To Father Macdonald's Family : Sincere condolences at this time of great loss. Father John lived for and served God well. He will be remembered for his many contributions to our communities,parishes,and for his love of life. He was an honourable, kind man who served God through his priesthood and used his many gifts and talents to enrich many lives. He worked with my father in the Credit Union Movement and was a valued and cherished friend, much loved by our family.

Father JJ was a part of our lives and my mother' life espiecially She was considered his housekeeper who looked after cooking and daily chores for him but he was also a good friend who I know my mother looked up to when times and things were tough . They would discuss life in general and the weekly church "sermons"with him not always in a positive way. My mother shared her honest opinion and he used to take it all in stride and I think appreciated her bluntness and I think they had fun with the back and forth opinions. I know he made a HUGE difference in my mothers life as in the Poirier household. I would go home for the weekend and he would come over for dinner and discussions at the kitchen table were always interesting .He used to get me to order his favourite cologne from eBay as it was discontinued and he just loved the scent ... hopefully the angels will enjoy your "Royal Copenhagen " as much as the people in your circle ... it was both a pleasure and honour to have you in our lives ...RIP Father JJ you will be missed

A MAN OF GOD AND OF THE PEOPLE. HE WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN MY CAREER CHOICE. WE HAVE CHERISHED HIS FRIENDSHIP IN OUR LIVES SINCE WE EXPERIENCED HIS ROLE IN OUR PRE MARIAGE COURSE. OUR MOST SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO FR.JJ's FAMILY. A LA PROCHAINE, CITES &a LOIS BABIN

A MAN OF GOD AND OF THE PEOPLE. HE WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN MY CAREER CHOICE. WE HAVE CHERISHED HIS FRIENDSHIP IN OUR LIVES SINCE WE EXPERIENCED HIS ROLE IN OUR PRE MARIAGE COURSE. OUR MOST SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO FR.JJ's FAMILY. A LA PROCHAINE, CITES &a LOIS BABIN

My deepest condolences to Mary and family. Father J.J. was a true friend to our family and always took the time to listen whenever we needed him. He will be missed. Rest in Peace Father.

To the Family of Father J.J. The Sisters Filles de Jesus wish to offer to the Family their most sincere condolences. Father J.J. was a part of our life in the different parishes that he served. He was truly a man of God and a very devoted pastor for all. We are all with you in this time of loss and grief. May He rest in the peace of his God. MERCI Père J.J. pour tout ce que tu as fait pour nous toutes.Nous t'accompagnons de nos prières.

We've lost a great man, may he rest in peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and all his friends at this difficult time.

We join the many friends of father J.J. to express condolences to his family. He brought great respect to the clergy and the Church.

I grew to know and greatly admire Father JJ during his service with The Co-operators as a valued member of our Board of Directors. He became a legend of sorts in the company and welcomed everywhere as an ambassador for the co-operative movement to which he had a lifetime commitment to. Father JJs memory brings a smile to my face and my heart as I know it does for all those who were fortunate enough to know him well. My sincerest condolences to the Family, and to Father JJ may God speed!

R.I.P Father J.J. You impacted many lives on Isle Madame. You were a wonderful spiritual leader and always had a firm handshake, smile and joke for everyone. May you rest in peace. You were a role model for all who knew you.

Lour Thoughts and Prayers are with the Family R I P Father J J

Mary & family, I would like to extend our condolences to Fr.MacDonald's family. He certainly left his mark in the world. You will be in Our Prayers & thoughts at this sad time of your lives.

Father JJ MacDonald passed away on November 21st in his Beloved Cape Breton. He was loved by all. This is merely one story of Father JJ but it is mine and my beloved Niece Patricia. It speaks volumes of Father JJ and his Priesthood. Since this was written my wife Joan has also passed away. Pat McDonald ( Condensed)

Letter to the editor

Editorial- The Atlantic Catholic

Editorial

My wife and I are Albertans now but our roots are centuries deep in Nova Scotia. My parents are from L'ardoise (mom) and D'escousse. My wife is a Chisholm from Margaree — her uncles being Archie Neil and Angus.

I am a retired Catholic High School Administrator.

We count among our dearest friends many loyal priests in Alberta and Nova Scotia,so I ask the question — who speaks for these Catholic priests who have honoured their vows, have struggled hard and diligently in God's vineyard and

now approach the end of their long journey?

A few months ago my wife and I attended the Celtic Colours Concert in D'escousse. At first I didn't recognize Father "JJ" MacDonald as he is known throughout much of Cape Breton. It had been 10 years since my wife and I

had last talked to Father JJ in the Glebe house in D'escousse. My niece Patricia Treat was dying of painful cancer then and at 47 was given very little time.

Patricia had been denied the Sacrament of the Eucharist by one misinformed priest so many days she would go to church in Halifax and sit at the back feeling ashamed. Archbishop Hayes, who presided over my mother's funeral, did intervene and to make the story short, arranged for reconciliation and for her reception of the Eucharist.

