DENNIS SHAUGHNESSEY, Sun Staff

Friday, June 20, 2003 - LOWELL Since 1975, when Armand Lemay was selected to receive the first Franco-American of the Year Award, the nominating committee has had the formidable task of choosing the one person who best exemplifies the Franco-American Culture.

This year's choice is Rev. Lucien A. Sawyer, an Oblate priest, now retired, who has helped foster the rich heritage that has made its way to America from France, largely by way of Canada.

"I didn't expect this award, to be honest," Sawyer said from his residence at the St. Eugene House on Andover Street. "I consider it a great honor, not only for me, but for the entire Sawyer family, as well as all the Oblate priests."

The son of the late Lionel and Irene (Houde) Sawyer, Rev. Sawyer was born and raised in the Pawtucketville section of Lowell. After high school, he entered the seminary and became a priest. He taught at the Oblate Seminary in Bar Harbor, Maine for several years before becoming involved in the hospital ministry.

He moved around extensively and in 1985 became the Archdiocese Director of Hospital Chaplains.

"I lived in Boston in those days, but always came back to Lowell on the weekends," said Sawyer, who is just weeks away from his 79th birthday. "I've always considered Lowell as my home."

These days he stays busy filling in where needed, mostly at the Notre Dame de Lourdes Parish in the Highlands section of Lowell.

"I'm thankful that I have been able to say Mass every Sunday," he said.

Sawyer has also worked extensively, translating religious books from English to French and from French to English.

"I don't know if that's the reason I'm being honored in such a way, but I'm grateful," he said.

According to Norman Gauthier, president of the Franco-American Day Committee, nominees for the award must be of French descent, possess high moral character and be willing to promote the Franco-American legacy.

"When we discussed the criteria and Father Sawyer's many attributes, it was plain to see that he perfectly fit the bill," said committee President Norman Gauthier. "He is well-respected in the community and well thought of by all the French."

The award will be presented to Sawyer on Sunday, after the 9 a.m. Mass at Ste. Therese Church on Lakeview Ave. in Dracut. Traditionally, the Mass, which is in French, kicks of Franco-American Week.

DENNIS SHAUGHNESSEY, Sun Staff

Monday, June 23, 2003 - DRACUT There's no mistaking a true Frenchman.

The Rev. Lucien Sawyer, O.M.I., was at the University of Notre Dame many years ago when an Indiana resident said, "If your name is Lucien, you must be a Franco-American from a city north of Boston."

"I was speaking in French at the time, but these people could tell where I was from," said Sawyer, who was presented yesterday with the 2003 Franco-American of the Year Award in Lowell, as chosen by the Franco-American Day Committee.

Sawyer welcomed the felicitations of about 100 people in a basement ceremony at Ste. Therese Church in Dracut yesterday, after Mass was celebrated in French and English.

"This is an honor not just for me, but for the entire Sawyer family and the Oblates of Mary Immaculate," said Sawyer, only the second priest in 33 years to receive the award.

Rev. Armand Morrissette, also an Oblate priest, was honored in 1981.

"I know they named a boulevard after him," Sawyer said. "I don't think there will ever be a Father Sawyer Road."

Speaking in French, Sawyer said his grandfather immigrated to Lowell in the early 1900s with the idea of making and selling horse-drawn carriages.

"When he got here, everybody had cars," Sawyer said.

The presentation kicked off Franco-American Week, which will be highlighted by activities that promote the rich heritage and culture of the French.

Tomorrow, on Saint Jean-Baptiste Day, there will be a memorial ceremony at the Little Canada Monument on the corner of Aiken and Hall streets in Lowell at 9 a.m. That will be followed, at 10 a.m., by a flag-raising ceremony at City Hall, followed by refreshments.

In the event of rain, the ceremony will take place in the Mayor's Reception Room.

Tomorrow evening, La Chorale Orion's 25th anniversary of the Foundation concert, directed by Normand Ayotte, will be held at St. Louis de France Church on West Sixth Street in Lowell.

On Wednesday night, Sawyer will lecture on "Memories of Lowell, The History of Immigration," at the Lowell National Historical Park Visitor Center at 246 Market St.

The public is invited, and admission is free to all of the above events.

Bonjour Broadway, a two-hour musical variety show directed by Jack and Mary Keefe, will be performed in the Lowell High School Auditorium on French Street on Saturday night. Admission is $10.

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