1949 -- 50th Anniversary -- 1999

Hampton, New Hampshire

The History of the Miraculous Medal

Booklet cover

The Medal of the Immaculate Conception, commonly called the Miraculous Medal, was manifested to Sister (now Saint) Catherine Labouré, a spiritual daughter of St. Louise de Marillac and St. Vincent de Paul. This took place in the chapel of the Motherhouse of the Daughters of Charity, 140 rue du Bac, Paris, France.

Sister Catherine, during her novitiate days, received extraordinary favors from God, such as visions of the heart of St. Vincent and manifestations of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. In 1830 she was blessed with the apparitions of Mary Immaculate to which we owe the Miraculous Medal.

Sister Catherine's description of the apparition of Our Lady on November 27, 1830 makes it clear that the Medal originated with the Mother of God herself. 'Her feet rested on a white globe... I saw rings on her fingers.. .Each ring was set with gems.. .the larger gems emitted greater rays and the smaller gems, smaller ray .... I could not express.. .what I saw, the beauty and the brilliance of the dazzling rays.' Catherine heard an interior voice: 'These rays symbolize the graces I shed upon those who ask for them. The gems from which rays do not fall are the graces for which souls forget to ask". An oval frame formed around the Blessed Virgin, and within it in letters of gold Catherine read the words: "O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you." The voice spoke again: "Have a Medal struck after this model. All who wear it will receive great graces; they should wear it around the neck. Graces will abound for persons who wear it with confidence.'

Catherine continued '...the tableau seemed to turn, and I beheld the reverse of the Medal: a large M surmounted by a bar and a cross; beneath the M were the hearts of Jesus and Mary, the one crowned with thorns, the other pierced with a sword."

The front of the Medal represents Mary standing on the earth, her foot crushing the head of a serpent, and her hands outstretched to all who ask her assistance. The prayer encircling her contains one of her most precious titles: "0 Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you." The rays of light from her hands symbolize the graces which she is only too eager to bestow upon those who wear the Medal and pray to her.

The Medal was made according to Our Lady's design. It was freely circulated and in a short time was worn by millions. In its wake followed innumerable wonders. Health was restored, sickness banished; bad habits broken, special graces given; dangers averted, blessings bestowed - until the little Medal of the Immaculate Conception became known by the name it bears today, the Miraculous Medal.

On July 27, 1947, the Church of St. Peter in Rome was filled with a great throng of people and to the joy of the people, Our Holy Father, Pope Pius XII, solemnly proclaimed Sister Catherine a Saint of God.

History of the Parish of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal

On the stroke of midnight, December 24, 1948, over five hundred residents of the town of Hampton assisted at the first midnight Mass to be said in the three hundred ten years of Hampton's history.

This Mass celebrated by the Reverend Leo K. Ryan of St. Joseph Cathedral, also officially opened the new church of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, the first permanent Catholic church to be erected in the town.

In 1907, the town was organized as a mission of St. Michael's Church of Exeter, and a movement was launched to raise funds for the erection of a church in Hampton. In 1914, construction was commenced on St. Patrick's Church, Hampton Beach. Meanwhile, Masses were being said during the summer months in the new Hampton Beach Casino, and during the winter, in the Town of Hampton.

In the Spring of 1917, St. Patrick's Church at Hampton Beach was dedicated and the town was organized as a mission of St. Joseph Cathedral of Manchester. The Reverend P.J. Scott became the first rector of the Hampton Mission. He was succeeded in 1921 by the Right Reverend Jeremiah S. Buckley.

In view of the fact that the new church was designed solely for use during the summer months, it was necessary, during the winter, for Hampton Catholics to attend Mass in nearby towns.

By 1930, however, the resident Catholic population had become so large it was deemed desirable to conduct services during the winter months. Accordingly, under the direction of the Right Reverend Edward A. Clark who had succeeded the Right Reverend Jeremiah S. Buckley as rector in 1928, the community hall, located over the Hampton Beach Fire Department, was procured for the purpose of celebrating Sunday Masses. This arrangement was followed for several years with the priests coming from St. Joseph Cathedral in Manchester.

