Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Concord, NH

HISTORY OF IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CHURCH
Before the year of 1955, a group of neighbors from the Concord Heights area formed a petition asking the Bishop of Manchester to consider having a small Catholic church or chapel built in their area. At that time, all the residents of Pembroke, Loudon, East Concord and the Heights were registered at St. John's Parish on Main Street in Concord. The Bishop of Manchester, Matthew F. Brady, assigned Reverend Richard O. Boner to investigate the possibilities.
Mr. and Mrs. Edwin R. Langevin, who lived at 28 Canterbury Road, offered the piece of land next to their house on Canterbury Road, to be used for the site of the church.
Bishop Brady came to Concord to see the property and declined the offer by the Langevins because of the size of the lot.
The land for the church was bought from Mr. & Mrs. Dan Cusano on August 15, 1955 for $10,000. St. John's Parish paid for the land.
The Armond Roux Co. of Laconia built the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church and also Camp Fatima and Camp Bernadette. The architect of the church was Norman P. Randlett of Laconia. The permit for construction of the church was acquired on October 25, 1955. The construction of the building ended on June 14, 1956 and was assessed at $80,000. The total cost including landscaping, furnishings, fees, etc., was approximately $105,000.
The first pastor of The Immaculate Heart of Mary Church was Reverend Richard O. Boner and his assistant was Reverend Richard Smith. (Fr. Boner had founded Camp Fatima for boys in 1949 and Camp Bernadette for girls in 1953). The blessing of the church was by Bishop Matthew F. Brady on Sunday, September 16, 1956. The first mass was said by Rt. Reverend Jeremiah S. Buckley, pastor of St. John's Church.
The communities attending the church were the Heights, Loudon, East Concord and Pembroke, as far as Pembroke Academy. There were 175 families attending when the church was opened. Within three years, the number of parishioners was approximately 350.
During this time, Father Boner and Father Smith had been living at St. John's Rectory. A house on 15 Gates Street, belonging to Mr. Lucius and Mrs. Margaret Hart was purchased for $9,500 to serve as a temporary rectory. Mr. Frank Faucher, a local realtor and owner of Frank and Bob's Market, bought a piece of land next to The Immaculate Heart of Mary Church and donated it for the site of the rectory. Father Boner and Father Smith lived at 15 Gates Street for two years before the construction of the rectory was completed. Bids for construction of the rectory were by:
Robert W. Marshall ($44,068.10) Kiro Construction ($51,400.00) Foster Builders ($51,750.00) Caron Construction ($54,900.00)
The contract was awarded to Robert W. Marshall in December 1958. The contract was occupied April through May 1959. The architect was William F. Walsh.
The children of the parish had been taught religion by the Sisters from Loudon and St. John's in Concord.
The land belonging to Mr. George and Mrs. Alice Wright, on Loudon Road, was purchased for a price of $4,500. This was to be the site of the convent. Bids for construction of the convent were by:
William F. Walsh ($31,806.00) Hayden ($33,638.88) Robert W. Marshall ($33,822.50) Gr. & Cl. ($35,600.00)
The contract was awarded to William F. Walsh in May 1959. The contract was occupied through September of 1959.
The Mission of The Immaculate Heart of Mary opened on October 5, 1959. The Sisters first to live at the new convent were Sr. Alix, Sr. Reparata, and Sr. Hildegarde. Classes were first held in private homes in the Eastman area for those children attending Eastman School. About 40 children attended in two separate classes. Children attending Dame School came to the Convent every Tuesday after school for a one-hour instruction. Classes were held in the porch, basement, and Social Service Center of the Convent. About a total of 75 attended in grades 3 to 6. On Wednesdays, two Sisters drove to Loudon and conducted classes in the Loudon Hall hired by Father Boner. About 20 children came from the Loudon School. On Thursdays similar classes were held in the Center for children from the Pembroke, Epsom area. About 40 children attended. Classes for the C.Y.O. teenagers of the 7th, 8th, and Senior High School level were held on Monday evenings in the church hall, Convent and Rectory. Father Smith helped teach and aid about 70 to 80 students.
The contract to build the Catechetical Center was awarded to Robert W. Marshall in January 1967, for a bid of $87,971.00 (building only). The total cost of the construction of the building, landscaping, furnishings and fee was $104,000.00.
The financing of the construction of the church, rectory, convent and school were handled by local banks. After the Catechetical Center was built, Father O'Leary borrowed approximately $57,000.00 from the Central Fund out of the Chancery Office in Manchester, N.H., paid off the Loan at Merrimack County Savings, and since then the church has had only to pay on the interest of the loan from the Central Fund. There is no time limit on how long the church has to pay off the remainder of the loan.
Handicapped children were also aided in clinics and classes at the Catechetical Center. Speech therapy sessions were held weekly, and were given by staff from Crotched Mountain. Doctor's appointments were scheduled with people from the area and Dr. Blood came to meet with these patients weekly.
The teenagers from the C.Y.O. group sponsored dances in the church hall and in the parking lot, which helped to raise money for the church.
In order to pay for the furnishings in the church, Father Boner and a financial advisor asked the parishioners to pledge money toward the altars, pews, stations, statues, Baptistry and all the other articles located inside and outside of the church. Other parishioners were asked to contribute funds to off-set any other costs which might arise. These benefactors are listed on bronze plaques which are mounted around the interior of the church.
When the church was being furnished, a piece of blue velvet was hung behind the cross on the main altar and also on a border around the walls in the sanctuan;. During the time that Father Dennis O'Leary was pastor from 1963-1972, the velvet had to be removed because it had faded. In the place of the velvet, a natural linen-colored panelling and wallcovering was put up.
The interior of The Immaculate Heart of Mary Church took on another change when the main altar was removed from the wall in the sanctuary and replaced with a full size altar which was placed in front of the communion railing, facing the congregation. The tabernacle that holds the Blessed Sacrement was also moved to the altar of St. Joseph. The baptismal font was brought into the sanctuary and the wrought iron gates were removed from the back of the church. Most of these changes took place around 1964. In January of 1977, the Reconciliation Room was built in the back of the church in place of the confessional.
In January of 1961, the men of the parish organized a Holy Name Society with Reverend Hector Lamontagne as spiritual director. There were 31 members enrolled at the first meeting. Mr. Joseph Landry was the first president of the Holy Name Society.
During the year of 1959, a group of ladies from I.H.M. formed the Rosary Altar and Women's Society. The president was Mae Giddis. From this group stemmed the Christmas Greens Sale, which later became the I.H.M. Christmas Fair. The first Christmas Sale was held in the basement of the church.
On August 5, 1956, the first Baptism took place. The first Confirmation was on May 22, 1958 by Bishop Matthew F. Brady. The First Communion group on April 6, 1957 had 15 children. The First Communion group instructed by the I.H.M. Sisters was May 8, 1960 and consisted of about 23 children.
On October 18, 1959, the Convent held an open house to 1200 people. The Bishop of Manchester, Ernest Primeau, blessed the chapel in the convent in May of 1960.
In preparation for Confirmation, a group of 6-8 teenagers formed the choir which was lead by Margaret Mark. By Christmas there were 15 members with a purpose to lead the congregation in singing. Prior to one Christmas Eve Mass, the choir presented a Christmas program.
During the first two years, Glen Wilcox accompanied the choir with his accordion. In the fall of 1976. Frances Donovan played the organ.
With the leadership of Margaret Mark, the parish has also presented "Broadway Through the Years" on April 25, 1976, and "Back on Broadway" on May 8, 1977. Over forty members of the parish have participated in each of these productions.
During the time that Father O'Leary was pastor, an Interim Council was formed and lead by Mark Kristoff. This group became the I.H.M. Parish Council with Germaine Shannon as President in 1969.
The St. Vincent de Paul Society of the church later became the I.H.M. Christian Servants.
Father O'Leary leased rooms in the Catechetical Center to the Concord Union School District for kindergarten classes for Dame School.

