This pamphlet was conceived in enthusiasm by men and women who are bristling with PEP to build a Beautiful Church in St. James Parish. They are impatiently waiting: they are clamoring for action. They want YOU to know what they propose doing. They hope you will be with them. Don't look for a seat in the Grand Stand-People who do things move-the disinterested sit and watch -- Our Parish Big Drum is beating a marching tune – “LET'S GO."
The Pastors of the City of St. Louis are unfavorably impressed with Catholics who live in apartments. They regard them as a class of people who are pharaoes or wanderers who have no parochial contacts and are disrupted elements from parish organization and parochial life. This is not a prejudice; it is a settled conviction based on years of varied experiences of many pastors in different sections of the city.
It is difficult to assign a reason why home life in apartments should have any bearing upon one's attitude toward religion, the environment is not in itself depraving, there is usually sunshine, laughter and comparative culture in these sheltered, luxurious little places set like nests in a rookery. Seventy-six families reside under the same roof in one of the big apartments recently erected in the parish and there are a few others under construction that will have a greater housing eapacity,
Nor is it to be presumed that there is a prevalent opinion among priests that the congestion of these homes tends toward depravity or that people who live in them are worse than the rest of the community. All they say leads one to the conclusion that there is a spirit of aloofness among these people which inclines them to regard themselves as extra territorial and beyond and outside all parochial limitations; hence not subject to the local pastors nor units of the local congregation. They take no interest in the concerns of the parish, give neither moral nor financial support to parish activities, rarely do they know the names of their pastors or the hours of Masses in the parish church; they go to what church they please and are sentimental about church affiliation, they prefer a certain church because the pastor is "clever" or the congregation is socially prominent or there is no sermon or no demands for money or for some other trivial emotional appeal that for the time takes their fancy. The word DUTY in respect to church affliation does not seem to enter their minds, they have an exaggerated idea of their own importance and have a feeling that their only duty is to themselves. They want to live their own lives in their own way and their spirit of aloofness is their armor against all intrusion or petty annoyances from all the rest of the world including the Church.
There are, however, many degrees and varieties of this indifference and the tendency to take no part in parish life soon leads to indifference to other religious obligations with the result that 50 per cent of the Catholics who live in our apartments miss Mass on Sunday and are shaky in their religious beliefs.
It is not our contention that every Catholic who lives in an apartment is in a fair way to being damned, we are well aware that there are conveniences in apartments that make economy and comfort and we see no reason why Catholics should not avail of them when circumstances suggest the desirability of such habitations, we know many excellent Catholics who live in apartments but they are the exception to the general rule of conduct, they continue their interest in parochial affairs and have well defined ideas about their religious obligations. With these there is no feeling of dissatisfaction, they are normal Catholics and normal parishioners and an asset to a parish; the others are usually regarded as being a nuisance, they are heard of only when there is a sick call and their attitude then toward the poor hard-working pastor whom they have in all probability called out of bed in the small hours of the night, is one of cold toleration, or frigid propriety. The occasion is embarrassing both for the individuals and the pastor. There is no feeling of kindness and sympathy except such as may arise in the heart of the priest out of charity. To avoid annoyance the patient often goes without spiritual attention until death is imminent, then comes the rush call, and later difficulties about satisfactory funeral arrangements. The pastors know nothing about the deceased and are not likely to eulogize him; hence the relatives suggest that a priest who knew the individual be called in to officiate.
Or perhaps it is a marriage that is about to take place and the bride has hazy ideas about her obligation of being married by the local pastor, she much prefers the idea of being married by Father So and So and when she learns that she must get the permission of the local pastor, she approaches him in a hostile attitude, she does not see why she has to get his permission when she does not even know him, never went to his Church; and for the same reason he sees no reason why she should be granted any favors or indulged in her unreasonable caprice; the result is often deep rooted misunderstanding that leads to loss or faith in one who never was very robust in this respect.
