Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/510

 436 BISTORY <»F GOODHUE COUNTY school in Goodhue county. This school, as the school in Red Wing, was also given in charge of the School Sisters of Notre Dame with Sister Norbert as its first superior. In 1884 Father Meier was appointed pastor of Red Wing, and then followed in quick succession Father J. Tori and Father Pius Schmidt. During the charge of the latter an addition to the church was built, and a commodious two-story brick residence erected. After nearly twelve years of labor in Goodhue county. Father Linberg was transferred to Winsted, where he died, in 1908, and Reverend Roemer was appointed pastor in 1901. Finding that the old school building was inadequate to serve its purpose, he replaced it by the present two-story brick edifice, which was erected in 1902, at a cost of $13,000. The new schoolhouse was a gracious recognition by the parish of the noble sacrifice made by the sisters when accepting tin- Savior's invitation — they left all to follow Him, in the Christian education of the young. Cannon Falls. Feeling the need of more than mission service, Cannon Palls, in 1905, sprung into a parish, receiving as its first resident pastor the energetic young priest, Rev. Francis X. McDermott. At once new life and hopes took possession of the Catholics of that lively Little city. Realizing that the temporal and spiritual go hand in hand, t he pastor and people saw the need and the advantage of a parochial residence. With the natural reluctance and sorrow at parting from old friends, the first stone church building was torn down, and there arose on the site the present beautiful residence. The pastor, ihe people of the parish, as well as of the city at Large, have reason to rejoice at the change wrought, for it adds materially to the beauty of the thriving and progressive city. God. who blesses the least sacrifice in His honor, quickens the faith of tin- cheerful, generous giver, so that it is not surprising to find that the pastor and Ids people of the Church of St. Pius, though small in number, are large in that strong faith and living charity that is a help and encouragement to their fellow-men. Zumbrota. The few Catholic families of Zumbrota were attended from Belle Creek and Red Wing until Rev. O. F. Rice, of Pine Island, took charge. Under his zealous and self-sacrificing administration, the generosity of the members and their friends was so aroused that an elegant and fully equipped church was erected. It was dedicated October, 1902, with due solemnity, by Archbishop Ireland, assisted by the pastor, Father Rice, and the former attendants, Revs. R. J. Fitzgerald, J. H. Gaughan and J. H. Prendergast. The grand outpouring from the neighboring parishes and cities was a tribute of praise to the builders of the seventh Catholic church in Goodhue county.