Fr. McGivney at the
Thomaston Opera House
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On Nov. 5, 1884, after seven years in New Haven, Father McGivney was reassigned to serve as pastor of St. Thomas Church in Thomaston — a quieter yet still a working-class community. According to the New Haven Evening Register, parishioners “wept aloud and others sobbed audibly” at the news of his pending departure, and Father McGivney was equally remorseful, saying, “Wherever I go, the memory of the people of St. Mary’s and their great kindness to me will always be uppermost in my heart.”
As pastor, he quickly developed friendships with local families and prominent business owners and continued directing theater productions — like Handy Andy — at the Thomaston Opera House (which still has the same exact floorboards, so you can literally walk in his footsteps).
credit Andt Fowler | Yankee institute
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Books that Highlight Fr. McGivney's time on the Opera House Stage
The Opera House as a Pilgrimage tour Site
The opera house is included in the list of sites for pilgrimage tours that honor Father McGivney, particularly the "In the Footsteps of Blessed Michael McGivney" tour. These tours allow participants to visit significant sites related to his life and ministry, including Waterbury and Thomaston, Connecticut. The theater has been honored to host groups from all as far away as South Korea, Canada, Poland , Tennessee, Maryland as well as many Local Locations These events highlight he ongoing relevance of Fr. McGivney's legacy in the community.
"in the footsteps of Fr McGivney tour 8/ 2022
Photo credit | The Dialog Wilmington
Much more information to come ...