Sister (Edna Pitre) St. Catherine of Louvain from Notre Dame, Charlottetown, and Sister (Louise Gallant) St. Mary Eugenia from Our Lady of the Angels’ Con- vent, Tignish, were the privileged pioneers selected to become the first religious teachers at Stella Maris Schoolf’ (It is interesting to note that a MacNeil from Cape Breton was able to assist a McNeill from RBI. in authorizing the founding of Stella Maris Convent.)

When the school-bell rang at 9 am. on September 3, one hundred and forty pupils lined up at the school entrance. After the organization of the classes, Father McNeill, noticing that some pupils were absent, set out like a good shepherd to look for them. Within a half-hour he returned with a goodly number to swell the ranks of the already well-filled classrooms.

Since as yet there was no residence for the Sisters it was arranged that they would live in the school, their sleeping quarters in a little dressing room off the stage. They would have meals at the rectory where the other two teachers, Mr. Lawrence Doucette, principal, and Miss Helen Gallant, were boarding.

There was no heat in the school from 4 pm. until 8 am. and no hot water available there. However, part of the weekends were spent at the convent in South Rustico and there the two Sisters found the solace and guidance necessary to sustain them during the trying days of foundation and organization.

In late October, the cold in the school at night was becoming a health hazard so two rooms in the rectory were set aside for the Sisters’ use until Christmas.

.' 3 I ._ Stella Maris Convent Just moved to sue.

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