Parish History
This week’s second and ongoing parish history quiz:
What members of the parish have a story, a thought, a reflection, a recollection, a memory, an observation, or a joke, having anything thing to do with the parish, the people, the collections, the priests, the church, the parking lot?
It is the intention and the hope of the 50th anniversary committee that we be able to assemble and publish at some time after the close of the jubilee year, a pictorial and commemorative history of the parish. We would like this to be a living history in which members of the parish, in their own words, tell future generations of the parish something about their own memories and experience as a member of the parish.
We know the chronological outline of the origins and growth of the parish, but that only tells part of the story. It won't be complete without your story. The works by Ken Burns and Tom Brokaw fully illustrate the point far better than the words of your humble archivist. The life and history of a parish is best understood in the context of the daily lives of its people, and where those lives intersected with one another within the broader context of parish life. So we are hoping to take up a collection of your thoughts and memories. Any contribution of any kind will be greatly appreciated; a literary widow's mite. Help make our history come alive. Please send your contribution, however unimportant you think it may be, to the parish office. We hope to hear from you!
Week 2
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Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10
Week 11
Week 12
Week 13
Week 14
Week 15
Week 16
Week 17
Week 18
Week 19
Week 20
Week 21
Week 22
Week 23
Week 24
Week 24 Question
What members of the parish appeared on what live television show, WBZ - TV Channel 4, at 6 p.m. on a Sunday evening in 1964?
Week 24 Answer
What members of the parish appeared on what “live” television show (WBZ – TV Channel 4) at 6 pm on a Sunday evening in 1964?
(Part 1)Long before we became so fortunate as to be able to experience the cultural heights of “American Idol”, there was a television show broadcast live from the WBZ TV Studio in Brighton known as “Community Auditions”, sponsored by “Community Opticians”. The show was one of (if not the) the longest running entertainment in the history of broadcasting, spanning a total of 37 years (1950 – 1987). It was hosted in the early years by Gene Jones, and then by Dave Maynard, one of WBZ’s top radio personalities. On this program, young people of varying degrees of talent in the performing arts, would compete against one another to see who would be chosen as “Star of the Day”. At the conclusion of each show, all the contestants would be on stage together to pose the catchy musical question: “Star of the day – who will it be – for today you will see – talent rare to compare – who’ll be star of the day”.
The “Star of the Day” would be determined by a post card vote mailed by the viewers into the studio during the following week, and the winner would be announced on the next Sunday broadcast.
(Continued next week)Week 23 Question
Who served the longest tenure as pastor of Our Lady of Victory?
The busy holiday season has come and gone, all good students are back at school, and as we move into the second half of the Jubilee Year celebration, it seems the appropriate time to renew our focus on the history of our Lady of Victory Parish. Those who read the diocesan newspaper, The Anchor, may have noticed that the published homily for Christmas week was written by Msgr. John A. Perry, who served as pastor of Our Lady of Victory Parish from 1980 through 1995.
Fr. Perry was ordained on February 2, 1963, and after a series of assignments in the Fall River Diocese, he came to Our Lady of Victory to succeed Fr. Francis Connors who had served from 1970 through 1980. Of our 50 year history as a parish, the combined pastorates of these two good men covered half of that 50 year total. The significant growth and development of the parish, which began under Fr. Connors, continued under Father Perry. This growth was on several fronts; growth in population, growth in parish ministries and activities, and expansion of the parish facilities. With the exception of Fr. Waldron’s first year as an itinerant preacher in search of shelter, the parish rectory had been a residence on Park Avenue in Centerville and the business of the parish was conducted from that site. CCD classes had been conducted in the Congregational church and in the private homes of the teachers who volunteered for that very important job.
Part 2
In 1983, under Father Perry's leadership, eight new CCD classrooms were created in the basement of the existing church. A new structure was created on the parish grounds which would house the new rectory, a chapel, a parish office, and the parish center facility which now bears the name of the man responsible for its construction. From time to time, the parish center would be transformed into a theater where the very talented Victory Players, including Lorraine Dunnett and Joanne Kijak, would star in outstanding stage productions such as The Sound of Music, The Music Man, Pirates of Penzance, The Boy Friend, Hello Dolly!, Anything Goes, My Fair Lady, Guys and Dolls, Pajama Game, Bye - Bye Birdie.
During Father Perry's tenure as pastor, we made friendships with Fr. Jim McClellan, Fr. Jim (the Chief) Tobin, Fr. John J. Perry, Fr. John Dean, and Pastor Perry's Jesuit friends whom he promised he would remember when he entered into his "kingdom".
PART 3
We came to know Bobbi Paradise, Jesse Dumont, Claudia Anderson, Dot Lortie and so many others who made our parish a warm and inviting place for parishioners of all ages.
Fr. Perry's humble and modest demeanor set a tone under which the parish flourished. He was dignified, self effacing, affable, unflappable, approachable, understanding, understated and kind. As he did recently in his Christmas homily in The Anchor, he articulated a gospel message, which remains direct, uncomplicated and unchanging. "God the Father, because of his love for each and every one of us, sent Jesus to be one of us, our older brother, who would always be a part of our lives. He would never abandon us or ever forget us. He is always with us, today, tomorrow and every day."
As homilist at the Mass celebrating Msgr. Perry's 40th anniversary of ordination to priesthood, his good friend and fellow priest, J. C. O'Brien, S.J. referred to Geoffrey Chaucer's description of "the Parson" in the prologue to The Canterbury Tales in order to describe the respect and affection in which our former pastor is held by his fellow priests.
The old saying goes: "If you want something done, give it to a busy man" .Msgr. Perry now serves the diocese as Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, and in his spare time, he serves as pastor of St. Patrick's Parish in Falmouth. As members of Our Lady of Victory parish, we remain grateful for his priesthood and his years of service.
