Parish History

ST. MARY'S CHOIR

While St Mary's has always had a choir, the original organist is unknown. Sarah Muirooney was the first organist any present parishioners can remember, and played for many years until retiring in 1920 at an advanced age. She was followed by Mary Joyce Rourke, 1920 to 1925, and Marguerite Brouillard, 1925 to 1971, who formed "The Little Choir" with children of the parish to sing at the nine o'clock Mass. The choir rehearsed in the sacristy with a small organ and a wood burning stove. Johnny Curran, one of the choir members, who lived on River Road used to gather wood along the way with his lantern and have a fire going for practice. Some of the members at that time were: Mr. Curran, Dick Lambert, Julia Hogan, Celia Murphy, Mary Connolly, Josephine and Helen Morrissey. Father Redding was pastor at that time.

Then When Father Tiernan came he wanted the Mass sung for the month mind and funerals and weddings. Mary McMahon Cowles and Julia Hogan Kennedy sang these. As the men worked it was up to the housewives to perform these duties. Mrs. Cowles sang in the choir for over 50 years. New members joined as the years went on, Margaret and Catherine McCormick, Edward Dower, Jr., John Habernak and William Prout. Molly Hastings, Joseph Burns, John Joyce, Ted Hef fernan, Jack Bowler, Mary Koprusak, Doris Hanrahan, Sally Rourke, John Kin narney, Father Robert Saund ers, William LaPointe, Raymond Acquaotta, Mar garet Pavelcak, Helen Koprusak, Eileen and Bessie Kennedy, and Stanley Dabkowski, who eventually brought his wife and four children into the choir. One of them, Allan, is now director and organist.

the new liturgy came and with it the changes in church music began. From Latin to English, then the parishioners were asked to join with the choir; Gregory Gresh was very helpful in inspiring the congregation to take part in the liturgy.

Miss Brouillard retired in 1971 after 46 years of faithful service devoting many, many hours to the choir and church.

The music is still as beautiful as it was many years ago when the members gathered by the stove to sing praise to God.