Patricia decided to live in D'escousse in the family homestead where my own mother had passed away from cancer. I stayed with Patricia for a month through her agonizing pain. She continually asked about Heaven and what I thought it would be like. She was a trained counsellor who had worked for many years with disadvantaged and challenged adults of

society. Patricia's journey was a L'Arche experience every day. Now she was dying and wanted to know more about Heaven. I remember Patricia saying one time that she could never recall ever hurting anyone in her life. I envied

her and I agreed with her.

This is where Father JJ MacDonald entered our lives. I had arranged to see if Patricia at long last could receive Communion on a regular basis. I would soon be returning to Alberta and very much needed to know this. Patricia looked forward to receiving the Eucharist. Father JJ said he would take care of her. After I left, I found out that Father JJ walked up that hill every day to our house from the Glebe house to bring Patricia the Eucharist. He stayed with her each day to talk to her as only he could and reassured her that Heaven indeed would be special. A few days before she died,

Father JJ reconciled Patricia and gave her the Last Rites of the Catholic Church, the Sacrament of the Sick and Dying. Patricia passed away shortly after and Father JJ presided. That was 10 years ago.

I visited Patricia's grave a few months ago in the D'escousse cemetery not far from the St. Hyacinthe Glebe house. When I saw Father JJ MacDonald that same day at the Celtic Colours Concert I didn't hesitate to tell him how much he meant to my niece who had received the sacrament she so much wanted, and to thank him for taking the time to just be there for her.

I know Father JJ must be hurting these days and I did wonder what he thought of the ravages assailing the Church in the world we now know — the world of declining church attendance, especially the scandals

and divisions in the Church.

I know there are good priests on Cape Breton Island that day-in and day-out minister to their parishes silently and probably un-thanked and maybe shunned these days. I don't know who speaks for these good and faithful

servants who have fought the good fight and stayed the course. I know one priest I want you to know about because of his kindness and gentle care for someone I loved very much.

Pat McDonald

Rocky Mountain House, AB

Patricia died shortly after. Pic below of Father JJ in the old Glebe House in Descousse - God Bless Him Always

Father JJ MacDonald passed away on November 21st in his Beloved Cape Breton. He was loved by all. This is merely one story of Father JJ but it is mine and my beloved Niece Patricia. It speaks volumes of Father JJ and his Priesthood. Since this was written my wife Joan has also passed away. Pat McDonald ( Condensed)

Letter to the editor

Editorial- The Atlantic Catholic

Editorial

My wife and I are Albertans now but our roots are centuries deep in Nova Scotia. My parents are from L'ardoise (mom) and D'escousse. My wife is a Chisholm from Margaree — her uncles being Archie Neil and Angus.

I am a retired Catholic High School Administrator.

We count among our dearest friends many loyal priests in Alberta and Nova Scotia,so I ask the question — who speaks for these Catholic priests who have honoured their vows, have struggled hard and diligently in God's vineyard and

now approach the end of their long journey?

A few months ago my wife and I attended the Celtic Colours Concert in D'escousse. At first I didn't recognize Father "JJ" MacDonald as he is known throughout much of Cape Breton. It had been 10 years since my wife and I

had last talked to Father JJ in the Glebe house in D'escousse. My niece Patricia Treat was dying of painful cancer then and at 47 was given very little time.

Patricia had been denied the Sacrament of the Eucharist by one misinformed priest so many days she would go to church in Halifax and sit at the back feeling ashamed. Archbishop Hayes, who presided over my mother's funeral, did intervene and to make the story short, arranged for reconciliation and for her reception of the Eucharist.

Patricia decided to live in D'escousse in the family homestead where my own mother had passed away from cancer. I stayed with Patricia for a month through her agonizing pain. She continually asked about Heaven and what I thought it would be like. She was a trained counsellor who had worked for many years with disadvantaged and challenged adults of

society. Patricia's journey was a L'Arche experience every day. Now she was dying and wanted to know more about Heaven. I remember Patricia saying one time that she could never recall ever hurting anyone in her life. I envied

her and I agreed with her.

This is where Father JJ MacDonald entered our lives. I had arranged to see if Patricia at long last could receive Communion on a regular basis. I would soon be returning to Alberta and very much needed to know this. Patricia looked forward to receiving the Eucharist. Father JJ said he would take care of her. After I left, I found out that Father JJ walked up that hill every day to our house from the Glebe house to bring Patricia the Eucharist. He stayed with her each day to talk to her as only he could and reassured her that Heaven indeed would be special. A few days before she died,

Father JJ reconciled Patricia and gave her the Last Rites of the Catholic Church, the Sacrament of the Sick and Dying. Patricia passed away shortly after and Father JJ presided. That was 10 years ago.

I visited Patricia's grave a few months ago in the D'escousse cemetery not far from the St. Hyacinthe Glebe house. When I saw Father JJ MacDonald that same day at the Celtic Colours Concert I didn't hesitate to tell him how much he meant to my niece who had received the sacrament she so much wanted, and to thank him for taking the time to just be there for her.