Week 22
A few weeks ago, in the answer regarding the “Living Rosary”, which was presented to Fr. Francis Connors on the occasion of the 25 th Anniversary of his ordination to priesthood, reference was made to Sue Anderson’s tribute to Fr. Connors as he concluded his ten (10) year pastorate at Our Lady of Victory. During this year of remembrance and celebration of the 50 th Anniversary of the founding of Our Lady of Victory, it seems altogether fitting to linger just a while longer and cherish the memory of a man whose personal qualities inspired a burst of spiritual energy which continues to radiate in the parish today. Reprinted here is Sue’s eloquent tribute to Fr. Connors, written in June of 1980, as he prepared to leave us. One cannot fail to notice, that her words also tell us much of the qualities and ideals of the author.
“Father Connors” by Susan Anderson
“For the past ten years, our pastor, Father Connors, has been shepherd to the flock at Our lady of Victory Parish. He has been going among his people bringing the Good News that “God Loves us”. The Lord has been living us and instructing us through his servant, Francis Connors. We have been blessed by the Gift of Fr. Connors in our lives.
There is a unique blend of the humanity of man with the sacredness of the priesthood in our pastor. Those who would not look far enough to see his soul, might consider this Lou Grant personality to be slightly rough. A man’s man. If his gentleness was all one could see, one might think him too holy, too lofty for us to relate to, but God in His wisdom has given us a priest’s priest. As down to earth as anyone of us, as loving, gentle and generous a father as one could want.
How many summer parishioners have returned after a long cold winter to be greeted by name from Fr. Connors? What a feeling of belonging to have your busy pastor call you by name.
We have been encouraged by Father’s y eses to our ideas to begin a Cursillo community, an ECHO community, A Family Mass, Birthright, a children’s choir, a Prayer meeting, Discussion clubs, Days of Recollection, and Weeks of Renewal. The Spirit has not been stifled by him in anyway.
How can we ever say thank you to this man of God? What could we do to show our love and appreciation? What has meaning to this priest? Nothing material, for he gives away all that he receives and doubled.
The miracle of the multiplication of the fishes and loaves occurs daily in his life. If he receives five; he gives away ten.
Could plaques, statues given in his name, monuments say what is in our hearts? No, he believes in giving in secret. Recognition of his deeds would embarrass him and rob him of the secrets he and Jesus share. What then can we do to show our love and gratitude for the gift of his life? How can we comment of his unique presence in our lives?
We can bear spiritual fruit in a world caught in material wealth. We can be loving in our homes, offices and our parish. We can stay close to the Eucharist and the Blessed Mother. Because then he will know, beyond a doubt that we are safe. We can teach our children to love God by the love we give them. We can be witness to the world that human life is something special.
We can pray for him, for all priests, so that they may remain strong in their vocations. We can show respect to the priesthood as a plan God chose to strengthen his people on earth.
We are the monument to Father Connors. We who live our lives daily going among the people. We who are fed and nourished by the blessings of his priesthood. We are what make it all worthwhile for him.
No one can count the lives touched directly or indirectly by Father Connors.
What about all those bus trips provided for us to the Bishop’s Ball, coffee and doughnuts after Mass, special gifts of caring, visits to the sick, weddings, Baptisms, moments of good-bye at the grave.
The balance again, from the simplest hello – to the intimate return of a soul to the Creator, all done in Christ’s name.
Our gift to our pastor can be the same as his gift to us. “Love one another as I have loved you.’ “
Week 21 Question
Week 21 Answer
As we all know, the parking lot, and the somewhat circuitous means of taking our departure from the church grounds can present challenges to our navigational skills and also place certain demands on the spiritual virtues to which we aspire. But “hiding in plain sight” to the left as we wind our way down the hill, is perhaps the most serene and inviting natural setting on the entire 6 acre church grounds. Fr. Francis “Chub” Connors served as pastor at Our Lady of Victory from 1970 – 1980, and the 25th Anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood occurred in 1975. His parishioners knew that he would not want a material gift for his own personal use, and so on June 3, 1975 the parish “presented” him with the “Living Rosary” or “Rosary Walk” as it has sometimes been called.
The statue of Mary which is located in the center of the grove, was donated by John Donelan, and his wife Arlene who had been the organist at Our Lady of Victory for many years. Their family service to the parish has been continued by their daughter, Rosemary, a fine example of so many “unsung” parishioners whose daily gifts of time and talent form the living spirit which sustains Our Lady of Victory. In her loving tribute to Fr. Connors which appeared in “The Voice of Victory” in June of 1980 on the occasion of his departure from Our Lady of Victory, Sue Anderson asked: “Could plaques, statues given in his name, monuments say what is in our hearts?” The answer of course, was “No”. Sue’s own further reflections on how this good priest could and should best be remembered by the members of his parish are worth reading, perhaps while sitting on a bench on a late summer day under the canopy of trees in the “Rosary Walk”.
Correction
In the previous Parish History about the “Living Rosary” the information regarding the statue was incorrect.
Rosemary Donelan donated the statue of the Blessed Mother at the Living Rosary in loving memory of her mother, Arline Donelan, the organist at Our Lady of Victory for many years and Rosemary’s brother, John Donelan.
We apologize for the error.
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Week 20 Question
What were the circumstances which led to a Pulitzer prize winning author becoming a member of Our Lady of Victory Parish?
