St Bernards Church- Catholic
page 8
ATONEMENT SISTERS & ST. BERNARD'S CONVENT
Sisters with their new habits
(from left to right)
Sr. Gabriel Marie S.A., Sr. Mary Trinitas S.A., Sr. Mary Electa
S.A.
The Franciscan Sisters of the
Atonement were originally established in 1898 as an Episcopalian community
and came into the Catholic Church in 1909. Founded by Mother Lurana
Mary Francis and Father Paul Francis, the Sisters devote themselves to catechetical
and social work and to the fulfillment of Christs' prayed for Christian unity.
"That they all may be One".
It was Bishop Conroy who asked the Sisters to come
to the Diocese in 1927. The first convent was located in Massena, New York
with Sr. Eucharia as Superior.
The original work of the Order consisted of providing
religious education for parishes that were without parochial schools. The
majority of the missions were small foundations in poor parishes. It was on
September 8, 1944 that Father John Kennedy, and the people of Lyon Mountain,
opened their hearts with love and joy to welcome the Sisters to St. Bernard's
Church. Sister Magdalena, SA, was the Superior at that time.
Looking back on the 23 years, we can recall some
of the many wonderful things they provided for the Parishes of St. Bernard's
and St. Michael's.
Sr. Joseph Marie, S.A. at end of a May crowning. She
spent 14 yrs. at St Bernard's.
The May Crowning was one event. The First Communion
class was another.
The Sisters also gave the youth of the parish many
things to do. They trained choirs and had youth clubs for both boys and girls.
The children looked forward to summer school each year and especially the
trip to Belmont Park in Montreal that the Sisters provided at the end of the
two week summer session.
As St. Francis would walk the streets of Assisi
spreading his love to all, we can look back and see the Sisters walking the
streets of our small towns, summer and winter, making parish visits to give
that warmth of Franciscan joy to each family. They were there also
to comfort the sick and lonely.
The phasing out of Catholic schools in many areas
changed the pattern of work for the Sisters and forced the need for greater
involvement of the laity in religious education programs. The centralization
of schools has also created the need for interparochial programs. An adult
education program was set up by Sr. Ann Joseph for sixteen women in the
parish. After fifteen weeks of instructions, the Sisters presented certificates
to ten future lay teachers for St. Bernard's parish. The six other women
were named as helpers to aid the teachers who needed help.
It wasn't long after Sr. Ann Joseph received the
news to close the mission in Lyon Mountain and the Sisters would be transferred
to St. James Convent in Cadyville. It was in August 1967 that the parish said
good-bye and the convent doors were closed leaving behind a beautiful Chapel
and many warm, happy years,
As the Sisters from Cadyville commuted each week
to teach the word of God, the people still considered them part of the parish.
The C.C.D. teachers were involved more than ever. Another course was given
to the teachers by Sr. Mary Electa. The need for more Sisters in other parishes
cut the three Sisters in Cadyville to two and soon after, in 1973, Sr. Fabian,
SA and Sr. Theresa, SA closed the mission at St. James Parish, Cadyville,
N.Y.
Today (1975), the religious education is carried
out by Fr. Howard McCasland and nine lay teachers in St. Bernard's Parish.
It is a big job and our teachers are doing their best to give each child
the proper education they need to know about God and life. The Sisters are
presently staffing six Convents and are involved in twenty parishes in the
Ogdensburg diocese.
[sist14.jpg = larger pic]
lst Communion - May 25, 1958 (from left to right)
Sr. Joseph Marie, S.A., Sr. Catherine Raymond, S.A., Rev. Gerald
Kellogg -Pastor, Sr. Mechtilde, S.A.
Go to Page 9 of St Bernard's, Page 10
of Mining for Souls.
Back to Page 7 of St. Bernard's
Back to Page 1 of St. Bernard's
Go to Page 1 of Mining for Souls.(cover
page)
Go to Page 1 of The History
of Lyon Mountain.
Rod Bigelow
Box 13 Chazy Lake
Dannemora, N.Y. 12929
rodbigelow@netzero.net 
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