Monsignor Dwyer's Role in the Formation of the School

Pictured above is Monsignor Dwyer in 1966 attending the dinner when the Junior Theresians of OCHS got their charter. This photo was snapped after the dinner. Note the salt and pepper shakers on the table, and tea has already been served. In addition, note the dude with the pipe sitting beside the principal. Times have really changed. Having a trash fire that close to a nun wouldn't be tolerated today.

Maureen Moloney compiled the following about Monsignor's contribution to the school for the history document:

Monsignor Paul Dwyer’s Role in the Creation of the School

Monsignor Paul Dwyer’s role in the development of the first Catholic high school can not be stressed enough. It was through his vision that the school became a reality. The first yearbook (1966) was dedicated to Monsignor expressing “sincere thanks for his help and encouragement during these beginning years”. His passion, resources and determination laid the foundation for having a school where faith would be taught and students could absorb lasting spiritual and moral values.

As Pastor of St. Gregory’s Parish for 24 years, (serving as a priest for 53 years), Monsignor worked diligently toward this goal. In 1962 he worked with the Oshawa Separate School Board to open St. Joseph’s High School. Before the school outgrew itself, he was already assisting the Sisters of St. Joseph in establishing the new school, O.C.H.S. at the corner of Rossland and Stevenson Roads. His vision for Catholic education was on-going.

Monsignor took on many practical roles during the early years, including giving great financial assistance. He assumed the cost of the Grade 11 portable at St. Joseph’s when construction of O.C.H.S. was delayed by a year. He obtained 27 acres of land for the new school. Using his powers of gentle persuasion, through friendship with his neighbour Col. R.S. McLaughlin, funds were donated to purchase instruments so that O.C.H.S. could have a band. The cheque from Col. McLaughlin for $10,000 arrived quickly in May 1966. Monsignor’s contributions were vast and varied.

He was a highly visual presence at the original school, St. Joseph High School, as he was the local parish priest at St. Gregory’s. He participated in graduations at O.C.H.S., conferring diplomas to the graduates. His last visit to O.C.H.S. was for the 1975 June graduation when he told the graduates, “My dream has come true, thank God.” A few months later Monsignor Dwyer died. The Sisters of St. Joseph originally wanted the new school named after him in 1964, but out of humility he would not accept the honour. Monsignor had responded, “Not in my lifetime.” Oshawa Catholic High School became an interim title. The Sisters had to wait another 12 years to name the school after their first choice.

INFORMATION ABOUT PAUL DWYER

• was born 1898 in Parry Sound

• had 5 sisters and 2 brothers (one sister was a nun)

• graduated from St. Michael’s College in Toronto in 1919 with a Bachelor of Arts degree

• was accepted into the Irish College at the University of Rome and spent four years before graduating with a Doctorate of Sacred Theology in 1923

• was ordained March 17, 1923 (St. Patrick’s Day)

• was posted to St. Mary’s parish in Welland for 8 years and then was the headmaster of Greygables (a private boys school in Welland) for the next 10 years

• in 1941 he became a Royal Canadian Air Force Chaplain serving in England and Canada (in 1945 he was the Command Chaplain of Eastern Canada)

• when first arriving in Oshawa there were only 12 rooms available for Catholic students and 2 churches (St. Gregory’s and Holy Cross)

• was Pastor of St. Gregory’s church for 24 years (1949 – 1973)

• was named a Domestic Prelate to Pope John XXIII and was made a monsignor in 1961

• was a founder of Oshawa’s 30 member church council in 1968

• was an ardent curler and golfer

• was involved with many civic organizations including: Children’s Aid society, Red Cross, Boy Scouts, Oshawa Men’s Hostel Services, Knights of Columbus, P.T.A.s, Daughters of Isabella…..

• was an advocate for many immigrants, counselling them and making them welcome in their new community

• was at the cornerstone laying of a United Church, spoke in a Synagogue and at Masonic meetings

• for his holidays he would go to Rome and had audiences with five Popes

• he ‘retired’ at age 75 in 1973 – the anniversary of his 50th year in the priesthood

• died March 19, 1976 at Oshawa General Hospital and is buried at St. Augustine seminary in Scarborough

• Archbishop Philip Pocock concelebrated the funeral mass

• Oshawa city’s flag flew at half mast on the day of his funeral