St. Albans Methodist Church 1922 Wedding Preformed by Pascal DiFlorio

For Pascal’s grandson Michael…As you precede on your 1st, authorized to solemnize the rites of matrimony as they used to say in the early 1900’s. In 2010 we would probably prefer to say… “To celebrate or observe with dignity and gravity.”

With the coming of summer we went to St. Albans, where I supplied the Methodist Church for 3 months while the minister was in California to visit relatives. During this time we lived in the church Parsonage.

One night a short time after we arrived at the Parsonage a couple came with a request to be married. After a few words of advice and examination of the marriage license we proceeded to solemnize the Matrimony. In the midst of the service the young lady fainted. At once my wife Margaret got a glass of water, soon the lady recovered and we were able to conclude the service. Such was our experience connected with the first matrimony, which I solemnized.

A Hymn for "airmen" by Minnie Conklin

A HYMN FOR AIRMEN
Our Father, whose unerring sight,

Regards the eagle in its flight,

Watch o’er the craft that wings its way

Where storm clouds lower and dangers play.

Grant wisdom for the trying hour,

Sustain the spirits’ hidden power,

To heavenward thought attend thine ear

And manifest Thy presence near.

And may our airmen come to be

The messengers of harmony,

To haste Thy kingdoms glad increase,

And usher in the age of peace.

Remember those who fondly yearn,

For those who never will return;

May skill prevail till every plane,

Comes safely to its part again.

The author of the poem must have been a joy to be around because even her granddaughter Shirley is just so much fun to talk to on the phone. Shirley got the “History Bug” and has never stopped adding to her web site.
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~twigs2000/

Shirley gave me permission to use her grandmothers poem and share with

Agape Flights

Agape Flights Blog now up and running- Another way to connect with the ministry.


Agape Flights is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, Christian ministry that provides ongoing and critical support services to close to 400 missionary families that work in Haiti, the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas. Agape provides coordination and support getting supplies and services to the island nations in the Caribbean for the missionaries via air support on “Bandit,” from Agape’s hanger and home base at the Venice Florida Airport.

YOU CAN help by praying for the missionaries and checking out Agape Flights web site to find out more about this important ministry. You can see the missionaries’ current needs and you can read the stories about the missionary families- their victories and struggles plus updates from missionaries in the field, many from the earthquake regions of Haiti.

Agape has been providing continual service for their member missionaries for 30 years and will celebrate the Anniversary at the Agape Flights Hanger on Saturday, June 26, 2010. Check Agape Flights web page for further details and RSVP gomissions@agapeflights.com with “Celebration” in the subject line.

“airman” Another definition: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airman

…"Airman" is capitilized when referring to enlisted members of the United States Air Force. More informally, it can refer to any member of an air force, or to any pilot, aviator, or aircrewman, military or civilian, male or female.
Further, people in these services who are involved in flying are also "airmen".) In the American Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) usage, an airman is any holder of an airman's certificate, male or female. This certificate is issued to those who qualify for it by the FAA Airmen Certification Branch.
The definition of “Airmen”
Airman may refer to: *Airman, a term which describes a person serving in an air force or other military aviation service. *For civilian and generic usage, see Aviator


Also the granddaughter Shirley said, “I can even remember your grandmother playing a tiny apartment piano and hear her singing along”

I loved hearing Shirley say this because I never heard my grandmother play a single note- why I do not have an answer but I can remember her speaking voice… I cherish the fact that I was able to find Shirley through her web site and talk to somebody that knew my grandparents!

Guest Speaker in Anna Maria Island Florida

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Anna Maria Island, Florida Rev. Dr. Pascal DiFlorio to substitute preach for a fellow pastor while pastor is away.

Close to the End of This Section ...

Flashing forward looking for the missing link...a travel log written by Dr. Pascal DiFlorio...now missing and presumed mixed in with his grandsons and great grandson's stuff. The travel log has notes from the 1930 trip to Europe and is the link between the Pascal DiFlorio bio and "Rebels on the Rampage," the 30,000 word document written in 1929.

