"Second Fifty Years," 1897- 1947

Starting in 1907 until he died of ill health at the rectory on July 1, 1913, Rev. Richard S. Burke, a noted orator, was the pastor of St. George Church. For the next three years, Rev. Hugh Cleary became the rector of the parish. Rev. Cleary had a library of valuable books and loved sacred music. He started the choir under the direction of Edmund L. O'Donnell. This choir, adding much to the solemnity of church services, came to be considered one of the area's most outstanding church choirs.

Following Rev. Cleary's death in 1916, Rev. John A. McCauley was appointed Pastor of St. George by William Cardinal O'Connell. Fr. McCauley, who had come from a Boston family which had many members in religious life, previously had been a curate in the Boston area. During this time, he had attained much success developing liturgical music. While at St. George's, his interest in liturgical music led to the formation of the girls' choir. A current parishioner, who was a young child during Fr. McCauley's early tenure, recalls having to attend many rehearsals because Fr. McCauley insisted that the music be correctly sung. As a result, they often heard him ask, "Aw say, what is going on? Let's start over." The girls also had the arduous task of learning the Gregorian Chant for the Good Friday Service. A reward for their hard work was a day trip to Nantasket Beach. Fr. McCauley also worked with the young men of the parish in many various sports activities and, as an avid sportsman, often took many children to the Boston College - Holy Cross football games.

In addition, Fr. McCauley instructed the children of the parish in their religious teachings. Sunday school, held after the 8:30 Mass, was taught by the young ladies of the parish. The Marist Fathers taught religious instruction classes each Tuesday afternoon. During Rev. McCauley's years as pastor, many successful parish events including field days, special outings, and operettas directed by Miss Mabel J. Golden of Boston occurred regularly. This pastor did much to extend the Catholic faith and spirit of the parishioners throughout his years as pastor of St. George Church.

During his tenure, the Diamond Jubilee of St. George Parish was celebrated in 1922. The Mass for this seventy-five year celebration was said by a former pastor, Rev. Patrick Murphy, who was then serving at Holy Rosary Parish in South Boston. Two Saxonville natives, Rev. Dennis J. Maguire and Rev. Domenic F. Rock, served as Deacons. The choir sang Mozart's "Twelfth Mass" under the direction of Edmund L. O'Donnell. Rev. John Heffernan of St. Stephen's Church in Framingham celebrated the solemn evening vespers. In honor of St. George's 75th year celebration, Rev. McCauley presented two oil paintings to the parish to be placed over the side altars. The first showed the Flight into Egypt and the second was of St. Domenic receiving the Rosary from the Virgin Mary.
In later years, one of the many curates of who had served at St. George became Archbishop and then Cardinal of the Boston Archdiocese. Rev. Richard J. Cushing had first said Mass at St. George in September 1928 at the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Subsequently, Rev. Cushing said Mass many times at St. George in the following years.
In December 1943, Rev. John A. McCauley celebrated his Golden Jubilee as a priest. His Excellency, Archbishop Richard J. Cushing, saying one of his first Pontifical Masses outside of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston, was the celebrant. Archbishop Cushing's sermon compared Fr. McCauley's life with that of St. John Vianney, known as "Ie Cure d'Ars". Several priests from the Marist Seminary in Framingham assisted at this Mass. The Marist Fathers' Choir, under the direction of Rev. Leo Lemay, presented the music for Rev. McCauley's Golden Jubilee Mass.

In 1943, Archbishop Cushing presided over an impressive event. He came to St. George's Church to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation to twenty-five soldiers stationed at Camp Framingham.

St. George Parish celebrated its 100th birthday, the Centennial Celebration, in 1947. The celebrant of the Mass was the Most Reverend Richard J. Cushing, Archbishop of Boston. Priests from the Marist Seminary assisted at the Mass. The music was provided by the Marist Seminary Choir under the direction of Rev. Leo Lemay. Afterwards, a reception was held at The Meadows in Framingham.

Continue to 1947- present