In 1936 construction was commenced on a chapel which was to be attached to St. Patrick's Church. Dedicated in August of 1937, this chapel not only increased the summer seating capacity of the church to 1,070, but in as much as it was equipped with a heating system it became the place of worship for residents during the winter. This arrangement served with decreasing satisfaction until 1949 when the Hampton population had reached proportions requiring more spacious quarters.

The planning for a new church had commenced earlier when in 1945 the Roman Catholic Bishop of Manchester, New Hampshire acquired land on Lafayette Road in Hampton. Accordingly, in the summer of 1948, construction began on the Church of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal; a structure of New Hampshire red brick and of colonial design. The church, designed to harmonize with the other public buildings of the town, was completed in December of 1948.

In January 1949, the reverend Matthew J. Casey, a native of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, who saw service as an Army Chaplain during World War II, came from Lincoln, New Hampshire to become the first Hampton pastor.

The early days were not without their difficulties. The rectories were temporary and at some distance from the church. Funds had to be raised that the debt might be paid and the parish complex completed. Although he was alone as a priest, Father Casey was not alone as a person. The men formed their club, later on to become the Holy Name Society, and the women formed the Catholic Women's Club. They launched their projects in the original church hall.

By 1963 the material building of the parish was complete. As background for the church, a permanent rectory was added. A spacious convent was provided for the Sisters of Mercy who came to staff the Sacred Heart School. The school opened in September of that year and became the most important adjunct of the church.

The Bishop of Manchester, in the year 1966, looked upon this community and its labor and found that it was good. In that year, he honored it. At his request, the Papal See named Father Casey a Domestic Prelate. The honor was intended not only for Monsignor Casey, but also for the parish. During the ensuing years, Monsignor Casey felt that his work of administration was complete. In 1972 he retired.

In the ensuing years there have been four pastors serving the parish:

Rev. Dennis L. O'Leary (1972 - 1980 Rev. Msgr. James P. Watson (1983 - 1988) Rev. Gerard A. Boucher (1980 - 1983) Rev. George E. Ham (1988 present)

During the past ten years the parish has experienced a more rapid period of growth than at any other time since its founding in 1949. Under Father Ham's leadership, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Parish has become a vibrant physical and spiritual community consisting of approximately 8,000 parishioners.

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A Chronological Review of the Past 50 Years

1948 The first Mass in Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church was celebrated at midnight, December 24th by Rev. Leo K. Ryan. It was the first permanent Catholic church in town

1962 Additional land was acquired for expansion.

1949 Rev. Matthew J. Casey, native of Portsmouth, came from Lincoln, NH to become the first pastor.

1963 A permanent rectory and convent were added. Sacred Heart School opened in Sept.

1964 Additional land was acquired for school playing fields

1972 Monsignor Casey retired.

1974 Silver Jubilee (25 years) of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal was celebrated

1989 The St. Vincent de Paul Society was established with the subsequent erection of a new building for its food pantry and thrift shop.

1990 St. Elizabeth's Church in Seabrook Beach became part of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal for year round services.

1993 Complete restoration of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church including the addition of a new sacristy and an elevator.

1996 Eight classrooms were added to Sacred Heart School The choir loft was expanded with the addition of a new custom designed pipe organ by Casavant Freres.

1998 The basement of the church was completely remodeled.

1999 Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal celebrates its Golden Anniversary.

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Our Lady of
The Miraculous Medal Church

289 LAFAYETTE RD.,
HAMPTON, NEW HAMPSHIRE 03842

October 3, 1999

Dear Friends:

As many of you know, the celebration of our fiftieth anniversary began with the 1998 Christmas midnight Mass, commemorating the first Mass celebrated in Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church at Christmas midnight in 1948. During the past nine months we have celebrated with a dinner dance, a pilgrimage to the shrine of St. Catherine Labouré in Paris, and a parish picnic in June. Today marks the end of our celebration as we join Bishop John B. McCormack in commemorating the dedication of our church by Bishop Matthew F. Brady on October 2, 1949.

