Sts. John and Paul Parish New Maryland NB

Welcome to Sts. John and Paul

The Parish of Sts. John and Paul was established in July of 1978. We are a vibrant church located in the bustling Village of New Maryland, NB. We offer a number of services throughout the week, and hope that you will take a few minutes to visit our site if you are looking for a church to call home.

On behalf of our our pastoral team and our church family, we thank you for dropping by to visit us today. Open your Heart to God and we will open our arms to welcome you.

 

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History of the Parish of Sts. John and Paul

This information is gleaned from personal knowledge and interviews with many of the early parishioners of the Catholic Parish of Saint's John and Paul in New Maryland. New Brunswick.

In 1972 Dr. Don Feeney. a local dentist and long-standing resident of the City of Fredericton and parishioner at St. Dunstan's Parish, was asked by Father Jack Dolan. Pastor of St. Dunstan's Roman Catholic Parish in Fredericton. to represent the New Maryland area on the parish counsel at St. Dunstan's. Father Dolan asked Dr. Feeney. who was a resident of Nasonworth, to be involved in preliminary discussions about the possible creation of a parish in the New Maryland area and asked others from the Hanwell Road and Lincoln area's regarding the creation of parish's in their locations as well. At one point it was considered that another parish could be created in the Skyline acres area, but this idea was later abandoned.

Bishop Arthur Gilbert. Roman Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Saint John at the time, had discussions with Father Dolan; it was concluded that these new churches and communities would not be satellites of St. Dunstan's but rather independent parishes unto their own. Bishop Gilbert had strong feelings of the importance of people being involved with parish activities as they create their own faith communities. Dr. Feeney was instrumental in gathering the peoples together who were to form the new parish of New Maryland, the name of which had not yet been decided. However, a faith community did form over the years. So much so that it has been recorded that Sheila McCarthy, who is to present a parishioner at Saints John and Paul, was one of the first teachers of Religious Education in 1975 to a group of grade one students. Included among their numbers was Dr. Feeney's son. Shane Feeney. With successive years different grade levels were added to the Religious Education Program which flourishes to this day. Over the ensuing years various Faith Services. Masses and Lenten Services were held at the Anglican and United Church's in New Maryland as well as in various people's homes. During these years. Father Monte Peters and Father John Jennings were well known to come out from St. Dunstan's to assist these communities in forming their faith relationships. Although, during these time numbers in attendance were small, it became apparent that the nucleus was there to build an independent parish and in July 1978 the nucleus for formation of a new parish in New Maryland was arrived at. Bishop Arthur Gilbert gave permission for the parish to be formed and the parishioners were informed that Father Don Layden, a Holy Cross Father in residence at St. Thomas University, would be the first parish Priest of the new Roman Catholic Parish in New Maryland. Soon thereafter he was joined by Sister Pat Poole to assist him in ministering to this parish. The parishioners subsequently met and started a process, which culminated in having mass every Sunday morning at 11:00am at the New Maryland Recreation Centre. Much humor has been accounted in recognition of how the New Maryland Recreation Centre, which was the place of gathering in New Maryland on Saturday nights where much beer was imbibed and many cigarettes smoked as arousing dance was every Saturday night. At 9:00am on Sunday morning the faith parishioners of the New Roman Catholic Parish of New Maryland would meet to clean up the Recreation Centre, remove the stale smell of cigarette smoke from the hall as well as emptying the beer bottles and ash trays. As well, during that time, it as been known that Dr. Don Feeney and his son Shane would make the trip into St. Dunstan's, fill his renowned farm truck up with chairs, and bring them back to New Maryland in time for the 11:00am Mass. The various families that had arrived to clean up the Recreation Centre for the 11:00am Mass would then rush home, try to put on a clean shirt or blouse, such was the case, and return for Mass at 11:00am. Many of those I interviewed speak very fondly of those days, particularly how the choir director Mrs. Nora Mallory would cry out in pain when the old piano covering would fall on her hands while she tried to play reasonable music to accompany her choir of inexperienced musicians who did not know how to read a note. However, that choir became renowned and was able to, in a short period of time, start singing four-part harmony for many of its services. Some of those interviewed felt that this incentive to sing so well as a group together in a Christian community stern from their constant Thursday night practices at Mrs. Mallory's home which often stretched far into the night and involved more than just hymn singing.

