04/21/2304/21/23 Sacred Heart School 1949-2009Sacred Heart School 1949-2009 11

Sacred Heart School Sacred Heart School 1949-20131949-2013

A look at our history A look at our history

through the yearsthrough the years

1937-19491937-1949

Fr. John Gilhooley, OMI, pastor of Sacred Fr. John Gilhooley, OMI, pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Prince George, dreamed Heart Church in Prince George, dreamed of having a Catholic school. A fund of having a Catholic school. A fund began and by 1945, $5,000 was saved.began and by 1945, $5,000 was saved.

Encouraged by these endeavors, Bishop Encouraged by these endeavors, Bishop Anthony Jordan approached the Sisters Anthony Jordan approached the Sisters of St. Ann to ask if they would come and of St. Ann to ask if they would come and teach and they willingly agreed. They teach and they willingly agreed. They immediately drew up plans for a immediately drew up plans for a convent and school.convent and school.

Spring 1949Spring 1949

Fr. A. MacDonald purchased 10 lots Fr. A. MacDonald purchased 10 lots adjacent to the Rectory and Church. adjacent to the Rectory and Church. Bishop Jordan also contacted the English Bishop Jordan also contacted the English Oblate Brothers in Montreal and asked Oblate Brothers in Montreal and asked their help in the construction.their help in the construction.

Brothers Morvan, St. Jacques and Morier Brothers Morvan, St. Jacques and Morier arrived and construction began under arrived and construction began under the supervision of Fr. MacDonald.the supervision of Fr. MacDonald.

Oblate Brothers who Oblate Brothers who built the schoolbuilt the school

Br. Edgar Morvan, Bishop Anthony Jordan OMI, Br. Auriele St. Jacques and Br. Raymond Mourier

Summer 1949Summer 1949

Sister Mary Eunice, Sister Mary Sister Mary Eunice, Sister Mary Germaine des Anges, Sister Mary Germaine des Anges, Sister Mary Bridget and Sister Mary Marlena Bridget and Sister Mary Marlena arrived to start foundation work for arrived to start foundation work for the school. As neither the school or the school. As neither the school or the convent were finished when the convent were finished when they arrived, the Sisters stayed they arrived, the Sisters stayed with a parishioner Mrs. A. Van Dyk.with a parishioner Mrs. A. Van Dyk.

July 28, 1949July 28, 1949

Sisters Mary Germaine Des Anges Sisters Mary Germaine Des Anges Villemaire, SSA and Mary Eunice Dwan, Villemaire, SSA and Mary Eunice Dwan, SSA, pitch in with painting.SSA, pitch in with painting.

September 6, 1949September 6, 1949

The school year commenced in The school year commenced in temporary quarters as the school temporary quarters as the school building was not ready. Grades 1 building was not ready. Grades 1 and 2 were taught in the Church and 2 were taught in the Church basement (22 students) and Grade basement (22 students) and Grade 3 and 4 were taught in the choir loft 3 and 4 were taught in the choir loft ( 20 students). They used tables ( 20 students). They used tables and benches until the desks had and benches until the desks had arrived.arrived.

October 6, 1949October 6, 1949

The Sisters’ sleeping The Sisters’ sleeping accommodations were ready and accommodations were ready and they moved in, however, only with they moved in, however, only with beds, coverings and other beds, coverings and other possessions. There was no possessions. There was no furniture or drapes so they hung furniture or drapes so they hung blankets for privacy and used boxes blankets for privacy and used boxes for chairs and a plank for a table.for chairs and a plank for a table.

October 28, 1949October 28, 1949

Classes moved into the school.Classes moved into the school. Fund raising was on-going. The Fund raising was on-going. The

Sisters took in boarders and gave Sisters took in boarders and gave music lessons. Parents, students, music lessons. Parents, students, the CWL and Home and School the CWL and Home and School Association contributed with Association contributed with funds from various projects. funds from various projects.

