harness for horses, needles and thread, perfume and fancy soap, as well as clothing, though rare, for the women made the clothes for the household.

When the horses need to be shod, the blacksmiths heat the irons red hot then cool them off in the cold water vat and pound them on the horses' hoofs. They also make instruments of iron. There are many trades in the village: shoemakers, tinsmiths, watchmakers, cabinet makers and others. They have their honourable place right next to the traditional occupation of farming, fishing, hunting, lumbering, etc.

Life in 1900 is intense but simple in the village, well rooted in the surrounding environment and busy with various activities. Talents abound. The villagers sing, dance and play instruments, they make objects that please the eye and add pleasure to daily life. They love to celebrate in the church, at home, in the community center. The village, bounded by the sea on one side and by the back settlements (ranges) on the other, is very picturesque. Its inhabitants are possessed with a remarkable capacity for reconciliation, festivity and love.

The population has strong roots. It forms a group among the oldest settlers in the area, with a characteristic mentality and a language that isolates it but also protects it. Of course, English is spoken elsewhere, but here, the language of business, education, recreation and love, is English. It is also, and one may say, above all, the language of religion. Only Latin in the church is in competition with it. Saint Patrick comes right next to God in the hearts of the faithful.

On Sunday, the little church, situated on the land of the actual cemetery, is filled to capacity. In winter the sexton has filled the furnace or the large stove in the middle of the nave. The people need this atmosphere of warmth as they enter. The confessional is a busy place before mass. And as the hearts are warmed by absolution, the feet need to be thawed out near the furnace. Soon plain-chant, akin to "Gregorian chant", will soothe the religious soul of these people, proud and strong in their faith. Many children are in the assembly, in the sanctuary as well as in the nave.

First Church Built in 1882 by Father Gillis

That is why there is great joy in the air as more than 2000 people assembled for the blessing of the convent in which the Sisters of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary had just taken up residence. The presence of the bishop of Rimouski, Andre Albert Blais (the diocese of Gaspe will be erected 22 years later), the bishop of Kingston, Ont., Bishop Charles Hugh and his secretary, J.T. Hogan and over twenty (20) priests from Rimouski and the neighbouring parishes of the Gaspe Coast., added importance to the event. The arrival of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary was a great event in 1900,It is adequately described in Sister Vivian Bond's booklet.

And... who were the parishioners who attended the blessing of the convent on August 26, 1900? No doubt but we would have met such family names as: Hipson, Muffin, Simoneau, Bolduc, Howell, White, Kennedy, Maher, Walsh, Crotté, Beaudin, Holland, Cronier, Gaul, Bond, McGrath, Morris, Fortin, Lereh, McDonald, Rooney, McAuley, Maloney, Harbour, Mulrooney, Drody, Girard, Hackett, Grant, Finn, Langdoe, Alexander, Thibault.

We would say that the majority of them were "Irish and Catholic" by their names, but of course, all of them were truly Irish and Catholic" by their allegiance. 1900-2000 years of community life of great quality, the profound and continued pursuit of which has been assured by the presence of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary. Claude Allard

My Musings as I Introduce THE WAY IT WAS

As I ponder upon the THE WAY IT WAS one hundred years ago, my musings bring me back to an evening in January 1900 as the five foundresses are sitting around a small table in the center of which is placed a kerosene lamp. Now they are on their way to the chapel for night prayers, there is another kerosene lamp hanging on the wall. On their "silent" way to the dormitory for a well-deserved rest, are they carrying a candle or another kerosene lamp?...

Tomorrow morning it will be cold in the house. It is somebody's turn to get up at 4 o'clock to light the furnace. What is the weather like this morning? Instead of turning on the radio (unheard of), they peer out the window so they have a pretty good idea... heavy snowfall and a strong "Norwest" gale from the Bay. At 7 o'clock they shovel their way to the church for mass. Yes, conveniences were lacking. This is WHAT THEY HAD NOT!

Now, let us consider what THEY DID HAVE: According to the chronicles as well as the stories and episodes that I have heard from the foundresses themselves (during their summer vacations in Rimouski) they HAD so much more than they HAD NOT! Peace and quiet, they were undisturbed by the noise of motorcycles, the screeching of brakes, airplanes overhead, etc., though sometimes the distant sound of a lone fishing boat which might have meant fresh fish for the next hearty meal. They even had somewhat of a mini-farm which provided food a-plenty, on the spot. They were able to teach a full day without Union meetings, threats of strikes, and other such hindrances to their main goal: the education of youth.

SISTERS Of OUR LADY Of The HOLY ROSARY DECIDE UPON
THE FOUNDATION OF A CONVENT In DOUGLASTOWN.

The Superior General announced to her Council that the Reverend T.D. Gillis, Pastor of Douglastown, County of Gaspe, told her that the convent, destined to receive the sisters of our Congregation, would be finished during July and that it would be ready for the sisters to teach in schools Nos. 1 and 2 of his parish. She also announced that, during his visit to the community fast February, he renewed his request for the foundation, that His Excellency, Bishop A. A. Blais wished to authorize the said foundation with the conditions agreed upon in the contract now being read. Although this poor parish can only offer a meager salary, it was unanimously decided to accept the above mentioned foundation, in view of the good that is to be done and the great sacrifices made by the pastor of said parish of Douglastown and its parishioners to assure the benefit of instruction by the religious.

EXCERPTS OF THE CONTRACT between the Congregation and the School Board
Above is the first paragraph of the contract. Unfortunately, the complete document has been lost. However, the following letter from Father Gillis to the Superior General gives an idea of the conditions:

HOW IT ALL BEGAN
May 5, 1897 - August 7, 1900

IT ALL BEGAN ...
With letters that Father Duncan Gillis wrote to Mother Mary de la Victoire, Superior General. These letters contained precious indications which emphasized the apostolic zeal of the founder. They also revealed the generosity and determination of this Scottish priest who was obliged to correspond in French, a language with which he was unfamiliar.

Father Gillis arrived in Douglastown from Scotland in 1882. Being very quickly aware of the needs of his people, he immediately began to do something about it. As early as May 1897, he contacted the Superior General of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary (then called the Sisters of Little Schools) to request "teaching" sisters. The chronicles do not say how he became acquainted with the "Sisters of Little Schools" but there were many letters, some very detailed in which he expressed his wishes. On December 12, 1897 he wrote: [...] 1 hope that you will have good sisters prepared for my parish next year […] Then on March 2, 1 900: 1 am asking for a good and solid religious and scholarly education [...]. Many such requests kept coming between 1897 and 1900.

Mother Mary de la Victoire-

Superior General in 1900

The five foundresses left Rimouski on August 7, 1900. With the help of a few teenagers and some generous ladies of the parish, they quickly proceeded to the installation of their meager belongings. Soon after their arrival, precisely the last Sunday of August, the official opening of the convent took place. Preparing for many visitors, especially church dignitaries, one of whom was the bishop of Kingston, Ontario, required a good deal of work for the sisters who had had little time to get settled and become acquainted with Father Gillis and the people of Douglastown. The opening ceremony was an important event and provided an opportunity for people from many communities to join in a celebration. In fact, the journey to and from Douglastown was, for some people, the principal reason for attending, as the -passenger ship "Admiral" was chartered to make a trip from Gaspe Basin to Douglastown in the morning and return after the ceremony, even though they had to row across the bay to take the boat and row back again in the evening.

