St Bernards Church- Catholic

page 9

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THE CONVENT TODAY
 
     Soon after the closing of St. Bernard's Convent, the parishioners had to decide what could be done with the home.  The house was built in 1943 and was well kept both inside and out.  There was talk of selling the Convent but this thought was discouraged because people felt this was part of the parish and should be kept as such.
     While Father Albert Giroux was at St. Bernard's, the Sisters from Cadyville used the Convent to teach classes once a week. The wall between the dining room and library was removed to make a larger classroom. This room along with the parlor, the community room and the basement provided 4 classrooms.  This made teaching much easier because prior to this all twelve classes were held in the Church. The Catholic Daughters also began using the Convent as a meeting room after the local high school was remodeled and their room was taken.
     When Father Howard McCasland came to Lyon Mountain in 1972 he suggested that the Convent be used as a parish center. The classrooms were remodeled with fluorescent lighting, desks, modern blackboards, bulletin boards and carpet. All the material for teaching can be found in each room.  All the rooms were freshly painted, baseboard radiation and a new ceiling
were installed in the basement.
     There are 3 bedrooms on the upstairs level and they are maintained as such for overnight guests of the parish. The Convent is also currently used as a community funeral parlor. This saves the families in town from traveling to Funeral Homes outside the community. The home is open to all families in the community regardless of religion. The Chapel Room is utilized forthis purpose. Although the Convent is presently used for the community, plans are being made to have two Sisters at Lyon Mountain to carry out the pastoral work that can be done by Sisters in this area.
by Bernard Grogan
Pictured are: Sr. Ann Joseph, Mrs. Carl Bingel, Mrs. Walter Bingel, Mrs. Donald Secore, Mrs. Anthony Danussi,
Mrs. John Yanulavich, Mrs. Peter Kwetcian, Sr. Paracleta, Mrs. Michael Petrashune, Mrs. Bernard Hart,
Mrs. George Barber and Mrs. Joseph Ducharme.
Our helpers, pictured with the same two Sisters are: Mrs. Oscar Rascoe, Mrs. Joseph Kaska,
         Mrs. Gordon DuBrey, Mrs. Joseph Noel, Mrs. Philip Varin and Mrs. Hazel Gosselin.
Sisters Who Were Stationed at St. Bernard's Parish
 
Sr. Magdalina, R.I.P.; Sr. Catherine Raymond, SA; Sr. Mary Agnes, SA; Sr. Miriam Joseph, SA;
Sr. Joan Conroy, SA; Sr. Mary Mel, SA; Sr. Mary Edmund, SA; Sr. Matthew Marie, SA
         Sr. Joseph Marie, SA; Sr. Claire Catherine, SA; Sr. Gabriel Joseph. SA; Sr. Mary Michael, SA
         Sr. Leo, SA; Sr. Mary Trinitas, SA; Sr. Ursula, SA; Sr. Miriam, SA; Sr. Francis Solano, SA
     Sr. Mechtilde, SA; Sr. Ann Joseph, SA; Sr. Anthony, R.I.P.; Sr. Damien, R.I.P.
Cadyville Sisters Who Worked in Lyon Mountain
Sr. Mary Electa; Sr. Gabriel Marie; Sr. Theresa; Sr. Fabian
Sr. Mary Trinitas, SA; Sr. Justina; Sr. Mary Ann
Present (1975) Teachers of Catechism in Parish left to right:
Mrs. Anna Chase, Mrs. Joan Fetzko, Mrs. Madeline Yanulavich, Rev. Howard Mecasland pastor,
Mrs. Leona Bingel, Mr& Ruth Forsythe, Mrs. Lorraine Farrell, Mr. Bernard Grogan,
(below) Mrs. Margaret Kaska, Mrs. Frances Bingel

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Rod Bigelow
Box 13  Chazy Lake
Dannemora, N.Y. 12929
rodbigelow@netzero.net
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