Putnam patriot., 1916-12-08

Catholics of Putnam are today, FRI
aay, Dec. Sth, united in celebrating
lhe Fiftieth Anniversary of St. Mary's
Roman Catholic parish. They have
cause to rejoice in The progress made
in the past half century. They have
cause to rejoice and cause for just
pride in the status of the parish today.
The parish has terminated fifty years
of existence. Ii has weathered all
storms, overcome all obstacles, recover
ed from the effects of dire caamities,
and now stands a strong, united body
of souls, 1000 Of them, surrounded by
the strong arm of the church.
It is indeed time for rejoicing. The
fine parish property, is magnificent
church and fine buildings stands IS q
monument to the reverend priests who
have lahored 50 faithfully ana so well
for the advancement and uphuilding
OF the Putnam division of the Hart
ford diocese Many are Tire words of
praise that have been heard today for
the young manhood, consecrated TO the
work of Christianity in the Catholic
church, grown old in the service, Ieav-
ing behind this monument TINT Will
endure for all time. The struggles, the
hard work, the appointments, and,
yes. the laying down Of life, as was The
case of the beloved FIR. NHgen, are only
remembered today as The stepping
stones 10 advancement, eos tlY though
they were, especially 50 10 the band Of
pioneers and their successors.
II was seventy three years ago that
the first aforeiener,' Peter Donough, q
French Canadian, invaded the
realms of puritam,eal Pomire. Factory
and Rhodesvile. II was three years
later, IS years ago, thai enough others
had followed him 10 cuse the bishop
OF Providence 10 sen. out missionary
to minister to the wanderers. An
other missionary followed in 1903.
Then followed in 1865, The man who
was to really become the founder OF
the parish, .ev. Eugene j. Vyeen.
Not conter to have, what had now
been Incorporated as the town of Put
nam, sfely missionary post, he
sough the bishop and convinced his
reverence of its importance and its
graf future possibilities and in 1866,
tfty years ago, be was appointed pas
Tor OF 81. Mary's parish.
We detail elsewhere nn outlined his
tory of the parish so that il is needless
. repeat it here. Out Of the wilder
the missionary field arose
IS, schools, parish houses, and
ne accessories necessary to the
# chuIch and parish in keep
81 the times. The pastor was
u tauts from time TO time and
took their part in the up
T Putnam's Catholic COM
q ests and assistants receiv-
- cooperation and gener-
the parish members.
who had taken the
ie God, took a prominent
us development. They
,ols and the convent.
'sio& hese educational insti-
! !: !: !: !:
Kew high standard. They
tors AZ yladies Of the convent
ohn ept es taught In high and
ard. ,at4 OILS and added art, lit
tes-H and Christian doc
sP.1 4 df prominent place
Re%s n culum and many
Van ,efe trained SO that Q
Fl. I young ladies from
Mug lighted large gsthef-
Aevs emotions, notably the
ny ercises.
lef auol came pupils from
Thengland and beyond.
sgen were efficient man.
nonyorkers worked har-
snd hem. The children
'ovinsdies were ruled by
Il ready sand were always
saeis % do the bidding OF
noie WI a word. sucn
81. oauIter Josephine and
OF 8 cce respective heads
hearif . long live in the
benis came under their
schoo9 The parochiai
en- of ght by the wom-
womefo il is seen that
deveiotuant part in the
educatlSbuilding Of the
parish. tual side of the
When
Novemoewa closed in
SISTERS on der Of sisters,
Putnam ,st, came to
sand labor wv teaching
the parocn children Of
While pr
Msry's paris mar, ofst.
70 putnam The order
Interests Catholic
~ mother