Sister Mary of Calvary wrote to Rimouski about the event: […] this week we are supposed to decorate the church and to prepare a banquet. The bishop of Kingston will arrive on Wednesday nigh.t The pastor will send a few of his suite to sleep at the convent. We have prepared five good beds but we will need about twelve. There will be about thirty for the banquet. We have to make veils for the tabernacle the ciborium etc. for the chapel […]. We have had a lot of visitors since our arrival. (August 1900)

The sisters officially inaugurated their mission of education in Douglastown with the opening of the school year. In the convent, Sister Mary of St. Mechtilde and Mary of Mercy taught two classes with a total of 90 children. M. of St. Mechtilde also taught music lessons and was in charge of the church choir. In 'Up-The-Bay", Sister Mary of Lourdes had a class of 56 pupils. Her companion, Mary of St. Julia, rendered invaluable services in the neighbouring parishes in the line of sewing for the churches and in repairing the books for the School Boards. The superior, Sister Mary of Calvary, was the housekeeper and sacristan. She also took care of the church linen and rendered many services to the teaching sisters.

Even though they were isolated, they did not seem to mind, in fact they liked it if we can judge by the letter they wrote to the Superior General, on February 3, 1901: The classrooms and the apartment been panelled and painted The sisters' apartment consists of a kitchen which is, at the same time, a refectory and a community room... and a "pretty little" blue dormitory. The classroom walls are covered with geography maps. Two big statues of the Virgin of Lourdes and St. Joseph have been placed on shelves. The desks and benches are new and there are enough of them for the fifty some pupils, and that helps to maintain discipline... there is a nice big cellar [...]

On Saturdays and Sundays, the five foundresses were happy to be together and they were content with what they had, in fact they were very happy in spite of the sacrifices inherent to any new beginning. In February 1901, Sister Mary of Lourdes wrote to the Superior General: [ ...] we are very well-off just the same, there are several things missing, such as a table for the dining room, cupboards, little night stands, etc. but we have good fire wood, good food, mass every morning. The people demonstrate a lot of confidence and sympathy. They say that it was the mildest winter they ever had, on account of our presence among them. Let us hope that the good weather continues […]. The Reverend Mr. Sirois asked me the other day: How do you do it'? we can no longer recognize those little Irishmen […] I simply responded: We show them a lot of interest and affection, they feel loved and in turn, they try to please us in every way.

Sr. M. of Lourdes and her class in 1900.The question of what to do during their leisure time, never arose nor did the problem of unemployment. Indeed, they were very "well-off" by the standards of the time, for they had a cow, many chickens, hay in abundance and a good size garden which, while providing them with good nutrition, kept them occupied. Yes, the five foundresses were happy and busy and their apostolate was very fruitful, according to the letters that Father Gillis wrote to the Superior General:

Sr. M. of Lourdes and her class in 1900

[…] there is much progress in all the subjects, the Inspector and 1, as well as the parents, are very pleased with the good and devoted sisters who have worked very hard. 1 am so sorry to lose Sisters Mary of Lourdes and Julia, the parents were very attached to them. Many people from other parishes, would like to send their children to the convent school in Douglastown, they could learn music as well […].
D. Gillis, June 26, 1902

THE BLESSING OF THE CONVENT IN 1900
As mentioned in Sister Mary of Calvary's account, the event took on importance, according to the following report. written and signed by the bishops of Kingston, Ontario and Rimouski as well as by around twenty priests from the coast and elsewhere.

THE BLESSING OF THE CONVENT BELL
The bell, which later on became a relic for the Douglastown folks, was blest in a special ceremony, along with the blessing of the Convent. This famous one hundred pound bell, direct from the SMITH in Troy, France, was a gift from Reverend Father Edward Fafard, pastor of St. Joseph of Levis and former pastor of Douglastown. The bell was blest under the names of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph. This precious relic, which can now be seen on the front lawn of the present church, will always be a reminder of the thousands of times, perhaps, that it summoned God's people to worship.

Among the twenty some priests who attended the ceremony, eight signed the report. Including two signatures from Father Gillis and Andre-Albert Blais, bishop of Rimouski.

FOR OLD TIME'S SAKE

The Chronicles say that in the fall of 1901, Father Gillis invited a Capuchin Father from Restigouche to preach a parish retreat, and that Confirmation look place during the retreat or shortly thereafter. The sisters are not identified but one would assume that they are the five foundresses of 1900.

