Some notable December events that took place around Holy Name Province:
One Year Ago
Dec. 28, 2010 — St. Bonaventure University defeated Siena College 82-79 in the first battle for the Franciscan Cup. (Last month, the two men’s basketball teams squared off again and, for the second year in a row, the Bonnies claimed the cup.)
10 Years Ago
Dec. 11, 2001 — Three months after the death of Mychal Judge, OFM, West 31st Street between Sixth and Seventh avenues was granted the designation of Mychal Judge Way by the City of New York.
45 Years Ago
Dec. 8, 1966 —Roy Gasnick, OFM, was auctioned off to St. Bonaventure University students as part of a 17-hour Merry Christmas marathon to raise finances for the university’s annual Children’s Christmas party. Roy brought in more than 20 percent of the total amount raised. A group of students purchased him for $505.09. Roughly 300 volunteers “helped to brighten the holiday season for some 500 youngsters,” according to the Winter 1967Provincial Annals.
75 Years Ago
Dec. 6, 1936 — “A downpour of rain and sleet was unable to dampen the ardor of 600 parishioners of the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, Pompton Lakes, N.J.,” according to the January 1937 Provincial Annals. The crowd was gathered to witness the laying of the cornerstone and solemn dedication of their new church, St. Mary’s. (According to Pompton Lakes History, “St. Mary’s continues to be one of the most dynamic Catholic and Franciscan parishes in the Northern Passaic region.” The parish celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2006.)
— Compiled by Rebecca Doel