Party Like It's 1947

"Drum majorettes in a monster two-hour long parade which was a feature event of the Marian Congress Saturday, with 20 religious floats."

June, 1947

PH 09M/56P
ARCAT Photograph Collection

It's time to celebrate! Strike up the band! This week was Cardinal Collins' birthday. He was born January 16, 1947. Here in the archives we started wondering what it would have been like for for Cardinal McGuigan in 1947. He had been made Cardinal the year before and was a celebrated leader in the city. The second world war had just ended, and people were thinking about what to do with returning soldiers, as well as reconstructing Europe, and the threats of communism and fascism. The population was rapidly growing as European immigrants moved to Canada and country folk became city dwellers. Lots of changes were coming!

In Toronto there were about a million people. The Maple Leafs won the Stanley cup that year, the St. Mike's Majors won the Memorial Cup, and the Argos won the Grey Cup. The movie Gentleman's Agreement picked up three Oscars including best picture, and music by Frank Sinatra, The Andrews Sisters, and Al Jolson was popular. Radio was well established in the home, though it would soon give way to television.

The King was George VI, the Prime Minister was William Lyon Mackenzie King, and the Premier was George Drew:

"Deeply grateful for your kindness. As I was leaving immediately I had no opportunity to thank you before departure. Have just returned from Germany where conditions are beyond imagination. Will look forward to discussing this with you on my return. - George Drew."

May 27 1947

MG DA33.19
Cardinal McGuigan Fonds

The Pope was Pius XII:

A portrait of Pope Pius XII

1940s

PH 62/33P
ARCAT Photograph Collection

The Pope's inscription reads, "To Our Beloved Son, James Charles Cardinal McGuigan, Archbishop of Toronto, to his Clergy, Religious and Faithful We lovingly impart Our Paternal Apostolic Benediction.

Pius pp.XII

From Castelgandolfo, November 8th, 1947"

PH62/33P
ARCAT Photograph Collection

In 1947 Cardinal McGuigan lived at 264 Old Yonge Street, where he was visited by a few Sisters of Saint Joseph on September 6:

One of the highlights of his year must have been his June trip to the Marian Congress in Ottawa, where he was Papal Legate:

Cardinal McGuigan with other Papal representatives at the Marian Congress.

June 1947

PH 09M/42P
ARCAT Photograph Collection

The Congress drew a few hundred thousand pilgrims to Ottawa, and there were many spectators for the parade held in its honour:

"People cling like flies to every vantage point to watch the monster two-hour long parade which was a feature event of the Marian Congress Saturday, with 20 religious floats."

June 1947

PH 09M/54P
ARCAT Photograph Collection

Besides being a frozen moment in time on a sunny Saturday in June 1947, photos like this allow us to see some of the fashions that year. Many of the women's outfits were still the boxy utility style of wartime, but were giving way to more feminine shapes:

The hats were the best! 

Looking very cool in those shades.

For more of 1947's high points, including footage of Cardinal McGuigan at the Marian Congress, the CNE, the Stanley Cup game, and the Santa Claus Parade, check out this amazing video posted by Library and Archives Canada:





And for more footage of Cardinal McGuigan and the Marian Congress, check out this video:

A New Medium and the Catholic Message: The Archdiocese on the Small Screen

September 6th and 8th, 1952 were big days for Canadians: CBC Television began broadcasting in Montreal and Toronto. Though some who lived close to the border had been watching American stations since the 1940s, this was the first time we had real networks of our own. Its popularity quickly exploded: by 1965, television sets were in 92% of households.

While Bishop of London, Cardinal Carter appeared on the Windsor television show Grey Scale.