Important Dates in the History of IHM Parish:
August 15, 1955: Land for the church was purchased.
October 25, 1955: Permit for construction of the church was obtained.
June 14, 1956: Construction of the church was completed, all lumber was donated.
September 16, 1956: The church was blessed by Bishop Matthew Brady and the first Mass was celebrated by the Rt. Rev. Jeremiah Buckley. 175 families were registered in the parish.
October 5, 1959: The Mission of the Immaculate Heart of Mary opened. The Rectory and Convent were opened.
January 1967: The Parish Center for Religious Education classes was built.
March 1976: The first IHM Spring Musical took place.
October 4, 1981: 25th Anniversary Mass at 11am celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Robert Mulvee, and concelebrated by pastor Fr. Robert Barnea and past pastors.
September 1988: The IHM Child Care Center opened.
1993: The Youth & Family Mass with Praise and Worship Music began.
1994/1995: The Church was renovated by parishioners and the "Choir Boy Construction Crew".
October 1994: The Heart of the Heights Catholic Religious Bookstore and Gift Shop opened.
September 1999: The Little Hearts Preschool opened.
Summer 2000: The "A" Street house was purchased through donations from parishioners.
Winter 2003: Complete renovations to the "A" Street house began, including the Perpetual Adoration Chapel.
October 19, 2003: Padre Pio Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel was dedicated.
November 2003: The Priest Residence was completed.
September 16, 2006: A 50th Jubilee Mass was celebrated with Bishop John B. McCormack followed by a Dinner Banquet. 1,015 families are registered in the parish.

