History of SS. Peter and Paul's Church, Pilot, Illinois : with an historical sketch of Sacred Heart Church, Goodrich, Illinois, and St. James Church, Irwin, Illinois, at one time forming one parish; prefaced by a general local history., Part 12

Author: Meyer, J.
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: s.n.],
Number of Pages: 384


USA > Illinois > Kankakee County > Pilot > History of SS. Peter and Paul's Church, Pilot, Illinois : with an historical sketch of Sacred Heart Church, Goodrich, Illinois, and St. James Church, Irwin, Illinois, at one time forming one parish; prefaced by a general local history. > Part 12
USA > Illinois > Kankakee County > Irwin > History of SS. Peter and Paul's Church, Pilot, Illinois : with an historical sketch of Sacred Heart Church, Goodrich, Illinois, and St. James Church, Irwin, Illinois, at one time forming one parish; prefaced by a general local history. > Part 12
USA > Illinois > Kankakee County > Goodrich > History of SS. Peter and Paul's Church, Pilot, Illinois : with an historical sketch of Sacred Heart Church, Goodrich, Illinois, and St. James Church, Irwin, Illinois, at one time forming one parish; prefaced by a general local history. > Part 12


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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The Catholic schoolmaster was likewise banned and hunted. He had to hide from house to house. In sum- mer he gathered his small class behind a hedge in a re- mote glen (hedge schoolmasters) or in a ditch. Latin and Greek were taught to the rugged hunted scholars. Abbeys, monasteries and church property were confiscated. Many thousands sought refuge in France and Germany in those troublesome days. The penal laws were finally revoked in 1829 through the intercession and efforts of Ireland's great liberator, Daniel O'Connell.


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Ireland is divided into four provinces which are sub- divided into thirty-two counties. Dublin is the capital.


As to the question of education the island was famous in the sixth, seventh and eighth century for its learning. A Saxon writer of those days says it is as rich in the wealth of science and as thickly set with learned men as the poles with stars. The education of present day is under the supervision of the government and divided for the most part along denominational lines. Illiteracy has noticeably decreased. There are a few universities, colleges and theo- logical institutions, Catholic and non-Catholic. In early days, as already mentioned, we find the "hedge schoolmast- er," After the turbulent times of persecution had passed, the schoolmaster taught in a schoolhouse built of sod by the roadside with an earthen floor, a hole in the roof for a chimney and stones for the pupil's seats, all done by the people's voluntary efforts. In many sections the school- master received little pay, but the people supplied him with eatables and fuel and entertained him in their homes.


Pagan Ireland was converted to the Christian faith by Saint Patrick, the national apostle, in the fifth century. Soon after many saintly men left as missionaries for the continent. St. Columbanus went to Italy, where he found- ed the abbey of Bobbio and another one at Luxeuil, France, where the writer had the privilege to spend a few years of his classical education. Saint Gall went to Switzerland, Saints Kilian and Virgilius to Germany, where no fewer than 200 churches are dedicated to Irish missionaries. Another famous apostle in Ireland was Saint Columkill (521-563), or Columba, meaning dove. He founded several monasteries and also extended his labors to Scotland. Saint Brigid (incorrectly known as Bridget, 451-525) is the patroness of Ireland. She founded a school of art and hence is also known at the patroness of students. Through all the stormy days of persecution Ireland, which is mostly Catholic, kept the faith of St. Patrick with a loyalty and consistent devotion, unequalled in the world. What is more inspiring and worthy of consideration than the home in Ireland, hallowed by the presence of the Irish mother.


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At dusk the members of the family return to their homes; here she sits waiting by the cherished hearth. The family is kneeling, her toil-worn hands clasp the old, brown rosary; she begins the prayers. She is foremost among the hidden saints on earth, her cloister is between the four walls of her poor home, where she reigns as a queen. Her little kingdom comprises the precious souls entrusted to her guide. Yes, extreme poverty and want are conspicuous in that poor home, but peace, piety and virtue, calm resi- gnation and serene confidence in God ,acquired by years of unending prayers and "the Lord's will be done" are reign- ing supreme therin.


Occasionally, a pilgrimage is made to mementoes and shrines of an old famous church or to a carefully carved Celtic cross of past ages. How many tears poured out be- fore them, and how many sorrows solaced.


St. Patrick, we are told, made use of the three-leaf shamrock to explain to the pagan Celts the doctrine of the Trinity, hence that little trefoil became the national emblem of Ireland and the custom of "wearing the green" on St. Patrick's day has prevailed up to the present time.