Week 20 Answer
When Our Lady of Victory Parish was established, the boundaries of the parish would include areas which formerly were part of Our Lady of the Assumption in Osterville and St. Francis Xavier in Hyannis, where our first pastor, Howard A Waldron had once served. But the original decree issued by Bishop Connolly dated July 28, 1957, which formally established the parish and its boundaries was incomplete. It contained no southerly boundary beyond the junction of Craigville Beach Road and Old Town Road. In 1957, John F. Kennedy, a parishioner of St. Francis Xavier, was preparing to seek re-election to the U.S. Senate in 1958, and the presidential nomination of his party in 1960. His book “Profiles in Courage” was published in 1957 and awarded a Pulitzer Prize. On November 21, 1958 Bishop Connolly issued a second decree which brought some clarity to the matter of the parish boundaries by extending the easterly boundary of the parish to the intersection of Straightway and the Craigville-Hyannisport Road, and “thence in a general southerly direction across the Hyannis (sic) Gold Course to the Sea”. Land to the east of that line would be part of St. Francis Xavier and land to the west of the line would be part of Our Lady of Victory. The waters of Nantucket Sound would form the southern boundary of the parish.
The amended decree places Squaw Island clearly within the boundary of Our Lady of Victory Parish. In the Summer of 1962, the Squaw Island home of the “Irish nightingale”, singer Morton Downey, was the “Summer White House” for the Pulitzer Prize winning author, and now President of the United States, John F. Kennedy and his family. As one sat on Craigville Beach on a Friday afternoon in the Summer of ‘62, one would see three military helicopters come from Otis Air Base, circle wide off the beaches and settle onto a plateau on the ocean side of the island adjacent to the Downey home, bringing the President to a weekend of relaxation with his family. On late Sunday afternoon the helicopters would re-appear, pick up the Commander in Chief and return to Otis where Air Force One would take him to Washington, D.C. If anyone at the time had realized that for one brief, shining moment, the President of the United States was a member of our young parish, Father Howard A. Waldron and the front steps of Our Lady of Victory might have been as familiar to the country as St. Francis Xavier.
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Week 19 Question
What parishioner of Our Lady of Victory has won silver and gold medals in Olympic competition?
Week 19 Answer
There’s and old expression – “What’s in a song?
The U.S. team members were awarded silver medals for their second place finish, defeating the heavily favored Canadian team, but losing to the Soviets who were beginning to emerge as the dominant power in international. Four years later, the Winter Olympic Games were held at Squaw Valley in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. This time, the Yanks struck gold in “them thar hills”. The nation watched on black and white television sets on a Sunday afternoon (Walter Cronkite as anchorman and Bud Palmer as play-by-play) as Billy scored the first goal for the U.S.A. in it’s 3-2 upset victory over the Soviets.
The next day, the U.S.A. came from behind in the third period to defeat Czechoslovakia, 9-4, the final goal being a dazzling end –to-end rush by our own fellow parishioner. Billy would lead the tournament in scoring and in addition to his gold medal, he won a bottle of vodka in a bet from the legendary Soviet coach, Anatoly Tarasov, who fretted that Billy’s efforts would help send him to Siberia. But despite the silver and gold, his induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame, and coaching his alma mater to a national hockey championship, his proudest moment in athletics came as a twenty year old, marching behind his country’s flag in the parade of athletes, into the stadium under the Alpine sky for “Arrivederci Roma”….. What’s in a song?
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Week 18 Question
What woman built the first Catholic chapel in the Mid-Cape area?
Week 18 Answer
In 1870, while living in New York City, John Simpkins was diagnosed with a terminal illness. He told his wife, Ruth Sears Simpkins, that when he was gone, she should take their seven (7) children, all of whom were under ten years of age, together with their Irish-born nurse, Jane Byrne, back to Yarmouth to live. When her husband passed away, Mrs. Simpkins returned to Yarmouth with her children and their nurse. Mrs. Simpkins herself died twelve years later in 1882. To the young Simpkins family, Jane Byrne a devout Catholic, was now the living presence of parental love in their home. When the eldest son, John Simpkins, a United States Congressman for what once was the 13 th Congressional District died in 1898, his siblings asked Jane what they could do for her, to thank her for all of her years of devoted service to their brother and their family. Like the good people of West Barnstable who would later (1915) request that Fr. Mortimer Downing of St. Francis Xavier parish help them build the chapel known as Our Lady of Hope, she replied that she would like to have a chapel built in the vicinity where her small number of fellow Catholics could attend Mass regularly. Although not Catholics themselves, the Simpkins family responded by providing the land, the funds and a builder, to construct a small chapel on Summer Street in Yarmouthport. On the night of November 27, 1898, with the chapel near completion, a ferocious blizzard hit the Cape, and the building collapsed. During the storm, the steamer” Portland” was sunk of Provincetown, with all hands lost. With great generosity, the Simpkins family and their builder began again and the chapel was completed in 1899. Located above the altar is a broad triptych of brilliant stained glass, through which the sunshine illuminates the figures of the Magdalene, the mother of Jesus, and John, each in solitary sorrow before the cross. To the left of the altar on the wall of the sanctuary is a stone tablet, with words which encapsulate a life fully lived in a thousand acts of daily kindness for the children of others:
In memory of Jane Byrne
1826 – 1911
In whole life the love of God was manifest
By her dedication this church was built
1899
The information contained in this answer was derived from an article researched and written by Margaret Milliken in the May 24, 1979 edition of “The Register”, which is located in the glass case inside the entrance to the chapel. Thanks also to Fr. Tom Frechette of St. Francis for convenient access to this historic chapel and its story.back to top
Week 17 Question
How long did Fr. Waldron remain as pastor of Our Lady of Victory, and what was the name of the priest who most frequently served with him on weekends during the early years?
