EPILOGUE

Par la Foi et la Douceur.

In fide et lenitate.

Devise de Mgr Pilon.

Lorsque Morinville avait son escadron de milice, depuis longtemps supprimé, le curé de la paroisse en était l’aumônier, avec le grade de capitaine.

Monsieur le Curé d’aujourd’hui est capitaine dans une milice moins tapageuse, dont le but est plus élevé, la Milice du Christ.

Dans cette milice, dont tous les chrétiens sont les soldats, le Souverain Pontife est le Commandant supréme, le Généralissime, qui représente le Chef invisible, Notre-Seigneur Jésus- Christ; les Evéques sont les officiers supérieurs, les Généraux, l'Eglise dit: les grands Prélats; enfin les simples prêtres sont les officiers des rangs inférieurs. Entre les grands Prélats et les simples prêtres, l'Eglise a établi des prélatures moindres, qui conférent souvent une juridiction, toujours des honneurs, une préséance sur les autres prétres, le droit au costume violet des Evéques et le titre de Monseigneur. Au premier rang de ces prélatures moindres sont placés les Protonotaires Apostoliques

(P.A.); au second rang les Prélats Domestiques (P.D.), c’est-adire, selon la signification de leur nom, les Prélats de la Maison de Sa Sainteté, de la Maison du Pape: ils ont droit de porter la soutane et la ceinture violettes; 4 la grand’messe solennelle ils peuvent avoir une bougie supplémentaire comme les Evéques.

A cet honneur s’ajoute, pour Monseigneur Pilon, une juridiction qu’il tient de ’Evéque du diocèse, et qui l’établit Vicaire Forain (V.F.), c’est-à-dire délégué spécial de l’Evêque, participant à son autorité sur les prêtres de son district.

C’est en 1923 que Mgr Pilon reçut du Saint-Siège la dignité de Prélat Domestique. A cette occasion une grande fête eut lieu, à Morinville, le 6 juin, sous la présidence de Son Excellence Mgr O’Leary, Archevêque d’Edmonton; plus de quarante prêtres y prirent part. C’était la premiére fois que pareille distinction était accordée à un prêtre de l’Alberta.

Les Prélats ont leurs Armes ou blason, insignes de leur noblesse dans l'Eglise de Dieu. Celles de Mgr Pilon rappellent, par un coeur et par une feuille de trèfle, qu’il fut longtemps curé de la paroisse Irlandaise du Sacré-Coeur, à Edmonton; et elles disent, par une feuille d’érable et une image de St-Jean-Baptiste, qu’il est Canadien-francais et curé de la paroisse St-Jean- Baptiste de Morinville. La devise qui compléte ces emblémes symboliques est le mot suivant du Livre de l’Ecclésiastique (chap. XLV, verset 4): In fide et lenitate, ‘par la foi et la douceur”, mot que Vécrivain sacré dit de Moise, le conducteur du peuple de Dieu, qui fut choisi par Dieu et consacré pour cette charge, “à cause de sa foi et de sa douceur.” Foi et Douceur’ sont, en effet, deux qualités souverainement nécessaires dans un chef qui a mission de conduire les Enfants de Dieu à leur Patrie céleste.

A ce Chef vénéré, longue vie encore et succès nombreux dans ses oeuvres d’apostolat paroissial.

Quant aux paroissiens de Morinville, que toujours unis dans la charité chrétienne prêchée aux pionniers par le saint Mgr Grandin, et marchant docilement sous la houlette de leur Pasteur, ils jouissent de la prospérité ici-bas et Là-Haut de l’éternel bonheur que des chrétiens se souhaitent les uns aux autres.

Achevé le 18 décembre 1940 en la fête de l'Expectation de la Bse Vierge Marie ou de l’Attente du divin Enfantement.

Sketch of the French Text

by a Friend

Up to the year 1890, immigration in Alberta of Catholic settlers had only been of a haphazard and individual character. But now, various factors influencing immigration were appearing, such as the appearance of N.W.M.P. in 1874, the inauguration of the N.W. Territories in 1876, establishment of Indian Reserves in the West, as well as the expansion of the C.PR. in the West and across Canada. Hitherto, few had lavished the idea of leaving their comfortable eastern homes for the uncertain west.

