L'histoire de DONNELLY PARISH (7) #168
There's no lack of work for Marie-Anne: she helped her father to build the shack; she helped to break and open land; she helped a little girl and also prepared meals for the men.
The Oblate Fathers visited the new settlers very faithfully. Even Bishop Grouard took his turn to visit them, especially when Father Giroux was on a recruitment tour!
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| Bishop Grouard on Horseback |
One day, it was announced that on the 18th of August, a Sunday, a mass would be said in Donat Forgue's shack.
The morning of August 18 was a very nice day and everyone was eager to meet the settlers of the second group.
When it was time for the mass, everyone entered Donat Forgue's shack .There were perhaps 12 people; there were no chairs; no benches, not even a floor. Everyone sat on a thick layer of grass. Father Falher gave Louis Normandeau a book of hymns and asked him to sing "Je suis chrétien, Voila ma gloire" (translated more or less: I am a Christian; that is my glory," a well-known hymn.
After the gospel, he gave a short homily and encouraged those present who made a great sacrifice to come to this new region and to ask God's blessing on this new region. There was a lot of emotion especially from the Leblanc and Forgue ladies.
After mass, a family-style dinner was served in a large tent and then some festivities took place .
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| first house of Donat Forgues |
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