Rebels on the Rampage is about the influence of Italian Divines upon the English Reformation- Principally in the Reign of Edward VI-

1930 Europe...Anita stayed with cousins

Pascal and Margaret sailed to Europe in 1930 to visit Pascal's family and hometown of San Pietro, InFine Italy. Their daughter stayed with Margaret's sister and brother-in-law, Alice and Rev. Arthur E. Kelly for two months while they were in Europe. To my knowledge it was the only trip to visit family in Italy and their 1st and only visit was 24 years after Pascal left Italy in 1906 as an 18 year old young man.

Dr. Manning, Missionary Secretary in Toronto...

(Pascal felt his life was in danger because he had been asked to act as interpreter in province of Ontario on the issue of the “Dry” province…)

I consulted Dr. Manning, the missionary secretary in Toronto. He advised against our leaving… “St. Francis Assisi would not leave.”

“This may be so but he did not have the responsibility of a wife and daughter.” Both of us regretted the situation and proceeded our own way.

So we packed the very few belongings and set out to Montreal…the place which we knew best. Our great difficulty was where will we stay? We could not afford to rent an apartment and buy the furniture. The matter was serious, but there was a way out.

We communicated with aunt Sarah and aunt Elizabeth. They lived in Lachute, and had accommodation. Yes they had room for us. We went and decided that Margaret and Anita were to stay with the aunt and I was to go to Montreal and rent a room in the Wesleyan College and carry on historical research. And, so I went to Montreal and rented the room which I had occupied and visited my little family on week ends.

After a few months we rented a flat partly furnished which served our needs. The flat was on Park Ave…not far from the college. This meant that I could go home for my meals. The short distance made it possible for Margaret to take Anita to the McGill Campus where they enjoyed playing.

September 22, 1922

We remained in the parish for about two years. Here Anita was born September 15, 1922. We took her to church when she was about 3 weeks old thus Margaret was able to play the piano for the church.

During this time my brother-inlaw came from Italy his name was Vitulio Vecchiarino. He remained with us for a few months and because there was very little work he decided to go to Providence, RI. To his brother’s house.

As for us we carried on and were happy. I decided to enroll with the United Theological College for the Th.D. degree. This would keep me studying; but our plans had to be changed. Among the Italians there was an undesired element- the province of Ontario was “dry,” Among the Italians there was an undesired element. There was a strong feeling against the alcohol ban; so it was decided to take a vote. The feelings ran high. I was urged to act as interpreter. This brought me in bad repute with certain Italians. My life was in danger and I had been ill advised. So we decided to pack up and leave.

Pascal & Margaret Together for a Lifetime

Pascal DiFlorio Blog 1920…Margaret

The separation from Margaret was hard but we wrote each other often, so we did not mind our separation. In fact we found that we loved each other very much. The year 1920 I received my B.A. degree from McGill University. Margaret was present. Graduation was remembered as a great event in the lives of both Margaret and I. The following year I received my Bachelor of Divinity from the Wesleyan Theological College and was ordained as a minister of the Methodist Church, in the Montreal Conference, Cornwall, Ont. Canada. The date was June 5th 1921. At the time I was appointed to a little church in an out of the way place. This was not to be; in that, I applied also to the Board of Home Mission, in Toronto, Ontario to pastor an Italian Church. I went to Toronto and interviewed Dr. Smith who took a great interest in my case. He phoned the District Superintendent at St. Catherine, Ont. And gave him information and qualifications (which I had) to serve as a minister among the Italians in Welland, Ont. And Niagara Falls, Ont. I was to receive $1200 per year as long as I was single and $1500 plus the rent of a house if married. So at once I informed Margaret and we agreed to proceed to make preparations for our wedding day.

In the mean time I stayed in Thorold with a college friend named Santo Gualtieri. While I was in Thorold I looked for a house. I ended up renting a furnished house at 73 Ross Street, Welland. By correspondences Margaret and I planned to marry September in Brockville in the home of the Rev. Arthur Kelly, whose wife Alice was Margaret’s sister.

