THE CATHOLIC WOMEN'S LEAGUE - MARMORA

A HISTORY BY HELEN BRADY   Feb. 10, 1964

The history of the Catholic Women's League of Canada in any parish is so closely associated with that of the parish itself as to be incapable of separation. Such is the case in Sacred Heart Parish Marmora. Since the League in Canada dates only from 1912,  the history of our Council of necessity omits mention of the early years, when this parish was established, with Father.Thomas Murtagh, appointed first resident pastor in 1894,   and when it flourished under the direction of those other devoted and beloved pastors.

Actual records of the early days the League here seem to be lacking, but I have it on excellent authority that the first president, was Mrs. Timothy Clement and that the League was active in Father Hanley s time, with Mrs. C. A.  McWilliams president.  In the ensuing years, however, the accent was definitely not on feminine leadership in parochial affairs, and interest must have lagged, for we find that the League was re-organized and presented with a charter in 1931.  The President then was Mrs. John Murray, and the secretary Miss Margaret Sullivan.

(The names all presidents are listed below)

While Father Murtagh was pastor, the rectory  was built.    This present  church was erected to replace one that had burned, and a one-room Marmora, Separate  School emerged from  the realm of wishful thinking and  became a reality. Miss Mary Brennan of Marysville parish was engaged in 1915 as the first teacher at a salary of '$600 per annum   with forty-nine pupils.

The total cost of that school  was $2,500. In Father Hanley's time the school  was  enlarged to two rooms,  and the first two teachers were  Miss Mary Bronson earning $1100.00  and  Miss Jean O'Neill, $1,000. The total cost of this addition opened in 1922, was $4254.56  Total Provincial grants  in 1915 amounted to $19.50  and in 1922 to $375.00.. I feel that mention should be made here of the dedicated service rendered in school and parish affairs  by  the faithful C.W.L. member, Miss Florence Auger, "who taught in our school. from 1924 to 1952. In Father O'Neill's time the parish hall was built.   With Father Healey we have seen that hall  improved  and enhanced, and  we have seen our school enlarged and  rebuilt to its present proud state.

Mention of the activities carried on by League members in the early years will have to be general  in nature.  I have been told that in Father O'Reilly's time a summer lawn social was  held on the spacious grounds of the MGGrath property on  Crowe Lake , Tipperary House.  This would,   of course, be more suited to  the capabilities  of League members than the sale of young cattle,  which had marked the annual parish picnic of Father Murtagh's time!

Eventually the summer project was abandoned  in favour of the summer collection, as we know it today.
From time to time League members have also organized strawberry socials on the church grounds, bake sales and bingos on Clairmont's lawn and travelling aprons arid baskets , during the "Lazy days of summer".

The major money raising event has been for forty-two years,  the  annual fall bazaar. It became in Father Keeley's time, a  three day affair , and remained so until 1954, when Father  Hoelev saw fit to reduce  it to two.   Feminine leadership  has been conspicuous here.  The  general convenor of the bazaar has always carried a heavy responsibility.  Mrs. James McGrath, Sr., Mrs. Cecelia Dunlay , Mrs. John Crawford, and
Mrs. Charles Crawford have won their laurels here.

Because of their great popularity, the card parties in the school some thirty-five years ago should certainly be included in this account.  I understand that an evening's entertainment - cards, lunch, and a dance afterwards - cost 25 cents then, and that Father Keeley often played the violin for the square dancing.  Deloro Hall also rang with merriment in those days when the parishioners in that section sponsored card parties.

Reminiscing over the years gone by, one cannot forget that most necessary complement to church ceremonies, the choir. At first the three Clairmont girls, Selina, Frances and Louisa provided the music. Then Father Murtagh hired an organist, Miss Traynor, who boarded with  Miss Margaret O'Connor and gave piano lessons. Others to hold the position were Miss Rose Sullivan, Miss Beatrice Bertrand, Miss Marion Shannon. Sometimes ladies of the parish substituted for the regular organist, among them Mrs. Wm. Hughes , Mrs. Dan. Shannon, and Miss Margaret O'Connor. Then it became the duty of the Junior  teacher in the school to be organist.  Miss Mabel McCarthy arid Miss Rita Deacon  filled this dual role.

In Father O'Neill's time, Mrs. Hugh Brady qualified as church organist and vocal music teacher, and has served in this capacities ever  since.   While on this subject, I think I should repeat what I have often
heard:   that at one time  the Marmora choir was rated as second only to that of the Cathedral, in Kingston diocese: and that some of the soloists should be named! Mr. Dan Shannon, who shone particularly on St. Patrick ' sDay ,    Mr. Stanis Bertrand, and Miss Eva Shannon.