March 11, 1977

PH 18G/01P
ARCAT Photograph Collection

Catholic leaders recognized the value of the medium for reaching out. In his 1957 encyclical letter Miranda Prorsus, Pope Pius XII called the development of television "an event of great importance in human history," and wrote,

"It is well known to Us with what deep interest vast numbers of spectators gaze at television programmes of Catholic events. It is obvious, of course, - as We declared a few years ago - that to be present at Mass portrayed by Television is not the same as being actually present at the Divine Sacrifice, as is of obligation on holy days. However, from religious ceremonies, as seen on Television, valuable fruits for the strengthening of the Faith and the renewal of fervour can be obtained by all those who, for some reason, are unable to be actually present; consequently, We are convinced that We may wholeheartedly commend programmes of this kind."

The television networks also recognized the value of providing religious programming. There are lots of examples in the archives of stations writing to the Bishops about their plans, including the following from CBC:

"Your Excellency:

"The first program for Christmas Day this year on your local CBC-TV station will be live coverage of the Midnight Mass from St. Basil's Seminary Chapel, Toronto. 

"The service, celebrated by Reverend Eugene R. Malley, will commence at 12:01 a.m. on Christmas Day and will include prayers and Christmas carols sung by the Basilian Seminarian choir directed by Reverend George Vander Zanden.

"The gospel and certain prayers of the Mass will be illustrated by paintings and drawings appropriate to the theme.

"Perhaps you would like to inform your parish priests about this program.

"Sincerely, 

Dillwyn Hatton

Information Services"

December 14, 1961

PO CM01.03a

Archbishop Pocock Fonds

"Canadians at Worship

MEETING PLACE

"As the Fall returns and the pace of life quickens, our MEETING PLACE returns too, with worship from churches and synagogues across Canada.

"The response we receive from viewers has been tremendously encouraging. Some tell of the pleasure they receive from particular hymns, prayers, sermons. Others say they pick up new ideas for their own church, from watching others.

"We don't intend MEETING PLACE as a substitute for worship in a community. But for instance, I know of an elderly couple who cannot get out to church. Once a week, they put on their Sunday best - she chooses her Sunday hat - and they go down to the living room to be part of MEETING PLACE. 

"We try to make MEETING PLACE as complete an experience as possible. I hope it succeeds as well for you.

"Donald Henderson

CBC Television"

[1974-1980]

PO CM01.88

Archbishop Pocock Fonds

In the 1970s, the Archdiocese of Toronto helped to fund The Church Today, which aired on Global, CHCH, and CFTO, was hosted by Fr. Martin Foley, C.Ss.R, and focussed on issues of importance to Catholics. Archbishop Pocock established a Governing Board for Radio and Television which produced various TV spots on topics such as Family Life and Racism.

  

"Start your weekend with The Church Today"

[1970s]

OC13.AV03
The Church Today Fonds

In 1987, the Archdiocese started The Sunday Mass for a Television Community, bringing mass into the homes of those who couldn't get to a church. The program ran until this year when it was taken over by the Daily TV Mass, which is produced by the National Catholic Broadcasting Council.

The Sunday Mass for a Television Community

[1980s]

AW18
ARCAT Artwork Collection

The Archbishops of Toronto have had to become experts in being in front of the camera. The archdiocesan Office of Public Relations and Communications provides ongoing training for the bishops, priests, and lay staff so that they can be comfortable and communicate the Catholic message clearly.

Cardinal Carter filming an interview with CTV's Sandie Rinaldo.

June 15, 1992

PH 31C/1398CP
ARCAT Photograph Collection

Cardinal Ambrozic on the Bruce Trail with a crew filming the documentary God's Dominion: In the Name of the Father.

May, 1992

PH 31C/1192CP
ARCAT Photograph Collection

Cardinal Collins speaks to news crews at St. Michael's Cathedral on the day of Pope Benedict XVI's retirement.

February 11, 2013

Courtesy of the Office of Public Relations and Communications

Today, Catholics can enjoy lots of quality Catholic programming on their own networks such as Salt + Light, The Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN), and others. There is also lots to watch on the Archdiocesan YouTube Channel!

Here's a bonus video of Cardinal Carter in front of the camera posted by St. Michael's College School: