Donald & Dorothy Arab
Saint Mary's Basilica has been an integral part of my family's history, starting when my parents, Anthony & Theresa Arab independently immigrated to Canada from Lebanon and married at the Basilica in the 1900's, raising their seven children in the Archdiocese.
Music has always been a significant part of our Cathedral Liturgy. In the 1930s, my brother John and I were members of the Cathedral men and boys' choir. It was a large choir in those days, and very early on the choir director, Father Joseph Mills, recognized the special talent of John who had a beautiful boy's soprano voice. Fr. Mills guided and supported John into his teens until when as a young adult, he left to study at St. Michael's Choir school in Toronto, where he eventually become a leading tenor with the Canadian Opera Company.
One year, while home visiting over the Christmas holiday, John fractured his ankle and was taken to the Halifax Infirmary (then owned and operated by the Sisters of Charity, a wonderful group of Sisters who were very dear to the heart of Saint Mary's). It was Christmas Eve. As John was being escorted to the Operating Room, the attendant opened the elevator doors on each floor so he could sing to the delight of all!
Over my 85 years, a special time that stands out is the visit of Pope John Paul II, in 1984. At the Mass at the Cathedral, my son Michael was an altar server, and I was privileged to shake the Pontiff’s hand as he made his way down the aisle.
Throughout our lives, the Basilica has been a central focal point for our family’s charity work, our social network, and our faith.
- Donald & Dorothy Arab
Halifax, NS