Other parish activities carried on by League members over the years include:

(I) The Altar Society, of which the chief officer and worker for many years was Mrs. Hannah Auger, and she  ably and generously assisted by Mrs. James Brady. Another capable team has been carrying on
in the same tradition for several years now Mrs. Charles Crawford and  Mrs. A. M. Jones, aided by other members in the summer months.

(2) The Apostleship of Prayer (Sacred Heart Messengers) promoted by Mrs. Theresa Warren, Miss Florence Auger, Mrs. Charles Cook, Miss Mary Brady.

Now to return to the League proper.   The League here has displayed a high degree of organization, co-operation and efficiency, especially after Mrs. James Black moved to the parish. Regular monthly meetings are held except during July and August. The June Meeting has enjoyed  real hospitality over the years at the home of Mrs. J. J. Maloney, and. at the summer homes of Mrs. A. McNally, Mrs. Theresa Warren, Mrs. James McGrath, Mrs. R. J. Maloney, Mrs. Milton Campbell, and Rev. Father Healey.
During Mrs. O'Connor's term of office, while Father  Martin was a temporary pastor of ours, Study Clubs were organized so systematically that the subdivision was cited at the annual diocesan convention for the
excellence of this work.

With Mrs. Black as president, we saw the group system introduced,  the special observance of Grandmothers' Night established in 1943,   the first C.W.L. Christmas Party held in 1947.   In her time the altar boys were sometimes entertained at a C.W.L. night of games,where they received souvenir gifts. But we will remember Mrs. Black most vividly, I think, for the plays and entertainments which she directed and sometimes composed.

In this field we also have had a team of humorous entertainers, namely Mrs. Rose Brawley and Miss Mary Hughes, and no Program ever seems complete without this pair. For the past twenty-five years,  Miss Hughes has, served in the League as Sewing Convener and she was ably assisted in  this work by Mrs. B. Gaffney.

To list all the good works and commend  the League members responsible for them would be impossible and impractical. Their names and deeds are faithfully  recorded in the minutes that our recent secretaries have written. Suffice for me to say that parish projects have always received the support they demand and deserve, that corporal works of mercy have been performed consistently, that spiritual exercises as recommended to all councils have been observed.

May I conclude by saying "Let us not become complacent.   Let us  continue to co-operate with God's grace, under the wise guidance  of our spiritual director, working along with the dedicated executive
members, for our own personal spiritual betterment and for God and Canada.

Helen Brady (Mrs. Charles Bradv)  

 FOOTNOTE:
The C.W.L. sponsored the introduction of uniforms for students of Sacred Heart School in Sept. 1957. This was discontinued in  1975

WHO'S WHO?

• Rev. John Hanley - Uncle to Tom Hanley of this parish

• Mrs. Tim Clement - nee Margaret Foley , cousin of Laura Foley , sister of Mrs. Lafontaine in Tweed

• Mrs. C. A. McWilliams - sister of Lena Sullivan

• Mrs. John Murray - mother of Joe Murray

• Miss Margaret Sullivan - sister of Lena Sullivan

• Mrs. J. A. Paquet - nee Nina Driscoll, first wife of J.A. Paquet

• Miss Anna Foley - teacher at Deloro Separate School

• Mrs. James(Essie) Black- mother of Mrs. (Cecile) Crawford, Verna Hughes and Mrs. Clarence (Audrey)Shannon, Harry, Ray and Jack Black

• Mrs. Charles(Marie) Cook- mother of Francis Cook and Mrs. Don (Jean) Shannon (and Marjorie, Bernard and John Cook)

• Miss Mary Brennan - Mrs. Vince Brady, Napanee. Cousin of Mrs , Arthur Sheridan of this parish

• Miss Jean O'Neill- Mrs.Charles O'Connor

• Miss Mabel McCarthy - Mrs. Clinton McGee

• Mrs. James McGrath - .nee Mary O'Connor, sister of Mr.E.D.O'Connor

• Clairmont girls - aunts of Jack Clairmont

• Miss'Margaret 0'Connor- Mrs. Keating

• Miss Rose Sullivan - Rev. Sister Blondina

• Miss Beatrice Bertrand - Mrs. J.A. McNally

• Miss Marion Shannon - Mrs. J.A. Paquet

• Miss Rita Deacon - Mrs. Joe Murray

• Mr. and Mrs. Dan Shannon ...parents of Jim, Bill, Tom Shannon, and Marion Paquet