There was a celebration on October 6, 1907 ... Father Gillis had been pastor in Douglastown for 25 years. The people presented him with an easy chair, with the wish that he would be with them for many years to come. He expressed his gratitude, but to everyone's surprise, he mentioned with reassurance, that his next gift would be... a casket! Did he feel the end coming? Three days later, he felt the first symptoms of a serious heart condition. At Christmas, he celebrated the usual three masses. The next day, he visited the sisters and seemed very pleased with his projects. On December 27, he was found dead. Father Gillis was a very demanding man but very kind. He had at heart, the educational and religious well-being of .his flock.

Life continued on in Douglastown, with its joys and sorrows, its comings and goings and sometimes its hardships. As the years went by, the school in Bois Brule became really a hardship, but surely not because of the good people. The situation became more and more intolerable. The difficulty to find transportation on Monday mornings and Friday evenings, the severe weather conditions, the lack of heat in the building, etc. There were times when the sisters were unable to return to the convent for several weeks. During the winter of 1916-1917, the school was closed for up to four weeks at a time. The. enrolment became so small that it was no longer feasible to hold classes. In spite of the hardships, it was with sadness that everyone saw the closing of the school in June 1917. The two missionaries returned to classes in Douglastown and weekends must have been pleasant but busy.

AND THAT'S THE WAY IT WAS ...
from 1925 to 1950..
Now, let us take a forward glance at the next quarter of the century
1925 ... The 25th anniversary of the foundation of
The Convent in Douglastown!

Very soon, the convent became victim to flooding and cold. Since 1900, everyone suffered because of the cold, but never to such a degree as that year. Repairs were urgent, for the situation was a menace to the health of the teachers and, the children. However, no one seemed to take matters in hand.

A dilemma ... the General Council had to take the serious and painful decision to withdraw the sisters until the convent was repaired. Indeed, they left on August 2, 1928. The next day, the Superior General wrote to the members of the School Board: […] 1 will be happy to send the sisters back to Douglastown in the near future, for we love the people and the work of Father Gillis […]. It is with deep regret and out of necessity for the well-being of the sisters that 1 am making such a decision. May the Lord shower His blessings on the parish that we are reluctantly leaving behind.
Letter, August 2, 1928

Three weeks later, the Superior General assured Bishop Ross that her desire was to see "the sisters return to Douglastown as soon as possible, to pursue the good work that they had begun more that half a century ago" and on February 10, 1929, a letter from the School Board and signed by Father Myles, requested the return of the sisters. However, the convent was in the same condition. The request was renewed again on February 12, 1930 and co-signed by the pastor, along with the promise that "the sisters will not have to return to Up-The-Bay" Finally, some action was taken ... the improved conditions allowed the sisters to return on July 31,1930. The Superior, Sr. M. of Saint Bernardine, who had taught there from 1912 to 1920, returned again. During the month of August, she wrote to Rimouski:
"I have met loving faces, former friends and students who wished us a hearty welcome. Some were so pleased that they were moved to tears. Their acts of generosity soon proved their sincerity".

Worthy of mention is the fact that on May 2, 1932, Sister Mary of Saint Patrick, (Mary-Ann Maloney) arrived in Douglastown, her native village, to replace a sister until the end of the year. It was great joy for the Maloney family, especially for the maternal grandmother, who at 93, was still lucid and who had secretly prayed to see her grand-daughter as a nun, before she passed on. Her prayer was answered and complete.