As we give thanks to God for these fifty years of parish life and the tremendous growth that has taken place among the Catholic community of the Hampton area, we are particularly indebted to the many priests, religious, and laity, who have done so much to build up the kingdom of God in this community.

Our celebration today is dedicated to the memory of Msgr. Matthew J. Casey, our founding pastor, who in his twenty-three years of priestly ministry here established the firm foundation of what we enjoy today.

A special word of appreciation is also due to the many people who have planned and coordinated the various aspects of our anniversary celebrations, particularly Lea Downer, who has served as general chairman of our anniversary celebration, and Attorney H. Alfred Casassa, who was responsible for updating our parish history.

As we rejoice and give thanks to God for these past fifty years, may we also renew our intentions to work together to be faithful guardians of Christ's Word and effective messengers in bringing His love to others.

May God bless us all at this joyful time.

Sincerely,

Rev George Ham
Pastor

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Priests Who Have Served the Parish

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Pastors Rev. Msgr. Matthew J. Casey (1949 - 1972) Rev. Dennis L. O'Leary (1972 - 1980) Rev. Gerard A. Boucher (1980 - 1983) Rev. Msgr. James P. Watson (1983 - 1988) Rev. George E. Ham (1988 - Present)

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Associates Rev. Leo Declos (1955 - 1957) Rev. Albert S. Cameron (1957 - 1960) Rev. Stephen W. Scruton (1960 - 1963) Rev. Alfred Gagliano (1963 - 1965) Rev. John V. Moran (1965 - 1968) Rev. Anthony Michalick (1968 - 1970) Rev. John P. McAndrew (1970 - 1972) Rev. Richard J. Kelley (1972 - 1977) Deacon Joseph T. Maguire (1972 - 1973) Rev. Louis A. Soucey (1973 - 1974) Rev. Arthur J. Kelliher (1974 - 1975) Rev. Daniel F. Szopa (1976 - 1979) Rev. Roger E. Fournier (1977 - 1982) Rev. George H. Robichaud (1979 - 1982) Rev. Gordon J. MacRae (1982 - 1983) Rev. Robert E. Gorski (1983 - 1987) Rev. Kevin T. Connor (1987 - 1990) Rev. Richard H. Wegman (1990 - 1996) Rev. A. Stephen Marcoux (1996 - 1998) Rev. Daniel J. Sinibaldi (1998 -        ) Rev. John M. Grace (Summer 1992) Rev. Michael J. Griffin, [Sr. Priest] (1992 -        ) Rev. Msgr. Albert W. Olkovikas [Weekend Assistant] (1990 -        ) Rev. Msgr. Paul D. Gleason [Weekend Assistant] (1996 -        )

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Parish Council Presidents John J. Chernesky 1970 - 1971 George Downer 1971 - 1972 Robert Preston 1972 - 1973 John A. Bellerose 1973 - 1974 George W. Hammond 1974 - 1975 Lea Downer 1975 - 1979 Diana Lamontagne 1979 - 1981 Marion Chabot 1981 - 1984 Daniel Coughlin 1984 - 1985 Robert Casazza 1985 - 1987 Carole Reneselaer 1987 - 1989 Barbara Ryan 1989 - 1992 Michael Robidas 1992 - 1995 Brian Buckley 1995 - 1997 John Zinka 1997 - 1999