Week 17 Answer
Fr. Howard A. Waldron was ordained in 1933 and began his priestly service at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Hyannis. From 1934 to 1936 he served at Sacred Heart, Taunton and then returned to St. Francis Xavier from 1936 to 1943. From 1943 to 1952 he served at St. James, New Bedford and St. Mary’s, Attleboro from 1953 to 1957. He was made pastor at Our Lady of Victory in June of 1957. On summer weekends, Fr. Waldron was fortunate to have the assistance of Fr. George Drury S.J. who also taught at Boston College. Fr. Drury was very well liked and admired, and those who remember him may have the chance to renew old acquaintances at the dinner on July 1, 2007. In 1964 Fr. Waldron was transferred to St. Thomas More in Somerset where he presided over the capital campaign and the construction of a new church. He served at St. Thomas More for fourteen years until his retirement in 1978, with the title of “Pastor Emeritus”. At Fr. Waldron’s retirement dinner, he was able to preside over a “mortgage burning” ceremony while his grateful parishioners sang ”When Irish Eyes Are Smiling”. Fr. Waldron passed away on March 28, 1985, two years after observing his 50th Anniversary of ordination.
Bishop Connolly had the foresight to recognize the growth which would come to Barnstable with the completion of the Mid-Cape Highway, and the need for a new parish to accommodate the expected growth in the Catholic community. Today, fifty years later, we are grateful to Bishop Connolly for his selection as our first pastor, Howard A. Waldron, an engaging, energetic and resourceful man, who, with the help of his friends, laid the solid foundation on which the faith community of Our Lady of Victory Parish rests today.
Addendum to a prior answer: Fr. Francis Matignon, who was an exile from the French Revolution, was already in Boston when he wrote and encouraged Jean Louis Lefebvre de Cheverus to come to new England to serve the small Catholic community. Years later, Bishop Carroll planned to appoint Fr. Matignon as the first Bishop of Boston, but Fr. Matignon declined, saying that Fr. Cheverus was more deserving of the honor.
Thus, through the humility of the good Fr. Matignon, was Fr. Cheverus made Boston’s first bishop.
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Week 16 Question
Answer to previous parish history quiz:
What items did Fr. Waldron borrow and where was his permanent residence?
In last weeks parish history we learned that Bishop Connolly informed Fr. Howard A. Waldron on June 21, 1957 that he was the newly appointed administrator of the newly created parish of Our Lady of Victory and that he should “please set about to equip the church with what things are necessary in the way of altar equipment, vestments and the like. Some you may have to buy new, some you may be able to borrow. I expect you to take up permanent residence on July 1st”.
This week’s quiz question was:
What items did Fr. Waldron borrow and where was his permanent residence?
The church building was blessed on June 28, 1957 by Bishop Connolly with the assistance of Fr. Waldron and the pastors of the two parishes from which the new parish was created; Fr. Walter Buckley of Our Lady of the Assumption in Osterville and Father Leonard Dailey of St. Francis Xavier in Hyannis. The items which Father Waldron had to borrow in time for the first Mass on July 7, 1957 were the altar, the kneelers and pews, which he was able to borrow from St. James Church in New Bedford, where he had served between 1943 – 1952. Mass was said in the unfinished church through October, at which time, the altar and the pews were moved downstairs. Masses were said in the basement until May 5, 1958 when the “church” was moved permanently to the upstairs. The small number of families located within the boundaries of the new parish rallied to their first pastor. Judge Henry L. Murphy, Steve O’Brien and Arthur Maddalena served as trustees to help manage the important financial obligations. The patches on his clothing were repaired by a small group of ladies of the parish whom he dubbed “The Molly Menders”.
Through the continued generosity of Herbert Kalmus who had donated the land on which the church was built, the church was now equipped with a carillon in the bell tower which would ring out the Angelus and other hymns. Friends of the late Paul A. Dever, a summer resident of Long beach Road, and the former Governor of the Commonwealth donated the first church organ in his memory. By the time Fr. Waldron was able to celebrate his 25th Anniversary of Ordination on June 10, 1958, he also had his own altar, pews and kneelers. His concern for these important fixtures was apparent in his directive to his parishioners on June 22, 1958 that they please not “kick the kneelers as they are not paid for yet”.
With respect to his living quarters, Fr. Waldron had to be resourceful as he was with respect to equipping the church. He was able to use the Fitzgerald cottage on Lake Wequaquet through the summer of 1957 and into the Fall, and then was able to find heated accommodations for the winter in the Scaramelli home in Centerville. During this period, Fr. Waldron would conduct the business of the parish in the church building and would also go through the community and visit his parishioners at their homes. In April of 1958, the Diocese acquired a single family residence on Park Street in Centerville, and Fr. Waldron was finally able to take up “permanent residence” as directed by the Bishop.
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Week 15 Question
What was the name of the man who served as the first bishop of the Catholic Community of Cape Cod?
Week 15 Answer
The seeds of faith may be planted alone and in the wilderness, but the roots can grow deep and strong. As a young priest, the French born (1768) Jean-Louis Ann Madelain Lefebvre de Cheverus, had refused to take an oath to the French Revolution and was forced to flee for his life to London. Fr. Francis Matignon, (also an exile of the French Revolution) informed him of the needs of the few hardy Catholics in New England, so he sent him to Boston in October 1796. He earned the admiration and affection of both native Americans and of Puritans, helping to create a less hostile environment in which the Catholic faith could be practiced and nurtured. Fr. Cheverus became the first bishop of Boston in 1808 and served in that capacity until 1823, when, he was recalled to France. He was elevated to the rank of cardinal in 1835 and died in Bordeaux on July 19, 1836.