Another trial ... In the Spring of 1939, the Board of Health condemned the classroom that had opened in 1926, on the third floor of the convent. The sisters had to sacrifice their community room for a classroom. The year 1939-1940 was a rather sad one because of the very serious illness of Father Myles that led him to his grave in July 1940. On his first visit to the sisters, the new pastor, Father Nellis, began to speak about building. It had become urgent: the 1897-1900 building was rather dilapidated and not even fit to live in. In May 1941, a rumour circulated in the parish: the building of a new convent. In June, the School Board made the decision to build on the same spot as the actual convent. Therefore, one must think of tearing down the old building. The Superior, M. of St. Bernardine furnished some detailed precisions to the General Council:

The plans are somewhat like that of the convent in Matapedia., 50 by 44. The classes will be the same, with 3 rooms on the first floor for the sisters, which could be a community room, a refectory and a kitchen. A classroom separated in two, one part for a chapel and the other for a parlor. On the top floor, two classrooms and 4 rooms, two as a dormitory, one for the superior's room and the other one as a bath and toilet [.. ] The work is advancing, the loft, dormitory and classrooms, as well as all the cupboards are empty, we are waiting for furniture, pictures, etc. [...] It is with great emotion that we see the old place demolished. Today, we are removing the last of our belongings[ ..]. Letter, July 15, 1941

From July 13 to 18, 1941, the sisters worked in Douglastown during the day and slept in Gaspe. After July 19, Father Myles invited them to stay at the rectory. Thus, they could help his niece, the young housekeeper and at the same time, take care of their cow, the chickens and the garden. However, contrary to the plan, the construction took more than the two month's vacation, so they held classes wherever they could, here and there. The rooms were ready for November 17, 1941. The sisters who had been living in the rectory for four months, took up residence in the new convent on November 22. The first mass was celebrated in the new chapel on December 6.

One would think that their trials and tribulations were over, for a while at least, but no ...the windmill decided to stop its work and went on strike without prior notification (even in those days!). NO WATER! and winter had set in. From December to March, pails travelled back and forth from the rectory to the school. Water was transported by hand. Needless to say with what joy Springtime was welcomed in that eventful year.

Mention must be made of the cordial relationships between the sisters, the School Board and the parishioners. A group of people organized a fund-raising activity for the benefit of the new convent. The sisters helped in whatever way they could. In December 1942, the people set up a parish Christmas tree and there was a gift for every child.

As time went on, there were new programs in the Courses of Study, new methods, etc., the level of achievement and success arose, the material aspect was on the rise. However, it could not help but have a negative effect on the students. There was a noticeable deterioration in student spirit and disciplinary difficulties arose. A strong cooperation between parents and teachers quickly brought everything back to normal.

The year 1947 brought many improvements in the school. Once again, fundraising activities furnished new sewing machines, among many other things, to the great joy of the young girls who wished to learn sewing skills. The old windmill relinquished its place to an electric pump. Every classroom had new desks by the year 1949. A snowmobile transported the students who lived at a distance from the school, which favoured regular attendance during the winter season.

AND ... THAT'S THE WAY IT WAS
From 1950 to 1975

The 50th anniversary of the foundation of the convent in Douglastown!

Three of the foundresses, Sisters Mary of St. Mechtilde, Mary of Mercy and Mary of Lourdes, were present at the festivities. The banquet was prepared and served at the convent by the ladies of the parish. The old bell of 1900 had a place of honour. The people who wished to ring it, gave an offering toward the restoration and re-installation of this "relic" on the convent of 1941. Around twenty sisters, former teachers and natives of the parish, attended and exchanged memories of their younger days.

The transportation of students and the centralization of the schools offered the benefit of a larger number and again, a more regular attendance. Very soon, the space was, once more, too limited. Students from grades one to ten attended. The three classes were filled to capacity with 115 students. In September 1952, impossible to accommodate eleven students for grades one and 10. A year later, the same situation. In September 1954, there were 125 students in grades 1, 2, and 3. This situation could not continue without detriment to the children, so the Department of Instruction allowed an addition to the school, but forbade a Central School.

