Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1919-05-21

REV. CHARLES r. BEDARD
the remarkab BILE capacity for business
administration that Father Bedard
combines with his spiritual response
bilities as head of a church of nearly
1000 souls,
The observance of the jubilee was
marked with spirit of joyfu1ness
that embraced the entire congregation
of the church. In the morning there
was a solemn high mass Of which Fa-
ther Bedard was the celebrant and ga
thered about him in the sanctuary
were more than two score priests,
while the congregation filled every
seat, and many in attendance had to
find standing room at the rear of the
auditory.
The inspiring service was marked
such anniversary functions in the
Roman Catholic church and the effect
of the jubilee occasion was made even
more impressive through the musical
part of the service.
Two forceful sermons were preach
ed, one in English by Rev. Walter Nc
Cram of Norwalk and one in French
by Rev. Joseph Brolet Of Waterville,
Me. Each of the speakers made clear
to all what a weight of responsibility
rests upon the priesthood of the
church and how great is the honor to
the pastor who discharges each and
every one of his duties in such faith
full manner as has Father Bedard.
Following the service banquet
was served the visiting clergy at st.
Mary's rectory. which stands as a
monument to Father Bedard's activi-
ties as the head o. st. Mary's parish.
In the afternoon Bs!dley theatre was
crowded at an entertainment ar
ranged in Father Bedard's, honor by
the children of ST. Mary's parochial
school. The programme opened With
the singing of America and included
an historic drama. Louis De Con
vague, in one act.
The programme follows: America
Happy Anniversary. choir: Louis De
GonZague, Louis de Gonzague. Georges
I4ajeunesse: Don Ferdinand. Marquis
de Chatillon. Georges Lamarche; Ro.
dolphe brother of Louis. Camille Bro,
deur; Don Vincent de Gonzague, AL
pherie Bonneville: Don Prosper de
Gonzague, Edgar Lucier; Clement
Ghsoni page, Aldege Rohitanle; i'm
perial notary. Leonel Labossiere: in
visible choir. Scarf drill: Guess Whaq
II Have in My Pocket. dialogue. Nor
mand Gee, Leon Pominville; Les
Gerbe sdu Paradis, Saynete: address
drill; festival chorus personnel dc la
Maison Provinciale; Star Spangled
Banner.
Again in the evening at the thea
ter. there was a gathering of the
adult members of St. Mary's parish
that taxed the capacity of the play
house. There was d special musical
program, including music by the c.
A. c. orchestra. and addresses by Rev.
Octave Martin of Coaticook, p. G., and
Rev. Walter McCrann.
In many respects. Father Bedard is
one of the most remarkable pastors
who has administered the affairs OF
st. Mary's parish since it was estab
lished, more than half century ago
Coming to Putnam seven years ago,
he at once ,rlungos~ into the heavy
! tasks that would lead him to the
7 splendid achievements that he has
come to realize in Putnam upon reach
i ing his silver anniversary of his or
dination.
Born in Canada, Father Bedard was
educated at Laval university and up
on his ordination. May 20. 1894. came
! to labor among the French Canadians
tof Connecticut. He was first assign
ed to st. James parish in the neigh
boring town Of Danielson. afterwards
! St -Anne's parish, Hartford. Sunday
Aug, Is. 1912, Father Bedard an
nounced to the members of st. Anne :
that he was about to leave them Il
come to Putnam, and within a e ]
days thereafter he took up his WORE
here.
The nearly seven years of his ad
, ministration in Putnam have been
marked by highly progressive an
successful program. and it may b
said that here has been accomplished
the greatest work of his priestly ca
reer.
Many and important have been tn
| changes in the parish since. his com
ing. st. Mary's school, numberinr
nearly 100 pupils. has been entirely
! renovated and remodeled. The old
, rectory has been replaced by a SPLEEN
old new brick structure, one of the
finest examples of buildings of its
kind in Connecticut. The interior of
the church has been wholly redeco-
rated and readorned. a new electric
lighting system installed and many
other changes made. The cemetery
has been carefully. improved and new
land for cemetery purposes acquired.
iiiii hio5 III d ulstillS ulSHGu way
his coming has been the erection on
Church street Of the splendid new
Mother house in the United States of
the Sisters Of the Holy Ghost. the
teaching order in charge of the parish
schools, and the establishing here. OF
! the headquarters of the order in this
, country.
| Such important and such numerous
! changes and improvements as Father
| Bedard has brought about have not
been realized without the expendi-
| ture of a. great many thousands OF
dollars. Though this be true ard
though it is also true that Father By
| dard came to the parish when it was
obligated for a. heavy debt, the an
nouncement that all the fine new i'm
provements have been paid for and
,