A very special thanks to Shaun McNamara who built and mounted a beautifully crafted shelf for the church. This will display Our Lady of Fatima statue. This shelf is in memory of Len and Malinda McNamara and Fred Sole, through a donation from Paula Chisholm, Alice Goodrich, and Gertrude Sole.

Thank-you also to Francis MacEachern who repaired a piece of siding on the church this week.

We continue to be honoured by so many special people who share their time and talent to support St. Patrick’s Church. What a true blessing!

St. Patrick’s Day Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on March 17th at St. Patrick’s Church in Whiteside. Come and celebrate our Patron Saint on this special feast day!

Have you seen the two beautiful wreaths that brighten the church windows? Thank-you to Lisa and Rob Hallsworth for this lovely Christmas donation.

The Society extends a sincere thank-you to Rhonda MacDonnell-Barrett who will lay a wreath at the Remembrance Day Service in Whiteside, in loving memory of all our ancestors who served our country.

We remember and honour all those who served and those who are currently serving this great nation.

Special thanks to Brenda White for her tremendous dedication and hard work in the role of Treasurer-Vice President for the Society during the past three years. Brenda moves to the position of Past Vice President, and we welcome Elaine Cook to the new role of Treasuer-Vice President. Elaine is a wonderful addition to the Preservation Society Board, and we are blessed that she has joined us in a formal capacity.

Again, special thanks to Francis MacEachern and Peter Ryan for the completion of repairs to the front doors of the church. The community appreciates your continued efforts and your on-going commitment to St. Patrick’s. Tremendous work!

Well a simple thank-you does not begin to extend our appreciation for the efforts of all who attended and helped organize the annual summer Mass this past weekend. Photos will be coming shortly to the website.

Thank-you to Fr. Joe MacKenzie for celebrating the Mass with us; to the members of the Riverdale Community Services Society for their beautiful facility; to Richard Cook for opening the hall; to all the extra kitchen help; and to Betty King and Kay Jeffery who did an outstanding job at supervising and organizing the luncheon.

Thanks also to the Society members and friends who set up the hall on Sautrday and helped to prepare the food for our enjoyment. To all those who attended the Mass, we say thank-you because you made it a memorable occasion.

A special mention of thanks must also be extended to our beautiful music ministry; organist Elizabeth McNamara, guitarist Terry McNamara, Richard Cook soloist for responsorial psalm, and the St. Francis de Sales Choir. Outstanding talent!

The thank-you’s do not stop there! We have to thank Michelle Hayes who baked a beautiful cake and acted as our photographer for the special day; Marilyn Demers who decorated the church with fresh flowers, Barbara Malcolm who prepared the church programs and assisted with organization in advance (and who works so hard with the March Mass), and to Elaine Cook and Frank Meagher who also worked on behalf of the Society to assist with all the details and planning.

Last, but certainly not least, I need to extend a sincere thank-you to Brenda and Francis White for their strong commitment to the preservation of St. Patrick’s. I cannot begin to list all their contributions, but they are simply always there when something needs to be done.

They (like ALL of you) are true Cape Bretoners; generous, faithful, and committed to remembering and honoring our ancestors.

I am proud to be able to to share with you in the preservation of St. Patrick’s Church. The St. Patrick’s Church community stetches far beyond the Whiteside area.

This weekend brought people home from Boston, Ontario, Manitoba, and all parts of Nova Scotia. Those who could not attend, were certainly present in thought and prayer. We are less than 2 years away from our 100th Anniversary so we have much to look forward to. Let us all keep up the great work.

Blessings,

Karen Walker,

President of Whiteside Church Preservation Society.