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Holy Name Society Past Presidents 1949 —       John J. Foley 1949—1951 George J. Gaudreau 1951—1952 Donald T. Murphy 1952—1953 Robert R. Gushing 1953—1954 Arthur C. Moulton 1954—1955 George S. Downer 1955—1956 John L. O'Dea 1956—1957 John D. Long 1957—1958 John E. Johnston 1958—         Dr. John W. O'Brien 1958—1959 Robert E. Chandler 1959—1960 Lawrence J. McKillop 1960—1961 Kenneth Buell 1961—1963 John J. Starvish, Sr. 1963—1964 Dr. Louis B. Winkler 1964—1965 William J. Ames 1965—1966 James P. McQuillan 1966—1967 Alphonse J. Lemire 1967—1968 Ernest R. Gregorowicz 1968—1969 John J. Chernesky 1969—1970 John A. Bellerose 1970—1971 Richard R. Bussieres 1971—1972 Laurent D. Bosse 1972—1973 Roger M. Charpentier 1973—1974 Floyd W. Danico 1974—1975 Robert F. Carney 1975—1976 Horace A. Desrochers, Jr. 1976—1977 Richard J. Ladd 1977—1978 Paul Buell 1978—1979 Ellsworth Preston 1979—1980 William Gillick 1980—1981 Thomas Martin 1981—1982 Edward Sullivan 1982—1983 Raymond Sheehan 1983—1984 Alfred Casavant 1984—1985 John D. Hebert 1985—1986 Jay Tanzer 1986—1987 Jack Lessard 1987—1988 Paul Lepere 1988—1989 Michael Call 1989—1990 Peter Laudansky 1990—1991 John F. McCluskey 1991—1992 Daniel Driscoll 1992—1993 Bernard Arguin 1993—1994 Andrew Morse 1994—1995 Paul E. Lessard 1995—1996 John M. Kelleher 1996—1997 Philip Fili 1997—1998 Walter Davis 1998—1999 David Hopkins 1999—        Francis McNeil

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Bishop Matthew F. Brady Council # 5093 Past Grand Knights 1960 — 1961 Edward Preston 1961 — 1962 Larry Cafarella 1962 — 1963 Edward Fritz 1963 — 1964 Merle Harmon 1964 — 1965 William Simmel 1965 — 1966 Earl Chabot 1966 — 1967 Cliff Abbey 1967 — 1968 Charles Keiling 1968 — 1969 George Brown 1969 — 1971 Charles Keiling 1971 — 1973 William Simmel 1973 — 1974 James Shaw 1974 — 1975 Keith Hayward 1976 — 1977 Chester Starvish 1977 — 1979 William Simmel 1979 — 1981 Charles Keiling 1981 — 1990 Robert Ficke 1990 — 1991 James Latimer 1991 — 1993 Richard Beaulieu 1993 — 1995 Dennis Jacobs 1995 — 1997 Richard Walsh 1997 — 2000 David Hagen

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Catholic Women's Club Past Presidents 1947-48 Viola Fagan 1948-49 Mary Fogarty 1949-50 Elizabeth Cushing 1950-51 Gladys Ring 1951-52 Eileen Breen 1952-53 Mary Long 1953-54 Mary Jane Soucy 1955-56 Rita Nudd 1955-56 Mary McCarthy 1956-57 Jo-Ann Daniels 1957-58 Jane Chamberlain 1958-59 Virginia Parizo 1959-60 Augustine McNerney 1960-61 Madeline Jackson 1961-62 Carole Norwell 1962-63 Beatrice Perkins 1963-64 Clarice Casassa 1964-65 Karleen Waters 1965-66 Mary Chenesky 1966-67 Mary Preston 1967-68 Margaret McClare 1948-69 Grace Hammond 1969-70 Lucille McIlveen 1970-71 Anne Kutlowski 1971-72 Louise Mantegani 1972-73 Lea Downer 1973-74 Elizabeth Weinhold 1974-75 Elizabeth Ruder 1975-76 Eileen Reynolds 1976-77 Marie Hammond 1977-78 Beverly Prakop 1978-79 Irene Cunningham 1979-80 Mary P. Ryan 1980-81 Lorraine Johnson 1981-82 Mary Moynihan Naphen 1982-83 Irene Cunningham 1983-84 Alice Downer 1984-85 Shirley Houlihan 1985-86 Jeannine St. Germain 1986-87 K. Claire Bourque 1987-89 Constance Lessard Vogt 1989-91 Karen Ciasulli 1991-93 Daragh B. Shannon 1993-94 Karen Ciasulli 1994-97 Kathleen M. Campion 1997-99 Daragh B. Shannon 1997-99 Constance Lessard Vogt