Sacred Heart Church in Auburn has selected Roland Bergeron to be the chairman of its 100th anniversary celebration.

Founded in 1923, the first masses were celebrated in a barn on the property where the existing church was eventually built. Bergeron has a long history with the parish, according to a news release from the church.

In 1948, during the 25th anniversary of the parish, Bergeron was chosen at age 4 to portray St. Jean Baptiste in the yearly parade to this saint, which was an important part of the French culture and which the local Franco Americans took great pride in celebrating each year on his feast day.

The Bergeron family built the float on which he appeared in the parade, which had a real lamb that was held by his father Edouard.

Roland was named co-chairman for the 60th anniversary by Fr. Maurice Plourd, and for the 75th he was asked again to be chairman, this time by Fr. Maurice Lebel. Now for this centennial celebration, Fr. Robert Vaillancourt has asked Roland to again be chairman for this year’s festivities.

The next task will be naming the board members for the 100th anniversary committee. Working with the sister church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, St. Philip, a year full of activities is to be created to celebrate the milestone. More details are to be released soon.

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