Our New Sign
“Thank You St.Patrick’s Church Committee of Whiteside for having Us do your new signage. Really appreciated the help with the install Dale & Francis.” – Colin MacDougall
St. Patricks Day Mass 2025
A very special thank you to all who made the St. Patrick’s Day Mass so wonderful. In particular, the Whiteside Church Preservation Society wishes to thank:
· All who attended and participated in the liturgy
· Our celebrant Fr. Duncan MacIsaac
· Altar server Paul Tyrell
· Musicians, Elizabeth, and the parish choir
· Lectors Margaret Zinck, Richard Cook, Jackie White, and Karl McNamara
· Offertory Michelle McPhee and Stephen McNamara
· Ushers Paul McNamara and Terry White
· Mass Preparations and Communion- Elaine Cook
· Bell Ringer Billy Proctor
· Donation of Floral Arrangements adorning the altar- Leigh Anne O’Toole
The Mass was celebrated in loving memory of all our loved ones buried here at St. Patrick’s Cemetery. We also remember all those parishioners and former parishioners who have passed away since out last gathering in July. They are:
· Mary Shirley Mcnamara,
· Joseph Herman Mcphee,
· Barry Michael Dorey,
· Michael Terrance Morgan,
· Anita Cogswell,
· Elizabeth Macrae- Macdonald,
· Stella Maccormack,
· Christine Maccormack,
· Ronnie Maccormack,
· Jean Ryan,
· Patricia Mackenzie.
Society Update:
With regards to the society’s window appeal, the positive response received is overwhelming and thank you to each and everyone for the generous support and donations. $41,835.00 has been raised so far and our target goal is $50,000.00. Donations are still being accepted so hopefully our target will be realized by the end of May.
The society is so grateful to everyone and at our annual summer mass planned for June 29th, all donations will be recognized with names on a donor wall plaque.
The society would also like to thank Michelle Hayes, our social media coordinator; a chore which is time consuming. Also, thanks to Lorna Tyrell, our treasurer for keeping a record of all entries.
Following mass, a light lunch was served and we thank our leprechauns, Marilyn Demers, Elaine Cook, Lorna Tyrell, and Brenda White for facilitating this.
The Whiteside Church Preservation Society (St. Patrick’s) also extends a heartfelt thank you to all those who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make things happen.
See you all June 29th for our annual Summer Mass and Gathering, with an outdoor blessing of the cemetery.
An Appeal to Help Preserve the Legacy of St. Patrick’s Church in Whiteside on Cape Breton Island
Please Consider a Donation to The Whiteside Church Preservation Society (St. Patrick’s), Cape Breton Island
Preserving our past in memory of all our ancestors.
Dear Friends of St. Patrick’s Church,
It is with sincere thanks that we extend our heartfelt appreciation to all those who have generously supported St. Patrick’s over the last 10 years. Financial donations, donations of labour for preservation, assistance with our annual summer and St. Patrick’s Day Masses and lunch celebrations, and memorial bequests on behalf of your loved ones have been greatly appreciated. The Whiteside Church Preservation Society was established in 2014 because so many of you recognise the importance of preserving local heritage and honouring our ancestors.
Today we are reaching out to you for your help. The church windows must be repaired, and we are launching a fundraising appeal to cover the cost of this historic restoration. The $28,000 restoration will be completed by Sherbrooke Village. Our goal is $30,000, and any donation, large or small, will help with the restoration. Donors will receive a charitable receipt for donations over $20.00, and all names (not amounts) will be published on our Facebook page to recognise your generosity.
Perhaps you prefer to give a gift of your time. We would love to see you reach out to all your relatives near and far, to organize and sponsor a window in memory of a family ancestor. A permanent dedication plaque will be located below the window. This church has served as a faith and community foundation to our ancestors bearing the names of Doyle, MacDonald, Cameron, King, Morgan, Shannon, Scanlan, McNamara, Proctor, White, Walker, Cogswell, Fougere, Morash, Welch, Johnson, Meagher, Boudreau, MacCuish, Hearn, Ferguson, Hayes, Malcolm, McCarthy, Arsenault, and many others.
Now is the time to honour our Cape Breton ancestors, who built this church through hard work and sacrifice. St. Patrick’s Church is an integral element of the history, identity, and culture of Cape Breton Island. See below how you can help. Thank you in advance for your kind assistance.
Kindest regards,
The Whiteside Church Preservation Society
Did you know?
- The first church on St. Patrick’s site faced westward and was built in 1865. The current church was built in 1919 and blessed by Rev. Angus D. Beaton. During the first Mass, Fr. Beaton also blessed a new bell donated by Mrs. Timothy White of Whiteside and four statues donated by Miss Mary McCormack of Cleveland.
- St. Patrick’s Church is designated as an Official Historic Property and has Municipal Heritage Status.
- With honour and respect, we proudly recognise that St. Patrick’s sits on the Mi’kmaq traditional ancestral homelands.
How can you help?
- Sponsor a family or ancestor window for $2,000. A permanent plaque listing names will be placed under the window. Example:
In loving memory of Joseph and Elizabeth Carlton.
Donation by: Joe and Mary Jones, David Smith, Carol Green, and families.You may also wish to sponsor a window in honour of a family ancestor name (e.g., “O’Leary Family”) or dedicate it to something meaningful, such as:- “To Our Irish Ancestors”
- “In Memory of our Indigenous Ancestors”
- “In loving memory of all those who perished at sea”
- “Dedicated to all nurses, past and present”
- Make any size donation and be recognized for the “In memory of Ancestors of St. Patrick’s” window.
- Give a gift of time to help spread the word of our fundraising appeal through social media, email, and other forms of communication.
New Volunteers Welcomed
No experience needed. Time commitment is just a few hours a year to assist the executive committee with various small tasks (many of which can be done remotely). The society is well-established, and now is the time to join. Don’t be shy. Email or leave your name with one of our members:
- Brenda White
- Paul and Lorna Tyrell
- Elaine and Richard Cook
- Karen Walker
- Frank Meagher
- Marilyn Demers
- Michelle Hayes
Donation Details:
Cheques may be mailed to:
St. Patrick’s Church Preservation Society
Module 3, P.O. Box 7, 1621 Whiteside Rd., Whiteside, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, B0E 1J0
Or send an e-transfer to: stpatrickswhiteside@outlook.com
Get updates on our appeal via our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WhitesideChurch
Join our Facebook community group: www.facebook.com/groups/whitesidechurch/
All donor names will be recognized on our Facebook site (names only) unless you indicate you wish to remain anonymous.An Appeal to Help Preserve the Legacy of St. Patrick’s Church on Cape Breton Island