Catholic people who reside in apartments must learn that the Universal Disciplinary Laws of the Church are made toward the promotion of religious life and the salvation of Souls. The Church is one body like an army and the flock is divided into sections such as dioceses and parishes with their respective Bishops, Pastors and definite territories. The pastors are charged with the care of all the souls within the confines of their parishes and are given jurisdiction over them, the Bishop rules over his diocese and has no jurisdiction over the people who reside outside his territory. It is to the best interests of religion that these universal disciplinary laws be obeyed and that every Catholic know his own pastor and parish and give them wholehearted obedience and co-operation.
What has been stated in regard to Catholics who reside in apartments also applies to those who live in fiats and rent on the 30 days' notice contract basis, accompanying this contract is the feeling of lack of permanency and an idea of belonging nowhere. The vast multitude of people who lead this nomadic life may be estimated from the frequency of signs "For Rent" that are to be observed in a city block of flats. A portion of the nomads are Catholic and their unsettled condition of life leaves them unsettled tendencies as to their other duties and obligation toward their parish church and the education of their children in the parochial school. This statement also admits exceptions but religion seems to suffer as much as furniture when the moving van is much in evidence before one's door.
A parish is a congregation of those who in a given territory profess the faith; fusion of atoms gives strength and solidarity to everything that is material, and unity and co-operation makes effective organization among human beings; churches are built, schools maintained and the dynamic life of religion in action developed not by individual parishioners but by the united efforts of the zealous members who make up the flock.
A good Catholic, no matter how short his abode may be in a place, shows an intelligent training when he reports for duty to the local pastor, superiority of character is manifested not by selfish seclusion and aloorness, but rather by a fine bustling enthusiasm to co-operate with the local field workers in improving conditions in the parish. If you can truly say of a parish, it is better because I was in it a year, you are paying yourself a compliment that every good Catholic should deserve.
The Tre Ore Devotions on Good Friday at St. James drew a congregation that filled all the pews in the church and two hundred chairs that were placed in the ambulatories. A heavy rain preceded the services and most of those who were present came in automobiles. Probably 70 per cent of the attendance were from outside the parish; many of the parishioners were detained at work and attended the evening devotions when Father C.A. Burns, S. J., preached an eloquent sermon on the Passion.
The musical recital of the Seven Last Words could scarcely be appraised by one who is not sufficiently trained to distinguish the merits of grand opera; there was unmistakably an eloquence in the music that made a varied emotional appeal and carried the mind back to the mystery of Calvary and the pathetic utterances of Our Saviour on the Cross. The music supplemented Father Pohl's sermons on the Seven Last Words, and gave fuller expression to his thoughts; for instance, the thief on the Cross was dramatically described as turning in his agony to Christ for mercy; the musical composition caught the intense anguish, the indignation of the thief reproving his comrade, the flickering ray of hope, the earnest appeal in the words, "Lord remember me when Thou comest to Thy Kingdom" and consolation coming in a tidal wave of sublime harmony that expressed the infinite mercy of Christ in granting forgiveness "This day thou shall be with me in paradise."
The entire performance is art in its finest efforts depicting the greatest tragedy the world has ever known. The sermons and the musical recital are intimately connected and unite in reproducing a tremendous dramatic effect that ends in earthquake, storm and the shudder that ran through nature as its Sun had set. In the language of the early Christian hymn it was not death which approached Christ, but Christ, death. The music made one feel that Christ encountered death not as conquered but as the conqueror, and in His last Words, "Into Thy Hands O Lord I Commend My Spirit," there was the calm peacefulness of a lullaby, the sweet, soft tones of a mother crooning her child to rest, the consoling emotion that has made Saint and martyr pillow their heads in peaceful slumber, a prelude to the finale, Venite Adoremus.
The choir in attempting this program selected a dangerous and difficult role for amateurs, their audacity, however, was gratifying to those who were fortunate enough to hear them perform. In the estimation of many who were present, the recital given at the Tre Ore in St. James Church on Good Friday was an exquisite musical achievement and a tremendous success.
On Easter Saturday. Mrs. Myrtle Leonetti, 6817 Wise Avenue, Mrs. Paul Birtley, 2002 Knox Avenue, Elmer and Ed Komer, Tamm Avenue, were received into the Church. The class for religious instruction of adults also had several others ready on Easter Sunday to receive First Communion.
Geraldine Florence Schweitzer, 1033a Art Hill Place.
Phillip Earl Rollhaus, 2008 Kraft St.
