History of St. Veronica's Parish (Part Five)
1955 - July 12: church heavily
damaged by fire. The interior and roof were completely destroyed. Damage
estimated at $50,000. Only four months later, during the rebuilding of the
church, fire broke out again. However, damage was slight mostly smoke and
water.
1957 - construction of new
rectory at the present site commenced. This was to replace the
original rectory built in the late 1930's on Wallace Terrace.
1958 - October 5: parish Catholic
Women's League formed.
Spiritual Director: Father Frank Farenzena
President: Mrs. Adelaide Johnson
First Vice President: Mrs. Helen Poluck Second
Vice President: Mrs. Mary Scali Third Vice President: Mrs. Mary DeLuco
Recording Secretary: Mrs. Aileen Marcon Corresponding Secretary: Mrs.
Josephine DiRosario Treasurer: Mrs. Ann Zeppa
Councillors: Mrs. Joyce Frechette,
Mrs. Mary Haetski, Mrs. Maureen McFarling,
Mrs. Lucy Ryan
1959 - September 3: St. Gregory's
parish formed from property divided from St. Veronica parish and Blessed
Sacrament parish.
1960 - Stigmatine Fathers move to
the diocese and take up residence in original rectory at the corner of
Wallace Terrace and Carufel Avenue. The Stigmatine Fathers
assisted the parish until they moved to their residence at the Catholic
Information Centre on Albert Street East in November,
1961.
August 15: Another young lady of our parish
Lucille Smith, daughter of Mrs. Mary Smith and the late Mr. John Smith
professed her final vows in the congregation of the Sisters of St. Jospeh in
North Bay and assumes the name of Sister Marina.
1961 - Twenty-fifth anniversary
of Father V. J. O'Donnell celebrated in church hall. Father was ordained May
30, 1936.
1963 - Angelo Santa Maria, son of
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Santa Maria was ordained at St. Ignatius Church on May 25
by Bishop Alexander Carter, Bishop of Sault Ste. Marie.
July 15: St. Joseph the Worker parish formed from
property divided from St. Verronica parish. During this year the
church was refurbished to conform to Vatican II. Main altar and two side
altars replaced with new altar.
1965 - August 15: Another young
lay of our parish Norma Zorzi, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. Zorzi professed
her final vows in the congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph in North Bay
and assumes the name of Sister Genevieve.
1967 - John Maccarone, the son of
the late Mr. and Mrs. L. Maccarone was ordained at St. Veronica's on August
5, by Bishop Alexander Carter, Bishop of Sault Ste.
Marie.
1971 - Victor Amadio, the son of
Mr. and Mrs. Anthony P. Amadio, was ordained at St. Veronica's on May 21, by
Bishop Alexander Carter.
1972 - December 1: Burning of
mortgage of present church building took place with much pleasure. The parish
has been debt free since.
1973 - Thomas O'Dell, son of Mrs.
Vera O'Dell and the Late Mr. Henry J. O'Dell, was ordained at St. Jerome's on
June 8, by Bishop Alexander Carter. First parish council formed
to conform to Bishop's directive by Father J.
David.
1975 - The first lay ministers of
the Eucharist were installed - nine men and women of our
parish.
1977 - The second group of lay
ministers of the Eucharist were installed - five men and
women.
1979 - A dark period in our
history when three priests died in residence at St.
Veronica's.
These priests had retired to our parish. Father
Francis Borsa, who was curate at St. Veronica's during the period 1952-1953,
passed away October 29, 1979.
Father Ralph Sturgeon, who also was a curate here
during the period 1943-1948, passed away December 11,
1979.
Father Victor J. O'Donnell, pastor at St.
Veronica's during the period 1948-1969. passed away December 25,
1979.
Interior of church was remodelled. Extensive work was done in the sanctuary and sacristy area. These were both completely redone to the present beautiful appearance.