The Sisters who have spent some length of time at The Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish are:
1.) Sr. Angela Palermo (Sr. Redempta): Stationed at I.H.M. 1963-1964. Taught in the School of Religion Gave Catechist Training Course Was on the T.S.B.C. Committee
2.) Sr. Mary Hildegarde: I.H.M. Convent Oct. 1959-Aug. 1961: Catechist, Visitor.
Sept. 1962-1965: Superior, Catechist, Hospital, & Home Visitation.
3.) Sr. Mary Raymond Clark: Aug. 1964-Nov. 1965: Catechist, Parish and Hospital Visitation. Three summers at C.C. Camp in Wolfeboro, N.H. Died: 2007.
4.) Sr. Eileen O' Farrell (Sr. Reparata) Stationed at I.H.M. 1963-1968: Catechist, Home and Hospital Visitation T.S.B.C. Committee.
5.) Sr. Mary Gabriel Coughlin: I.H.M. 1968-1972: Catechist, Home and Hospital Visitation.
Parish Council. Initiation of Parish Council Events. Meeting of all Parish Councils, Sisters & Priests in Concord and Manchester Deanery Implementation of Vatican II Women lectors. Died in 2012.
6.) Sr. Lorraine (Sr. Georgina): Sept. 1965-June 1970: Principal, Catechist, Convert Instruction,Home and Hospital Visitation T.S.B.C. Committee.
7.) Sr. Marie de Lourdes: 1970-1976. Resided at I.H.M. while serving St. John's Parish as Religious Education Coordinator Taught at Christian Life Center Gave Teacher Training Courses Parish Census and Visitor Hospital Visitation—Concord and N.H. Hospitals Teacher at I.H.M. Elementary, Jr. High and High School Levels Parent Education classes Social Action Program for Needy and N.H.H. Patients Member Sisters Council and Parish Council I.H.M. Youth Group and Retreats for Teens Establishment of I.H.M. Audio Visual Library Teen Christmas Show and Circus
8.) Sr. Angela Reames
9.) Sr. Helena Price
10.) Sr. Agatha Cullen
11.) Sr. Clare
12.) Sr. Rose Franzetti
13.) Sr. John: Stationed at I.H.M. 1971-1972 Worked in the parish. Returned 1973
14.) Sr. Alix: I.H.M. Convent Oct. 5, 1959: Catechist, Visitor—Heights area. Taught in Public School in Pembroke. Gave first teacher training course in 1960 N.H.H. & Concord Hospital Visitation. Left in 1962, Returned in 1970. Director of the Christian Life Center in 1971. Religious Education Program. Total Parish Ministry
Extraordinary Minister (May 1975 by Bishop Gendron). Religious Consultant & Chaplain for patients at N.H.H.Worked with: Youth Group (I.H.M.), Senior Citizens,
teachers and students. Worked in activities of Council of Churches Lector at I.H.M. Parish Council.
15.) Sr. Mary Ursula: Came to I.H.M. Parish August 1978. Sacrament Coordinator
Parish Visitation. Extraordinary Minister. Lector at I.H.M. Religious Education Program.
16.) Sr. Patricia
17.) Sr. M. deChantal
18.) Sr. Mary Dorothea McCarthy, Sisters of Christian Doctrine. spent 13 years at Immaculate Heart of Mary as pastoral associate. Retired in 2004. Died in 2011.
19) Sr. Patricia.

The Priests who have served at The Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish:
Pastors:
1.) Reverend Richard O. Boner (1956-1963) Died: 1987
2.) Reverend Dennis O'Leary (1963-1972) Died: 1984
3.) Reverend Robert Barnea (1972-1984) Died: 1991
4.) Reverend Thomas Keenan (1984-1992)
5.) Reverend Marc Gagne (1992-1997)
6.) Reverend Donald Lafond (1997-1998)
7.) Reverend Florent Bilodeau (1998-2001)
8.) Reverend Paul Gousse (2001-2008)
9.) Reverend Peter Boucher (2008-2011)
10.) Reverend Raymond Ball (2011- )

Assistant Pastors:
1.) Reverend Richard Smith (1956-1960)
2.) Reverend Karl E. Dowd (1960) Died: 2002
3.) Reverend Hector Lamontagne (1960-1964) Died: 1989
4.) Revenend George Soberick (1962)
5.) Reverend Albert Boulanger (1964-1965) Died: 2002
6.) Reverend Robert Goodwin (1965)
7.) Reverend Edward Bracq (1966-1967) Died: 2006
8.) Reverend Joseph Klatka (1967-1970)
9.) Reverend George Robichaud (1970-1971) Died: 2009
10.) Reverend Karl E. Dowd (1971-1974) Died: 2002
11.) Reverend Richard Kelley (1972)