Charles Robert LeRose, 1352 Central Ave.
Virginia Louise Thomas, 6526 Nashville.
Dorothy Jane Thomas, 6526 Nashville.
Bertha Maria Thomas, 6526 Nashville.
Mary Elizabeth Wynn, 6406a W. Park Ave.
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Mr. William Quinn, 6380 West Park, was struck by an automobile and is a patient in the City Hospital.
St. James Church Choir are acquiring a reputation that is spreading outside the Parish. Their weekly singing of High Mass has won favorable comment from parishioners and visitors. There is a cultural perfection to their recent renditions which cannot be overlooked. This was noticeable especially when they sang the Solemn High Mass on Easter Sunday morning, there did not seem to be an unfitting tone or a misplaced note intruding into the fine, full harmony, many of the voices are exceptionally full and sweet and Miss Carreras undoubtedly has a just appreciation of their values when deciding on the solo work.
The choir is a unit in the parish organization that has consistently and industriously endeavored to attain perfection. The members of the choir have devoted countless hours to tedious practice. The merit of their performance is the result of repeated endeavor to improve. The new organ gave them a stimulus to greater enthusiasm and effort, their services to the parish are freely donated and they say that they feel honored to be permitted to devote whatever talent they have to giving expression to the Divine Praises and public worship of the Creator who gave them voices, and appreciation for music.
The Easter Collection which was taken for the Pastors on Baster Sunday showed an increase over previous years of $25. The gratitude of the Pastors is extended to the contributors.
The choir that sang the Tre Ore on Good Friday were given a banquet in the school hall on Wednesday, April 3rd at 7:30. Twenty-eight members were present. The meal was prepared in the cafeteria by Mesdames Moore, Engelhardt, Plengemeier, Wiber, and served by Miss Genevieve Mahon, Mrs. Dan Murphy and Mrs. Larson.
The menu consisted of olives, pickles. beef tenderloin, fried bacon, ham, mashed potatoes, peas, rolls, pineapple salad and ice cream.
After the meal there were several songs and a hilarious informal entertainment that lasted until midnight. Father O'Leary was among the guests, and a demand was made upon him to sing or sell tickets for his Euchre. He preferred to sell tickets and disposed of $20 worth in a few minutes
A few Sundays previous to Easter, Father O'Connor announced at Mass a desire that someone donate a memorial Urn for the Altar of Repose for Holy Thursday which would cost about $135.
Immediately after Mass two volunteered to make the donation; the first was the Hense family -- their late father, Mr. William Hense, took a delight in giving a cloth or other ornamentation in previous years for the Altar of Repose -- and in years to come the Blessed Sacrament will repose in the urn that will perpetuate the memory of his devotion. Mr. Roles also expressed a desire to make the donation as a remembrance to his late wife.
Developments at the last meeting of the South Forest Park Improvement Association held Thursday, March 21, indicate that the time for a united front on the part of all property owners on the south side of Forest Park is here. That an effort is to be made to saddle on these property owners, most of them owners of small homes, but all now heavily burdened with taxes, the cost of a drive along the south line of Forest Park. It is the idea of the present Park Commissioner, Fred Pape, to condemn the 50 foot strip north of the Market street car tracks, along Oakland Avenue, and turn it over to the city as a public street. Then, the bright idea runs, the street will be duly made and turned over to all sorts of traffic at the expense of the little fellow.
When the Board of Estimate met to discuss this year's budget, the improvement association had a strong committee on hand to urge the money for the road. This committee was cut short by Mayor Miller, Comptroller Nolte and Walter J.G. Neun, who compose the board.
"We have received the association letters." said this board, "and we disposed of the matter this morning. Mr. Pape suggests, and the hoard agrees, that the strip be condemned, turned over to the city as a public street, improved as such and the costs will be assessed against adjacent property owners."
"Is the street to be made all the way?" asked Mr. Rothenheber, the spokesman. "Oh, no," was the reply. "We are going to have the aquarium at Tamm Avenue and we need a lot of the space there for parking, Mr. Pape says. But the road will go as far as Hampton Avenue."