Ireland is a land of natural scenery unequalled in any quarter of the world, a land of beauty beyond description, a lovely section of the earth's surface, a land of mystery, dreaming grandeur, fascination with an illustrious past. It possesses great possibilities ,inexhaustible resources. Yet in the past it was and is now in some sense poverty-strick- en, because her trade of shipping, fisheries, manufacturies has been crippled by laws, exportation prevented by unjust profit of English competitors. As already stated the coun- try was visited by terrible famines. All this explains why so many millions of Irish men and women left their belov- ed country, where few had found a home, never to return again. They crossed the ocean to land at the hospitable shores of the United States. By their indomitable energy, their hardships and privations, their unfailing loyalty to the flag, they have in no small measure contributed to the de- velopment and glory of their newly adopted country and by their deep, strong faith to the pride of the church. These


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qualities also apply to the sons of the Irish race, who settled in the western section of Kankakee county to cultivate the land and increase the productiveness of the soil by their in- dustry and perserverance.


Objectively speaking, Ireland is a distinct natoin with its national character, instincts, and own separate language. From an unprejudiced viewpoint, its union with England was not natural. The Irish people have struggled for free- dom for a period extending over seven hundred years. There is nothing like it in the history of the world. At last the day has come when the isle of destiny will again enjoy the blessings of liberty and freedom, which it has so generally and so generously helped other nations to es- tablish and preserve. May her future forever be bright and may the melancholy years of her heart-breaking history sink below the horizon of the past, in the ocean of oblivion.


MISSIONARY PRIESTS AND RESIDING PASTORS OF ST. JAMES CHURCH


REV. ALEXIS MAIL- LOUX "LE GRAND VICAIRE MAIL- LOUX"


REV. JACQUES COTE


REV. P. PARADIS


REV. GEO S. KERT- SON


REV. J. E. B. LE- VASSEUR


REV. AMBROISE GOULET-FIRST RESIDENT PASTOR OF OLD ST. JAMES CHURCH


REV. ELZEAR THERIEN


REV. J. C. SIMARD


REV. A. MARECHAL


REV. JEAN ALPHONSE ROUQUIE


OLD ST. JAMES CHURCH. REAR HALF BUILT IN 1862 or '63 (PILOT TOWNSHIP SECTION 1, LEHIGH) THE VERY FIRST CATHOLIC CHURCH IN THE WESTERN TERRITORY OF KANKAKEE COUNTY. MOVED IN THE BEGINNING OF THE 1870'S, TWO AND ONE-HALF MILES SOUTH (PILOT TOWNSHIP SECTION 24 WITH FRONT ADDITION BUILT TO IT AND SACRISTY IN REAR.


SITE OF THE OLD ST. JAMES CHURCH "LA VIEILLE PLACE". PILOT TOWNSHIP SECTION 24.


ST. JAMES "OLD CEMETERY". PILOT TOWNSHIP SECTION 24.


St. James Church Pastors.


Rev. Ambrose Goulet, Sr., was apppointed first resi- dent pastor in Sep- REV. AMBROSE GOULET, Sr. 1877-1879 tember 1877. Father Goulet was born in Canada in 1821, and educated in Harvard university, Cambridge. A graduate physician of Paris, he practiced medicine in Boston, Chica- go and Bourbonnais for twenty-seven years. Soon after engaging in his profession he was married, four children being born to this union. After the death of his wife he listened to a higher calling, studied for the priesthood and was ordained by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Foley on August 26, 1877. We are told his son Ambrose Jr. who also studied for the church was ordained on the same day. His first charge was at St. James, Irwin, Ill., in 1877-1879; after- wards at Manteno, St. Anne and St. Charles, and in the spring of 1885 he was appointed to organize a new parish dedicated to St. Ambrose at Kensington, near Chicago, where for a time he said mass in a hall. He remained there for about a year and after taking care of Tampico for sever- al years was appointed in 1893 to St. Mary's in West Chi- cago, where he built a new church and rectory. Finally, worn out by work and the weight of years, he decided to resign from active duty in 1899 and retired to California. Following are the words of his son, the Rev. Ambrose Gou- let, Jr. who retired to Santa Barbara, Calif., concerning the Rev. Ambrose, Sr. "Father Goulet was revered by his peo- ple on account of the dignity with which he performed his pastoral duties in church, for his great learning and zeal. His zeal was always for the glory of God and the salva- tion of souls. 'Nil actum reputans si quid superesset agen- dum.' As long as there is something to be done, there is nothing done.