October 30, 1949October 30, 1949

Founding Sisters: Sr. Mary Germaine Des Villemarie SSA, Sr.Mary Eunice Dwan SSA, Sr. Mary Bridget Keane SSA, and Sr. Mary Marlena Frenette SSA with Fr. Anthony MacDonald OMI

October 30, 1949October 30, 1949School BlessingSchool Blessing

Sr. Mary Bridget Keane, SSA and Sr. Mary Marlena Frenette SSA with Fr. Anthony MacDonald OMI in the doorway.

January 1, 1950January 1, 1950

The temperature hit 56 below, the The temperature hit 56 below, the coldest day in 30 years. Sr. Mary coldest day in 30 years. Sr. Mary Bridget Keane got up at 4:30 am to Bridget Keane got up at 4:30 am to start the coal furnace. It was so start the coal furnace. It was so cold some mornings she had to cold some mornings she had to break ice in the pitcher to wash her break ice in the pitcher to wash her face. The others arose at 4:50 am face. The others arose at 4:50 am for prayers, meditations and mass.for prayers, meditations and mass.

October 30, 1949October 30, 1949

Sacred Heart Sacred Heart School blessed School blessed by Bishop by Bishop Anthony Jordan, Anthony Jordan, OMI.OMI.

May 28, 1950May 28, 1950

First Annual May First Annual May Procession in Procession in Honour of Our Honour of Our Lady held with 61 Lady held with 61 children children participating.participating.

Photo taken during May Photo taken during May Procession in May 18, 2007Procession in May 18, 2007

June 15, 1950June 15, 1950

First meeting of the Home and First meeting of the Home and School Association.School Association.

In September, Sacred Heart In September, Sacred Heart School opened with the addition School opened with the addition of Grades 5 and 6 classes. There of Grades 5 and 6 classes. There were 105 students registered.were 105 students registered.

October 22, 1950October 22, 1950

First Annual First Annual Rosary Rosary Procession Procession held.held.

December, 1950December, 1950

First Annual First Annual Christmas Christmas concert held, concert held, despite an despite an epidemic of the epidemic of the mumps!mumps!

January 3, 1951January 3, 1951

Bishop Jordan consecrated and Bishop Jordan consecrated and celebrated the first mass in the celebrated the first mass in the Sacred Heart Convent Chapel.Sacred Heart Convent Chapel.

September 1951September 1951

Sacred Heart School added a Sacred Heart School added a Grade 7 class.Grade 7 class.

September, 1952September, 1952 Sacred Heart School added Grade Sacred Heart School added Grade

8 class. At that time 160 8 class. At that time 160 students were registered.students were registered.

Sacred Heart School Sacred Heart School 1951-19521951-1952

September 1953September 1953

Sacred Heart School opened with Sacred Heart School opened with 172 students registered and the 172 students registered and the school was beginning for get too school was beginning for get too small.small.

June 1954. Original Grade 4 June 1954. Original Grade 4 students graduated from Grade 8. students graduated from Grade 8. There was no option but to go on There was no option but to go on to public high school.to public high school.

19551955

The cafeteria was converted to a The cafeteria was converted to a classroom for Grades 1 and 2.classroom for Grades 1 and 2.

In 1956, plans were drawn up to In 1956, plans were drawn up to construct the Auditorium, construct the Auditorium, incorporating 3 high school incorporating 3 high school classrooms in the basement.classrooms in the basement.

19571957

Due to increased registration, Due to increased registration, Grade 1 and 2 were discontinued Grade 1 and 2 were discontinued and Grades 7 and 8 moved to the and Grades 7 and 8 moved to the basement of the newly basement of the newly constructed parish hall constructed parish hall (auditorium).(auditorium).

October 6, 1957 Auditorium is October 6, 1957 Auditorium is blessed by Bishop O’Grady, OMI. blessed by Bishop O’Grady, OMI.

19581958

School opened for Grades 4 to 7 School opened for Grades 4 to 7 with an enrolment of 139 with an enrolment of 139 students.students.

Tom Taylor is the first Frontier Tom Taylor is the first Frontier Apostle for Sacred Heart School. Apostle for Sacred Heart School. He comes to teach the Grade 8 He comes to teach the Grade 8 class.class.