Bishop’s of the Diocese of Manchester NH
1.) Most Rev. Denis M. Bradley 1884-1903 Died: 1903
2.) Most Rev. John B. Delany 1904-1906 Died: 1906
3.) Most Rev. George A. Guertin 1906-1931 Died: 1931
4.) Most Rev. John B. Peterson 1932-1944 Died: 1944
5.) Most Rev. Matthew F. Brady 1944-1959 Died: 1959
6.) Most Rev. Ernest J. Primeau 1959-1974 Died: 1989
7.) Most Rev. Odore J. Gendron 1974-1990
8.) Most Rev. Leo E. O’Neil 1990-1997 Died: 1997
9.) Most Rev. John B. McCormack 1998-2011
10.) Most Rev. Peter A. Libasci 2011-

Message from Bishop Matthew Brady on the Founding of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish. Written on Sept. 12, 1956:
To the devoted clergy and laity of the Parish of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Concord:
You begin a blessed work—the establishment of a new parish—and with it a realization of the divine blessings that flow to you and yours in consequence. You furnish a house of God for Him to dwell in your midst. You forge a new unity of soul and heart in the mystical body of Christ to worship, to learn Eternal Truth, and to find comfort in the graces that sanctify you in Holy Mass and the Sacraments. It is an enduring work for His Church shall never fail.
You follow the footsteps of your glorious forebears who have sacrificed and built and whose memory and example have brightened all the long years of the history of the Church from the day the apostles went forth to shake the pillars of the world to this blessed day in the City of Concord. It is a divine work and you devoutly confide it to the honor of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, our Mother.
Go forth prayerfully, confidently and with a glad spirit of willing sacrifice. May He, who reads all hearts unerringly, behold and bless you abundantly.
Given at Manchester this 12th day of September 1956.
Matthew F. Brady
Bishop of Manchester

Message from the first pastor, Fr. Richard O. Boner, starting the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Building Fund with its Campaign Goal of $30,000:
I deem myself singularly privileged to have been chosen by our Most Reverend Bishop to work with you in the establishment of our new church, dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. I trust this honor and happiness is shared by our parishioners in equal measure and equal joy. For most of us it represents a once in a lifetime opportunity to erect a monument to our Faith for all generations to come.
Our Parish drive is sure to succeed. The zealous interest of our advisory committee members and the tangible evidence of support already manifested assures me of our ultimate objective. Your pledges will entail sacrifices—sacrifices which will bestow blessings upon each one of you for your generosity and dedicated devotion.
A source of deep satisfaction to me has been the voluntary offer of support from some of our non-Catholic friends and neighbors. We welcome the help of all.
May the inspiration of our Blessed Mother, to whom our efforts are dedicated, lead us to offer to our Lord, Jesus Christ, a proof of our persevering love in our sacrificial pledge to our Parish drive, and as patroness of our parish may She intercede with her Divine Son so we may see Him face to face and enjoy eternal happiness and salvation.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.
Fr. Richard O. Boner

Message of Fr. Robert Barnea, pastor, on the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in 1981:
An anniversary is an opportunity to reflect upon the past and to ponder the future.
As we look back over the twenty-five years since our parish was founded we find that we have many reasons to be thankful. We are thankful for the devotion and dedication of the priests who have labored in the parish, particularly Father Boner the founding pastor, and Father O'Leary, his successor. We are thankful for the Sisters of Christian Doctrine who have served us so faithfully over the years. We are grateful for the men and women of the parish whose generosity in time and money have made it possible for us to have the parish facilities that we have.
As we look to the future we do so with the same vision which inspired the founding pastor and the first members of the parish. Their goal remains ours today. We are called, as they were twenty-five years ago, to form a community of faith, to gather around the table of the Lord each week-end to proclaim our faith in Christ and to worship the Father. This anniversary provides us with the opportunity of renewing our response to that call.
So on this twenty-fifth anniversary of our parish we look back with thanks and we look to the future with renewed dedication to the work of Christ in our parish community.
Rev. Robert Barnea, Pastor

Message of Bishop Odore J. Gendron on the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in 1981:
My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
On this happy occasion of the 25th anniversary of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, may the grace and peace of the Lord be with you all.
I am with you in the Spirit, and join my own prayers to yours as you thank the Lord for the abundant blessings with which he has graced you over the past quarter century. I wish, at the same time, to express my gratefulness to the wonderful priests, religious and lay people who have worked so hard over these years to make your parish a true and living community of faith. I know that God is much pleased with all that has been accomplished.
I would remind you, however, that the past 25 years are only the beginning of what God has planned for the parish of Immaculate Heart of Mary. In remembering the past, you must also look ahead to the future and discover where God desires you to grow even more fully in His love. He is a faithful God, and if you continue to serve Him, He will certainly lead you along paths that will make the next 25 years even richer and more fruitful. It is my prayer that a quarter century from now the people who gather to praise God will look back and have even more reason to rejoice in Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish.
Assuring you of my prayerful good wishes, I am cordially in Christ,
Odore J. Gendron, Bishop of Manchester

