BVMs cherish 57 years of memories at St. Anthony's

Ed.: The BVM Congregation is celebrating its 100th anniversary of service in Montana. This is the fourth in a series of articles to be published throughout the year in recognition of this celebration.
These recollections were written by Sister Mary Lidwina, BVM, who was principal at St. Anthony Elementary School in Missoula, 1955-1961.

In 1922, Bishop John P. Carroll of the Diocese of Helena petitioned Mother Mary Isabella, superior general of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to send sisters to staff the new St. Anthony School in Missoula. Mother Mary Isabella acquiesced to the bishop’s urgent request and four BVMs, including Sister Mary Bonita Driscoll as principal, arrived Aug. 7, 1922.
The parish purchased a frame unfurnished home on Tremont Street. With the help of generous women from the parish, it was converted into a comfortable convent for the four sisters.
School opened on Sept. 7, 1922, with an enrollment of 130 eager students. A strong academic program was established. Altar boys, a school choir and a Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary were initiated.
At the end of the first school year, Father O’Kennedy was transferred to be pastor of St. Ann Parish in Butte.
Father Denis P. Meade, who had just left his beloved Ireland and was in Montana only a short time, became shepherd of the flock at St. Anthony Parish. The parishioners were blest to have this marvelous man of God for their leader during the next 45 years.
Father Meade was a gifted and talented man, a natural born leader, historian, teacher, financier and above all, a keen student of human nature who understood the needs and yearnings of his people. One knew that he was “Irish” to the core. Everyone fondly called him “Dinny P” and considered him a loving Father.
During Father Meade’s first meeting with the BVMs a solid rapport was established. A spirit of mutual support characterized the BVMs’ relationship throughout the years.
The success of St. Anthony students held top priority for the faculty and parishioners. Father Meade and the BVM sisters always took pride in St. Anthony School receiving a “Superior Rating” from the county superintendent’s office for accreditation of elementary schools as early as 1922, the year that the school opened.
As the University of Montana increased in college matriculation, many young families moved into the St. Anthony Parish area which prompted an enrollment increase to 234 in 1936. The National Council of Catholic Women gave tremendous support to the school by purchasing equipment and supplies. The men’s Holy Name Society initiated programs to meet the growing needs of the church and school.
St. Anthony’s academic accomplishments in art, speech and music competitions were all well-noted. Sister Mary St. Emily’s “vested choir” of 40 boys was called upon frequently to perform at many Catholic events. The NCCW continued to sponsor the annual altar boy picnics in Pattee Canyon. (Many of the young men continued to be altar servers through their university days.)
Father Meade’s outstanding leadership was recognized and he became vicar general of the Diocese of Helena with the rank of “Monsignor.”
As the enrollment increased, it became necessary to hire lay teachers. St. Anthony’s was very fortunate to employ Miss Grace Flynn, who had a master’s degree from Columbia University. She taught at St. Anthony’s for 20 years until her retirement.
Upon completion of the new rectory, funds became available for the new convent. Oscar J. Ballas, an architect, met with the sisters to draw up plans for a four-room addition to the existing school and a convent to house 12 sisters. The sisters moved to the new Edith Street Convent in October 1957. The entire parish rejoiced.
Enrollment peaked at 659 students in 1961. An additional ministry of the BVMs was teaching religion and preparing students for the sacraments in rural areas.
God blessed St. Anthony Parish with some religious vocations. Four men were ordained for the Diocese of Helena; four entered religious orders; five young women became BVMs and five entered other women’s religious orders.
In the 1960s and ’70s, fewer sisters were available and more lay teachers were hired. This financial burden and a decreased enrollment resulted in the amalgamation of St. Anthony School with St. Francis School to form the new St. Joseph Elementary School on the north side of Missoula. Loyola High School merged with Sacred Heart Academy to form a new high school at the St. Anthony facility.

To commemorate the centennial of the BVM sisters in the Helena diocese, a special Mass will be celebrated Sunday, Aug. 26, at 10 a.m. in St. Anthony Church. Former BVM teachers and those currently ministering in Missoula will be present. A reception will follow the Mass.

Published in The Montana Catholic, Vol. 23, No. 8, August 17, 2007.