Codex Lethbridge
Transcription: 10
Transcription:
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When the stone had been rolled in position and cemented in its place by the father, he exhorted the assistance to come forward and strike the corner stone as a sign of their willingness to make an offering on the occasion. Some fifty dollars were collected.
On the 23th of April the father came again to Lethbridge and this time was accompanied by the superior of the district the Rev & Father Lacombe. The number of Catholics had [x in the margin] increased very rapidly. The Hall in which Holy Mass was said could scarcely contain the people, and the necessity was more and more felt of a priest to reside in this place to attend to the spiritual wants of the people.
It was with this intention that a delegation come to see the superior and asked him to give them a priest. Or, at least, to intercede in their behalf with the Bishop of the diocese. This delegation, moreover asked the Rev & Father Superior, the special favor of having father VanTighem, who had begun the mission amongst them.
Father Lacombe promised that he would do his best to obtain for them what they so ardently desired.
August. 1887
The stone church was in a rapid course of completion. The carpenters had announced that in a few days everything would be terminated; Consequently preparations were made for its blessing.
Father VanTighem invited his superior from Calgary to come and preside over the ceremony.
The church being built of stone, had a right to Consecration, but according to the rules of the Church the building could not receive this Consecration, as there was a debt on it, of over one thousand dollars.
Father Legal, from the Piegan Reservation, had come
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with Father VanTighem to Lethbridge a few days previous in order to arrange an Altar and decorate somewhat the interior of the Church for the ceremony.
Rev & Fathers Lacombe and Doucet arrived from Calgary and the Blackfoot Reserve.
The blessing took place on the 4th of August.
A grand ceremony it was! The little church was beautiful. A large Congregation attended with great respect. Father Lacombe pronounced an eloquent discours [sic]. The singing was perfect and the catholic population returned to their homes with joy in their heart breathing a generous: Deo Gratias!
Now we have a church, now we know where to go or divine Worship, now we may look with pride upon this little monument; Let us go on; Let us step forward; We must now have a Priest to reside amongst us – and we shall prepare for this, we shall support him. He will guide us and guide our children in the path of virtue, and we shall not feel fully happy, neither shall we be at home here, before this is realised!!
Such were the reflections, the generous and noble aspirations of the good people of Lethbridge when after the beautiful ceremony they returned to their homes.
It was understood that from this time, the father was to be in Lethbridge for every first Sunday of the month.
At the end of this year, while the father was in Lethbridge, a collection was taken up, and the sum of $142°° was handed over to our Secretary Mr Curry, to pay off some of our debts.
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When the stone had been rolled in position and cemented in its place by the father, he exhorted the assistance to come forward and strike the corner stone as a sign of their willingness to make an offering on the occasion. Some fifty dollars were collected.
On the 23th of April the father came again to Lethbridge and this time was accompanied by the superior of the district the Rev & Father Lacombe. The number of Catholics had [x in the margin] increased very rapidly. The Hall in which Holy Mass was said could scarcely contain the people, and the necessity was more and more felt of a priest to reside in this place to attend to the spiritual wants of the people.
It was with this intention that a delegation come to see the superior and asked him to give them a priest. Or, at least, to intercede in their behalf with the Bishop of the diocese. This delegation, moreover asked the Rev & Father Superior, the special favor of having father VanTighem, who had begun the mission amongst them.
Father Lacombe promised that he would do his best to obtain for them what they so ardently desired.
August. 1887
The stone church was in a rapid course of completion. The carpenters had announced that in a few days everything would be terminated; Consequently preparations were made for its blessing.
Father VanTighem invited his superior from Calgary to come and preside over the ceremony.
The church being built of stone, had a right to Consecration, but according to the rules of the Church the building could not receive this Consecration, as there was a debt on it, of over one thousand dollars.
Father Legal, from the Piegan Reservation, had come
[End page]
[Right page]
with Father VanTighem to Lethbridge a few days previous in order to arrange an Altar and decorate somewhat the interior of the Church for the ceremony.
Rev & Fathers Lacombe and Doucet arrived from Calgary and the Blackfoot Reserve.
The blessing took place on the 4th of August.
A grand ceremony it was! The little church was beautiful. A large Congregation attended with great respect. Father Lacombe pronounced an eloquent discours [sic]. The singing was perfect and the catholic population returned to their homes with joy in their heart breathing a generous: Deo Gratias!
Now we have a church, now we know where to go or divine Worship, now we may look with pride upon this little monument; Let us go on; Let us step forward; We must now have a Priest to reside amongst us – and we shall prepare for this, we shall support him. He will guide us and guide our children in the path of virtue, and we shall not feel fully happy, neither shall we be at home here, before this is realised!!
Such were the reflections, the generous and noble aspirations of the good people of Lethbridge when after the beautiful ceremony they returned to their homes.
It was understood that from this time, the father was to be in Lethbridge for every first Sunday of the month.
At the end of this year, while the father was in Lethbridge, a collection was taken up, and the sum of $142°° was handed over to our Secretary Mr Curry, to pay off some of our debts.
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