Message of Fr. Paul Gousse, pastor, on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in 2006:
From the Pastor...
"48, 49, 50, ready or not here I come..." Most of us can probably remember playing games as children, shutting our eyes and counting to "50"could seem like a long time. In a certain sense, 50 may be a "long" count but celebrating 50 years in another sense can also seem like a moment, as if it were a "short" while even almost yesterday.
Often, it is in looking back that we come to "greater awareness and deeper appreciation for" the things we cherish of "the heart". It is with a profound sense of my own journey that I better understand and appreciate 50 years.
Being family means having awareness, "a picture" of the "who and what" of family and all that it means. "Parish life" is the history, is the "story of families". This directory is the "history and story of families, our family'''at Immaculate Heart of Mary.
2006 marks the 50th anniversary of our parish, 50 years of faith and families. We are proud to present you with this directory, as you browse through we hope that you see that 50 isn't so long, almost even yesterday.
Thank you for being part of our family and remembrance.
Praised be Jesus Christ,
Blessings,
Fr. Paul M. Gousse, Pastor

History of Founding Pastor: Very Reverend Richard O. Boner was born in
Groveland, Massachusetts, lived in Groveland and in the Haverhill Massachusetts area, and graduated from Holy Cross College in Worcester MA.
He attended St. Bonaventure Seminary in Hudson NY and was
ordained March 29, 1941.
Fr. Boner's first assignment was at St. John the Evangelist in Concord, where he also served as chaplain for the New Hampshire State Hospital and the State prison. In 1948, Fr. Boner founded Camp Fatima for boys, and six years later founded Camp Bernadette for girls. In 1956, he was appointed pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Concord and served there until 1963, when he became pastor at Holy Angels Parish in Plaistow. From his station in Plaistow, Fr. Boner worked diligently to establish new parishes and build new churches in Hampstead (St. Anne's) and Newton (Mary, Mother of the Church).
In addition to his pastoral duties, Msgr. Boner served as a trustee of the State School in Laconia and as chairman of the New Hampshire State Subcommittee on the Child, the Family, and Religion. He was for five years a member of the New Hampshire Board of Health and Welfare and for 26 years chaplain to the New Hampshire State Police.
Msgr. Boner was made temporary administrator of St. Mary's in Dover in August 1974 and held that position for less than two years. When Msgr. Burke was made pastor of St. Mary's in February 1976, Msgr. Boner was appointed pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Manchester, where he served until his retirement in 1986.
Msgr. Boner died a year after his retirement on November 4, 1987 at the age of 73. His funeral was on Nov. 10 at St. Patrick's in Manchester, and he was buried in Calvary Cemetery in Concord.

AN ANECDOTAL BIOGRAPHY OF Msgr. Richard O. Boner by his best friend Msgr. Edwin A. Francoeur:
Msgr. Richard O’Rourke “Dick” Boner was perhaps the most colorful and interesting characters of our times. He was dynamic, resourceful, and energetic. If I were asked to summarize him in one word, it would be: FORCEFUL. Everything he did: gestures, size, voice, rhetoric, planning, execution, had the element of force. He could convey this element to his hearers and get them to do things they never intended to do or wanted to do. Someone has said that when Dick spoke you knew you had to do something, though because of the garbled delivery you didn't quite know what it was.

Easter Sermon
Perhaps his most famous line appeared in his Easter sermon at St. John's Church in Concord at Msgr. Jeremiah S. Buckley's Pontifical Mass:


Dick: “Christ rose from the tomb on Easter Sunday gloriously reigning and shouting at the top of his voice, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will.”
Msgr. Buckley suspended him from preaching and cancelled his salary. He was reinstated the following December.

The Scripture Scholar and the Bishop

Rev. Thomas Plassman, OFM*: Have you a young priest in your diocese by the name of Dick Boner?

Bishop Matthew F. Brady: Yes, I do.
Father Plassman: What did you do with him?
Bishop Brady: I put him in the woods building camps.
Father Plassman: Excellent. That’s a good place for him.
*Father Plassman taught at St. Bonaventure Seminary when Dick was there.

In Honolulu
Dick had a photographic memory of places, but especially of faces. He had no match when it came to knowing routes, roads and cities. When it came to remembering faces witness the encounter he had in the Honolulu Hilton. We were sitting at table in the cocktail lounge and Dick had his eye on a man sitting at the bar. “I know that man”, says Dick. “I had his two sons at Camp Fatima.” Whereupon Dick goes up to the bar and sits beside the man:
Dick: Where are you from?
Man: Brooklyn. And you?
Dick: Newfoundland. What kind of work do you do?
Man: Insurance. What is your line?
Dick: Lumber. Did you see the Wall Street Journal today?
Man: No.
(This is a tactic Dick used early in an encounter, putting the party on the defensive, admitting his ignorance of something he probably should know.)
Dick: I was just wondering what the quote on lumber was on the N.Y. Stock Exchange yesterday.
(Plus for Dick, minus for the man)
Man: I don’t know.
Dick: You married?
Man: Married and two sons.
Dick: Same here. My kids drive me crazy hanging around all summer. What do you do with yours?
Man: I bring them up to a camp in NH run by a priest.
Dick: Sounds like a good idea to me. Do you think I could get mine in?
Man: Hell no. The camp is sold out years in advance.
Dick: Would you write a letter for me?
Man: Do no good. If you really want to get your kids into that camp, put them in the car, drive up to NH and give that priest a bottle of whiskey and you’ll get them in.