During this time it became apparent from all those interviewed that the goal of these young parishioners v/as to form a Faith Community and a building of a church was far from their mind. Their efforts focused on creation of a liturgy committee, choir, and religious education which was the heart of their efforts and the reason that many of them wanted so dearly wanted to have their own parish. Many of these people had young children and sometimes quite large families. Over the next two years under the able shepherding of Father Don Layden, whom no one ever could find to say a bad word about, the enthusiasm grew and Father Layden decided it was time to consider building a church. For a parish composed of a few long-standing New Maryland residents and a large group of young family people this was a formidable task. However, throughout the years and evidence by the testimony by those interviewed, the building of a church became the nucleus for the evolution of a parish composed of people with tremendous fellowship and faith. As the programs of faith, be it Masses, special celebrations or constant Religious Education of the children continued. Efforts were made to raise funds for, design, and build a new church on the five acres of property that had been donated by the Jensen family across the road from the New Maryland Recreation Centre in New Maryland.

The first chairman of the parish counsel had been Dr. Don Feeney and he was intricately involved with the momentum toward building a church. However, Dr. Feeney having led the efforts for the last six to seven years wisely moved sideways and allowed the talents of the many young new people in the New Maryland area to step in and take responsibility for the creation of the church. I have had access to Dr. Feeney's notes and read with amazement at the list of people that were involved in making a contribution toward the building of the church. Repeatedly it has been referred to the friendships that were cultivated in the parish during this time have been long-lasting to this very day, and the Christian fellowship as well as the enhancement of ones personal faith were by products of the task of working together to build a church. One of the first efforts of course was to raise money for a down payment for the church. Mr. David McClure was involved at that time, heading a pledge campaign, where new parishioners were asked to pledge funds toward the building of the church. As well, Mr. Michael Mallory, newly arrived in the community from Kansas City, brought with him the idea fur a dinner/auction, which was a silent and live auction to raise money for a down payment. This was done with the involvement of many parishioners and Joan Bourque headed up a group of people who were able to feed a gourmet meal to 300 people at a sit-down dinner at the Monsignor Boyd Family Centre. Auctioneer Mike Lawrence from Montreal donated his time and skills and Dr Don Feeney, knowing most of the people in New Maryland and the people of Fredericton, were responsible for selling a huge number of tickets to people. As well many people, including Dr. Feeney, were involved with soliciting donations from businesses and community areas that were available to be auctioned off. The first dinner/auction, which involved three days of constant work by approximately 50 people to not only feed the guests but to coordinate the auction, resulted in a profit of $12, 000. On the morning after the auction as the sun was rising and the effort was complete it was also a huge step toward building a community of people that would continue to work together for many years to come to enhance the spiritual life of their community. In fact, the following year, the same group of people worked diligently to have a second dinner/auction which raised 315, 000. Between the dinner/auctions and the pledge campaign the funds were there to start contemplating the construction of a church.

The following year Mr. David Innes became chairman of the parish counsel and he and his wife Thelma were intricate in organizing different committees who would be involved in the creation of church and environment. These committees include the Interior Committee, Building Committee, Finance Committee, the Liturgy, community, and Religious Education Committee.

The Interior Committee was made up of some very talented people who are residents of the community including Hassok Kim and Susan Judah both of who are talented artists. They, along with Nora Mallory and others, decided that they would be involved with the creation of a church that reflected New Brunswick's people, integrity and characteristics. This was a somewhat difficult task but one that they were determined to adhere to.

