From The Evening Telegram 1912-09-28

A Worthy Priest: Father Cacciola's Hard Task

Some weeks ago a man named Thomas Tobin died at Bar Haven, or what was formerly known as Barron Island, Placentia Bay. About two years before the man fell on the ice and strained the tendons in his side, was sent by Father Cacciola to the Hospital here, at the expense of the good priest, and being a man of good physique he, after some time, pulled through. However the hurt impaired his health and he later developed dropsy with fatal results. Somehow the people got the idea into their heads that the man died of beriberi and none would go near the abode of the dead man, whose son, named Michael Tobin, was also ill. Father Cacciola who has studied medicine, assured the people that the disease was not contagious and that they could visit the men, that if it were contagious he would have to acquaint the Health authorities in St. John's, and the fact of this not being done should be an assurance that there was no danger in going to the poor fellow's house.

Nothing however could persuade the people that the man had not some terribly virulent and highly contagious malady. Father Cacciola, though he knew the man to be dangerously ill, had business on the mainland and prepared the poor fellow for death, however he was not uneasy as far as matters appertaining to religion were concerned and when he received word that the man was dead (knowing the peculiar belief which the people held as to the disease from which Tobin suffered), he hurried back home. On arrival he was horrified to find that the man lay dead in his house for nearly ten hours and none would go near the place so fearful were they of contracting what they believed to be a deadly disease. With his own hands, unattended and alone, the good priest washed and dressed for burial the corpse, decently laid it out, and with none but himself and the dead there kept the vigil which is generally observed by his people for two nights. However at his solicitation Thomas Culleton, James Hanlon and Patrick Wadden admiring the priest's devotion came to his aid and after making a coffin aided the priest in putting the remains in it and helped him inter it in the cemetery.

Ten days later, Michael, the poor fellow's son, quite a young chap, died from purely natural causes. Knowing him to be ill extremis Fr. Cacciola who was again called to the mainland on parochial duties, administered the last rites of the Church, but believed that the people were reassured by this time would attend to the body. When he returned, however, he found that the same impression prevailed and none would approach the house where the corpse lay for several hours with none to prepare it for burial. Again had the devoted cleric to perform for the son those same sad offices which were necessary for the father and unflinchingly and tenderly did he give his services "waking" the dead boy alone, though he was again helped by the same nun as to coffining the remains and interring them.

Father Cacciola does not. however, blame the people. They have a horror of beriberi which they believe to be highly contagious and deadly. As a matter of fact the father died of dropsy and the son died of lung trouble. However one thing stands prominently forward in this particular case and that is the devotion of this good priest, a highly talented man. but one who is much attached to his flock, and who is doing noble work for them, educating their children (several at his own expense) and otherwise forwarding their material as well as their Spiritual interests.

From the St. John's Daily Star, 1917-11-21

A Progressive Priest

Rev. Father Cacciola, the popular pastor of Bar Haven, P. B., arrived here on Monday for a short stay in the city. Father Cacciola, through the energy and industry which is characteristic of the man, last summer finished his church, which experts declare to be one of the finest and most handsome church buildings of its kind in the country. Recently relatives in New York and friends of the Rev. gentleman sent him some very valuable presents for the church, of which the good priest as well as his parishioners are justly proud. Father Cacciola intends to have a formal opening of the church early next summer.

From The Evening Telegram 1923-07-19

Experience of Father Cacciola - by Norman Bruce

The Telegram has received the following telegraphic message from Hr. Buffett:

On Monday night Rev. Francis Cacciola of St. Francis Xavier's Church, Bar Haven, whilst responding to a sick call at lona Island in the high powered motor yacht Laponto, Capt. Patrick Bruce commanding, assisted by Thomas Griffin and John Griffin. They had cleared the castle passage way and crossing to Butler's Island when they were compelled to dash far out into the deep to avoid the shoals and reefs lying some distance from the shore on the Merasheen Island side.

They were well advanced on their journey when engine trouble interferred with the operations of the boat. At this juncture, 9.45 p.m., a heavy fog arose. The boat was actually well onward in the western course between Merasheen and Long Islands when the boat stopped abruptly. The eastern circle was not taken in order to allow Father Cacciola whose objective point first was Indian Hr. to attend another urgent call. It was the purpose of priest and crew to make Indian Harbour before proceeding to lona if normal conditions would permit.

Temporary repairs were effected and the boat sped on, although this delay plunged the boat and crew into pitch darkness and engulfed in a thick mantle of fog. Soundings were made in order to make a nearer approach to the land. Father Cacciola assumed command of the good ship as he knew best the lay of all the islands in this particular portion of his parish. He ordered her course set to locate the land. Picking up the trail of land off Merchant Point Head the Rev. commander fixed his bearings and brought boat and crew inside Rose au Rue Island. Had he faulted in making his calculations the boat and crew would have been exposed to the tempest, as the wind was Easterly or East North East no harbor could have been reached in consequence of the fog.

To the joy of all the boat entered with safety into Rose au Rue Harbor whaling station, avoiding the rugged rocks by a margin of ten feet as the lightning flashed and the thunder rolled. The caretaker, Mr. Lawrence Murphy of Rose au Rue whaling station showed priest and crew every kindness. At dawn the boat journeyed to Indian Harbor, where breakfast was served and calls attended to, after which in record time the grand boat proceeded to lona. The priest was quite exhausted owing to being out all Saturday night and part of Sunday night, early Monday morning and all Monday night.