"After his retirement he continued to say mass, and made every day a preparation for eternity, and on January.


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15, 1907, after receiving the last sacraments, he died at the age of 86 years. With solemn requiem high mass and the full obsequies of the church his body was borne to Calvary cemetery and laid to rest close by the mortuary chapel, near the foothills of old Santa Barbara. There where the grass is ever green, the cypress and the laurel wave their branches in benediction, the sighing winds in the neighboring orange groves sing a gentle requiem over his grave and the moun- tains with their snow caps seem to stand, like giant senti- nels, on guard above his tomb."


Rev. Geo. S. Kertson, of Scotch descent, was born in 1830 in the diocese of Que- REV. GEO. S. KERTSON 1879-1890 bec, Canada. He was or- dained at Montreal on Au- gust 17, 1854, and served as assistant pastor at Marieville in 1854-1855; as pastor of Granby, Diocese of St. Hyacinth, 1855-1860; professor at the Petite seminaire of Montreal in 1860-1861, and then left Canada for the states. He was appointed pastor at Beaverville, Ill .; of St. Joseph's church Manteno; St. James, Irwin, 1879-1890; St. Patrick's church, Momence. Father Kerston died in Nebraska about 1899.


Rev. J. E. B. LeVasseur S. T. D. was born in 1862 at St. Andre de Kamouraska, REV. J. E. B. LE VASSEUR 1890-1894 P. Q., Canada. He stud- ied at the College of St. Anne de la Pocatiere, P. Q .; was ordained at Quebec by Cardinal Tachereau on June 4, 1887, and was appointed assistant pastor at Lot- biniere during 1888-1889. He was appointed professor of theology at the College of Rigaud for 1889-1890 and again assistant pastor at Frazerville. Father LeVasseur came to America on July 17, 1890, and was first appointed as acting pastor pro tem of St. James church, Irwin, Ill., and the ap- pointment was made permanent in September 1890. He made a number of improvements on the church and en- riched the vestry with new vestments. During his pas- torate a movement was inaugurated to transfer the parish church to the village of Irwin, but experiencing some diffi-


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culties and opposition in the execution of the project, he applied for the parish of L'Erable, Iroquois county, Peoria diocese, of which he took charge in May, 1894, and where he worked zealously until 1920, when he was appointed pastor at Chebanse, Ill.


Rev. Elzear T. Therien was born at St. Jean Ile d'Or- leans, P. Q. He receiv- REV. ELZEAR T. THERIEN 1894 (July) ed his elimentary educa- tion at the school of the Christian Brothers at Montreal and entered the community as Brother Nivard. After some time he was appointed director of the St. Jean the Baptiste school at Quebec and afterwards transferred to St. Viator college of Bourbonnais. When about 35 years of age he was ordained for the priesthood for a dio- cese in Dakota in 1885. A year or so later he affiliated himself with the Chicago diocese and was appointed as- sistant pastor at Notre Dame, Chicago, where he labored until 1894, when he was appointed pastor of St. James church, near Irwin station. Soon after taking charge of this parish he took up a subscription for the erection of a new church near a railroad station. After six months he left for Notre Dame, Chicago, as assistant. In August 1896 he was appointed pastor of Sacred Heart church, Aurora, Ill., where he built a brick edifice in 1898. In 1900 he returned again to Notre Dame, where he died Aug. 11, 1902. Father Therien was an able musician and choir lead- er and was never happier than when he could devote him- self to instruction of the choir.


Rev. J. C. Simard. This young pastor was appointed Dec. 31, 1895, and took charge of REV. J. C. SIMARD 1895-1905 a congregation consisting of 105 families. The project of transfer- ring the parish seat near a railroad station had already been broached by his predecessor. There were four prospective sites in view: Carrow Station, Goodrich, Dickeys Siding and Irwin. Realizing the deli- cate and difficult task, Father Simard petitioned the arch- bishop to have with him some one of more experience in the


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pastoral work. The Rev. A. L. Bergeron was therefor ap- pointed to assist the new pastor in making a final decision concerning the erection of a new church on a new site. But as not all of the parish members subscribed for the new project and owing to the further fact that some who had already subscribed changed their views, and in order to safeguard every one's rights in this matter, it was thought appropriate to hold a general parish meeting. On Feb. 6, 1895, the meeting took place and was presided over by the Rev. Father Bergeron, who as a result gave out the follow- ing statement:


"Of the 79 names with the subscriptions opposite of same for the erection of a new church, which is indispen- sible, even by substracting of this number the twelve sub- scribers who ask that their names be cancelled from the list, sixty-seven is the majority which is authorized to build St. James church at Irwin, as soon as they have the needed amount.