The Building Committee, under the chairmanship of Mr. Michael Mclntosh, was involved with commissioning the architects Duchesne and Fish. The five acres of land that had been donated by the Jensen Family needed to be deforested. Many humorous stories are told when Kirby Burtt, and experienced woodsman, led a group of totally unskilled men into the woods to bring down the trees and clear the land for the construction of the building. Joe Bouchard and Kirby Burtt had a difficult time corralling this rag tag group of people and keeping them out of trouble without creating a second edition of the Chainsaw Massacre. However, despite their lack of skills, it is repeatedly reported that there was never a shortage of people to help out in this effort. Finally with some external help the land was cleared and ready for the construction. Through the construction of the building there was ample use of huge talent that resided in the community in the names of such people as Val Desjardins, a knowledgeable engineer, and Joe Bouchard who had experience in building from a local engineering firm as well. In addition, skilled craftsman such as Wilbert Phillips, and experienced contractors like Albert Morais were able to corral the efforts of all other members of the parish and the project proceeded forward. Numerous difficult meeting were thrashed out to try to arrive at an exterior design, layout and interior design. Despite the clashing of many brains, in many meetings, the parishioners always came out agreeing to disagree and going forward with the plan for what was best for the parish. Father Don Laydens laid back and calming influence pulled the members through many difficult times and kept the project going forward.

Throughout this period of time one of the difficult tasks was actually trying to find out who were the parishioners. John Palmer, a local engineer who was also involved with the building, headed up a committee who would complete a census of the parish so the number of people who would be attending church could be quantantated. Meanwhile, the building of the exterior part of the church proceeded with the help of such people as Don Lovely, Joe Bouchard, Alcide Gaudet, Kirby and Jean Burtt along with Wilbert Phillips and Albert Morais. During that time as well Sheila McCarthy, Anne Palmer and others were involved with constructing a Catechism program that continued on mostly taught in the homes of the teachers.

The planning for the interior of the building must have created some fascinating discussions. The stain glassed windows at the front of the church were installed by Nora Gaston, an Irish girl who was Baptist by faith, but extremely intelligent having a deep faith. If you look today at the design of these stained glass windows at the front of the church you will see many qualities inherent to New Brunswick such as fiddleheads. The Crucifix outside of the church was carved in New Brunswick with New Brunswick wood. In the spirit of trying to keep the project fully New Brunswick, Bob Osbourn, a New Brunswick craftsman, created the altar with New Brunswick wood. The HOSTIA creation over the altars was done by Susan Judah, another parishioner of extreme talent, put hundreds of hours into the creation of this work of art. The Stations of the Cross on the side of the wall are copper mounted on stones that were picked up along the highway from Fredericton to New Maryland by parishioners as they traveled back and forth. Alma Johnston of Westfield, New Brunswick, was responsible for the creation of the copper figures in the way of the Cross that are on the sidewalls.

The sod turning was done on September 7, 1980, and the first Eucharist was celebrated in the new church of Saints John and Paul on June 14, 1981. This was an extremely proud moment for a group of families who had not known each other, worked and came together with a common purpose to create a faith community for themselves and their children. From what had begun as only a dream back in 1972 and brought to fruition through the efforts of people such as Dr. Don Feeney and many others and what flourished under the leadership of Father Don Layden was now a reality. Think of these people who went through huge physical efforts every week to create an environment that would be suitable for celebration of the Eucharist that would come together for three to four hours every Sunday morning so a Mass could happen for themselves and their children. Many people, in particular, Mary-Lou and Phil Foreman attest to how their own faith grew in leaps and bounds in the efforts that were put together, whether it be scrubbing a floor or teaching a Catechism class, that there was a common purpose for which they all felt good. People rose to the occasion, and Mary-Lou Foreman talks of how people needed help and this was just felt as a good way to build the community. David Innes, the second chairman of the parish counsel in New Maryland, states that the first issues of the parish were those of Faith, Liturgy, and Catechetics. A building was felt to be secondary. The efforts of those peoples who attracted more people to come to New Maryland should be an inspiration for those of us who wish to carry on that pioneer type spirit that was engendered in the 197Q's in New Maryland. All of us would benefit greatly from that enthusiasm that we should bring to our parish on an everyday basis to expand their highest horizons within our community. Friendships were created among the adults and the children that have lasted a lifetime.

The above is a brief history of the parish of Saints John and Paul in New Maryland from its original conception in 1972 to its actual completion and first Eucharist on June 14, 1981. The journey was obviously exciting, rewarding, fulfilling and certainly resulted in a renewal in faith for many people.

