Codex Lethbridge
Transcription: 43
Transcription:
{[Left page]
This strange lettre [sic] was far from being welcomed by the Father who presently is not at the best of terms with that glorious kind of mayor, for, togather [sic] with his councillors [sic] he has deprived our Convent school from their just share of school Taxes; The finest piece of bigottry [sic] ever inacted [sic] as yet in our town. They robbed us of six hundred dollars. – Therefore, the father made an immediate answer to the mayor, refusing to close the church, saying that it never was heard of before : to close a Catholic Church, even in the worst cases of epidemy; that if ever people needed help and assistance from heaven it was, most certainly at such times as these. etc.
For several Sundays all the churches were indeed closed with the exception of the Catholic Church –
Strange, there was not a fatal case in town and not one child died of the desease [sic].
The whole town ridiculised [sic] this stupid action of the mayor.
The feast of Christmass [sic] was celebrated with great solemnity. The weather was fine and many approached the Sacraments
There were during this past year :
Baptisms 36
Marriages 2
Confirmations 9
Burials 2
Conversions 4
[written diagonally across the page] Landetur Jesus Christus et Maria Immaculata Amen !!! Father VanTighem [signature of Latin signs] O.M.I.
[End page]
[Right page]
1896 [written in the top margin]
Jan 12 [written in front/left margin] Last Friday at half past Five in the evening, they called by telephone for the priest…. a man, a frenchman [sic] had fallen from a coalwagon [sic] and had been badly crushed under the wheels…. The Father was on the spot no longer than five minutes after the call, but came too late… the poor man had breathed has [sic] last a few minutes before…. His name was Paul BeauFils… He was unconscious from the moment he felt and gave no sign of life.
The Father learned that this man was in town for over five years… that he never set a foot in church and never approached the Sacraments.
In fact, his name was not to be found on any of the lists in the presbytery – What to do with him?? After mature reflection the Father decided that under no circumstances this man could be buried in the Catholic graveyard---- So, when the superintendent sent for inquiries – the Father answered that he could do nothing for the poor man…
On Sunday afternoon his body was taken to the Presbyterian church and from there to the protestant burying grounds---
This was a terrible example for many parisheners [sic] who were neglecting their Christian duties. It had its good effects… for several careless men have attended church regularly since… May the Lord have mercy on the soul of that unfortunate man and have inspired him with feelings of contrition at the last moment.
This man was an old french [sic] soldier who had taken part in the Prussian War. Some Protestants who knew him, said, that he was an infidel.
[End page]}
This strange lettre [sic] was far from being welcomed by the Father who presently is not at the best of terms with that glorious kind of mayor, for, togather [sic] with his councillors [sic] he has deprived our Convent school from their just share of school Taxes; The finest piece of bigottry [sic] ever inacted [sic] as yet in our town. They robbed us of six hundred dollars. – Therefore, the father made an immediate answer to the mayor, refusing to close the church, saying that it never was heard of before : to close a Catholic Church, even in the worst cases of epidemy; that if ever people needed help and assistance from heaven it was, most certainly at such times as these. etc.
For several Sundays all the churches were indeed closed with the exception of the Catholic Church –
Strange, there was not a fatal case in town and not one child died of the desease [sic].
The whole town ridiculised [sic] this stupid action of the mayor.
The feast of Christmass [sic] was celebrated with great solemnity. The weather was fine and many approached the Sacraments
There were during this past year :
Baptisms 36
Marriages 2
Confirmations 9
Burials 2
Conversions 4
[written diagonally across the page] Landetur Jesus Christus et Maria Immaculata Amen !!! Father VanTighem [signature of Latin signs] O.M.I.
[End page]
[Right page]
1896 [written in the top margin]
Jan 12 [written in front/left margin] Last Friday at half past Five in the evening, they called by telephone for the priest…. a man, a frenchman [sic] had fallen from a coalwagon [sic] and had been badly crushed under the wheels…. The Father was on the spot no longer than five minutes after the call, but came too late… the poor man had breathed has [sic] last a few minutes before…. His name was Paul BeauFils… He was unconscious from the moment he felt and gave no sign of life.
The Father learned that this man was in town for over five years… that he never set a foot in church and never approached the Sacraments.
In fact, his name was not to be found on any of the lists in the presbytery – What to do with him?? After mature reflection the Father decided that under no circumstances this man could be buried in the Catholic graveyard---- So, when the superintendent sent for inquiries – the Father answered that he could do nothing for the poor man…
On Sunday afternoon his body was taken to the Presbyterian church and from there to the protestant burying grounds---
This was a terrible example for many parisheners [sic] who were neglecting their Christian duties. It had its good effects… for several careless men have attended church regularly since… May the Lord have mercy on the soul of that unfortunate man and have inspired him with feelings of contrition at the last moment.
This man was an old french [sic] soldier who had taken part in the Prussian War. Some Protestants who knew him, said, that he was an infidel.
[End page]}
