The Caledonian-record. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1920-current, 1921-10-03
Fr. Bastien Celebrates
18th Anniversary
Continued from Page -

and large following OF pfiest>
from far and near. proceeded to
the presbytely.
Here a group of former New.
port paris hioners came to greet
Father Bastien They included;
Mr.. and Mrs. Eleazer F'Espelaree
]. 4. Lambert, Theodore st. Ger
main and daughter Miss Cecil,
Mrs. Joseph Bonneau and Pe11ey
J. Hin OF the Caledonian-Record
staff they were cordially well
coined BY the Father Bastien, who
invited them all to attend the BAN
Quct, which followed AT The CheV-
rier Hotel at LOO ?. NJ.
Rev. File Auclair was toast
master and in charge Of cerenon-
les; he presided with unusual tact,
humor and interestingncss. III
passing a word about the splen-
did banquet served bv hosts, Mr..
and Mrs. Joel Chevlier, would not
be amiss. Every detail was excel
ent: the repast that was placed on
the tables before over so guests
could not be surpassed anywhere.
The POSTMASTER first called
upon Molsignor Herman Cousl-
neau who has known Father Bias
ten from earliest boyhood TO the
time when he graduated from $.
Therese College in Montreal. The
speakers woh followed Monsignor
Cousineau were all living testi-
monials OF the highly successful
and upright career that Father
Bastien has enjoyed.
koy. C9p,ead Chaumtnt, super
o'.. s. 1lI1e'2 t;. ge. to'a OF
ii. -: Ea,"t;'. IN. appl;cat."
to work, displayed efile studying
there. Rev. Chaumor: was follow.
cd BIZ Rev. Edmund too.sol, W,
spoke 'c:t ttfl,hy
Rev. Canon Papineau. superlor
of the College of St. John, and
intimate friend of the former
Border City pastor, reviewed the
progress and unusually merton
ious deeds accomplished by Faith
er Bastien at Alburg, Isle La
Motto and Newport parishes.
Other noted speakers We're
Rev. U. Bellerose, of Taftsville,
CT, Judge Philimon Cousineau Of
st. Vincent de Paul, Rev. villen-
cuve, O. NJ. l., and Rev. Armand
Paremont Of St. Benoit parish.
A speech, remarkable for bread
the Of thought, vision and for an
ususual display of oratory was
made by Hon. Alban German,
one Of the most prominent Grim
biologists in the Dominion Of Can
ada. Hon. Gei1nain is a personal
friend Of Father Bastien, with
whom he spent his youth at St.
Vincent de Paul. Other speakers
were Adcovate ]. A. Beaulieu and
Rev. Adelard Trother, retired.
Rev. Ernest Labelle of ST. Johns
?. O., was the active organizer o.
the plans for the ganquet and
celebration in honor of Father
Dastien. Father Labelle deserves
much credit for the Thoughtful
manner in which he discharged his
self-imposed task.
Father Bastien thanked his REX
ativcs and intimate friends for the
heartfelt demonstration of their
regard and esteem for him. He was
presented at the banquet with n
gift by his little nephew, who ac-
companied by his two sisters,
read a splendid prescription
peech. Newport parishioners
presented Father Bastien with n
chest of solid silver.
Rev. Joseph Moses Hermene-
gild Bastien was born in Montreal,
p. O., on March II 1879 so that
he is now IS years OF age. As
youth he attended st. ThereSe
College in that citv for 6 years.
Following his graduation. he chose
the ecclesiastical life and went to
the seminary OF Philosophy in
Montreal for two years.
For the higher studies of theal
logy, he was sent bv his bishop to
st. Maly's Seminary at Baltimore,
Md, where he covered the diff
cult curriculum in three years. On
October, 2, 1896, Is years ago Sun
day. he was ordained 70 the priest
hood at the Cathedral of the I'M
maculate Conception in Burling-
ton.
Though but % years of age-or.
d;nalily priests are not ordained
until they have reached 25-he
was sent Immediately TO the par
iSh at Norton Mills. 1t is custom
any for young clergymen to serve
FOR while as assistant curates,
but Father Bastien was at once
placed in charge Of parish.
After two years and seven
months at Norton Mills, he was
transferred to Alburg, where .e
was stationed for ten years. The
parish was in poor condition. when
Father Bastien was assigned there
but 1t improved steadily under his
care.
1t was on January, 6, 1909 that
he came to Newport, where rellg-
ious services were being held in
the old wooden church on Pleas
ant street. On August 1st of the
same year, the granite edifice on
Prospect HID, having been rush
ed to a state of completion, was
formally dedicated. Father Bas-
ten rer1ainot the head Of the
Newport parish until December 2,
1920. when he was transferred to
st. Peters parish at Vergennes.