Assuming that this will be a major street, the cost Of the entire proposition will be spread over a large territory perhaps. It is not impossible that the tax limits may extend to Manchester avenue and west to McCausland. Howbeit that is a matter for the tax payers themselves to watch and fight against. The South Forest Park Improvement Association is watching matters. Its committee on this one proposition is composed of Messrs. Rothenheber, O'Gorman, Dolan, Thomas Morgan, William G. Buechner, Edward Perry Walsh, Jack F. Welch, Henry F. May, and others. It is probable that a mass meeting will be called shortly and it behooves every taxpayer to attend this meeting wherever it is held.
If you have any of the following issues of
Let's Go, kindly forward them to the Rectory
as they are necessary to complete an additional file.
1925 -- July and March.
1926 -- July and February.
1927 -- February.
1928 -- August and November.
The Pastors in St. James Parish say a delightful characteristic of the congregation is the willingness with which members undertake tedious labor that is required when the School, Church or Rectory is being furbished for a special occasion such as was necessary in preparing the Church for Holy Week.
By some instinctive knowledge that someone was cleaning the Church on Tuesday, ladies kept coming until there were twelve assisting the janitor, after a plan of action was decided upon, these ladies went on their knees and mopped the floor from Sanctuary walls to vestibule, they removed every particle of soil from the woodwork and after it was dry applied with rags five gallons of omapine wood floor oil, and next morning eight of them returned and again using rags applied to the surface five gallons of wonderwax liquid. The ladies were beaming as beautifully as was the floor when they saw how well it looked after their labor. Sister Sacristan, the janitor and several boys worked industriously to erect and decorate the altar of repose, the frame of which was already constructed by George Shaffrey. Some of the men built flower stands and discussed the possibility and necessity or getting reflectors and other contraptions ready for illumination.
The church looked very beautiful when it was thrown open for devotions. On Thursday there were many visitors and there were parishioners on the alert for favorable comment; frequent and apparently earnest admiration fell on their ears; one lady whom it appears was a tourist from New York City, surpassed all others in delighting them. She said, "I have lived the greate part of my life in New York City except when touring through the world and I have never seen a Church that is as beautiful as this one."
The Altar of Repose was in an alcove within the arch at the extremity of the south side vestibule. The alcove draped in silk of a golden hue held back from the center with golden tassels and faced at the bow with stringlets of smilax touched at intervals with white roses, formed the recess for the Altar, the interior of the alcove lined with white silk formed a pleasing background for the urn that contained the Blessed Sacrament. This was set around with vases of sweet peas and Easter lilies. The interstice between the alcove and arch was filled with evergreens and above in the rear wall of the arch where the golden frescoeing formed an arch frame for a picture, a circle of smilax with fingers of asparagus trimosa formed a fitting background for the alcove and altar.
The electrtc reflectors which were concealed, intensified the lights of innumerable candles and made a display that evidenced the concealed glory of the Blessed Sacrament. It was a place calculated to elevate the mind, satisfy the heart and hold the attention of worshippers. The attendance all day was edifying and those who visited said that St. James never looked so sacred as it did on Holy Thursday.
The following are the ladies who assisted cleaning and pollishing; Mesdames Moore, Arlt, Engelhardt, Wiber, McCauley, Plengemeier, Marshall, Radin, Ready, Menner, Foley and Irvin.
The spiritual condition of a congregation is best estimated by the attendance at confession and Communion and in this respect St. James Parish was very gratifying during Holy Week and Easter Sunday. Approximately 900 confessions were heard and in all probability 1200 people went to Communion Easter Sunday morning. The Parish priests were assisted on Wednesday and Saturday by a Jesuit Father. The Masses were prolonged at least 20 minutes by the fact that there were so many communicants. It is gratifying to observe this great appreciation of Holy Communion. Our Blessed Lord came into the world to give spiritual life and as in nature food is essential to continued vitality, so the spiritual food for the life of the soul was given by Christ at the Last Supper to be the manna to the wayfarer. "I am the Bread," He said, "Who came down from Heaven, your fathers did eat manna and are dead, but the Bread which I will give is My flesh for the life of the world. unless you eat this bread you cannot have life in you."
