Father Thomas J. Toole Appointed

Father Thomas J. Toole was appointed the next pastor of St. Mary’s, Elmira.

The Catholic Courier dated Feb. 17, 1944 note his reception.


NEW PASTOR WELCOMED

On Sunday afternoon, Jan. 16, parishioners of St. Mary’s Parish, gathered to welcome their new Pastor, the Rev. Thomas J. Toole and their new Assistant Pastor, the Rev. Leo J. Lynch.

The Rev. Joseph L. Hogan was Master of Ceremonies and extended the greetings of the parishioners to both priests.

Presidents of each society spoke, welcoming the new Pastor and Assistant and pledging their assistance and cooperation. Miss Patricia Maloney spoke for the Junior Sodality and Miss Mary Catherine Malone for the Senior Sodality. Mrs. Margaret Hogue represented the Rosary and Altar Society and Andrew Von Hendy spoke for the men’s societies.

The children presented a short program of entertainment. The first was a Song of Welcome to the pastors, followed by a tap dance presented by the 7th and 8th grade girls. The 4th and 6th grade girls presented a Marine and Red Cross drill. The final selection was Panis Angelicus by the girls’ choir at the close of the entertainment program. Both priests responded. Tea was served during the afternoon.

The present pastor, Father Thomas J. Toole, was appointed to St. Mary’s by Bishop Kearney on January 11, 1944. Soon after taking charge of his new parish, Father Toole began an extensive program of reconstruction. A new baptistry was built in the southeast tower off the vestibule of the Church. In the spring of the same year the convent was renovated. All the rooms were rebuilt, redecorated and furnished with new carpet and rugs. A completely new chapel was constructed in which was laid a new floor, new pews, new ceiling, new window, new altar with canopy and drapes. All the bedrooms were refurnished, and individual lockers replaced old wardrobes. A new glass-enclosed porch was constructed on the upstairs rear of the convent building. A new music room was provided, along with new furniture and new lighting fixtures for the whole convent.