The President on the Phone
Dick was sitting in the living room of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Rectory in Concord talking to friends. Suddenly he picked up the phone and dialed a number. He has the White House – not the central switchboard listed in the Directory – but the inner sanctum number which he got from Sherm Adams. This is the conversation:

Dick: Good afternoon, Mr. President (he had Ike – Dwight Eisenhower), I am Father Boner calling from Concord, New Hampshire. I’m sure you know that Senator Styles Bridges’ wife has passed away and they hope you are coming to the funeral. I want to offer my Rectory for your headquarters while you are in Concord.
Ike: Well thank you, Father Boner, but I am not planning to attend the funeral.
Dick: But Senator Bridges would be honored if you did come, Mr. President. He works hard for the party.
Ike: No, Father Boner, I’m not going.
Dick: Very well, Mr. President. But I want you to know that whenever you are in Concord, feel free t use this Rectory at your convenience.

Auction House
Dick’s encounters with people were all spontaneous; more exactly the ideas he projected, the situations he created, his manner of presentation, were all of the moment. They had no previous planning, nothing thought out; everything was spontaneous. A very agile mind was at work. A good example was our visit to the Auction House in Ft. Lauderdale.

These Auction Houses are filled with high class merchandise (so they say). They usually include estate jewelry, glassware, china, oriental rugs, etc. The Auctioneer and his assistants display the merchandise to audience who are assembled more for entertainment than for purchase. When we entered the Hall, the auctioneer was offering a try of diamond rings for consideration. They were, he said, part of the liquidation of a famous movie star’s estate. He invited his assistant to pass through the audience giving them an opportunity to see such fine jewels. When the assistant finally arrived at our row, he showed Dick, who was sitting on the end, these fine gems. Immediately this conversation ensued:

Dick: How much are diamonds selling for today in St. Johannesburg?
Asst.: I know. (He’s playing Dick’s game – admitting he doesn’t know his trade.)
Dick: $185.00 a karat. (Not a correct figure) I got this figure from this man who flew in from Africa today.

The assistant closed the case, went quickly to the auctioneer, whispered something to him, and after a consultation the auctioineer made this announcement:

“Ladies and gentlemen, do you realize the bargains we are offering here today? We have in our midst a gentleman who just flew in from St. Johannesburg and he reports that diamonds are selling there today for $185 a karat! Think of the bargains we are offering.” At that point Dick turns to the people sitting in the row behind us and says to them:

“They are all fake. This man (pointing to me) is FBI. He took the serial numbers of all their rings. I got up and said to Dick, “Let’s get out of here before we are arrested.”

Dick’s moral to the story:

Everybody in there wants to believe what he is hearing: the Auctioneer, his assistants, the audience, and the people sitting behind us.

Horse & Buggy Ride
Dick could accommodate himself to small towns, such as Gilmanton Iron Works. One day at Camp Fatima he decided to take me for a horse and buggy ride. Foolishly I got in, early to find out that de didn’t know much more about driving the horse than I did. He got the thing into a filling station and asked for Hank.

Dick: I didn’t see you and your family at Mass last Sunday, Hank.
Hank: No, Father Boner, we didn’t make it.
Dick: Don’t forget next Sunday, Hank, 8 o’clock sharp.
Hank: We’ll be there, Father Boner.

After we had gone a ways, Dick said, “That family isn’t Catholic.” We ended up in the town dump, the horse skating on a pile of slate shingles, nearly falling down several times. The horse righted himself eventually and got us back to Fatima.

Canadian Psychiatrists
We had completed the Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia and had settled in a hotel in Yarmouth for the night, awaiting the boat which would bring us back to Maine. It was a Sunday afternoon and the boat was due Monday afternoon.

There were six of us and after dinner we sat around in the lobby, read the papers, took a walk, getting ready to retire. Not Dick Boner. He left with this Maine priest companion and took a taxi.

When they returned we found what had happened. They went out to the Country Club where a convention of Canadian psychiatrists was in full swing. Dick mingles in the crowd, got in several conversations, partook of their food and got himself invited back Monday morning to give the psychiatrists a lecture.

“While you were hanging around the lobby”, said Dick, “I got myself invited to give a lecture and had some excellent food.” He gave the lecture Monday morning.