Left to right: Sr. M. of St. Patrick, Sr. M. of St. Elizabeth of Portugal, Sr. M. of St. Angelé of Merci Mrs. Thomas Morris, Sr. M. of St. Edward, Sr. M. of Purity

In spite of everyone's good will, the new classrooms were not ready for the opening of the school year. On September 24, the primary school children entered, while the classes for the upper grades were ready on the 27th. Little by little the place was finished. The solemn blessing took place on June 23, 1957, by Father Paul Joncas, temporary administrator of the diocese since the tragic death of Bishop Leblanc. In September, the centralization of the schools allowed for the opening of eight classes in the convent with four lay teachers and four sisters.

In 1957, the one hundredth and last midnight mass was celebrated in the old church, which was now too small for the population. The new one was being built on the foundation of the old convent. Plans were made to have the blessing of the new church to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the ordination of Father Nellis. The date was to be July 1st! However, fate would have it that the festivities took on a somber mournful tone... Father's relatives had a fatal accident on their way to the celebration. The date was postponed until July 13 and the church was blest by Bishop Bernier on October 19. In spite of the pastor's great trial and mourning period, there was joy, though subdued on account of the sad event, that at last, the church was finished and blest.

RELIGIOUS VOCATIONS
From The
DOUGLASTOWN PARISH

The Douglastown parish is rich in vocations, in fact sixteen young parishioners have joined six different religious congregations of men and women. Two have chosen the diocesan priesthood. Nine have followed in the footsteps of their former teachers and have joined the Sisters of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary.

+ To those who have gone before us to their eternal reward, well done good and faithful servants. Remember us who are still in the Lord's vineyard.

Addenda

History does have a way of repeating itself. However, life being as it is, TIME changes the course of history, and in turn, becomes history in a different way.

Exactly twenty-nine days after the completion and printing of this booklet, our dear Sister Madeleine Leclerc passed from this life to her eternal abode, following a period of painful illness. She now reaps the reward of a fruitful life. Madeleine, intercede for us to the Lord.

Prior to her premature retirement, due to several heart attacks and paralysis, Sister had served in Douglastown for several years, as teacher, superior, organist and organizer of the French choir and other tasks. Sister Elizabeth Foley, a native girl, was likewise very valuable in her capacity as Religious Educator and supervisor of Religion in the schools on the Gaspe Coast as far as Chandler, prior to her early retirement, due to decreasing health conditions.

Dear sisters, continue to keep the flame alive by your many and valuable involvements in this beautiful parish, as you have been doing for the last thirty(30) or more years. Continue to be an inspiration to all those with whom you come in contact.

THEY CAME AND WENT...
SOME RETURNED ...and SOME STAYED ON

Yes, for one hundred years, the sisters of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, the "NUNS", as they were called in the good old days, taught in the schools, prayed in the churches. As the months and years went by, many of them returned for the second and a few, for the third time. The Chronicles of the Congregation state that over one hundred and twenty sisters had the privilege, at one time or another, to live in this beautiful parish of Douglastown.

And ... they are still there, four of them! One hundred years ago, there were three sisters living in Douglastown and two sisters in Up-The-Bay, 100 years later, there are two sisters in Douglastown and two sisters in Up-The-Bay! History does have a way of repeating itself!

FOND MEMORIES of DOUGLASTOWN ...

I never did learn how to speak English, but it was like music to my French Canadian ears.
The Irishmen were so friendly, so loving. Those were the beautiful years of my life.
Sr. Mary of St. Emile

I was there the year the convent burned down. In spite of the event, the Irishmen took it all in stride and order was restored in no time. I reluctantly left for Rimouski because there was no more kitchen to cook in [... ].
Yvonne Dionne

I taught the French class in 1960-61 with thirty-six (36) students from grades one (1) to seven (7). It was a rich and beautiful experience, thanks to the help of my older students whom I called "monitors'. They took care of the youngest while I was busy with another grade. Life was wonderful in Douglastown ...
Sr. Mary of St. Rodolphe

At first I found it very difficult not to hear my native language in church but little by little I made up my mind that God understands all languages. I came to love the people and the parish and I was really sad when I was transferred.
Sr. Mary of St. Elizabeth of Portugal