Among those who were led to the Catholic faith by Bishop Cheverus, was the first New England nun, Frances Allen, daughter of Gen. Ethan Allen of the Green Mountain Boys. Cheverus was succeeded as Bishop of Boston by Benedict Joseph Fenwick S.J, John Bernard Fitzpatrick, and Joseph Williams, who was appointed Bishop in 1866 and made Boston’s first Archbishop in 1875. It was during Bishop Williams’ tenure that the Diocese of Providence was established in 1872, including Cape Cod. There were at least two mission churches on the Cape by the turn of the century. In 1904, the Diocese of Fall River, including Cape Cod, was created and the Most Reverend William Stang was named the first bishop of the new diocese. Following his death in 1907, he was succeeded in office by Bishops Daniel F. Feehan, James E. Cassidy, and James L. Connolly. It was Bishop Connolly who, on June 21, 1957 informed our own Founding Father Howard A. Waldron of his new assignment:
“I hereby name you administrator of the Church of Our Lady of Victory in Centerville. You will be continued in this office in the late Fall… You will please set about to equip the church with what things are necessary in the way of altar equipment, vestments and the like. Some you may have to buy new, some you may be able to borrow. I expect you to take up permanent residence on July 1st……” With every devoted good wish…..
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Week 14 Question
When was the first Christmas midnight Mass celebrated
at OLH and who was responsible for the event?
Week 14 Answer: At the time of its construction in 1915, the only source of heat for the chapel was a wood burning stove located in the fieldstone “Cape Cod cellar”. Parishioners would volunteer to go into the cellar on Saturday evening and “get the fire started” so that there would be some warmth in the building to greet the villagers who came to Mass on brisk Fall Sunday mornings. But, as winter winds moved across Cape Cod Bay, the wood stove was insufficient, and the chapel could not be used again until the return of Spring.
John J. Feeney was born in Lynn, graduated in 1924 from Boston College High School, and from the College of the Holy Cross in 1928. He obtained a Master’s Degree in English Literature from a school in Cambridge called Harvard University. His first line of work was as a columnist for the Hearst newspapers. But not content to spend his days as an ink stained wretch, he began theological studies at Innsbruck, Austria, thereafter at St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, and was ordained a priest in St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Manchester, NH on May 23, 1934. During World War II, Fr. John Feeney served as a chaplain of combat infantry for 22 months in the South Pacific, and after the end of the war, returned to NH to serve as pastor for some of the communities in the White Mountain area. Father Feeney began coming to serve at the chapel of Our Lady of Hope in 1963, three years after it had been designated as part of Our Lady of Victory parish, and while Founding Father Howard Waldron was pastor. Fr. Feeney’s appreciation for the chapel, and the generous response of the community to his plan for improvements, led to the installation of a central heating system by the winter of 1969, so that in July of 1970, he would write with an appropriate mixture of pride and joy:
“This past winter was the first time that services were conducted in the church over a twelve month period. The great feast of Christmas was celebrated with Midnight Mass by myself for the first time since it had been built in 1915…. Holy Week found services conducted again for the first time in fifty-five years, and the joy of Easter Sunday rang forth in this quaint house of God.”
We remember with gratitude, Fr. John J. Feeney, a Jesuit – educated man of letters, who had seen the face of battle in faith-filled service to his countrymen in distant lands, and in that same spirit brought to the congregation of Our Lady of Hope, the opportunity to share and celebrate in all seasons, the essential events of Christian faith.
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Week 13 Question
What connection is there between George Souza and Herbert T. Kalmus?
Week 13 Answer
Coming soon!
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Week 12 Questions
(A) In what year was the Mission Chapel built?
(B) What was the name and place of birth of the man who presided over the
construction of the chapel?
(C) What object sits atop the dome of the belfry?
(D) What well known architectural firm designed the building?
(E) What financial dispensations were given in “The Summer of ‘42”?
Week 12 Answers
With thanks and appreciation to G. Margaret Rourke for assembling much of the information in her booklet, first published in 1988, we share the following piece of history with our faithful readers:
Mortimer Downing, who was born in Ireland in 1863, studied theology, art and architecture in Paris. Prior to ordination, he was assigned to the Fall River area of the Providence Diocese, and became pastor of St. Francis Xavier parish in 1913. Included in the parish of St. Francis Xavier was the mission chapel located in Osterville, known as Our Lady of the Assumption, which would not become a formal parish until 1928. The Portuguese fisherman, farmers, and brick workers living in the West Barnstable area, informed Fr. Downing of their desire for a church of their own. Responding to their needs, Father Downing collaborated with Mathew Sullivan of the renowned Boston architectural firm of Maginnis & Walsh to design a “Spanish Monastic” style chapel, constructed with the finest of West Barnstable bricks. Sitting atop the Romanesque belfry and Byzantine dome is the anchor, the ecclesiastical symbol of Hope (“the anchor of the soul” – Hebrews 6: 19-20) whose stock and shank also serve to represent the cross. The anchor appears in the stained glass windows, and the vigilant Lady above the entry door stands behind a large anchor.
Thus, the chapel would serve not only as a conveniently located place of worship, but also as a tangible reminder of the “old country” for the Portuguese community in the area, combining the ecclesiastical significance of the anchor with the heritage of the mariner: “Mother of Christ, Star of the Sea, pray for the wanderer, pray for me.”
We do well to remember Fr. Mortimer Downing, a fine and thoughtful man of many talents, who crossed the Atlantic more than 100 years ago to travel the “mission” territory of Cape Cod, and in 1916, worked with his community to build the sturdy and striking chapel of the Lady of Hope.
Answer:During the summer of 1942, Camp Edwards (located within what is now Otis Air Base) was a training camp for young American men who were serving in the United States Army, and preparing to head to Europe for combat. Apparently there were a number of these young soldiers who were Catholic and willing to make the effort to journey (probably by jeep or convoy truck along the Cape Cod Canal and down old Route 6 {now Route 6A}) from Falmouth to West Barnstable on summer Sunday mornings in order to attend Mass.
A handwritten entry in the announcement book of Our Lady of Hope for July 26, 1942 reads:
“We have a good number of servicemen stationed in or about these villages and until such time as they have their own chaplains, we extend the courtesy of this church to them, to be our guests rather than our parishioners and to exempt them from all seat offerings and collections as they are in Camp. We do not consider this exemption a charity. Rather, it is a tribute and an expression of our appreciation for the sacrifices they are making for our beloved country”.
