There was only one acre of land belonging to the Parish; this land had been donated by Simon Pineau for the erection of the Chapel. In addition, thirteen acres was purchased for $650.00. Three acres of this were marked off for a cemetery and a cross was erected and blessed on Nov. 2nd, 1936. The first burial, Mrs. Felix (Mary) Pineau, took place on the 19th of November. The cemetery was later consecrated on September 18th, 1938.

The first group to receive First Holy communion in the new parish of Stella Maris included: Marion Doyle, Arthur Buote, Augustine Gallant, Margaret LeClair, Mary Matilda Pineau, Edna Rose Blacquiere, Eric LeClair, Martha Joan Blacquiere, Bernard Doiron, Lorette Buote, Rose Gauthier, Mary Yvonne Gallant, Arthur Gauthier, Robert Reginald Doucette, Gertrude Inez Gauthier, Joseph Edward Gauthier. This was in the Fall of 1936.

The first trustees, as given in the 1936 Diocesan Yearbook were: John J. Blacquiere, Earl Blanchard and Moses Buote.

Father McNeill undertook the task of training altar servers. The follow- ing were the first altar boys: Alyre LeClair, Arthur LeClair, Ferdinand LeClair, Clarence Doiron, J. Aubin Doiron, Cornelius Doiron, Edward LeClair, Elmer Buote, Eugene LeClair, Ronald Blacquiere, Leo LeClair, Alphonse LeClair, Ed- ward LeClair, J. Robert Gauthier and and Wilfred Blacquiere. The story is told that one early morning a certain altar boy was told by Father McNeill to get him the scissors. The altar boy misunderstood and returned with all the Sisters and they, no doubt, wondered what this summons could mean.

Fr. J. Douglas McNeil]

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