Tracadie Cross and Charlottetown. The problems attendant upon the establishment of a new parish faced the new Pastor. The newly founded Parish lacked many bf the facilities we take for granted today, being equipped with neither electric power nor telephone, the nearest for both being three miles away. The need for electricity in the homes, in those days, was not greatly felt since the day of the milking machines and the oil fired heating systems had not yet been in popular use, with the kerosene lamp supplying the light and the wood and coal fired stoves providing the heat for the homes. After many meetings with the people of the area in their homes and in the school where the idea of electricity was explained and the costs esti- mated, Father obtained the co-operation of the people and soon their homes were wired and the electric line erected, thus bringing the much needed and desired electric power to the church and the parish house with all the other accompanying facilities.

With the twin churches and the parish house brought up to modern standards by a centinuation of repairs, renovations and additions, Father, as a true shepherd to his flock, directed his attention to the field of educa- tion. Education of the youth was very important to Father Wood and again with the co-operation of the people of the area of both denomina- tions, he was instrumental in having Grand Tracadie School become a Re- gional Unit and in securing the Sisters of the Congregation of St. Martha as teachers in the school where they built a lovely convent, called Regina

House.

Father Wood worked faithfully with the people in many other ways in helping them to modernize and improve their communities and we realize, full well, their feelings on knowing, that in June, 1968, Father would return to Vernon River having being appointed Pastor, the first native son to have this honor.

Here in Vernon River, Father Wood continued his priestly labours, with the same zeal and devotion and with the co-operation of the people many renovations, repairs, alterations and additions were made to the Parish Plant. In the Fall of 1968, the Parish House was repaired and redecorated. In 1973, the Church was redecorated and the Sanctuary enlarged along with the rebuilding of the brick tower and the side wall of the Church. Previous to this. the small side-chapel, where mass is offered on week day mornings, was completely repaired and renovated, as well as the Vestry of the Church. Since many requests were being made for the burial dates of their deceased relatives, some of which preceded the establishment of the Parish in 1838, and, therefore, would not be re- corded in the Registers, the tombstones in the cemetery were sand- blasted and cleaned up so that the names and dates of burial could be clearly legible and the information obtained. Many more improvements

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