• Mrs. Cecelia Dunlay - grandmother of Mrs. Joe Murray

• Mr. Stanis Bertrand - father of Mrs. McNally, grandfather of Pat Bertrand, Evelyn Warren, Frances Parcels

• Miss Eva Shannon- sister of Marg Monk's father

• Mrs. Hannah Auger - sister of Lena Sullivan

• Mrs. James Brady - mother of Eugene, Mary, Hugh, Jack and Charles

• Mrs. ,J. J. Maloney- mother of Mrs. V. M. (Anna) Lynch and of Miss Gertrude Maloney

January 1964- January 1973

The spiritual director during most of this period was Rev. Gerald Scanlan, who was appointed to our parish in 1967, and who observed the 25th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood in May , 1977. He was replaced by Father Patrick-J. Carty on June 30, 1977.
Our C.WL. Council over these past five years has kept up the good work in the fields mentioned  previously in  this history. We note from the minutes of this period that:

• The practice of holding only seven monthly meetings each.year, with a committee chairman in Charge of programme each month, was begun in 1972 and has been continued.

• The annual fees were raised to $2.00 in April, 1974 and to $3.00 in 1977.

• Grandmothers'Night was changed from chilly February to mellow October in 1973.

• Since 1973 the Senior Citizens of our community have been our guests at a card party on or about April 26th, the Feast of our Lady of Good Council, each year.

• The First Sunday of May has been observed as "C.W.L. Sunday", and mother and-daughter Communion breakfasts have become a May feature.

• An announcement in May, 1974, stated that non-Catholic women may now join the C.W.L. as voting members, but may not hold office.

• Catering charges for weddings, banquets and receptions have been revised twice in this period. Lunches after-funerals have been provided, in the parish hall and in homes, free of charge.

• Service pins were presented to six members at a Christmas party on Dec. 8th, 1974;

• 25-year scrolls were presented to thirty-six members on another occasion;

• on May 2nd, 1976, past presidents pins were presented to those still living in the parish who had not previously received them. In this connection, it is a matter of interest and of history that our council has presented a past president's pin to each retiring president from 1969 on. Apresident's pin was presented to the 'incoming president in 1965, and it is passed on to each new president. A parish honorarium to the retiring president was started by Father Healey in 1964, and has been continued.

To return to the events of the past  five years;

A Day of Recollection, conducted by father Peter Nearing, of Combermere was  held in November , 1973. 0ur Council sponsored another  one of  those excellent  spiritual exercises in March, 1977, and again in  November 1978,  with a Day of Prayer conducted by Sisters  Joan Driscoll and Alma Lavelle  of Peterborough;

A team from our Council assisted in the preparatory organization  for a week-long retreat, held November 16-22, 1974, and conducted by Father John Ward, , Father  Gerry Byrne, Sister Alberta Gallagher, and Miss Patricia Brennan. 

With the formation of the Parish Council early in 1975, the CW.L. Council was happy to assume a role of' less responsibility.
On the occasion of the l50th anniversary of Sacred Heart Parish , Marmora,  observed in June, 1975, a one-day, dignified and very warm celebration, we  purchased a suitably  engraved chalice for the parish, and we sold memorial plates. 

At the 150th anniversary of the diocese , in Kingston in 1976, one of our members,  Mrs. Breen O'Connor (Lillian), was the deserving recipient of a papal honor-, the pro ecclesia medal, Lillian is presently serving on  the Provincial level of the C.W.L. as 1st. Vice President.

One of our members made the preliminary arrangements for a successful Christopher Course given in the parish hall in the fall of 1974.  In May of  1973, the Kingston Diocesan Convention was hosted by the Marmora Council and held in Be11eville. The Provincial Convention, hosted by Kingston diocese in Kingston in July 1977, was co-convened by one of our members , Mrs. William Meehan (Dorothy ), who is at this time President of the Diocesan Executive; 

Another member, was Mrs. Thomas Brady (Wilma) 'is corresponding Secretary on the Diocesan Executive and Mrs. Paul Brady (Leona ) is Program Convener for the diocese.

The Share Lent Program, begun here about 1972, has grown steadily, and is evidence of our members' concern for others.  Many  of' our members  participated in the Pro-Life March on Parliament Hill in November, 1973; and on December 11 1977, 2 members attended the Pro-Life Lobby at  Queen's Park Toronto. Many more have consistently supported  anti-abortion campaigns in various ways.

Since 1975 we have participated in the local  Sidewalk Sale and the fall fair,  with promotional displays  of league programs. Crafts,   baked goods draw tickets for handmade articles were sold at the same time.  We took part in activities during Marmora's Homecoming  week in June. 1977,  with a tea and craft show,  which involved many of our talented members.

