Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-05-28
sT ANNE'S CORNER STONE
Laid Yesterday Despite the Inc|smsncy
 of the Weather.

op Tierney, D. D., from laying the corner stone of St Anne's new church, although many felt sure that the ceremony would be postponed and as result the attendance, while by no means small, was not as large as 1t would have been If the day had been fine. A number of out of town priests were in attendance and large delega- tions present from different towns in the state, with Bristol in the lead, the people from that town, coming in with the Bristol Military band at their head. The north end of the new structure, where the corner is laid, was handsomely decorated with American and French colors and even in the drenching rain presented very pretty picture.
 Early in the afternoon crowds com- menced to collect at the old church on Dover street, where 1t was an- nounced that class of 300 children would be confirmed at 2 o'clock. Promptly at that hour the children, in charge of the Sisters, emerged from the parachial school building and marched into the church. The ] girls were attired in white with long ] wells and the boys wore handsome black suits with white bows pinned on their arms. The children almost Filled the church so that there was very little room for the older folks and in the anxiety on the part of pa rents and friends to witness the cer- emony many remained outside in the rain in the hope that some would grow tired and turn away and thus give them an opportunity to get on l the inside. But things didn't work that way and instead of diminishing the attendance was constantly on the increase. so that regardless of the i weather conditions there were con- siderably more outside when the cer- emony was over than there was when l it opened.
 Father Boulanger made few re- marks to the children, after which | the sacrament of confirmation was conferred by the bishop, Henry Col lette acting as sponsor for the boys and Mrs Rodier acted in similar capacity for the girls After the cere- mony the bishop gave short Drac- l tical talk in which he reminded the ! children that the act of their con- | firmation and that of the laying of | the corner stone were fixed for yes- l terday at the request of their late pastor. Rev J. E. Senesac. whom he wanted to have them remember in l their prayers always. adding that the work now in hand is simply the car rying out of the plans of Father Sem esac who had done so much for the welfare of the people of that parish. He also pointed out the road to right l living and called attention to one sin I in particular which has cost the | church more souls than any other l offence. This, he said, was the sin Of l drunkenness, and at the request of | the bishop the class took the pledge to abstain from all intoxicating drinks until they have reached the l age of 25 years. The bishop compli- mented the children on their appear ] anee ands said that: the preeeHce of I the good sisters was sufficient evi- dence that they had been properly | instructed in the nature of the sacra- | ment they had just received. The cer- emony, which was a most edifying sight. closed with benediction of the blessed sacrament.
 Immediately after confirmation
 steps were taken to lay the corner stone of the church. but it was rssn-
 ing so hard nobody thought the bish- op and clergy would think of ventur-
 ing out. and somebody inquired Of
 the pastor. Father Lamontaine, if he
 didn't think it would be well to post
 none the affair. to which he replied
 that he didn't think the bishop would
 think of such thing. Well lay that
 corner stone to-day" said the pastor,
 eff we had to swim out to it." A few
 minutes later the procession moved
 from the vestry to the new edifice,
 the bishop In the rear and remark ing rather cheerfully to couple of
 reporters as he stepped out into the
 downpour, that everybody should
 welcome this delightful rain. The farmers, he said, will be glad to see it. no matter what others may think of it.
 The Bristol Military band and st
 Anne's Drum corps were then heard
 and young and old forgot all about the rain and made a rush to see the procession, which passed along South
 Main street to Clay street, while the
 bishop and clergy made their way
 to the scene by way of the walk that
 runs around the rectory. Besides the
 bands, there were present in the line
 of march St John Baptist society. Ar
 tisans. St Joseph's. Court Champlain
 and the delegations from Bristol and
 other towns As many as could he
 accommodated crowded on to the
 platform.
 Very little time was lost in laying
 the corner stone. the bishop perform
 ing the ceremony and Cleophas Ora
 vel. foreman for the Granite Con-
 struction company of Fall River. the
 firm that Is building the church. at-
 tending to the mechanical nart of the 1 work. Copies of the daily papers.
 The Catholic Transcript. current coin
 and a parchment containing the
 name of the present pope. Plus x:
 the president of the United States.
 Theodore Roosevelt: the governor of
 Connecticut. Henry Roberts: mayor
 of Waterbury. W. E. Thoms: the
 pastor of the church. Rev F. A. La.
 montalne: and other matters of that
 nature together with the year and the date of the month and by whom the stone was laid. were placed un.
 der the stone. which is four feet long two feet wide. and two feet eizh,
 inches hish. and weighs two tons
 Ii is marked: