St Bernards Church- Catholic
page 9
THE CONVENT TODAY
Soon after the closing of St. Bernard's Convent,
the parishioners had to decide what could be done with the home. The
house was built in 1943 and was well kept both inside and out. There
was talk of selling the Convent but this thought was discouraged because people
felt this was part of the parish and should be kept as such.
While Father Albert Giroux was at St. Bernard's,
the Sisters from Cadyville used the Convent to teach classes once a week.
The wall between the dining room and library was removed to make a larger
classroom. This room along with the parlor, the community room and the basement
provided 4 classrooms. This made teaching much easier because prior
to this all twelve classes were held in the Church. The Catholic Daughters
also began using the Convent as a meeting room after the local high school
was remodeled and their room was taken.
When Father Howard McCasland came to Lyon Mountain
in 1972 he suggested that the Convent be used as a parish center. The classrooms
were remodeled with fluorescent lighting, desks, modern blackboards, bulletin
boards and carpet. All the material for teaching can be found in each room.
All the rooms were freshly painted, baseboard radiation and a new ceiling
were installed in the basement.
There are 3 bedrooms on the upstairs level and
they are maintained as such for overnight guests of the parish. The Convent
is also currently used as a community funeral parlor. This saves the families
in town from traveling to Funeral Homes outside the community. The home is
open to all families in the community regardless of religion. The Chapel Room
is utilized forthis purpose. Although the Convent is presently used for the
community, plans are being made to have two Sisters at Lyon Mountain to carry
out the pastoral work that can be done by Sisters in this area.
by Bernard Grogan
Pictured are: Sr. Ann Joseph, Mrs. Carl Bingel, Mrs. Walter Bingel,
Mrs. Donald Secore, Mrs. Anthony Danussi,
Mrs. John Yanulavich, Mrs. Peter Kwetcian, Sr. Paracleta, Mrs. Michael
Petrashune, Mrs. Bernard Hart,
Mrs. George Barber and Mrs. Joseph Ducharme.
Our helpers, pictured with the same two Sisters are: Mrs. Oscar Rascoe,
Mrs. Joseph Kaska,
Mrs. Gordon DuBrey,
Mrs. Joseph Noel, Mrs. Philip Varin and Mrs. Hazel Gosselin.
Sisters Who Were Stationed at St. Bernard's Parish
Sr. Magdalina, R.I.P.; Sr. Catherine Raymond, SA; Sr. Mary Agnes,
SA; Sr. Miriam Joseph, SA;
Sr. Joan Conroy, SA; Sr. Mary Mel, SA; Sr. Mary Edmund, SA; Sr. Matthew
Marie, SA
Sr. Joseph Marie,
SA; Sr. Claire Catherine, SA; Sr. Gabriel Joseph. SA; Sr. Mary Michael,
SA
Sr. Leo, SA; Sr.
Mary Trinitas, SA; Sr. Ursula, SA; Sr. Miriam, SA; Sr. Francis Solano, SA
Sr. Mechtilde, SA; Sr. Ann Joseph, SA; Sr.
Anthony, R.I.P.; Sr. Damien, R.I.P.
Cadyville Sisters Who Worked in Lyon Mountain
Sr. Mary Electa; Sr. Gabriel Marie; Sr. Theresa; Sr. Fabian
Sr. Mary Trinitas, SA; Sr. Justina; Sr. Mary Ann
Present (1975) Teachers of Catechism in Parish left to right:
Mrs. Anna Chase, Mrs. Joan Fetzko, Mrs. Madeline Yanulavich, Rev.
Howard Mecasland pastor,
Mrs. Leona Bingel, Mr& Ruth Forsythe, Mrs. Lorraine Farrell,
Mr. Bernard Grogan,
(below) Mrs. Margaret Kaska, Mrs. Frances Bingel
Go to Page 10 of St Bernard's, Page
11 of Mining for Souls.
Back to Page 8 of St. Bernard's
Back to Page 1 of St. Bernard's
Go to Page 1 of Mining for Souls.(cover
page)
Go to Page 1 of The History
of Lyon Mountain.
Rod Bigelow
Box 13 Chazy Lake
Dannemora, N.Y. 12929
rodbigelow@netzero.net 
History
Page
BACK TO
BIGELOW HOME PAGE