An effort to obtain a traffic light at the intersection of highways 7 and 14 was initiated by our Council in 1974, and was crowned with success in 1976.  In the summer of 1976 we purchased new stage curtains for our parish hall at a cost of $378.20.  These replaced the original green velour ones that  had lasted twenty-five years. In 1977 we also purchased  a C.W.L. banner for our Council, at a cost of a little over one hundred dollars. In February of 1978 artificia1 silk flowers were purchased by our Council for use on the main altar during the winter months.

Vigilance  concerning pornographic literature  in local outlets in 1976 has been rewarded  by the co-operation of our businessmen and by the spread of this vigilance to other centres. (A continuing concern as evidenced by the 1994 article at left)

Eligibility requirements for the C.W.L. $100 award to a secondary school honour graduate of this parish were changed in January, 1977.  An excellent program and panel discussion on alcoholism, open to the public, was hosted by our Council in March,1977.  This year, 1978, for the first time, we are having a cook-book published, which will contain the favourite recipes of 100 of our members.
The wearing of uniforms at Sacred Heart School, introduced in September, 1957, at Father Healey's request and sponsored by the C.W.L.  This request was discontinued in September, 1975 - a reflection of changing times and attitudes.

Mrs. Charles Brady (Helen)
Historian, February 17, 1978

1996 Annie Wilman,  Marjorie Bedore     & Ada Brady quilt for raffle

Below - 1998  Project Love

1997 CWL Report on 75th anniversary convention

The year 2000:  Resolution re embryonic cells

 At this year's Convention, a normally busy part of diocesan business hardly made the agenda; only one resolution was presented and approved. It came from St.John's  Council in Gananoque and requested that the Federal  Minister of Health strike a viable Ethics Review Commission for the study and possible establishment of  appropriate standards pertaining to harvesting, research and development and use of embryonic stem cells. Marmora's CWL presented the Diocesan Convention with an excellent recommendation regarding procedures for petitioning various levels'of government.

The year 2000 -Thanks from Father Shawn

My dear friends:
I would like to thank each and every one of you for your contribution to making my first Mass of Thanksgiving, the luncheon and dinner following, the true success and reflection of Marmora hospitality which they were. The Lord Jesus has been and is so generous to me in so many ways. I am so deeply grateful for the way in which you have imitated His generosity to me: the gifts of the spectacular sanctuary flower arrangements by Audrey and Buck Mantle, Marmora's string ensemble, Carpe Diem, and their gift of music, the parish's spiritual bouquet, and the beautiful catholic Women's League and Knights of Columbus stoles. I am deeply grateful for the parish's incredibly generous gifts of the Luncheon following my first Mass of Thanksgiving and the evening dinner and for the, equally incredibly generous, effort which went into making them the wonderful successes they were. I would like to thank Mr. Joe Maccauley and the Parish Pastoral Council, Mrs. Ileen Healey, the luncheon convener, Mrs. Dorothy Meehan and Mrs. Francis Eiiis; the dinner conveners  who so generously prepared and served the food, those who helped set up the hall and the many who worked so hard behind the scenes assisting in the planning, preparation and clean up. I will be forever in your debt for your contributions in making the celebration surrounding the most important event in my life so wonderful. As I told the ladies at the Catholic Women's League meeting this Tuesday past, the highest compliment I can pay them is to say that if Mom were here to plan this herself the luncheon and dinner could not have been nicer. Many, many thanks. I am deeply grateful for Father Brennan's spiritual guidance and for his ongoing interest, support and friendship over the past six years. I would also like to thank the entire parish for your prayers, your wonderful words of encouragement and support, your beautiful cards and generous gifts. I have offered one of my first Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for the "Intentions of the Parishioners of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish."
Please continue to keep me in your prayers as I begin this exciting journey in the Lord's service. Also, please pray for more vocations to the priesthood and religious life, especially from those in our parish here at Sacred Heart whom God is calling.

In Christ, Father Shawn Hughes

MARMORA CATHOLIC WOMEN'S LEAGUE PRESIDENTS:

1921-Nov. 30 to  1923-Apr 18               First branch meeting held at Marmora,  President Mrs.                                                                Charles McWilliams - nee Susan Sullivan (1873-1963)

1923-Apr. 18 to 1924 Apr 8                    First annual meeting of Mamora sub-division of the CWL                                                                 President Mrs. Charles McWilliams

1924-Apr. 8-1925 Sept 18                       Mrs. Timothy Clement - nee Margaret Foley (1872-                                                      1951)   Moved to Windsor,  ending term

1935-Apr.-1936 Apr 28                            Mrs. John Paquet - nee Anna Nina Driscoll (1883-1943)                                                                  Annual meeting held in the Separate School

1936- Apr. 28-1938-May 25                     Mrs. Edward D. O'Connor/nee Madue Hogan (1879-1980)

1938-May 25- 1940-Apr 23                      Miss Gertrude Maloney (R.N.)