19601960

Students of Sacred Students of Sacred Heart School started Heart School started to fundraise for to fundraise for something special something special for the new for the new cathedral that was cathedral that was going to be built. going to be built. Students sold Students sold hundreds of World’s hundreds of World’s Finest chocolate Finest chocolate bars.bars.

September 31, 1960September 31, 1960

The students had The students had raised a total of raised a total of $600.00 to help $600.00 to help pay for the new 8’ pay for the new 8’ foot corpus for foot corpus for the new church. the new church. It was made of a It was made of a light wood and light wood and hand carved from hand carved from Italy.Italy.

19621962

School opened from Grades 1 to School opened from Grades 1 to 8. Grades 9 to 11 move to St. 8. Grades 9 to 11 move to St. Mary’s School.Mary’s School.

1962-19651962-1965 Student registration increased Student registration increased

from 230 to 279 students.from 230 to 279 students.

19681968

With the reduction of women entering With the reduction of women entering the religious orders in the 1960s, the the religious orders in the 1960s, the Sisters of St. Ann regretfully announced Sisters of St. Ann regretfully announced that they would be leaving as of the end that they would be leaving as of the end of the school year in 1969.of the school year in 1969.

During their 20 year period of During their 20 year period of administration the school grew from 47 administration the school grew from 47 to 290 students. 3, 389 students passed to 290 students. 3, 389 students passed through their loving and capable hands.through their loving and capable hands.

September 1968September 1968

The Presentation Brothers The Presentation Brothers graciously take over the graciously take over the operation of the school.operation of the school.

Brother Mark Fitzpatrick is the Brother Mark Fitzpatrick is the new principal.new principal.

The brothers reside at the hostels The brothers reside at the hostels at Prince George College until the at Prince George College until the Sisters of St. Ann moved from the Sisters of St. Ann moved from the convent in the summer of 1969.convent in the summer of 1969.

1968-69 Grade 3 1968-69 Grade 3 Mrs. Fowlie and Ms.Valerie Mrs. Fowlie and Ms.Valerie DelahuntyDelahunty

October 1968October 1968

School Council is School Council is formed.formed.

Photo taken of Photo taken of Sacred Heart Sacred Heart School parents in School parents in 2009.2009.

August 1969August 1969

The Presentation Brothers take up The Presentation Brothers take up residence at Sacred Heart School. residence at Sacred Heart School. Brother Mark Fitzpatrick, Brother Brother Mark Fitzpatrick, Brother Leopold Prud’homme and Brother Leopold Prud’homme and Brother Neri O’Sullivan start preparing for Neri O’Sullivan start preparing for the operating of the school.the operating of the school.

September 1972September 1972

Brother Leopold Brother Leopold O’Mahoney takes O’Mahoney takes over as Principal over as Principal of Sacred Heart of Sacred Heart School.School.

19751975

Brother Ivan Brother Ivan Verba arrives in Verba arrives in the Diocese of the Diocese of Prince George Prince George and serves a and serves a total of 18 years.total of 18 years.

1976-1977 Grade 41976-1977 Grade 4Mr. Harry HolwellMr. Harry Holwell

19771977

Brother Peter Brother Peter Shymko arrives Shymko arrives in the Diocese of in the Diocese of Prince George Prince George and stays until and stays until 1984, when he is 1984, when he is transferred to transferred to Toronto.Toronto.

19831983

Brother Ivan Verba Brother Ivan Verba takes over as takes over as Principal. He will Principal. He will serve in this serve in this position until position until 1992.1992.

In 1985, Brother In 1985, Brother Joseph Wichrowski Joseph Wichrowski arrives to take up arrives to take up teaching duties.teaching duties.

1987-1988 Grade 31987-1988 Grade 3Mrs. Lillian FowlieMrs. Lillian Fowlie

December 1988December 1988

Brother Gerard Brother Gerard Despathy arrives Despathy arrives to teach and to teach and remains on staff remains on staff for 9 years.for 9 years.