On September the 8th we met in one of the rooms in the Kelly’s home in the presence of Margaret’s father, Mr. Peter MacLauren and of the Kelly’s- Arthur, Alice, Doris, Norma and Elaine. The service was simple; the way both of us wanted it. After the service we sat for dinner, it was a treat on the part of the Kelly’s. After dinner Margaret and I extended our thanks for the hospitality and kindness. They helped to make the event memorable. In the afternoon Margaret and I bade goodbye to everyone and set out for Welland. We took the boat and went to Toronto where we visited the Exibition. We had planned to stay in Toronto a few days but the weather was very hot so we decided to go on…to Welland where our first home awaited us!

On Sunday we went to church…we had to walk about 20 minutes and both of us had a job…Margaret officiated at the piano and I at the pulpit. The congregation was small and made up of Italians. With the passing of days we visited in the homes and thus we instructed them in the ways of the Master. Besides Welland we had two other preaching places- Bridge Burg, New Yort and Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.

We assisted people to secure jobs, naturalization papers and night classes in English. We linked the city and the people associated with the church.

All These Kingdoms I Give To You...

I climbed the mountains in the area. At the top of the mountain there were stomps. I stood on a stomp and what a magnificent sight it was at the rising of the sun. I stood on a stomp covered with snow that glistened before me.

At the time I had a thought… “All these kingdoms I give you, if you will fall down and worship me.”

Third Temptation
Mark1:13; Luke 4:5-8, 13
Matthew 4:8
Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me."
10Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, "You shall worship the LORD your GOD, and Him only you shall serve."
11Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.
--------------(Then Jesus Begins His Ministry)--------------

(Dr. Pascal DiFlorio…recapped some of what he had already said…so I will transcribe his story as he wrote it.)

They treated me as a member of the family. With the coming of September I returned to the Wesleyan College where I had a room during my college days…, which extended over a period of more than seven years. I left in the Spring I always did so with a feeling that with the coming of the Fall I would return to the college and to my many friends.
In 1919 and 1920 I went as a “summer pastor” in the Western part of Canada under the auspices of the Presbertian church. I had applied to the Board of Missions of the Methodist church, but I was refused on the grounds that I did not know English well enough. This prompted me to apply to the Presbyterian Board of Missions.

Burton City, British Columbia

It was spring and I applied to the Presbyterian Mission Board to send me to British Columbia.

The answer read: “We do not usually send student-pastors from the East but you are appointed to Burton City B.C.” I was very happy for the chance I had to see the Western most province of Canada. The trip took me to the famous famous Rocky Mountains, Banff, Lake Louise and the Co naught Tunnels.

little lakeside village of Burton on the lower Arrow Lake

I went by train to Arrow Head…from there I took a boat and sailed to Burton City, and to my amazement the city was made up of the post office, a farm co-operative and a hotel plus a manse… for the minister who was to occupy it and to cook his meals.

(Pascal may have mean Arrow Lakes …I am not sure but this is Link to the area)

The village had more men than women. There was a super abundant mass of mosquitoes. This was due to the fact of the fast melting snow had inundated much of the land. This put most of the swamps under water and as the water evaporated the mosquitoes infested the area. I have never seen so many dead or alive. This overflow was due to the fact that the level of the Arrow Lakes had risen 29 feet and so flooded more places than usual. There were two boats on the lakes, one going south and one going north the boats kept us in touch with the rest of the world. The nearest village was Nakusp, British Columbia.

I stayed in a log cabin, which the people called a Manse. I cooked, washed and so forth… I called on the people by foot. I had two churches, the services were held one in Burton City at 11:00 am and after that service I had my dinner and walked the three miles and crossing the lake to hold the 2nd service. I conducted the service and then crossed the lake again in the boat and walked home.