The little Chapel of Hope was surely a place where those in uniform, who would soon enough be in the crucible of war, could find moments of peace and prayerful reflection, as well as strength and courage for the labors and sacrifices which lay ahead of them.
Week 11 Question
On June 10, 1962, Fr. Howard A. Waldron, our first pastor, informed the parish that people wearing _______ “are not welcome at Mass. The ushers are instructed to refuse them admittance…. Our policy is to maintain the dignity of our parish church”. To what was Fr. Waldron referring?
(A) New York Yankee Hats
(B) Golf Shoes
(C) Shorts
(D) Sunglasses
(E) T-shirts
(F) Black socks with sandals
Week 11 Answer
(C) Forty-five years ago, Fr. Waldron expressed his disdain for shorts being worn at Mass at Our Lady of Victory. One year later, Bob Dylan would write “The Times They Are A’ Changin” which foretold what the 1960’s would bring to many aspects of the American experience, including the Catholic Church. The nature of vocations, the form of the liturgy, the concept of authority, the relationship between the “ordained” and the “un-ordained”, particularly in personal confession would be dramatically altered during that turbulent decade. Despite all that has happened, Fr. Waldron’s small community of faith has grown and prospered perhaps beyond what he could envision at that time. Were he to return for the celebration of our 50 th Anniversary year, perhaps he would grimace at the fact that the ushers no longer enforce his prior edict. But we hope that he would come to understand that despite our sometimes less than sartorial splendor, like Bartimeus, we continue to climb the hill with the crowd, in need of forgiveness, hoping to catch a fleeting glimpse of the Son of David as he passes by, hopeful and fearful that he will h ear our call, stop, turn and look directly at us.
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Week 10 Question:
What event in Fr. Connor’s life, which he experienced shortly before his assignment as pastor of Our Lady of Victory, and of which he spoke to Fr. Ed Correia, was instrumental in the spiritual growth and development of the parish?
Week 10 Answer:
The ten years pastorate of Father Francis (“Chub”) Connors was a significant period in the life of the parish. Deeply spiritual and “non-worldly, but with a human touch, he came to Our Lady of Victory in 1970. Like Prometheus, he brought with him the gift of fire, which he had recently experienced at “Cursillo”. He shared his Cursillo experience with his charismatic curate, Fr. Ed Correia, who along with a small group of parishioners, answered a call to experience Cursillo themselves. The prayer of faith is that the Spirit be sent forth among the people to renew the face of the earth. With the active encouragement and support of Fr. Connors and Fr. Correia, the Cursillo experience continued to spread within the parish community, and instilled in the hearts of many a desire to leave the “upper room” and go out and share the good news in service to their brothers and sisters. Many of the parish ministries which still endure today, such as Birthright (Thank you, Sue Anderson!) and ECHO were inspired by the Cursillo experience. Fr. Connors’ work is done, and done well. May the fire which he and Fr. Correia brought to us in 1970 continue to burn brightly in our parish today and tomorrow.
Week 9 Question:
Once a decision has been made, it is not easy to get a bishop to change his mind. But what priest, once assigned to Our Lady of Victory parish, and then transferred to another parish by the bishop, made church history by being brought back once again to Our lady of Victory by the incessant clamoring of the “vox populi”?
Week 9 Answer:
Once a decision has been made, it is not easy to get a bishop to change his mind. But what priest, once assigned to Our Lady of Victory parish, and then transferred to another parish by the bishop, made church history by being brought back once again to Our Lady of Victory by the incessant clamoring of the “vox populi”? Fr. Ed Correia’s first assignment as a newly ordained priest was to Our Lady of Victory on May 29, 1968 at a time when Fr. James Lyons was pastor. Fr. Ed made an immediate impact and quickly became involved in many aspects of parish life. But in September of 1968, he was transferred to Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard. A reception honoring Fr. Ed’s brief, but significant stay at Our Lady of Victory was held on October 20, 1968. His transfer triggered a revolt by the (normally) easy-going people of the parish. No documents were nailed to the doors of the cathedral, but the populace besieged the diocesan powers with polite pleas, petitions, prayers and protestations. After a winter of discontent and thoughtful discernment, the bishop returned Fr. Ed to Our Lady of Victory on May 18, 1969. Fr. Lyons left in August of 1969 and Fr. Raymond McCarthy served briefly as pastor until July of 1970 when Fr. Francis Connors was named pastor. Fr. Connors would serve as pastor until 1980. In keeping with the spirit of the Second Vatican Council, the diocesan decision making process, (significantly aided by the Spirit indwelling among the people and as expressed by them) proved to be of great benefit to the people of Our Lady of Victory. Under the stewardship of Fr. Connors and Fr. Correia, the parish entered into a remarkable period of growth and development, in numbers as well as in parish activity.
Week 8 Question:
Do you know why there are always fresh roses present at the tabernacle to the left of the sanctuary?
