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Archives Missionaries of the Sacred Heart: 75 years!

June 18, 2014

By Fr. Vincent T. Freeh, MSC
Religious Superior

Watertown - On June 1, 2014, the patronal feast of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Parish in Watertown became the occasion for the opening of a series of celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the Canadian and United States communities of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC) as provinces in their own right.

The threat of war in 1939 added urgency to the transfer of governance from the European provinces of France and Germany to the offshoot communities they had formed respectively in Canada and the United States. In both cases, the move proved to be a spur to growth. By the summer of 1939, when the actual change in governance took place, MSC priests and brothers had been active in Watertown and its environs for more than 60 years.

It all began in 1875 with Father Jean-Baptiste Chappel, MSC, who moved to Thompson Street, ministered to the French Catholic community in the city and became pastor of St. Mary’s parish in nearby Evans Mills.

Father Joseph Durin, MSC, and two seminarians arrived from France in 1876, forming the first MSC community outside of Europe—second only to one other community located in France itself!

By 1878, Father Durin had established Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Parish. Two years later he was able to prevail upon the bishop to permit three Sisters of St. Joseph from Buffalo to open a school in the parish.

The Sisters arrived in early 1881, destined to bring Catholic education to parishes throughout the entire Diocese of Ogdensburg. Shortly after the turn of the century, Father Stephen Royet, MSC , had seen to the construction of the impressive Gothic style church that stood on the corner of Thompson and West Lynde Streets.

Before returning to France in 1910, he had also opened St. Anthony’s chapel on Arsenal Street to serve the Italian community.

As the ethnic composition Our Lady of the Sacred Heart became more diverse, Bishop Joseph H. Conroy, on March 1, 1925, designated the parish as territorial and therefore mandated to care for all non-Italian Catholics in the city north of the Black River. By this time, the new grade school, built in 1923, had expanded to include grades seven and eight.

In many ways, the change-over from European to local leadership did little to alter the everyday life and ministries of the Watertown MSC. Its influence was felt mostly in increased participation in the growth and mission of the province as a whole.

This broader sense of purpose countered the otherwise natural tendencies to limit attention to parochial affairs, thereby serving  to enlarge parishioners’ global vision which has now become an outstanding characteristic of MSC friends and benefactors in the North Country.

Evidence of this perspective is exemplified in the laity-led Sacred Heart Foundation which contributes to the education and formation of MSC brothers and priests in the United States and in many parts of the world. This year, drawing on investments that now exceed $2.5 million, the Foundation was able to award scholarships to students in Colombia, Brazil, Cameroon, Dominican Republic, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Korea, Papua New Guinea and the Philippines.

The opening celebration of the anniversary was led by Father Jonas Tandayu, MSC, pastor of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, whose purpose was to let parishioners know that this particular Marian devotion has special significance not only for vowed religious but for all the faithful. The chief reason for this value is found in the cultural dominance of secular materialism. In the words of Pope John Paul II, “We are now standing in the face of the greatest historical confrontation humanity has ever experienced.”

As homilist for the Mass, Father Vincent T. Freeh, MSC, religious superior of the Watertown MSC community, spoke of how relationships formed Mary’s identity as Our Lady of the Sacred Heart and how this same dynamic of friendship shapes the identity of every person.

By seeing and entering into Mary’s relationship with Father, Son and Holy Spirit, a person can acquire a lively Christian sense of identity and purpose, while coming to experience a more intimate, meaningful relationship with the Triune God, he said.

The US Province of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart is sponsoring an anniversary raffle featuring a trip for two to Italy with a six-night stay at MSC International Headquarters on the Via Asmara in Rome including  a general audience with Pope Francis.

Special events for the months ahead in Watertown include a Mass of thanksgiving for parishioners, benefactors and friends with the Father  Mark McDonald, MSC, Superior General, as celebrant, followed by dinner and a program honoring the late Missionary of the Sacred Heart Father Benoit Dostie.

Also planned is a reunion of and recognition for all MSC brothers and priests who have served in maintenance, parish ministry, education or chaplaincies in the Diocese of Ogdensburg.

The annual Sacred Heart Foundation Dinner, and other events highlighting  contributions made by other religious, by lay MSC and by individual members of the community Will be held with a view to give praise and thanksgiving to God and to express thanks to collaborators, friends and benefactors who both support and take part in achieving the goals envisioned by Father Jules Chevalier, founder of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart.

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