Often on my way home I took off my shoes and walked. One of the great experiences was to see and eat the cherries- I had not seen or eaten for many years.

Nearing the End of My Time in Western Canada

During my stay in Saskatchewan I went to Saskatoon, a distance of 80 miles to write an examination that I had not taken in Montreal, because I was sick the day of the test. Remembering another journey… I set out early one morning on horseback and returned that evening 20 miles each way to see the dentist.

My experience in the West was enriching. Before returning east there was snow, the Northern Stars were the most brilliant I had ever seen. On my trip back to Montreal I fasted, as I had done going West. This was beneficial to the physical system and saved money.

Back in Montreal…

As soon as I arrived in Montreal I phoned Margaret and we did not waste any time in getting together. We had become very fond of each other.

(The ring was worn by Margaret for many many years...her only child Anita gave it to my husband to give to me on my wedding day as a surprise...I have worn it now for 24 years...what happens next to it nobody knows...But I have Anita's wedding ring that she had welded together with her husband's ring...(he would not ware it) but after Anita passed away he kept it in a special box...I have that ring and I will give it to Anita's oldest son to give to his future daughter-in-law to give to Anita's grandson to ware...Thus a nice tradition!)

The 25 Dollar Gift

Another fond memory of Dr. DiFlorio’s short time in the western part of Canada that he recalled when he was very ill with Parkinson’s Disease.


Another experience…

I found the people very friendly their cordiality and informality was appreciated. When I called upon a family I was often urged to stay for dinner, or supper. About a week before I left the area the people planned for a get together. In the course of events, there were speeches. The lady who presided spoke words of appreciation, she said, “that in the years they had come together they had never attended services.” After the speeches I was presented with a $25 gift. Moreover, she herself had undergone a change in that she had thought of the Italians as ditch-diggers. She said, “Thank God, you have opened my eyes.”

Before I precede any further I must say that the last few days seemed very long because I wanted to see Margaret. During the summer we had corresponded and grown to love each other. A good part of the summer Margaret visited her aunt Margaret and family in Brandon, Manitoba.

Because of the acceptance from the Presbyterian Board of Missions, in Toronto and Pascal’s appointment to Kingsland, Saskatchewan, Alberta my grandfather seemed to enjoy his 20 weeks spent out in the western Prairie Land of Canada. It could be that his memories were just that much sweeter due to his appointment coming after such a stinging blow when the Methodist Board of Missions refused him with the reason given per Dr. Manning (who the good Dr. had never met or spoken with Pascal.) Dr Manning said my grandfather did not have “good English.”

My Mother's Father's Sister's Son...and His Daughter...

I am so thankful for the web site by Vittorio Verrillo, Vittorio’s site is such a great idea. I was able to talk to my Mother’s Father’s Sister’s Son and his daughter. I was able to talk to them on the telephone. Thank you Vittorio.

Remember the wonderful web site that connects friends and family to San Pietro, InFine ITALY.

Click San Pietro, InFine ITALY to go directly to this great site.

Or if that does not work you can cut and paste the address:
http://www.sanpietresiallestero.com

Impressive Prairie Land in Canada

The twenty weeks I spent in the West proved to be not only happy ones but also educational. I looked out at vast stretches of land and not a tree in sight, the prairie land was impressive. The temperature was high. One day the thermometer went up to 122 degrees.

It was May when I went west there had not been any rain, and that did not change until then very end of June. The rain got there the crops grew rapidly; therefore, we had things we could eat from the garden. Prior to the rain our diet was POTATOES! Potatoes with pork, potatoes with eggs, Potatoes with eggs and pork, oh and potatoes and eggs.

Once the garden grew we were treated with a large variety of fruits and vegetables.

Squash was one of the vegetables that grew. So I suggested that we pick the bachelor blossoms the ones without the squash. The blossoms were put in boiling water then lifted them out and pored batter over the blossoms to fry them; presto we had pancakes. The Ardes liked this strange dish so much that not long after friends came over and they were treated with the new dish.