"A. L. Bergeron."


The very same day Father Simard took up and com- pleted another subscription with very gratifying results, re- gaining some who had receded from the movement. Fol- lowing is the archbishop's letter, authorizing the pastor to build a new church at Irwin:


"Having learned that there is a real need of a new church for St. James' congregation Irwin Station, and that the great majority of the Catholics of that congregation desire to have the new church built at Irwin station, I here- by approve that arrangement. The reverend pastor is authorized to proceed with the work at that place, and erect a church there as soon as possible.


"P. A. Feehan Abp. Chicago."


Chicago, 16th Feb., 1895.


The pastor set to work at once, bought land, erected a new church (45'x90') with a sacristy (20'x25'), moved the old parsonage to Irwin station, making improvements amounting altogether to about $14,000. Mass was said for the first time in the new St. James church by Father Sim- ard on July 26, 1895 ,the feast of St. Anne.


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This new move and change did not however meet with the approval of the members northwest of old St. James, and the consequence was the building of a church (36'x- 86') in the village of Goodrich at the cost of $4200, nearly $5000 having been subscribed. These proceedings, how- ever, having taken place "inscio episcopo," or without the knowledge and endorsement of the church authority, the new congregation was without a pastor from 1895 to 1896. During that time some attended service at SS. Peter and Paul's mission church, Pilot, some at Kankakee and a few at the new St. James church. In 1896 Father Simard was ap- pointed to hold service at Goodrich twice a month. After a simple blessing of the church building by the pastor mass was celebrated for the first time on July 5, 1896. The first 40 hours' devotion was held Aug. 9 of the same year. Father Simard celebrated mass at Goodrich for the last time at the funeral services for the deceased Mrs. Toussaint Denault in the spring of 1899. The Rev. J. Meyer was ap- pointed as pastor in July, 1899.


Following is the letter of appointment of Father Simard as pastor of the church at Goodrich :


"I have received a deed to church property in Goodrich signed by certain persons of that place. As it is very necessary that such deeds be perfectly valid, I wish you would have an examination made of this deed and let me know if it is entirely correct.


"If it should be found to be so, then you can say mass for the Catholic people at Goodrich twice a month for the present. They will form part of your congregation and will be entirely within your jurisdiction for all the exercises of religion. I remain,


"Reverend and Dear Sir, "Yours faithfully, "P. A. Feehan "Abp. Chicago."


Rev. J. Simard.


Subscription.


For the Erection of a New Church at Irwin Station Taken Up By Rev. E. Therien.


1894.