-Dictated by Dr. Tom Barry January 7, 2003

This section is from Father Ken Weir.

July 1st 1992. Bishop J. Edward Troy assigned me to Sts. John & Paul in New Maryland. I succeeded father John Keoughan.

Effective this date (July 1st,1992.) St. Columba in Fredericton Junction ceased to be a mission of St. Vincent de Paul. It became a mission parish of Sts. John & Paul, New Maryland.

The debt when I arrived was $360,000.00. Nothing had been paid on the principal amount, only interest payments on the monthly basis. With the aid of such notables as: John Palmer, Rick Smith, and Harry Foreman we approached the Bishop for permission to “lock-in” with the bank for a mortgage. This would allow us to have a time frame and goal for paying off the loan. It did not come easy for us to obtain the required permission, but in the end of much discussion it was granted and we paid off the loan in my 8 year tenure.

In 1993 the annual “joint” St. Columba/Sts. John & Paul curling and fun night began. Always St. Columba hosting same. It continues to this day.

In 1993 the statue of Mary was commissioned and built by Darren Byers of Sussex. It was dedicated in memory of Joan Bourque, a great lady who did much in the ways of fund raising, suppers, C.W.L., support of her priests.

In 1994 with the aid of Connie Saulnier the Sts. John & Paul parish began the annual July Fun Day with Don Feeney’s horses, dunk tank manned by local celebrities such as the R.C.M.P., local characters such as Frank Dunn, food was always plentiful as were the games with great prizes. Connie has the unique ability to find truck loads of treasures throughout the year and would store them (often in her spare room at home) until the day would arrive. This was a great community as well as parish builder.

In February 1994 with the on slot of Lent, the Pastor thought that we needed to gather and celebrate who we are as a parish community. Many were making and bragging of home made wine, so we began the gathering to ‘see who had the best wine”. During the Lenten gathering there was always the brown bag auction for Peace and Development. One never knew what they were bidding for the night always realized more than $400.00 for charity. With the sampling and voting on the best wine of the night, Father Weir always won –hands down. It may have helped that when the wine ran out; he would get from his rectory another 10 or 12 bottles to continue the festivities. These gatherings happened three times a year…St. Patrick’s Day, February and after Labour Day.

In 1995 as a fund raiser, Father Weir sold tickets on a gourmet meal to be hosted by himself at the rectory. The deal was that the winner and 5 people of their choice would be wined and dined at the rectory, they would be given a choice of menu and it would be guaranteed to be “grand”. Gourmet chefs such as Joan Bourque and Karen Mason would prepare the meal and notables such as Drs. Tom and Carolyn Barry, Mike and Mary Jo McIntosh, Debbie and Dave Lynch along with Father Weir would serve, as well as entertain the guests. A lot of fun took place at this fund raiser and it was a good help.

We asked the founding Pastor, Father Don Layden,c.s.c. to come back to the parish from his assignment in Welland, Ontario so that the parish could celebrate with him his 25th Ordination to the Priesthood. Father Layden, his brother Kenneth, his sisters Sister Margaret and Sister Virginia came with him as the parish gathered and Phil Foremen and Mike McIntosh provided a “well-done” roast.

In 1998 the Parish entered into an agreement with the Redemptorist Youth Team to provide youth ministry with us and the Fredericton area parishes. Sts. John & Paul were assigned Father Leo English to work with our youth. He and Father Weir got along famously and approximately 15 of our youth participated in the group. They intermingled with the youth from other participating parishes. This attempt on our part was to begin a process whereby we would promote leadership from within when the team left our area. This however did not happen.

In 2000 Father Ken Weir was re-assigned and Father Ralph McRae was assigned as pastor of Sts. John and Paul.

Pastoral Appointments for the Parish of Saints John and Paul

1978-1984 Father Don Layden

1984-1989 Father Paul Leger

1989-1992 Father John Keoughan

1992-2000 Father Ken Weir

2000-2002 Father Robert McGuire (Associate)

2000- Father Ralph McRae