Friday 27 June 2014

Did you bring the watermelon? Picnic season is here!

In parks and on beaches, in forest clearings and on church lawns, picnics are happening everywhere and Catholics know how to picnic right. Part fellowship and part fundraiser, picnics have taken place in the Archdiocese of Toronto since at least 1865. In that year, Fr. Jamot wrote to Bishop Lynch regarding a picnic that was being planned as a fundraiser for the House of Providence.

"Yesterday evening we had a well attended meeting for the Pic-Nic for the House of Providence; everyone is very much in earnest; those who spoke, did so in a very flattering manner for the good sisters; I believe that [the]  Pic-Nic will be a perfect success."

This photo was taken at a picnic held by the St. Paul's (elementary school) Old Boys Association at the Milne farm in 1929:



Good to know that nose-picking children existed in the 1920s. 
Why so serious? It's a picnic!
These gentlemen are well dressed for a picnic on a farm.
How many bow ties or three-piece suits do you think you would see at a modern picnic?

It would seem that not everyone enjoys posing.

This photo was taken at a Knights of Columbus picnic on Centre Island in 1923:



It's easy to tell who couldn't sit still.
"Look at the camera! Look at the camera!"
Is that a real beard?
These children don't look too impressed. They'd rather be running around!
I hope the straw boater hat comes back into fashion for men. So dapper!

The next two photos are from a St. Bernard de Clairvaux Parish picnic in the 1960s:

The egg-and-spoon race: as much of a classic in the 1960s as it is now. The game originated in England in the 1890s!
They may have been less safe, but playgrounds used to be way more fun!

The chancery office employees had a lovely picnic in the cathedral garden in 1989:

Brenda (centre) remembers this day because it was her birthday, and because she was stung by a bee and couldn't come to work for three days!

Can you spot a famous young archivist?


Let these photos inspire you to get out and picnic this summer! Check out BlogTO for a list of great Toronto picnic spots, or get out of the city and enjoy one of Ontario's many Conservation Areas or Provincial Parks.

In the archives, our favourite picnic spot is the garden at the Rosehill Resevoir followed by a walk through David A. Balfour park.





Friday 20 June 2014

Record of the Week: Pilgrimage to Martyrs' Shrine

June 21st is the first day of summer and pilgrimage season is upon us!

Tomorrow is also the Grand Opening of the Permanent Pilgrimage Route from Barrie to Martyrs' Shrine in Midland.The route is significant to the First Nations and Samuel de Champlain history.

In addition to the opening ceremonies and a 10km walk, there will be guided tours of the Martyrs’ Shrine and the Museum, bannock making and a Pilgrim Mass.

For more information, visit Georgian Bay Trails or the Martyrs' Shrine site.

Bishops and Archbishops of Toronto often celebrate Pilgrim Masses at Martyrs' Shrine:

Cardinal Carter celebrates a Polish Catholic Pilgrimage Mass at Martyrs' Shrine, Midland, 1978.
Photographs Special Collections, PH 18P/25P

Cardinal Carter celebrates a Polish Catholic Pilgrimage Mass at Martyrs' Shrine, Midland, 1978.
Photographs Special Collections, PH 18P/29P

Friday 6 June 2014

#AAO2014: ARCAT at the Archives Association of Ontario Conference

Congratulations to Astounding ARCAT Archivist Gillian Hearns for her informative presentation at the Archives Association of Ontario (AAO) conference last week.

The theme of the conference was "Party With Your Archives." Gillian told a group of archivists from across Ontario about ARCAT's involvement in the Archdiocese's 150th anniversary celebrations, the lessons that were learned, and her hopes and visions for the upcoming 175th anniversary.


Jill gets ready to speak at the AAO Conference held at UOIT in Oshawa.


Gillian's talk was well received. She even made Twitter!





We are pleased and proud to have Gillian as a representative of ARCAT and of the Archdiocese.