But now it became evident that the mere trickle of immigration was to expand and flood the prairies. Was the Catholic element to be left to be carried and deposited haphazardly in milieus of other creeds, or none at all? Certainly the accident of their minority was not going to scatter them wilfly and leave them without the much desired comforts and benediction of their Church!

Other nationalities and creeds were sending settlers on elaborate plans, and their settlements were springing overnight. Was the church going to remain inactive while it contemplated others reaping the harvests of the land it had opened and prepared with the toil and sweat of its own French Canadian sons?

It was time to act. The only possible answer was a well planned and organized movement of Catholic settlers to take up new homes in the prairies. This was the answer arrived at at a conference in 1890 of Oblate Fathers. They decided to form the proper immigration agencies to bring out French Canadian Catholic settlers and to supervise and guide their efforts to build new homes in the west.

The responsibility for such a pian fell on the shoulders of Mgr Grandin, with the advice of Mgr Taché of St-Boniface.

As a result Mgr Grandin proceeded to Montréal where the efficient and capable Abbé Morin was named as the agent supervising and directing henceforth immigration of French Canadians in Alberta. His personality and efficiency were

proven in the various responsibilities entrusted to his care while in Montreal previous to undertaking his new task.

Now he was destined to be engaged in missionary and immigration work in Alberta for the next 10 years. No man could have been better qualified for the task than he was. His indomitable courage and zeal for his task gained for him the support of all who knew him. Moreover he was held in high esteem in Government circles which proved of immense value to him afterwards.

In 1890 the Abbé Morin proceeded to St. Albert to explore the surrounding districts and decide on the feasibility of bringing out settlers. From St. Albert he proceeded north to the Oblate farm at Egg Lake, some 12 miles north where he ex- &mined the surrounding districts of Grand Brulé and later the present site of Stony Plain. Finally Lamoureux was explored and considered a good site. He was especially impressed with the promising aspects of the Stony Plain region.

Assured of the good wishes and support of French Canadians of St. Albert he proceeded to Montreal in quest of new colonists.

During the course of winter he rounded up a group of 17 “would-be” settlers who were ready to leave their comfortable homes to begin a new existence in the west.

What a memorable scene must have been enacted when finally on the 17th of March the train left with a group of 60 persons destined to be the nucleus of future French Canadian centres!

The distance from Montreal to Calgary was covered in one week. Time has not erased the memorable voyage from the minds of the few old timers left today. They assure us that despite moments of despair, entertainment and amusements were not lacking.

Finally on the 24th of March the group disembarked. Their arrival was a source of great rejoicing. No time was lost in preparation for the long trek of 200 miles still left, which must necessarily be done by wagon.

The long picturesque caravan was an impressive sight. Leaving Calgary on the 26th of March, they arrived at St. Alkert 8 days later. Many a tear must have been shed as mothers observed the wild desolate country and recalled the comfortable homes they had just left. The Abbé Morin did much to comfort and encourage the weary travellers. Of his zeal and tenderness no words could render justice.

On their way to St. Albert the travellers had a difficult time to locate Edmonton, then a small town of 300, because of the heavy bush country.

Finally on the 2nd of April they arrived at St. Albert. What thoughts and emotions must have been present when they had the first glimpse of their new “metropolis.” Their approach was heralded by the pealing of church bells. The population of St. Albert went wild with jubilation at their arrival, but no one can imagine the pride and emotions of Mgr Grandin who saw in their arrival the realization of a dream.

After a very warm and cordial reception, they lost no time in tackling the job they had come out to do. Leaving the women and children to enjoy the hospitality of the St. Albert settlers, the men folk continued north to pick out their “homesteads.” At the end of a week, all had returned, most of them having picked out suitable sites for their new homes. Hesitation as to the choice between the districts of Morinville of today and Stony Plain resulted in the choice of the former.

On Sunday, April 12th, all assisted at mass at St. Albert and listened to the encouraging words of Mgr. Grandin. The first contingent of settlers consisted in the following group:

Mr. Boissonneault, his wife and two children: Parmelia, 11; and Hormisdas, 17.

Mr. Brissette and wife with 3 children: Alphonse, 14; Avila 11; Louis.

Mr. Houle, with his 2 sons: Joseph, 18; and Thomas, 22.

Mr. Lemire; Mr. Meunier.

Mr. Riopel and wife, and two children: Adelard, 4; and Delima, 2.