Week 8 Answer:
The members of the Pendergast family have been mainstays of the parish since its formation in 1957. John J. Pendergast (“Jack, Sr.”) was postmaster of Centerville when the Post Office was located in the building which is now occupied by Unique Real Estate at the intersection of Main Street and the Old Stage Road; i.e. Monument Square. He also owned and operated the Post Office Market which was located in the center of the building. The post office was a single, small room located to the left of the front door of the market. He was also the owner of the Trade Winds Inn, located on the crest of the curve of Craigville Beach Road. The Trade Winds would be the location where Jack, Sr. and his wife Sylvia would host a parish reception for our first Pastor, Rev. Howard A. Waldron on August 15, 1957. The nearby public beach now known as Covell’s Beach was part of the Trade Winds experience and was known then as “Jack’s Beach”. Mr. Pendergast had a deep devotion to the mother of Jesus and donated the first statue of Mary to the celebration of the first Mass of the parish on July 7, 1957. But sorrow and loss would be a part of that celebration, as Lorraine Pendergast, the late wife of our good friend, John J. (Jack, Jr.”) Pendergast, Jr. died on July 2, 1957 while giving birth to their son John J. Pendergast, III. Prayers for the repose of the soul of Lorraine were offered at all the Masses on July 7, 1957. On July 21, 1957, young Jackie was the first baby baptized in the parish. Jack, Jr. donated the first baptismal font to the parish. Twice each week thereafter, Jack Sr. had a half dozen red roses delivered to the church and placed in a vase before the statue of Mary. Perhaps the woman, whose compassion for those in need of a loving hand was evident at the wedding in Cana, was moved to respond again. For the Pendergast family, and our parish family have been truly blessed all these years with the gift of the person of Shirley (DeGanton) Pendergast. Upon the death of Jack, Sr. in 1974, Jack, Jr. and Shirley have continued the tradition of Roses for Mary, as a devotional memorial for their deceased family members and the deceased members of all the parish. Our thanks to Jack & Shirley, and to Jack’s mother and father for all their generosity toward their priests and fellow parishioners over the span of fifty (50) years!
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Week 7 Question:
What septuagenarian took the steps which ultimately rendered obsolete the dazzling and hard-earned Latin skills of the (then) young brothers Murphy?
Week 7 Answer:
In 1958, upon the death of Pope Pius XII, the humble and unpretentious Angelo Cardinal Roncalli was elected Pope John XXIII at the age of 77. While his papacy only lasted five years, he set an example for senior citizens everywhere, by defying the expectations that he would be a caretaker or transitional pope. He was a revolutionary and controversial figure of historical significance who expanded and internationalized the college of cardinals, undertook to revise the code of canon law, and call the Second Vatican Council (1962 – 1965) to revitalize the church and bring about the unification of all Christians. In 1964, the council issued a directive for the revision of the liturgy, and the First Sunday of Advent in 1969 was the formal date for the celebration of the liturgy in the “vernacular”. No more Latin.
Certain elements within the church were so disturbed by the events triggered by John XXIII’s papacy, that they claimed his election and all his subsequent actions were invalid. Among the charges were that he was a heretic and a Freemason. Others claimed that the real pope had actually been elected on a prior ballot, but had been forced to abdicate in favor of Cardinal Roncalli. John XXIII’s election also had a direct impact on the local church. Richard J. Cushing had been Archbishop of Boston since 1944, but Pius XII, (perhaps at the request of another American prelate with ties to nearby Fernbrook) had declined to elevate him to the college of cardinals. Referring to Pius XII in his own inimitable style, Archbishop Cushing was reported to have said: “I can’t get anywhere with this guy”. John XXII, who was more appreciative of Cushing’s breezy style, wasted no time in bringing him to Rome to receive his red hat, and Boston had a cardinal again.
This week’s parish history quiz:
Do you know why there are always fresh roses present at the tabernacle to the left of the sanctuary?
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Week 6 Question:
Among the first words spoken at the first mass celebrated in the church on July 7, 1957 by the first pastor were:
A) “The first collection today if for the church building fund”
B) “There will be coffee and doughnuts after Mass”
C) “Introibo ad altare dei”
D) “Thank you for coming. Parking and exiting will be much easier starting next week.”
Week 6 Answer:
Answer to last week’s parish history quiz;
The first words spoken at the beginning of the first Mass at Our lady of Victory on July 7, 1957:
C) “Introibo ad altare dei”
Technically, the first words were “In Nomine Patris, et Filius et Spiritus Sanctus”, but that was too easy.
On July 7, 1957 when the first Mass was celebrated at Our Lady of Victory, the language of the liturgy was Latin, and for the most part, the priest had his back turned to the congregation throughout the Mass. You Latin scholars will know that the words: “Introibo ad altare Dei” which were recited at the very beginning of the Mass, translate to “I will go unto the altar of God”. The altar “boys” gave the response on behalf of the congregation: “Ad Deum qui laetificat juventutem meum” which translates to: “To God, the joy of my youth”.
The altar “boys” making the response for the congregation on July 7, 1957 were those fledgling Latin scholars, Larry and Doug Murphy, the (then) young sons of the late Hon. Henry L. Murphy and Mary Murphy. Judge and Mrs. Murphy were there “in the beginning” (Genesis: 1.1; John: 1.1) and were mainstays of the parish for many years, serving in various capacities too numerous to mention at this time. Mrs. Murphy’s vigor and dedication to the parish continue, and she has graciously agreed to serve as Honorary Chair of the 50 th Anniversary Committee. Thank you, Mary Murphy!
Week 5 Question:
What “victory” is being referred to in the name “Our Lady of Victory”?
Week 5 Answer: Pope Benedict XVI (a Bavarian) recently stirred the waters of controversy with some comments on the nature of Islam. But the waters of the Ionian Sea off the coast of Greece were red with the blood of Muslim and Christian when the last great sea battle between galleys being powered by oar took place on October 7, 1571. The rowing power of the Ottoman fleet was being supplied by 30,000 Christians who had been captured and pressed into service as galley slaves. Pope Pius V had implored all Christians to pray the rosary for victory. Known as the Battle of Lapanto, 215 vessels of the Papal Holy League, under the command of Ali Pasha, who was captured and beheaded. After the battle, the Pope created a new Catholic feast of Our Lady of Victory. Among the combatants at Lepanto was Miguel Cervantes who lost the use of his left hand in the fighting. He was later captured and held captive for five years by the Turks. Portions of his work Don Quixote are based upon his experiences. One of the naval commanders of the Holy League was the Genoese Admiral, Giovanni Andrea Doria. Those parishioners of a certain longevity will recall that the Andrea Doria was the name of the Italian luxury liner which collided with the Swedish liner Stockholm off Nantucket on the fog – shrouded night of July 25, 1956 and sank the next morning. 46 lives were lost by 1660 were rescued.