1. John O'Connor, Sr. $200.00


2. George Martin 200.00


3. Damase Gosselin 150.00


44. Toussaint Denault 50.00


4. Mike IO'Connor 100.00 45. Fred Fraser 50.00


5. Fred Menard 100.00


46. George Menard 50.00


47. Mose Bertrand 50.00


7. George Duval


100.00


48. William Caroll 40.00


8. Michael Ferris 100.00


9. John Devaney


100.00


50. Patrick Graney 30.00


51. Will Gigle 30.00


11. Edmond Moriarty


100.00


52. Jeremie Couture 30.00


12. John Spillane 100.00


13. Will B. O'Connor 100.00


14. John Balf


100.00


55. Philip O'Maley 25.00


56. Mrs. Thom. O'Connor 25.00


57. Fred Kerouack 25.00


17. Mike Mortell


100.00


18. Eddy Mortell


100.00


19. Peter Keliher


75.00


60. Michael Levasseur 25.00


21. Daniel Sheehan


75.00


22. Thomas Beland


75.00


23. John Desplaines


75.00


24. Joseph Balthazor 75.00


25. John Powers


60.00


66. Mrs. Philip Menard


15.00


26. Marcel Balthazor


60.00


27. Barthley Golschen


50.00


28. Will Scanlan


50.00


29. Dennis O'Neil


50.00


30. John Ferris


50.00


71. Arthur Duval 10.00


72. Charles Lacoste 10.00


32. Michael O'Connor


50.00


73. Michael Devine 10.00


74. Louis Pare 10.00


34. David Martin


50.00


75. Onesime Pombert 10.00


35. John Sheehan


50.00


76. A. Levasseur 10.00


36. Mose Martin


50.00


77. Alex Blanchette


9.00


37. Thomas Devine


50.00


78. John O'Shea


5.00


38. Joseph Tremblay


50.00


79. Arthur Flageole


5.00


39. Thomas Dahm


50.00


80. George Coache 5.00


40. Theophile Caron 50.00 81. J. J. 5.00


41. Oliver Balthazor 50.00


82. Henry Flageole 3.00


54. Fabien Arpin 30.00


15. Thom. O'Connor


100.00


16. Cornelius O'Connor


100.00


58. Thomas Clark 25.00


59. Louis Beland 25.00


20. Patrick Keliher


75.00


61. Joseph Caron, Sr.


25.00


62. Morris Falvey 25.00


63. Thomas Mulcahy 25.00


64. A. Gigle 25.00


65. Mrs. Joseph Blanchette . 15.00


70. Ludger Flageole


15.00


31. Patrick O'Connor


50.00


33. Mrs. Alexandre


50.00


67. David Menard 15.00


68. Anthony Boner 15.00


69. Peter Pare 15.00


Number of Families in the Parish 105.


A. Levasseur, George Coache, J. J. - are additional free will subscribers to the original list of 79.


6. Mike O'Connor (south )


100.00


42. Romain St. Germain $50.00


43. Joseph Provencal, Sr. 50.00


49. Mrs. O'Connor 30.00


10. Morris O'Connor 100.00


53. Bernard Lynch 30.00


L


N


NEW ST. JAMES CHURCH, IRWIN, ILL., BUILT 1895, WITH PARSONAGE MOVED FROM OLD ST. JAMES.


INTERIOR OF SACRED HEART CHURCH


SACRED HEAT CHURCH AT GOODRICH BUILT IN 1895 AND PARSONAGE BUILT IN 1899.


PARISHIONERS OF SACRED HEART CHURCH (1917)


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The ground for the church about one-half acre was or- iginally donated by Mrs. Jane Graney, who under the suc- ceeding pastor paid in lieu of the donation for the value of same. The subscription of $200.00 was likewise cancelled by Mike O'Connor, Sr. who gave one acre instead and sold another acre to the Catholic Bishop of Chicago.


Pew Holders St. James Church 1887.


1887


Daniel Hurley


M. Connor


D. Gosselin L. Pare


Devaney


Mose Bertrand


Desplaines


Philibert Bertrand


Wm. Dwyer


R. St. Germain J. Mortell


L. Joron


F. Kerouack Theophile Caron


Thomas Caron


Edward Alexandre


L. Beland


Florence Spillane


Maurice O'Connor


D. Connor


Joel Menard L. Bertrand Joseph Pepin H. Gervais


P. Menard


A. Saucier


Edward Lewis


O'Connor


Joseph Caron, Sr.


Michael Connor


George Martin


Balthazor


Thomas Mulcahy


Thomas Clark


Beschand


Palmer


D. Sheehan


O'Neil


Dumas


D. Martin


H. Bertrand


Philip O'Maley


Feriale Denault


J. Tremblay


Falvey


J. Spillane


Wm. Frazer


Cashen


Bryan Keefe


Michael Levasseur Joseph Caron, Jr.


Garnet Keefe


Ferris


(Nephew to Noel Le-Blanchette vasseur, first white set-Graney tler at Bourbonnais. ) Moriarty


J. Balf


J. Provencal


P. Menard Mantz


Thomas Keefe


Joseph Regnier O. Pombert


G. Duval


Frank Regnier


Palmer


Michael Mortell


Patrick Scanlon


Dahm


New Pew or Seat Holders of the Following Years.


1888-1890


John Power Arpin


Devine


Max Gigle


Ludger Flageole Anthony Boner


Jeremie Couture


1890-1891


Albert Denault


P. Pare


Jules Gareau


James O'Donovan


John Shea


Antoine Girard Godfroi Samson


Fortin Luby


Thomas Beland


1891-1892


Philip Menard


William Meyer


Louis Tetreault


Marcel Balthazor


Arthur Fortin


Fabien Arpin


Fred Caron


William Scanlon


Lucien Plante


Alec Denault


Isaac Plante


Eusebe Lapierre


Fred Frazer


Arthur Flageole


Alec Desjardin (Gardner)