November 1990November 1990

Due to a $150,000 arson fire in Due to a $150,000 arson fire in the Principal’s office, the brothers the Principal’s office, the brothers are forced out of residence for are forced out of residence for about six weeks.about six weeks.

Some classrooms were also Some classrooms were also relocated to different places relocated to different places during the restoration process.during the restoration process.

19931993

The last Frontier Apostle teacher at Sacred The last Frontier Apostle teacher at Sacred Heart School was Miss Nuala Power.Heart School was Miss Nuala Power.

A number of Frontier Apostles worked as A number of Frontier Apostles worked as teachers at Sacred Heart School from teachers at Sacred Heart School from 1958.1958.

Their contribution to the Parish and the Their contribution to the Parish and the education and direction they so willing education and direction they so willing imparted to the many students imparted to the many students immeasurably added to the talent and immeasurably added to the talent and commitment of the teaching staff at commitment of the teaching staff at Sacred Heart School.Sacred Heart School.

June 1994June 1994

Mrs. Lillian Fowlie Mrs. Lillian Fowlie retires from retires from teaching at Sacred teaching at Sacred Heart School for 34 Heart School for 34 years. The longest years. The longest serving teacher at serving teacher at the school.the school.

Here Mrs. Fowlie is Here Mrs. Fowlie is presented with a presented with a silver plate from Br. silver plate from Br. Peter Shymko to Peter Shymko to commemorate her commemorate her dedication to Sacred dedication to Sacred Heart School.Heart School.

September 1994September 1994

The Presentation Brothers The Presentation Brothers relinquish the administration of relinquish the administration of Sacred Heart School after 26 Sacred Heart School after 26 years.years.

19941994

First lay principal First lay principal of Sacred Heart of Sacred Heart School is Mr. School is Mr. Terry Wilson.Terry Wilson.

He remains He remains principal from principal from 1994- 2002.1994- 2002.

1995-1996 Grade 7 1995-1996 Grade 7 Miss Marion WhittyMiss Marion Whitty

August 17, 1997August 17, 1997

The Presentation Brothers leave the The Presentation Brothers leave the diocese in order to facilitate the opening diocese in order to facilitate the opening of a new community in Knoxville, of a new community in Knoxville, Tennessee.Tennessee.

In a presentation in June 1997, Mr. Terry In a presentation in June 1997, Mr. Terry Wilson said “ In a very special way we are Wilson said “ In a very special way we are sorry that the Presentation Brothers are sorry that the Presentation Brothers are leaving us. Their contribution to Sacred leaving us. Their contribution to Sacred Heart School is simply immeasurable. Heart School is simply immeasurable. They gave of themselves to educate and They gave of themselves to educate and develop each child under their care.”develop each child under their care.”

2002-20092002-2009

Mr. Kevin Harnish Mr. Kevin Harnish is principal of is principal of Sacred Heart Sacred Heart School. He School. He moves back to moves back to Nova Scotia to be Nova Scotia to be near his family.near his family.

October 2009October 2009-June -June 20102010 Sacred Heart Sacred Heart

School welcomes School welcomes a new principal, a new principal, Mr. Michael Gaal. Mr. Michael Gaal. We were happy We were happy to have him join to have him join us for this school us for this school year.year.

2010-20122010-2012

Sacred Heart School Sacred Heart School welcomed Sr. Irene welcomed Sr. Irene Baker. Sr. Baker had Baker. Sr. Baker had previously been the previously been the principal of principal of Immaculata School Immaculata School in Burns Lake from in Burns Lake from 1980-83.  Sr. Baker 1980-83.  Sr. Baker finished at Sacred finished at Sacred Heart School to Heart School to begin her retirement.begin her retirement.

September 2012September 2012

Ms. Rebecca Gilbert Ms. Rebecca Gilbert is our new principal is our new principal at Sacred Heart at Sacred Heart School.  She comes School.  She comes to us with a personal to us with a personal connection to our connection to our school.  We are so school.  We are so happy to have such happy to have such an energetic and an energetic and committed principal committed principal to our school.to our school.

Sacred Heart School Sacred Heart School 2008-20092008-2009