[...] and I found Douglastown no different from where I was born and brought up, except that English was the only language at that time. I enjoyed the Irish" spirit of the people especially the children. It was a delight to deal with them.
Sr. Mary of St. Cecile of Jesus

My task was to teach English to the French-speaking children but I quickly found out that they knew a lot more than I did, so they taught me English and it was fun most of the time. However, it was often neither French nor English. The sisters who understood both languages frequently found an occasion to have a good laugh.
Sr. Mary of St. Aura

There are no words to express how I feel about Douglastown. Peace, quiet, cooperation, understanding, genuine friendship are the characteristics of the people in that beautiful little town. I have only fond memories of the parish and its people. It was really fun to belong to the parish choir. I sang along with them, very often I did not understand what I was singing. Those were the good days!
Sr. Mary of St. Antoine

I have always felt at home in Douglastown for the people were so friendly and the children so kind and attentive.
Sr. Mary of Purity

I was the cook. The children loved my cookies which was why they were always so eager to run errands for the sisters. I really loved that parish even though I could not understand English.
Sr. Mary of St. Leonide

Being that I was bilingual I had the advantage of understanding all the children, for at that time there were several French-speaking families in Douglastown. I found my work very interesting and rewarding. I enjoyed my stay very much.
Sr. Mary of St. Maxime

I had a problem with the language at first, especially the mass and sermons, but I quickly caught on and learned enough to get by. I was happy there.
Sr. Mary of St. Damian

I spent a few years in Douglastown as a young teacher. They were good years that leave me with excellent memories of hardworking people who were respectful of us as religious and as teachers. My students came from families that nurtured strong values as faithful people of the Church. I have kept good remembrances of them over the years and it has always been a pleasure to meet them.
Sr. Mary of St. Martin of Tours

The word Douglastown sounds to my ears like joyful bells that 1 have always liked to hear because of the many Irish young people whom I have cherished and have never forgotten since 1959.
Sr. Mary Reconciliatrice

Three of my early teaching years were spent in beautiful Douglastown with its friendly people. I enjoyed it so much, that every summer, I return for at least a week. Greetings to my former students!
Sr. Jeannette Comeau

Two years (1968-70) were not enough to experience all the friendliness and generosity of the people of Douglastown. Their love for music was particularly expressed at the St. Patrick's concert, which I never forgot. They always cared for the sisters, that is probably the reason why they are still there... Congratulations!
Sr. Henriette Essiambre

I wish a happy centennial to all the former students of St. Patricks school and special greetings and love to the unforgotten ones who attended my class from 1949 to 1958. I have sweet memories and heartfelt thanksgiving to God for those one hundred years of countless blessings, in spite of the tragidies: death of Father Nellis and the loss of the convent by fire, etc.
Sr. Mary of St. Angela

The first three years of my religious life (1946-1949) were spent in Douglastown. It was also the beginning of my teaching days. Ten years later I was reassigned to teach in Douglastown and to introduce the High School program on the Coast. When I look back, I feel that those were some of my happiest years: the students were respectful but friendly, we lived a quiet simple life. I was full of hope and energy. It gave me the opportunity and freedom to develop my talents and skills and ready to face the life of the gratuity and challenge awaiting me.
Sister Mary Rose

SISTERS WHO HAVE SERVED 1N
DOUGLASTOWN

BIBLIOGRAPHY

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Therese Bard, R.S.R.	Agnes Gallant, R.S.R.	Colette Pelletier, R.S.R.
EdwinaBouchard, R.S.R.	Carmelle Gendron, R.S.R.	Noelle Potvin, R.S.R.
Aurela Cyr, R.S.R.	Therese Guimond, R.S.R.	Marthe Richard, R.S.R.
Margaret Dunn, R.S.R.	Corinne Jalbert, R.S.R.	lmprimeric du Golfe
Elizabeth Foley, R.S.R.	Madeleine Leclerc, R.S.R.