Paquette Consulting - The Bonhomme Project
In each of our lives there comes someone who significantly affects us. One instance of this is the Canadian, His Excellency Bishop Joseph Cyprian Bonhomme (1889-1973), o.m.i., Titular Bishop of Tulana, former Vicar Apostolic to Basutoland (now Lesotho), Bishop-Assistant at the Pontifical Throne (Assistant au Trône Pontifical), and holder of the OBE.
Bishop Bonhomme produced a large amount of written material over the course of his career, among which was a genealogy of his family, produced in very limited numbers in the early 1950's.
In 1994-1995, this genealogy was edited, translated, and brought up to date by Suzan Schmekel in consultation with one of Bishop Bonhomme’s nieces, some of his cousins in the Ottawa region, and extensive genealogical and archival research. This English edition was published in 1995 as The Bonhomme Family (1632-1995), by The Paquette Press (Ottawa ON).
This 190 page monograph remains available at a price of $50.00 Canadian, plus shipping and GST, and can be obtained from Paquette Consulting. To sample the book you are invited to read the extract that includes: 1 - Translators Note, 2 - table of Contents, and 3 - the Historical Note.
The purpose of this project is to provide the modern reader, or historian, with information about the life and work of Bishop Bonhomme, for his life is an example of creative management and practical spirituality in the work place in trying circumstances. While it is true that we are all creatures of our time, there is the possibility to transcend the time in which we work and live. I believe that there are lessons that can be drawn from Bishop Bonhomme’s life that can be useful to managers, and to individuals, today and in the future. As I can, I propose to write about the Bishop, and may not have a book as such for several years given the demands of my consulting practice. However, on this site, the reader can explore aspects of the Bishop’s life and work.
One by-product of this project was to assist a group in St-Camille, Quebec (the birthplace of Bishop Bonhomme), develop a memorial site to the Bishop and to his family. The Bonhomme's were one of the first families to homestead St-Camille. An explanation, and photos of the opening of “Place Mgr Bonhomme” have been added to this website.
This is a work in progress, and if you are interested in hearing more about this topic, or have something you would like to contribute, contact me.Philémon Paquette, Ottawa
February 8, 2011
The Bonhomme Project Introduction
Some thoughts about Bishop Bonhomme
The Inauguration of Place Monseigneur (Mgr) Bonhomme, 25 September 2010
Photo Gallery of Bishop Bonhomme
St Jame's Palace Letter on Award of OBE - June 9, 1938 - dated September 18, 2002 (PDF)
Notice nécrologique, Mgr Joseph BONHOMME, O.M.I 1889-1973 par Donat Levasseur, le 22 mai 1976