1940-Apr 23-1942-Jan 30                         Miss Anna Foley  (Deloro school teacher) Resigned due to                                                                    ill health

1942-Jan.30-1944-Apr. 28                        Mrs. James Black - nee Essie Cecilia Steenburg (1900-1963)

1944 - Apr. 28-1946 - Apr.                         Mrs. Edward O'Connor - nee Maude Hogan (1879-1980)

1946- Apr. - 1948-Apr. 27                          Mrs. James Black - nee Essie Cecilia Steenburg

1948-Apr. 27-1949, Apr. 10                        Mrs. Charles Cook - nee Mary Marguerite Forestell (1895-1983)

1949-Apr.10-1950-Apr.25                           Mrs. Charles Cook re-elected

1950-Apr.25-1952-Apr. 22                          Mrs. Charles Brady - nee Helen Josephine McHenry (1914-1986)

1952-Apr 22-1953-Apr. 28                          Mrs. Bernard William Hughes - nee Marjorie Genevieve Duck                                                                        (1902-1988)

1953-Apr. 28-1953 Dec. 13                         Mrs. William Shannon - nee Dorena Margaret Gehan (1911-1995)

1953-Dec 13-1954-Apr.21                           Mrs. Donald Shannon - nee Joanna Rose Mullin (1897-1990)

1954-Apr 21-1955-Apr.28                            Mrs. Arnold Maxwell Jones   nee Helen Theresa Gaffney                                                                         (1907-2004)

1955-Apr 28-1957-May30                           Mrs. Charles Cooke - nee Mary Marguerite Forestell (1895-1983)

1957-May 30-1959 Apr                               Mrs. Donald Shannon - nee Joanna Rose Mullen (1897-1990)

1959 Apr-1961-Apr 13                                 Mrs. Breen O'Connor - nee Lillian Kennedy

1959-Apr-1961-Apr 13                                 Mrs. Breen O'Connor - nee Lillian Kennedy

1961-Apr 13-  1963 -Apr. 22                         Miss Mary Theresa Warren (1920-1992)

1963-Apr. 22-1963-Sept. 14                         Mrs. Donald Shannon - nee Joanna Rose Mullin (1897-1990

1963 Sept. 14-1964-Apr. 13                         Miss Mary Theresa Warren (1920-1992)

1964-Apr. 13- 1965 Apr.                               Mrs. Thomas Hanley - nee Jean Mary Elgeti (193? - present)

1965-Apr. - 1967 May 1                               Mrs. Breen O'Connor

1967-May 1- 1969 Apr. 21                           Mrs. William Monk - nee Margaret Louise Shannon (1921-present)

1969-Apr. 21-1971- Apr. 12                          Mrs. Patrick Joeseph O'Neill - nee Marie Helena Brownson (1910- )

1971- Apr. 12-1973-Apr. 18                           Mrs. William Meehan - nee Dorothy Mary Hart (1939-present)

1973-Apr 18-1975 Apr.                                  Mrs. Paul Brady - nee Leona Hegadoren

1975- Apr - 1977 Apr                                     Mrs. Thomas Brady - nee Wilma McKinnon

1977 Apr. - 1979 Apr.                                     Mrs. Joseph Maloney - nee Beverley Driscoll

1979 Apr. - 1981 Apr.                                     Mrs. Michael Maloney - nee Marilyn Sproul

1981 Apr. - 1983 Apr. 4                                  Miss Monica Blute

1983 Apr. 4 - 1985-Apr.                                   Mrs. Harold Wilman - nee Annie Hulsman

1985 Apr- 1987 - Apr.                                      Mrs. Jack )'Connor - nee Isabella Warren

1987 - Apr. - 1989-Apr. 4                                 Mrs. Cassibo/nee Norine

1989-Apr. 4 - 1991-Apr.                                    Nora Blanche

1991 - Apr - 1993-Apr.                                      Mrs. Michael Callery - nee Anne Victoria Bronson

1993 Apr. - 1995 - Apr.                                     Mrs. John Tilley - nee Cathy ?

1995-Apr. - 1997 Apr. 1                                     Mrs. Ina MacFarlane/ nee Mantle

1997-Apr. -  1999                                               Mrs. William Meehan - nee Dorothy Hart