Union with Christ is achieved by repentance for sin and humble confession followed by reception of the Blessed Eucharist in which the glorified person of the Savior is hidden. This is the mystery of our faith that taking bread He said, "This is My Body," and taking wine, "This is My Blood."
Members of the Holy Name Society kept watch all night at the Altar of Repose on which the Blessed Sacrament rested from the Mass on Holy Thursday until Good Friday morning. During the day on Thursday the school children and frequent visitors to the church made it unnecessary to have a special guard of honor before the Altar, but at night when the crowd had dispersed and the children were sleeping, Holy Name men in groups of four or five continued their devotions until the congregation began to gather for the morning services of Good Friday.
Devotion to the Person of Christ is one of the principal aims fostered by this society, cleanliness of speech, of mind and of heart are necessary accompaniments of this ideal.
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Father Joseph Hirner, pastor of the Church at Luebbering, has been a guest at the Rectory during the past week. Father O'Connor invited Mr. John Newport and Mr. Ed Cody to assist him to entertain Father Hirner. The guest found the occasion entertaining and profitable
The Virgin of the Prophets
The tapestry of the Blessed Virgin intended for the Chapel where the Sisters sit on Sunday known as the Sisters' Chapel, arrived from Minneapolis on Easter Saturday and was temporarily erected by the Janitor. It added considerable attractiveness to the entire church and appears to be a necessary item to the completion of the general scheme of decorations.
The Virgin is represented holding The Infant, it is a full size picture of Mother and Child, the Mother's face is earnest and scarcely animated, the calmness is that of humble meditation and deep reverence and has a tendency to make one reflective. The Child is animated and apparently intended to arrest one's immediate attention. The attractiveness of the painting is enhanced by the harmony, brilliancy and delicacy of the coloring.
To extend the range of possibilities for light and shadow and to intensify the idea of the becomingness of worship, Moses, Isaias, Daniel and Gideon holding a fleece, are represented as reverently beholding in prophetic vision the Virgin and Child; the picture is of what they foresaw or what existed in the mind of God before the Incarnation. A correct name for the picture is. The Virgin of the Prophets: hence the expression on the Virgin's face is in keeping with the idea that she too is overwhelmed with the mystery of the Incarnation, the humility of the handmaid is depicted and not the gracious dignity and sweet attractiveness of the queen.
The painting has much merit and rich coloring: that the Virgin's dress is red does not imply the Virgin ever wore such a bright costume, freedom of art permits such departures from reality as will best exhibit the artist's ability to portray light and shadow and harmonize pigments of various hues.
A framework of chestnut for the picture is being designed.
The J. P. O'Gorman family have vacated their old home at 6452 Nashville Avenue to occupy their bungalow recently erected at 6441 Lloyd Avenue. This building is considered a model modern home, elegant and artistic in every detail and pleasing and healthful in design. An attractive feature of the building is a large sun parlor furnished with a Murphy Bed and neat flower stands.
The O'Gorman family have withstood many a tempting inducement to move from the parish but they hold on with grim determination to be honorable members of this community. Their forbears are registered as being present at the first gathering of parishioners which was held in 1861 to organize the Rosary Society in St. James Parish. We extend to them our felicitations and good wishes.
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Mrs. John Lindauer, 1465 Graham Avenue, was taken to St. Mary's Hospital on Easter Sunday. She was suffering excruciating pain from a carbuncle.
The weekly card parties will be continued for 5 weeks beginning Wednesday evening, April 10th. The purpose of these games will be entirely social and recreational and no effort will be made to raise money. To avoid the necessity of begging prizes or having them contributed by parishioners, Father O'Connor proposed that money awards would be given and that the receipts of the first card party be distributed as prizes for the second.
The prizes for the game on next Wednesday evening will be taken from the school treasury and the awards will be as follows: First prize for Euchre game, $5; a similar sum will be given as first prize for the Bridge game and also for the Lotto. The second prize at each of these games will be $2.50, third prize, $1.50; fourth prize, $1; fifth prize, 50 cents; sixth prize, 50 cents, and five additional prizes of admission tickets to the other successful players, which makes a total of $33 money awards and fifteen 35 cent admission tickets.
This plan of awards is an experiment and may be changed after it is tested on Wednesday evening.