Mr. Emalie Rivet, his wife, and five children: Joseph, 10; Arthur, 8; Maria, 6; etc.

Mr. Tellier and 2 sons: Tancréde and Emery.

The first German family to arrive in Morinville bore the name of Hittinger, coming from the States at about the same time.

And this is the humble beginning from which sprung the thriving little town of Morinville of today!

The first few months were indeed not lacking in trials and hardships. Women lived in earthen huts or hastily built shacks while men toiled long hours in preparing the land for its first crop.

On July 19th, the settlers were greeted with the news of the arrival of another contingent. To many it meant the reunion of separated families. The railway from Calgary to Edmonton having just been completed, they were relieved of the long trek of their less fortunate brothers.

These received much the same welcome as the first contingent.

By the end of September, a third group arrived, comprising some 40 persons, the majority of whom being members of families already here. These were greeted on their arrival by a heavy snowstorm. Accompanying this group was Father Harnois destined to be pastor of this new flock. He soon took his place as leader of the group and did much to encourage them and lighten their load.

The settlers hastened to build, for their new pastor, a church. It was built on a homestead taken out in his own name, 2 miles west of the site of the present church.

Approval of the church site was made the occasion of a great celebration, at which a conference of 17 Oblates assisted, only 2 of these living today are Pére Naessens and Pére Doucet, the former having just celebrated his 70th anniversary of priesthood.

By the 15th of December, construction of the Church was completed and the official blessing given by Father Lestanc of St. Albert. On that day, they were offered their new parish. This new parish was named St-Jean-Baptiste.

A few days later they celebrated Christmas mass at which even the crib was present.

From time to time, new colonists arrived.

On the ist of February, Father Morin was back at Edmonton with 42 new settlers. Two more trips to Quebec brought him back with new settlers each time. These arrived at St. Albert and from there were distributed in various directions to other centres. It must be remembered that Morinville was merely one of the many centres of French Canadian Catholic population that were being established at that time.

It is about at this time that the first mention of German settlers occurred. Discussions with regard to the site of the church were now taking place.

The sad news of the departure of Father Lestanc from St. Albert grieved the parishioners of Morinville who had come to

know him so well. This sad news was followed by a similar one. The new settlers were now to lose the services of their own priest, Father Harnois. His health did not permit him to continue. An unsuccessful attempt to return to his duties ended with his recall to the United States.

During the period in which Father Harnois was unable to perform his duties, he was replaced by Oblate Fathers of Mer. Grandin’s parish.

During this time, it became evident that a new church must be built to accommodate the ever increasing number of parishioners. The need was imperative. The suggestion that the sheep-fold be transformed into a church was accepted. Thus it was used as a church for a while but it only served to impress the urgent need for the construction of a suitable one later on.

Permission to cut the lumber required, was given in a communal spirit, each member of the community offering his time and services freely. Donations of money and material by the Oblates and diocese were gladly accepted. All winter and the best part of spring were required to complete the church which measured 40 by 30 feet.

Father Jolicoeur arrived in June to replace the Oblate Fathers who had taken charge only temporarily. Henceforth the Oblates were to be relieved of the responsibilities of the Morinville parish.

Monsieur le Curé JOLICOEUR

August 1894 to March 1904

On the 12th of August, Father Joseph Moise Jolicoeur was offered to the colonists as their next pastor. Father Jolicoeur had some from Quebec where he had made his studies and been ordained. For the next eight years, he was destined to be their new spiritual leader. Shortly after his arrival, the church was completed. Despite its crude nature, it was the pride of the parishioners. During the course of the year that followed, the presbytery was added.

From that date, the pastors of Morinville could spend all their time for the spiritual welfare of the parishioners.

During all this time, Father Morin had kept himself incessantly busy in forming new French Canadian Catholic centres in

the west. The year 1897 was marked by the installation of telephone lines from Edmonton to Morinville.

Efforts to teach school had first been made by Miss Delima Deschéne, but had to be dropped. The honour of establishing the first school went to Father Jolicoeur in 1899. The two first teachers were Miss Kathleen Steffes and Miss Ada Latulippe.

In the year 1904, Father Jolicoeur, yearning for the province he had left, silently returned to his native home where he was assigned new duties.

Once more the Oblate Father had to take charge.