Full audio file. Tape 1, Side 1, Part 1 - St. Michael's Church, Misere. It is a mission church of St. Hubert's in Rosiere. Historical Background: The first church in the area was on the Misere Rd. about 1 mile south of the present St. Michael's - founded in 1864. In 1871 the church burned and a dispute arose over the location of the new building. Father Crud, the pastor, decided to build the new church at the present site of St. Hubert's because the center of commerce was beginning to locate there (blacksmith shop, tavern, etc.). The people in the northern section of Rosiere resented this and decided to build a church of their own, without the bishop's approval. Tape 1, Side 1, Part 2 - Father Erasmus Leccia - a troublesome priest at Misere in the 1880s. Tape 1, Side 1, Part 3 - The blessing of St. Michael's in 1882 by Father Valiant. Tape 1, Side 1, Part 4 - Dearth of priests led to laymen saying mass. Therefore, in 1888 the Bishop sent a letter to the churches forbidding this practice. Tape 1, Side 1, Part 5 - Trouble with the taverns opening before mass led to another letter from the Bishop. Tape 1, Side 1, Part 6 - Feb. 3, 1880 letter from the Bishop concerning the schismatic Belgians to the priest at Rosiere. The Bishop urges the priest to treat them mildly. Another reference to Leccia as a schismatic priest. Tape 1, Side 1, Part 7 - Leccia objected to many things about church doctrine, such as children's confessions (he would not accept them). Although he was considered schismatic, he never completely broke with the church hierarchy. Tape 1, Side 1, Part 8 - School at Misere - it was not a parochial school, but nuns were hired to teach in public schools because they were cheaper. The Belgians did not support parochial schools, due to their tradition in the old country of taxation paying for everything. Tape 1, Side 1, Part 9 - The problems of Sister Marie in 1892 in Rosiere. Father Janaoux was another troublesome priest during this period. Tape 1, Side 1, Part 10 - Misere has had trouble from its beginning. Father Becker attributes this to the presence of a few "fireballs". Tape 1, Side 1, Part 11 - Even today there are 3rd generation people at Misere who still have a hatred for Rosiere (St. Hubert's). Tape 1, Side 1, Part 12 - Protestant groups among the Belgians - Presbyterians, "Old Catholics", Spiritualists, etc. Tape 1, Side 1, Part 13 - Protestant churches at Lincoln - called the "Plymouth Brethren" (called "Holy Rollers" by the Catholics). Tape 1, Side 1, Part 14 - More on Presbyterians. Tape 1, Side 1, Part 15 - The closing of St. Michael's in 1973 due to lack of numbers. Tape 1, Side 1, Part 16 - About 1950 a new rectory was built at St. Hubert's in Rosiere. The priest at Rosiere asked the people at St. Michael's to contribute to it, and after that most of the people from St. Michael's began to attend church at St. Hubert's. However, there were a few diehards who refused to attend St. Hubert's. By 1973 only 12 families remained at St. Michael's. Tape 1, Side 1, Part 17 - Discussion of the future of the building at Misere (St. Michael's). Father Becker has permission from the bishop to tear it down, but controversy continues. Tape 1, Side 1, Part 18 - Names of some of the old-timers in the Misere area. Tape 1, Side 1, Part 19 - The wayside chapels of the Rosiere-Misere area. Pilgrimages are still made to the Jule Vandertie chapel (dedicated to the patron of convulsions). Tape 1, Side 2, Part 1 - Discussion of the chapel at Robinsonville. Distinction is made between public and private oratories. Tape 1, Side 2, Part 2 - Where church records can be found. Prior to 1879 Rosiere people's records would be found at one of the more southerly churches (i.e., Champion, Dyckesville or Bay Settlement). Tape 1, Side 2, Part 3 - Ethnic backgrounds of the priests who served in the Rosiere area - few if any were Belgian. Tape 1, Side 2, Part 4 - Inheritance practices among the Belgians - usually the youngest son cares for the parents. Tape 1, Side 2, Part 5 - Attitude towards money matters. The Belgians' tradition in the homeland was to have everything paid for by taxation - therefore, they did not want to finance schools and churches here through donations. This led to an anticlerical attitude since the priests had to raise money through donations. Tape 1, Side 2, Part 6 - Attitude among Belgians under 60 is not so conservative toward money matters. Fund raising events at St. Hubert's today are very successful. Tape 1, Side 2, Part 7 - The chapel at Robinsonville - its role in the Belgian community today. Tape 1, Side 2, Part 8 - The chapel is the dearest thing to the heart of the Belgians - Pilgrimages (a novena - 9 people) go there to pray the rosary when someone in the community is sick. Tape 1, Side 2, Part 9 - The last Monday of May is Belgian day at the chapel - the Bishops have always come that day. The Bishops of the Green Bay Diocese have always been partial to the peninsula churches - maybe because of their past history. Tape 1, Side 2, Part 10 - Confirmation - age at which children are confirmed. Tape 1, Side 2, Part 11 - Visits to the chapel prior to haying. Regularity of the services at the chapel. Tape 1, Side 2, Part 12 - Today the attitude toward the chapel is one of faith that if they pray there, their request will be granted. It's not so much associated with Adele Brice or the miracles anymore. Tape 1, Side 2, Part 13 - August 15 - Feast of the Assumption. The wayside shrines were built to patron saints - often ones which cannot be found in the official list of saints. The names could be Walloon interpretations of the words. Tape 1, Side 2, Part 14 - The Belgians in this area do not pay much attention to "Our Lady of Beauraine" the patron saint of Belgians. The only likeness of this saint is a statue at the church in Dyckesville. Tape 1, Side 2, Part 15 - Wedding and funeral customs. Tape 1, Side 2, Part 16 - Funeral dinners are given for all the mourners. Tape 1, Side 2, Part 17 - Wakes. Tape 1, Side 2, Part 18 - Weddings always include big dinners for 300-600 people. Tape 1, Side 2, Part 19 - How the Rosiere and Lincoln congregations differ. Rosiere's median age is older, but it is more modern and progressive. The Lincoln congregation is younger, but more conservative. Tape 1, Side 2, Part 20 - Walloon speaking parishioners - there are few under 30. Not any problems with any of the people speaking English today.
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