If you want to get in on the money or become better acquainted with your fellow parishioners be at the game in the school hall Wednesday night.
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Dean Bisso, son of John A. Bisso. 6317 W. Park Avenue, was bitten by a dog on Dago Hill on Easter Saturday when selling flowers from his father's florist truck. He is alarmed lest there be hydrophobia infection.
At a special meeting of members of the Mothers' Club which was held in the school hall Friday, March 22nd, the following officers were elected: President. Mrs. Bovard; Vice-President, Mrs. McDonnell; Secretary, Mrs. Wiber; Treasurer, Mrs. Ed. Pierce and Treasurer to the lunch room, Mrs. Lawless. It was decided to continue the card games and to prepare breakfast for school children on the morning of First Fridays. It was suggested also that preparations for a Carnival to benefit the fund for the erection of a Convent would be discussed at the next meeting which will be held the first Friday in May. About 20 ladies were present.
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Of those reported ill in our last issue, all have recovered except Mrs. O'Donnell, Jerry O'Connell, Mrs. Wm. Quinn and Mrs. Maurice Cooper. Mrs. O'Donnell continues to be a patient at St. Mary's Infirmary and has been in a critical condition until quite recently. Her family now have hopes that she is on the way to permanent health.
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Mr. Jerry O'Connell is still in a critical condition as is Mrs. Wm. Quinn, who after returning from St. Mary's Hospital and spending a few days home was removed to the Deaconess Hospital, where she is now a patient. Her condition is critical.
"Unless a man is born again he cannot enter the kingdom of heaven"
The new birth referred to by Christ is a condition of the soul raised to a higher state of existence by His Grace. Men's souls therefore differ from one another; some men have souls that have added to them a spiritual essence called Grace, others are devoid of this gift of God.
The nature of this gift is difficult to define, it penetrates and permeates the soul as fire does iron or electric current does wire; the soul has no spiritual life unless it is vivified by Grace; a dead wire is incapable of producing energy, heat, light or motion; so a soul that is not supernaturalized by grace is incapable of spiritual action. "Without me." said Christ, "you can do nothing," John 15.4. "I am the vine, you are the branches, unless the branch remains in the vine it can bear no fruit."
It is of tremendous importance for you to realize this truth. A steam engine off the track differs in no respect from a similar engine on the track; but the one off the track can puff, steam and get nowhere, so a soul not elevated by grace to a supernatural state is incapable of advancing to its terminus or ultimate end which is union with God.
A piece of canvas in its natural state is a commonplace fabric but under the skilful hand of a DeVinci or Michael Angelo, the canvas becomes an object of inestimable beauty and a picture of something the artist's mind conceived: it is the same canvas but it is enhanced by a new conception; born again one might say, an artist's creation, a picture perhaps of the blacksmith's daughter, an ornament for a museum or a mansion, a canvas? yes! a painting? more -- an object of rare beauty and attractiveness!
The soul in its natural state may be likened to the canvas: in its supernatural state an object of great loveliness, a divine creation manifesting the beauty of God's Conception, a miniature of His Son. "Being justified by His Grace we may be heirs."
By grace man is made an adopted son of God and heir to the kingdom of Heaven. "By grace you are saved through faith and that not of yourselves; for it is the gift of God," Ep. 2. 8-9. "No man can come to Me unless it be given him by My Father." Ju. 6.66. A pagan and Christian differ infinitely more than a canvas and a painting. A Christian who is guilty of mortal sin is a spiritual suicide. "Sin when it is completed begetteth death." James 1.15.
On Wednesday, April 3rd at 8 a.m., Cornelius J. Riordan who was born in Banteer, County Cork, Ireland, and Miss Mary Hickey, formerly of Carrigaholt, County Clare, were married from Nuptial Mass at St. James church. Miss Mary Haggerty was bridesmaid and Patrick Riordan was groomsman.
Breakfast was served to the wedding party at Mrs. O'Brien's home, 6423 Nashville, who is sister to the bride.