His Maine friend told us what happened. During the lectures one of the psychiatrists told this priest TX that they had never seen any one with so much drive, force, spirit; he swept us off our feet. He was unbelievable, and we wanted our full membership to see him in action and, therefore, extended the invitation for the lecture. He will use up all his energy at an early age and will be all done in ten to fifteen years.

Dick never knew that while he was giving the lecture he was also Exhibit No. 1. Incidentally, the psychiatrist was wrong in his prediction. Dick was vigorous up to his last illness.

Dick the Sheriff
Dick Boner was chaplain to the NH State Police until his death. He made a striking figure in his uniform and found many uses for his badge. One such occasion took place when he and two of his priestly companions were travelling on the Jersey Turnpike. Dick was sitting in the back seat, his two friends in the front. It was during the gas shortage when all gas was rationed and in short supply.

They left the Turnpike and headed for a service station attended by a young black man. Dick jumped out and said to the attendant, “Fill ‘er up.” “Oh no”, was the reply, “You can have only two dollars worth”. Dick pulls out the badge and says: “I’m a sheriff and I’m taking that guy in the front seat back to New Hampshire for murder. He goes on trial next Monday.”

The attendant’s reply: “Boy oh boy, you see these things on television, but you never expect it to happen in your filling station.”

As he is pumping the gas he gets a little suspicious of the two quiet figures in the front seat and asks which one is the murderer. Dick points to the one riding shotgun. The attendant: “Well, why don’t he open the door and run?”

In answer, Dick assures the attendant that the big guy behind the wheel has a gun on the murderer and one move out of him he’s dead.

“Mister”, says the attendant, “you’re going to get all the gas you want, and you’re going to get out of here just as fast as you can.”

The Royal Treatment
Dick was nothing if not resourceful. While stationed in Concord, he had his gall bladder removed. I had had some surgery done on an eyelid. Talking over our troubles in the rectory, I suggested that we should take a little trip. Instantly he picked up the phone. (Dick was 100% dependant on a phone.) This is what I heard (he had the manager of a Miami Beach Hotel on the wire):

“Good afternoon. I am Father Boner, a national president of the Catholic Campers Association and we are planning a national convention. (True. It took place at Camp Fatima). And I have with me another priest who is planning a convention for the National Liturgical Committee. (Wrong.) We will be pleased to accept your hospitality for a week to inspect your convention facilities.”

We were given the royal treatment – fine room, fruit on the bureau, etc., breakfast the next morning with the manager who, I thought, was sizing us up as a couple of hicks from New Hampshire.

After Dick got talking, telling him of all the contacts he had at Catholic University in Washington, the many Ladies Clubs he was in contact with, etc. etc., the manager called for the waiter and asked for paper and pencil to write down all the information. After breakfast, we inspected the convention facilities.

In the afternoon, Dick decided to have a swim, only to find out the pool was empty. He took this as a personal insult, called the manager, and told him to call the manager of the hotel next door, the Fountainbleau (the largest resort hotel in the world) and to tell the manager that Fr. Boner would be over to use the pool.

We were met at the entrance to the pool area by an Irishman who wanted to know which one was Fr. Boner and he would send the information in to Mr. Rainey, the head lifeguard. Mr. Rainey met us and asked, “Did I hear the name Fr. Boner?” “Affirmative.”, said Dick. “Why you taught me to swim at Camp Mi-Te-Na in Suncook.” “Yes, yes”, says Dick, “I remember. How’s your father and mother?”

We got two lounges next to the pool. I proceeded to relax and rest. Not Dick. He proceeded to introduce himself to everyone around us.

The lady next to him said, “Did I hear Mr. Rainey say you taught him to swim?” “Yes.”, said Dick. “My, you must be a marvelous swimmer”. Dick proceeded to dive into the pool and prove the point.

The lady was from California and had two young daughters whom Dick proceeded to sign up as counselors for Camp Bernadette for the next summer.

Did they show up? You bet they did.

Tokyo Rose
Perhaps Dick’s most spectacular production took place in Concord when he was in charge of the St. John High School football team. The season was dismal, attendance at the games was dismal, the receipts low. World War II was on, and it occurred to Dick that if he could bring Tokyo Rose from behind enemy lines to make an appearance at one of the games, things might improve.

It is a long story, but it involved the following elements:

A young girl with oriental features, photographed at the airport as she is being arrested by the chief of police. A picture of her behind bars in the Concord Police Station. All pictures and articles appearing in the Concord Monitor, with the cooperation of their sports editor.

A thinly-veiled statement from the NH Senator in Washington to the effect that even if we are at war with Japan, we are fighting for the right of free speech and he wants Tokyo Rose released from prison.

Another thinly-veiled statement from the Governor of New Hampshire stating that if Tokyo Rose appears at the game next Friday night, the State Police will be there to arrest her.