Bartley Gulschen


Nicolas Dahm


Jean Pierre Grandadam


1892-1893


Toussaint Denault Alfred Alexandre


Chas Lacost David Menard


Arthur Duval Fred Steyer Leon Bertrand


Ed. Mortell


Elie Girard


Fred Caron


Thomas Connor


Keliher


Jack Connor


Adolph St. Germain


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George Menard J. B. Morin


1893-1894 Alfred Bertrand Henry Flageole


Joseph Vaillancourt


1894-1895


William Dwyer Joseph Provencal, Jr . Olivier Balthazar


Pacifique Hubert George Plante George Coashe


Bernard Lynch Joseph Plante Gustave Provencal


1895-1896


Frank Caron


Felix Dauphin Ignace Beland


Theophile Lambert


The following were at one time pewholders in the old St. James church : Narcisse Paquet Pierre Merrilat


J. B. Reinich


Parish Statistics.


Gathered from Extant Notes Old St. James Church


1881


1882


1883


1884


1885


1886


1887


1888


1889


1890


1891


1892


1893


Number of families 86


85


89


87


66


69


71


70


111


116


108


115


Baptisms ..


8


8


26


23


22


25


14


21


25


21


Deaths


7


9


7


8


4


5


2


9


5


5


12


11


Mission Church at Goodrich.


1897


1898


Number of families


55


45


Baptisims


8


8


Deaths


1


2


The marriages at St. James church and the Mis- sion church at Goodrich from 1877-1899 have been noted in the preceeding pages.


Biographical Notes, Etc.


Father Simard was born at La Baie St. Paul, in the county of Charlevoix, P. Q., Canada, on Jan. 20, 1866. His parents were Louis H. Simard, a civil employee, and Christine Pichet. He was baptised on Jan. 21, 1866, by Rev. N. Gingras, who, as it appears, was at one time pastor at Bourbonnais. He made his classical studies at the Semi- nary of Quebec in 1878-1886, where he was made bachelor of arts. From 1886-1890 he followed the theological course at the University of Laval and was ordained priest for the Archdiocese of Quebec by His Eminence Cardinal Tacher- eau, on May 30, 1890. His first appointment was assist- ant priest at St. Ephrem de Tring, Beauce county, P. Q., from June 1890 to September 1891. Afterwards he engag- ed in mission work at Anticosti island, prefectship of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, from September 1891 to September 1892, and also at Natashquan and Blanc Sablon, Labrador, from September 1892 to September 1894. Then he was in- duced to come to the states on September 11, 1894, to be appointed assistant at Notre Dame, Chicago, as the need of French priests was keenly felt. On December 31, 1894, he was appointed pastor of St. James, near Irwin, which posi- tion he held until September 29, 1905, when he took charge of Sacred Heart church, Aurora, Ill. Father Simard met with very trying difficulties and hardships at the beginning of his priestly career, especially in making the above men- tioned reorganization and transference. God only knows the mental sufferings, trials, disappointments, distrust, ad- verse, unjustified and undeserved criticism he had to con- tend with in endeavoring to bring the undertaking to a final success. It may truly be said of him that he was the victim of delicate and very trying circumstances.


The appointment of the first pastor at Goodrich meant not only to take charge of those members who had severed themselves from the old St. James mother parish but also of the mission parish of SS. Peter and Paul's, Pilot, which


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up to then was attended from St. Mary's, Kankakee. The pastor found at Goodrich a small congregation of souls, somewhat disturbed by the differences above mentioned. It was his delicate task of directing the energies into har- monious and useful channels. This mission was to be ac- complished by great patience, tact and endurance.


Following is the letter of appointment: "20th June, 1899.


"I hereby appoint the Rev. J. Meyer, pastor of Pilot and Goodrich, Kankakee county, Illinois. He will take en- tire charge of these missions next week.


"P. A. Feehan, "Abp. Chicago."


On July 1, 1899, the pastor said mass for the fisrt time in Goodrich. Divine service was conducted in French and English in the church at Goodrich and in German, and later also in English in the mission parish of SS. Peter and Paul's Pilot. Mass was said in both churches every Sunday and feast days of obligation with alternating hours. The church at Goodrich was dedicated to the Sacred Heart.


"I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me."-Jo. X, 14. Mindful of these words of the Di- vine Shepherd the new pastor took up a careful census, which showed the following families:


Angelique Blanchette


Louis Joron, Sr.


Julie Bertrand


Hubert Jarvais


Louis Bertrand




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