UNCLE HENRY'S LETTER
March 1, 1929.
dear Charlie:
if you was around these parts on Good Friday you would know that St. James is the talk of the town on acount of the Tre Ore which we had and the wonderful musical program rendered by our Choir. i tell you charlie, if you was to happen around hear now, you would wonder ware this new parish come from, and what become of the old St. James, on acount of it certainly aint the same place. mrs. Carreras an charlie Heil seem to be able to get about any number of singers they want, an they showed reel judgment in the selection of voices an arrangement of parts for the Tre Ore.
the church was decorated specially for the occasion, with a large crucifix lighted by a spot light in the center of the sactuary. it made a very beautiful setting, an a wonderful impression on the large crowd that filled the church to capacity. A great many strangers was present, an expressions of admiration was herd on all sides. father Pohl come in for a lot of favorable comments on acount of the excelent way in which he give the discources on the "Seven Last Words."
another thing that impressed the visitors was the orderly way in which most of the perishioners conduct thereself during the services. now that he has a reel church the pastor is talking a grate deal about "church etiquette," an has been conducting a campaign to break up the habit of fighting for first place during confessions and approaching the communlon rail in a mad scramble like they was attending a Thursday bargain sale, or battleing for a point of vantage at the Veiled Prophet's Parade.
i was brought up in a non-catholic atmosphere ware the only creed was the "golden rule," and turned to the catholic faith when 1 learned that it taught "love of Christ" as well as "obedience to His commrads", an i would be disapointed in the faith if i thought that it contenanced a disregard of the "rights of our neighbor".
in an effort to drive home the lesson "do unto others as you would be done unto", the priests at St. James are insisting on proper order in approaching the sacraments; "a place for each, and each in his place." to me, pushing, crowding. and elbowing ones way to the alter is about as becoming, as smoking a pipe in church. the orderly conduct of most of our parisioners has been observed and favorably commented upon by a number of our visitors.
the pastor was so well pleased with the work of the choir that he gave a dinner and "get-together" in their honor, last wednesday evening. Charlie Heil had charge of the arrangements, and of course, it was complete in every detail. several of the dependable and always on-the-job ladies of the parish prepared and served the meal, and it was so inviting and thoroughly indulged in by the guests that it left them with a lethargic feeling that threatened to "kill the party" until mrs. Carreras, mindful of her calories, "reached for a lucky instead of a sweet". after which the ice was broken and the rest of the evening was thoroughly enjoyable. some of the ladies demanded cork-tips, but father O'Leary advised them to stick to "luckies" or "they would all be singing bass. bill Koncen an anntie Muehling started things by singing several popular numbers. then Charlie Heil sang "Sonny Boy", holding lou Riegel on his knee. Clarence Gezell, Mrs. McKeon, miss Kollias, Helen Walsh, an corine Gittins entertained. an soon everyone was singing but father O'Connor an me. mrs. Muehling must of expected a dull evening on acount of she come to the party with a round tin box that looked like it might contain the mending from Monday's wash.
i was pretty soar on Easter eve on acount of being insulted as i was leaving the church after confession. frank Walsh foller ed me into the confessional. an when i was roady to leave, i reached for what I thought was my hat, an Helen. sitting in the next pew, jumned up and said "that's right pick out a good one." then i seen my mistake, an realtze Helen was sitting there watching frank's hat, an i think it is a rotten attitude to have when you wont trust peeple even in church. at that i dont no if it was such a good one, because it might of been one of his old ones that he just got back from Peckhams. i was so mad that if it would of been that din that he carries around on those big ears of his. i believe i would of sat on it.
Your perticuler friend and unkle,
HENRY
Frank's Service Station, 6261 Clayton Avenue. announces the opening of the new $20,000 garage at the corner of Clayton and Graham Avenues, on the evening of April 10th. This modern construction is a two-story building 59 feet long and 55 feet wide and will have a capacity to accomodate 50 machines and will render day and night service. A month's rental space for a machine will be from $7.50 to $10. An efficient service station will also be operated in connection with the building.
Rev. Mr James Hayes, the sub-deacon at the Solemn High Mass on Easter Sunday, who is a relative of Father O'Connor, wlll be ordained at Kenrick Seminary for the Archdiocese of Buffalo, New York, Sunday, June 9th, and intends celehrating his first Solemn Mass at St. James Church on Sunday, June 16th. at 10 o'clock.
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