I know Father JJ must be hurting these days and I did wonder what he thought of the ravages assailing the Church in the world we now know — the world of declining church attendance, especially the scandals

and divisions in the Church.

I know there are good priests on Cape Breton Island that day-in and day-out minister to their parishes silently and probably un-thanked and maybe shunned these days. I don't know who speaks for these good and faithful

servants who have fought the good fight and stayed the course. I know one priest I want you to know about because of his kindness and gentle care for someone I loved very much.

Pat McDonald

Rocky Mountain House, AB

Patricia died shortly after. Pic below of Father JJ in the old Glebe House in Descousse - God Bless Him Always

I had been an altar server with Père Charles Forest for some years when Père MacDonald arrived in St. Joseph’s Parish, Petit-de-grat in the late 1950s. After Père Forest died on June 22, 1960, I served with Père MacDonald until I left to go to University. As I got to know him over those four years, I learned one of his favourite expressions, “Misère de misère,” that he used whenever expressing his astonishment at anything. Père MacDonald was an avid gardener. He built the first hothouse I ever saw. I was one of the boys helping him decorate the Church for Christmas, working on a failed attempt to build an outdoor hockey rink (probably because of the amount of mud on the site) and went camping around the Cabot Trail with Père MacDonald, Père Conrad Gerroir and other altar servers. I last saw Père MacDonald at the dinner for the Isle Madame Genealogy Summit 2000 when we sat at the same table. He told the story of the night Père Forest died and, due to some miscommunication, the funeral home staff thought they had to carry the body of Père MacDonald down from the second floor of the glebe house. Père MacDonald was a big man and they were trying to figure out how they might get him down the staircase. Between 1964 and 1968, I saw Père MacDonald a few times when I was home from St. F.X. I would like to offer my deepest sympathies and most sincere of condolences to the family of Père MacDonald, to all who benefited from his ministry and wise counsel, and to the members of the various parishes that had the privilege of knowing Père MacDonald.

To Mary and family. It was a privilege to call him our dear friend. He came into my life when I was a small child. To this day I cannot figure out how he was able to fit that tall frame in a Volkswagen Beetle. My grandparents took him under their wing as a young priest. He remained one of my grandfather's dearest friends. He spent many a meal and Christmas dinner with our family. Our children served Mass for Fr. JJ. He anointed my mother three years ago for which she was very grateful. My father, Jerome and he were great friends till the end. He was dedicated to the Acadian people and will remain in our community. May he Rest In Peace. We will miss him dearly.

My condolances to Père J.J.'s family, friends and communities. Père J.J. believed in our communities and in our youth. He believed in building the leadership of our island. His involvement in our community and in the coop mouvemement is to be commended. I was always very proud of how Père J.J. always promoted our French language and Acadian culture and how he always spoke French to persons he thought were French even though it probably would have been easier not to. It showed a lot of respect for the communities he served. I thank him personally for that. Que le Seigneur te bénisse et que votre âme repose en paix Père J.J. Lorena Landry, Arichat

My DEEPEST condolences go out to Father JJ's Family and Friends. May God rest his soul. Gloria Burke MacDonald Martinique NS

May you rest in peace, old friend.

May you rest peacefully, Fr. J.J. " Well done, good and faithful servant.....Come share in your Master's happiness."

As a young priest he entered into a predominantly Acadian community. He carried the torch of Rev. Dr. Moses Coady and the "Antigonish Movement". His work, like those before him, further enshrined the cooperative movement in our communities. He showed a keen interest in mentoring young Acadians to further their studies and return to their community. He understood the importance of French language education and the preservation of the Acadian culture. He is a founding member of countless organizations and institutions. He counselled my father and his family when my grandfather was lost at sea. My father, Gabriel, held Father JJ in very high regard. They had their battles but were always able to stay grounded in knowing they were both working for the benefit of the Parish and the community. As a child I would sit and listen to Father, wether it be with a small glass of scotch or having a hardy meal prepared by wonderful Scottish woman, my mother. As I grew into a man I too sat on committees and boards with Father JJ. I can still remember a tense meeting when he reassured me in a frustrated tone "Don't apologize for something you believe in your heart, people will walk all over you!" I was baptized and married by Father JJ. He was the first priest to place his hands on my daughters head and quietly pray and bless her following her return from the IWK in 2011. I will miss this man. A Father by vocation, a Father to many, a Shepherd with the smell of his sheep.

A long time friend of my parents and the Benoit family. My deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones. He will be truly missed.

It is with sadness we hear of the passing for Father J. J. MacDonald. He was our parish priest for many years and in Louisdale too and other parishes. He will be sadly missed for sure. R.I.P.Dear Father , with God and the many Guardian Angels. Sympathy to all your family and friends and many parishioners. God bless you all. Darlene and Roy Sampson, Alliston,Ontario