F.Y.I. You may enjoy reading Lepanto by G.D. Chesterton.
Many thanks to John V. McManmon, Jr. for suggesting this great question and providing some of the background information on the answer. We continue to welcome any information, stories, recollections and pictures relating to the parish, the people and priests who have been part of the first 50 years of Our Lady of Victory.
Week 4 Question: What was the total bill for all of Lebel’s work in constructing the church, including the clearing and paving of our favorite parking lot?
A) $213,233.19 B) $334,044.25
C) $484,333.27 D) $599,677.38
E) $710,284.37
The answer is A) $213,233.19
I’ll wager a cigar it looks like a pretty fair price from where Fr. Mark sits.
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Week 3 Question:
What was the name of the construction company which built our church?
A) Halliburton Corp.
B) Bechtel, Parsons & Brinkerhoff
C) John B. Lebel & Sons.
D) Dewey, Cheatham & Howe
E) Campanella & CardiThe answer is: C) John B. Lebel & Sons.
Documentation would suggest that Bishop Connolly did not have a fixed price contract with Lebel, but was charged for labor and materials, plus an agreed percentage for profit. The land was cleared in early 1956 and the final bill was submitted in June of 1958. In his correspondence, Mr. Lebel acknowledged the bill might seem “a little high”.
Mass was celebrated in the unfinished church during the summer of 1957. At the end of the summer, Lebel moved “the church” into the basement where Mass was said during the winter of 1957 – 1958, while the interior of the main church was being finished. In the Spring of 1958, when the interior of the upstairs was complete, Lebel moved “the church” back upstairs.
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Week 2 Question:
The correct answer to the quiz which asked for the name of the estate to which our parish land once belonged…. “and the envelope, please” (B) Fernbrook.
A deed conveying the southerly 6.87 acres of the estate known as “Fernbrook” to James. L. Connolly the Bishop of Fall River was signed by Dr. Herbert T. Kalmus on December 13, 1956. Thus, the opening moments of our official fifty year history are nigh upon us. Dr. Kalmus, in the humble opinion of your reporter, deserves the title of “First Parishioner”, and it seems fitting to share some biographical information with the beneficiaries of his talent and generosity.
Born in Chelsea, Massachusetts on November 9, 1881, his mother died when he was four years old. Unwilling to endure harsh treatment from his new stepmother, he left home at the age of eleven, to find work and begin life on his own. The lad must have found timely encouragement and direction for his obvious abilities, as he graduated from M.I.T. in 1904, and obtained a Ph.D. from the University of Zurich in 1906. He taught physics and conducted research at M.I.T. before taking a teaching position at Queens College in Kingston, Ontario and directing a government research laboratory in electrochemistry and metallurgy.
During this period, he began experimenting with the development of color film. He formed a research and development firm, and by 1915 had developed the process known as Technicolor, which became the most widely employed method for making movies in color for the next several decades.
Despite his success and prominence in the film industry, Dr. Kalmus had little use for Hollywood or its lifestyle. In addition to great intellectual ability, ambition and skills in business, he possessed a deep appreciation of classical religious art and was an accomplished classical pianist. Perhaps as a result of his own experience as a young boy, he expressed an interest in developing a curriculum at a major university, the objective of which would be to “eliminate fear” in young men and women.
Happily for us, he also had a deep appreciation for the natural beauty to be found in Barnstable County and Centerville in particular.
He acquired twenty (20) acres located on Nine Mile Pond (Wequaquet Lake) in the area known as Huckin’s Neck, and other land on Dunbar Point in Hyannis, now known as Kalmus Park, which he later donated to the Town of Barnstable for public beach and recreation purposes.
His home was the large estate on the Main Street of Centerville, known as “Fernbrook”, whose gardens were designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, the renowned designer of New York’s Central Park and Boston’s “Emerald Necklace”. Dr. Kalmus entertained and conducted business at Fernbrook with many of the well known names of the film industry. A tall and physically imposing man, “The Doctor” as he was known, returned to Fernbrook whenever possible, and greatly enjoyed walking the streets of Centerville, and the woods of Huckin's Neck.
On September 19, 1949, Dr. Kalmus married Eleanore King, a devout Catholic. The influence and example of his good wife (“behind every successful…..”) together with the intellectual approach provided by his friend and fellow scientist Steven Murray S.J., brought about his decision to become a Catholic, a decision which must surely have played a role in his gifting of the land on which we gather.
As the parishioner living closest to the parish grounds, Dr. Kalmus’ interest and generosity continued beyond his gift of land. He purchased the first carillon to be installed in the church and became a good friend of our first pastor, Howard A. Waldron. In 1959, he conveyed the remainder of his beloved Fernbrook to the Archdiocese of New York, as a result of which Francis Cardinal Spellman, acquired a taste for Four Seas ice cream.
Dr. Kalmus passed away on July 11, 1963 and was frequently remembered in Masses celebrated at Our Lady of Victory. His “European Collection” of religious art, which is permanently located at the Los Angeles County Museum, has been featured on the television series on European Art hosted by Sister Wendy. His personal papers, including correspondence with Terrence Cardinal Cooke and Cardinal Spellman, are on file at the Library of Congress.
As members of the 50 th Anniversary Class of Our Lady of Victory, we gratefully remember him, his wife and their generosity to our parish.
We are grateful to his stepdaughter, Cammie King Conlon (a/k/a/) “Bonnie Blue Butler”) for sharing some of her memories of “Pops” with us.