The scene: Concord Stadium.
The time: Friday night.
Attendance: Full house with many standees.
The action: During the half, Tokyo Rose runs out onto the field pursued by two State Police. When she sees them, she takes a rubber dagger, stabs herself, and falls down. On comes a doctor from the State Hospital, black bag and assistant, and pronounces her dead. The undertaker leaves the hearse with a stretcher, picks Tokyo Rose up, puts her in the hearse, and off to the airport.

Question: “Dick, how much did the whole operation cost you?”
Dick: “Thirty-five dollars.”

Conclusion
Stories about Dick Boner’s exploits are entertaining and certainly are cause for laughter and merriment. It would be a mistake, especially for those who did not know him personally, to conclude that he spent his time entertaining people. He was a dedicated churchman, serious about the work of his priesthood, and bearing a life-time loyalty to the Church.

If Force was his basic quality, it manifested itself in his priestly work. His modus agenda was sincere and immediate contact with the people. This was at one time known as census work, and Dick would in one visit evangelize a whole household, giving them instructions, and finally bringing the whole family to the Church for baptism. His converts must number in the hundreds, his visitations to the elderly in like numbers, and his communion calls numberless. I have seen him empty an elevator filled with elderly ladies in wheelchairs, driving each one personally and saying a few comforting words to each one of them.

Of course, he was to the manner born for work with children, especially with adolescents. His athletic programs reached to the heights of state and even New England championships. But it was the contagion of his life and enthusiasm, especially in his younger years, that did the most for young people.

In social contacts with parishioners and the general public he was an expert. He could give charming accolades to the ladies, the strong virile remarks to the men. He more than held his own with politicians and professional people. I always attributed this to the training received from his mother, teaching him lessons of courtesy, good manners and breeding. His father gave him a strong business sense and the ability to manage not only his own personal life, but any program he undertook.

These programs were founded on material buildings and their maintenance. The list of his projects is imposing:

Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Concord NH, founding pastor (1956). Church, Rectory, Convent.

Holy Angels Parish, Plaistow NH. Four churches, rectory, convent, gymnasium.

St. Helena Parish, Weirs Beach NH. Church.

Camp Fatima, Gilmanton Iron Works NH (1949). All facilities, chapel, a second training chapel in the White Mountains.

Camp Bernadette, Wolfeboro NH (1953). All facilities, chapel.

All these projects proved to be successful. He built well, economy in mind, and without extravagance. He was a good financier; how good was revealed in stories which circulated after his death, stories which can be depended upon as being reliable. From family inheritances and from investments he had made during the last few years of his life, he turned over to the Diocese and to the last parish of which he was pastor securities in excess of one million dollars. And he did this without ostentation and with no publicity.

And so we transfer Richard O’Rourke Boner to the tender mercies of his Maker. His many talents were used in the service of the Church. His forceful personality, his love of people in general and his interest in the person as an individual must have brought them close to Christ and His Church. It is our prayer that he is now enjoying the reward for his many labors.

OBITUARY: MSGR. RICHARD BONER, RETIRED PASTOR OF MANCHESTER, N.H., CHURCH; AT 73
Msgr. Richard O. Boner, 73, died Wednesday Nov. 4, 1987 in the Catholic Medical Center in Manchester after a long illness. A funeral Mass was said at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, 1987 in St. Patrick's Church, Manchester, N.H. for Msgr. Boner, retired pastor of St. Patrick's.
Msgr. Boner was born in Groveland MA, and had formerly resided there and in the Haverhill MA area. He was a graduate of Holy Cross College in Worcester MA and the St. Bonaventure Seminary in Hudson, N.Y.
He was ordained a priest in March 1941 in Manchester NH and was first assigned as associate pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Concord, N.H., before becoming chaplain of the New Hampshire State Hospital and the New Hampshire State Prison from 1943 to 1946.

In 1948, he founded Camp Fatima for Boys on Upper Suncook Lake in Gilmanton Iron Works in New Hampshire. He founded Camp Bernadette for Girls on Lake Wentworth in Wolfeboro in 1953 and directed both camps until 1964.

In 1956, he was appointed pastor of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Concord and in 1963, he was appointed pastor of Holy Angels' Parish in Plaistow, N.H. He established St. Anne's Church in Hampstead, N.H., and Mary Mother of the Church in Newton, N.H., as mission churches of Holy Angels' Parish.

Between 1974 and 1976, he was administrator of St. Mary's Parish in Dover, N.H., and was pastor of St. Patrick's from 1976 until his retirement in December 1986.

He was a member of the New Hampshire Board of Health and Welfare and a former chairman of the New Hampshire Committee of the Child, the Family and Religion. He was a trustee of the Laconia State School and was chaplain of the New Hampshire State Police for 26 years.

Msgr. Boner leaves an aunt, Katherine M. O'Rourke of Stoneham, and several cousins.

Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Concord.