The first ordination to the priesthood at Stella Maris took place on the Feast ofthe Annunciation, March 25, 1938, when John F. Buote was ordained by Most Rev. J.A. O’Sullivan. Father Buote celebrated his first Solemn Mass at Stella Maris on March 27, 1938.

On March 21, 1943 another son ofthe parish, and a former teacher at St. Andrew’s School, Rev. James Wilfred Pineau was ordained a priest in St. Dunstan’s Basilica by Bishop O’Sullivan. Father Pineau celebrated his first Solemn Mass at North Rustico on March 25, 1943. Father Poirier of Mont Carmel preached in both English and French. Father Pineau taught French for many years at St. Dunstan’s University and has written a book entitled: Le Clerge’ francais dans l’Ile du Prince-Edouard. 1721-1821. Father Pineau recently received an award from the government of France.

A new altar constructed by Aeneas Poirier was erected in the church on April 12, 1942. A new tabernacle was placed on the altar later that year on September 24th.

As the church was not large enough to accommodate the congregation, it was decided to enlarge it by raising it. The raising of the Chapel and then ad- ding the wings was quite an engineering feat. In fact it is said that Father McNeill could not get any architect to authorize it. But Father McNeill and the head carpenter, Tom Doucette were not to be deterred by overcautious architects. Tom ‘ Doucette is supposed to have said, somewhat irreverently, “I could raise it up till I saw the angels drawersf’ George Farrell, George Paynter, Murray Cassidy and Jerome Peters were also workers on the project.

On April 20, 1945, the work was started with the excavation for the new foundation. This work was done by the Curran and Briggs Company assisted by the school boys. The old tower was torn down in June of that year. On July 10th, the cement foundation was completed and the church was raised 10 1/2 feet and two towers joined by a front vestibule were added with an addition of 10 feet on each side of the church, making the outside measurements of the church 50 feet by 110 feet including sacristy. Peter Leander Gallant remembers cutting the trees for the posts for the new towers, in his wood lot on St. Patrick’s Rd., Hope River. They had to be 8 x 8’5 twenty five feet long. It was Murray Cassidy that Father McNeill sent to contact Peter and he wanted those posts in very quick order. “When can you have themi’ said Murray. Peter said, “I could get some of them tomorrow but I can’t get you eight posts cut and sawed in a few minutes”. The long logs had to be hauled to Bagnall’s in Hunter River to be sawed. “Never fear”, said Peter. “We got the trees, and Father MacNeill will have his posts?’ Within two days the eight posts were landed at Father McNeill’s door in North Rustico. On the feast of the Immaculate Conception (Dec. 8th), Bishop James Boyle came to Stella Maris to bless the cornerstone for the enlarged church. A new organ was also purchased.

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