13 Lives by Michael Pawlowski

Author:Michael Pawlowski
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Now or Never Publishing
Published: 2018-04-22T04:00:00+00:00

1991

REV. JAMES TOPPINGS

The impassioned verse of Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae’s poem gripped the hearts of many Canadians during the Christmas season of 1915. Ypres was a distant field in a far off land, unknown to many, yet it had become the muddy tomb of more than eight hundred thousand souls. Prime Minister Borden, into his fifth year of leadership, was quite unable to extricate the nation from such devastating carnage. Throughout the country, poverty and recession held hands down the aisle of diminished expectations. The issue of conscription was about to ignite hostilities in Quebec. In Southern Ontario, residents were about to experience a new scourge: Le Club de Hockey Canadien who were about to win their first Stanley Cup.

Within an improvised cubicle of Verdun hospital’s maternity ward, James Toppings was born on January 16, 1916. Ten weeks later the Montreal Canadiens won the championship and thus began the foundation of his ardent affair with his most-favoured team.

His was a loving family with parents who provided a quality Christian lifestyle based on hope and charity. The expansion of his parents’ trust was grounded in their faith knowing that the virtues they instilled would never be brushed aside by frivolous temptations. Sunday Mass with frequent reception of the sacraments enhanced the young boy’s spiritual life. Pilgrimages to Trois Rivieres, Quebec City and Beaupre increased his enthusiasm for Catholic practice.

At age twelve, James entered Loyola High School. His classmates were predominantly bilingual. Being absolutely conversant in two languages opened many opportunities not only in school but throughout life. Acquaintances were not limited by ethnic background once additional linguistic skills were mastered. High school thus became the forum where James developed his love for languages, history, the classics and of course religion.

After graduating from high school at age sixteen in June, 1932, James spent the next year working odd jobs and doing as much as possible to put food on the family table. The Great Depression had ripped every segment of society apart. Jobs were scarce and pay was pitiful. Surviving on one family income was not possible.

The following July he entered the novitiate in Guelph, Ontario, and two years later took his preliminary vows. His time there introduced James to new ethnic cultures: the German, Dutch, Amish and Ukrainian. He became part of their communities as much as he could, while enjoying the venues of St. Jacob’s, Elmira, and Kitchener. Similarly he discovered his love for the outdoors and took every opportunity for long treks and even paddling. Witnessing their community efforts to ensure a quality life for everyone became, for James, a vision of God-among-men. All were considered equal within their community and beyond their normal parameters. Amish buggies on their way to the market, Ukrainian children in play grounds, and multi-ethnic sports teams: all of these simply affirmed that life was just not English or French or even just both.

After taking the initial vows, James began an earnest study of classic literature: Greek, Roman and medieval. This was not confined to just the normal texts, but included rare editions.

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