Father Val Power
Valentine Joseph Power, son of Vivian Dobbin and David Power, was born on Colinet Island, St. Mary's Bay, on February 19, 1926 and completed his basic education at the parish school. In his early working life he was mainly employed as a carpenter before deciding to enter the priesthood. He completed his grade X through private study and in 1954 was accepted as a student in St. Bonaventure’s College in St. John’s to complete grades XI and XII. On graduating in 1956, he was accepted as a candidate for the priesthood by Archbishop PJ Skinner who made arrangements for him to attend All Hallows’ College in Dublin. He was ordained as a priest by Archbishop Skinner in the Basilica Cathedral in St. John’s on June 16, 1962.
Father Power’s first appointment was as a curate in Sacred Heart Parish, Placentia, under the pastoral leadership of Father Thomas Moakler where he served until 1969. During that period and following the resignation of Father Philip Lewis from St. Joseph's Parish, Merasheen on September 21, 1965, Father Power was appointed administrator of the parish effective October 1, 1965.
After serving less than two years at Merasheen, at the apex of the resettlement program Father Power informed the people of Merasheen on the evening of July 5th, 1967 that the bishop was ending his service to the parish. At its darkest hour this was the final nail in the coffin for the community. To Father Power’s credit, which speaks volumes to the character of the man, he was reluctant to abandon the people when they needed him most. Father Power in a letter to the Bishop on July 6th offered to stay for another year. Sadly, that was not part of the plan and he returned to Placentia parish as assistant priest effective September 1, 1967.
Father Power’s next appointment was parish priest of Sacred Heart Parish in Fox Harbour until 1974, moving then to St. Michael’s Parish, Bell Island for a few months before ill health forced him to take a leave of absence. He returned to active duty as parish priest of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish from 1974 to 1987. In 1987 he was appointed parish priest of Assumption Parish in St. Mary’s and the following year took on the administration duties at next door Sacred Heart Parish in St. Vincent’s until retiring in the 33rd year of his priesthood on September 22, 1994.
In retirement, Father Power lived in Admiral’s Beach near his brothers and sisters. He died suddenly while visiting a family friend in O'Donel's, St. Mary’s Bay, on December 15, 1996 and is buried in the the RC cemetery in St. Joseph’s.
Fr. Power carried out his priestly ministry with simplicity and humility. He was well liked and respected as evidenced by the community centre in Riverhead, St. Mary’s being named after him.
Sources: thanks to the notes and comments from Ernie Walsh and Ray Hann, photographs from Shawn Power and the biographical information from Msgr. Coady’s book “Lives Recalled”.
