PERE EMERY BRIEN - BONNE FETE EMERY!!!! 66 ANS JEUNE!!!!

Today is the 66th birthday of Father Brien. Who’s Father Brien you asks? I found a little story in my email box that I wrote for my book!

I guess the book will be printed after all. Lets wait and see?

This is the story-

In the middle of July, 2003 a commissionaire named Tom Dunphy asked me where I was born and if I knew Father Brien?



I told Tom that I knew Father Brien and why would he mentioned his name?

He told me that Father Brien was at the Legislature 30 minutes ago and he asked Tom - Who was the guy in the tent?



Tom explained to the Priest that I was a protester name Charles LeBlanc and told him I was from Saint John.

Father Brien said - Ok; It’s not the same Charles LeBlanc that I know.

My God? I was the same Charles LeBlanc, and my brain cells went back in time to a period in Memrmamcook.



Pere Brien who we call a near Saint and everyone in the Valley loves that man.



He’s the most respected Priest during my time in the Valley.



When I was a child in the early grades,< 60s > Pere Brien used to come to the classes and preach the words of the Lord with his guitar.



I was very close to Emery Brien.

Before I rode my ten-speed bicycle across Canada and the United States in the
late 70's, I used to train hard with this priest.



We used to ride our bikes around all over the place.

Emery was transferred to the Acadian coast in Nova Scotia years later.

I remember they held a good-bye party for this near Saint Priest at L’Ecole Abbey Landry in 1980 and close to 2,000 people showed up with tears in their eyes.

It was the biggest good-bye party ever in the Valley of Memramcook.

Around 10 years ago while visiting Yarmouth, I heard he was stationed in that area and it was the first time that I had seen him in ten years.

I located his church and through a side door, I listened to Emery preach to the Acadians in the South Western coast.



He used to have black hair but it turned white.

It was inevitable to be a happy reunion and we did have a good chat.

This time around it’ll be another 10 years until I see Emery.



He was stationed in the Capital and I didn’t know he returned to this Province from Nova Scotia.



I quickly left a message on his answering machine and he showed up a couple of days later.

I gave him a little hug him and said - Forget this protest Pere Brien. Lets go for a nice walk near the River.

We sat down on a picnic table and chatted away for over one hour.

It sure was nice to see him again and it was the first time that I discussed
the issue of ADHD with Emery.

It explained a lot of my actions as a child and I felt like I was giving a confession to a Priest in a church.



We walked slowly toward my tent and I said - Father Brien??? I’ve been in that tent for over one month?

Be honest with me Emery? You have known me since I was a little kid!!!

AM I DOING THE RIGHT THING???

He stared at me and said - Yes Charlie! For the chidren? You are doing the right thing!!!

I know for a fact that maybe I don’t act like someone who believes in the Lord but trust me?

I’m 100% religious. I believe there’s someone watching over me and the support from a near saint priest would enforce my battle for the next few months.

He was the backbone of my protest!!!



Days later, I noticed a crowd of reporters surrounding a politician near the building of the media.

The guy was Bernard Lord and I never saw the man since my Protest began.

While he was talking to the media, I stood in the background and once he saw me?

His eyes popped out and he continued by talking about insurance insurance and insurance.

I proved that I wasn’t a media hound because I never said a word.

Once the interview was over I approached the Premier with the same line - Bonjour Bernard!



He always reply - Bonjour Charles!

He told me that he was in a hurry and asked me to walk with him towards his office.

He always seem to be in a rush but I guess that's the life of a Premier.

I told Bernard that I wasn’t going to waste his time talking about my protest because he knew all about the issue of Ritalin.

I phoned the Premier on many occasions on talk shows and in public since he first got elected as Premier.

I told the Premier that someone came to my tent the other day and praised him.

Since Bernard came close to losing the election a few weeks before, he was very interested to know who praised him?

He asked – Who was it?

I said - Pere Brien.

In a very surprised outburst he said - Hey Charles? You know Pere Brien? You’re from Memramcook!

I reminded the Premier that I’ve known Emery nearly 40 years and once he found out that I was here, He came to see me.



I told Bernard the Priest told me that once the Premier goes to church and he wasn’t a show off in the house of the Lord.

During the first Communion of his son - Sebastien, Bernard politely asked Emery to take a picture.



I continued by asking Bernard if he wanted to know the Priest's views on my protest?

I told the Premier that the Priest said – Yes Charles! For the kids? You are doing the right thing!

I lifted both arms in the air and looked towards the blue sky and said - ALLELUIA!!!I HAVE THE LORD ON MY SIDE!

I was inches from Bernard’s face and said - NOW? IF I CAN HAVE THE OTHER LORD ON MY SIDE? I’LL BE ALL SET!

Yes, all in fun! Bernard didn't listen too good because I stayed in the tent for another five months...lol...



I have been going to Church every Sunday morning for the last two years.

Father Brien picks me up and I really enjoy listening to him speak!



I always tease Father Brien that he has ADHD big times. This priest is full of energy. He loves doing the Kayak in the Saint John River. He's always on the move.

I wish Pere Brien all the best on his Brithday!

He's the best with the kids. All the kids love this man. He shows respect to the kids and in return he recives it big times.



Many people would stop by from Mermamcook to visit Father Brien. He truly left a mark with the Acadians in Memramcook and Nova Scotia.




I pray that he’ll be around in the Capital for many years to come.

It’s an awful thing to say but once Father Brien retires? My days of going to Chruch every week will be officially over! It’s sad!

Bonne Fete Emery and I pray that you will be in good health for many years to come! God Bless!!!