Msgr. Jean Chaisson, D.D., D.P. Native of Tignish

As early as the Spring of 1914, Father Jean Chaisson had started a fund for the building of a chapel at North Rustico. Sister Ellen Mary Cullen

remembers the occasion as she was living at Rustico Convent studying for her Matriculation exams.

“When Trinity Sunday came, Monseigneur Chaisson heard confes- sions until 11:00 a.m. on Sunday morning. Mass was supposed to be at 10:00 a.m. We boarders at the Convent were sitting on narrow benches in front of the pews; there was no support for your back and it was quite tiresome. At the conclusion of mass, Father Chaisson went to the pulpit and explained the difficulties of the people in North Rustico (section) of the parish. He must have been a person who believed in “striking while the iron was hot?’ He immediately opened a subscription, reading out the names of the head of each household in the parish. They replied, stating the amount each promised to give. I found it rather interesting and forgot about my sore back as I listened to the men’s voices and women’s contrasting sharp voices. It added variety as some spoke in English and some in French. We usually thought of Msgr. Chaisson as stern and rather gruff in countenance, but as he ascended the pulpit after mass on that Trinity Sunday, his face seemed shining with happiness. In his zeal for souls, he rejoiced in having so many approach the sacraments and fulfill their Easter duty. At this time, all receiving Holy Com- munion would be fasting from midnight?