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."
Preparations are being made for an elaborate celebration of Holy Week at St. James Church.
The Parish Choir supplemented by notable singers from other parts of the City are practicing for the musical program of the Tre Ore which will be rendered on Good Friday from 12 to 3 o'clock.
Last year this devotion drew a crowd which necessitated the placing of 250 chairs in the ambulatories. A conservative estimate placed the attendance in the church at 1,000.
Discourses on the Seven Last Words will be given by Rev. Raymond Bellock, S.J. The artistic value of the program will be appreciated by those who realize that the efforts of the choir and speaker will be united to give expression to the various emotions and sentiments in the mind of Christ when dying on the Cross.
Members of Choirs from other parishes who will sing at St. James are: Mesdames McKeon, Bernice Gannon Fischer, Betty Culkin Donohue, William Faherty, James DeLargy, H.D. Johnson, Gertrude O'Neill Duffy. M. Fellenz, A. E. Murphy.
Misses Rose Mary Fellenz, Cecelia Smith, Helen Fellenz, Leona Summa. Messrs. G. Schumacher, Arch E. Albert, Mario Failoni, Louis Maginnis, S.E. Boneau, Henry Allhoff, John Kerber.
And the following members of St. James Choir: Mesdames Helen Dolan Walsh, Sam Gittins, William Hefele, P.J. Hartnett, N. Fehrenbach.
Misses Rose Gioia, Margaret Centiempo, Mae Collins, Frances Doering, and Ruth Kelly.
Messrs. Chas. W. Heil, Geo. Jenneman, Bernard Kelly. Louis Riegel, C.H. Gesell, Geo. Wiber, Frank Strathman.
Organist -- Miss Minnie Carreras.
In this issue of LET'S GO there is published the full text of a sermon preached at St. Patrick's Church on the occasion of the celebration of the patronal Feast, St. Patrick's Day. The sermon was unique in many respects and the preacher, a young Jesuit of Irish descent delivered it with a fiery eloquence and captivating earnestness. Evidently he believes in the Mission of the Irish, and intends being an active participater. "They win you by first loving you," he said, and proved it by the magnetism of his own personality. All who heard him were on the credit account of his venture. He won.
And as we are on the subject we may as well add the reason why we give so much of our limited space to this sermon. Vanity! No. Race pride! Perhaps a little. To have in one's veins a drop of the fighting blood is becoming popular and the prophets are hinting that Carnera will yet meet an Irishman.
But these young Americans of Irish descent in the Mississippi Valley, are in need of directions; they have been so long in low ground they appear at times somewhat bewildered and the mission of the Race is not quite clear to many of them. They are the essence of trouble when they are idle. Their nervous temperament demands excitement, they can't remain static. Give them an objective and they will attain it. Under the infiuence of religion they can be Saints; without its controlling motive they are often the brainiest and most desperate criminals,
When they give up St. Patrick, they are apt to line up with Lucifer.
The gangs we would like to see them join are those that carry the Cross into Pagan lands and that by word and example teach the Gospel of peace and love.
The Mission of the Irish is the Mission of Christ at home and abroad.
In the churches of the Archdioces, a collection will be taken Easter Sunday for the priests of each parish. In accordance with diocesan Synod regulations a percentage of this collection will be given, in this and future years, to poor country pastors. Envelopes are to be mailed to wage earners; and contributions in St. James Church will be considered by the pastor personal marks of appreciation.
During the past month Father O'Connor has at intervals been taking a parish census and
has completed the square bounded on the east by Hampton. west, Tamm A venue, and from
Manchester to the Park and has visited the following families
| Tamm Avenue | 1434a Eugene Hartnett | 1339 Mrs. Hannah Brady |
| 1006 Mrs. Mary Gradl | 1446a Joseph W. Donohue | 1340 Arthur Jos. Lafser |
| 1008 Henry F. Hodnett | 1458 Arthur E. Pahl | 1344 Patrick McGuire |
| 1014 John Steffan | Charles J. McVey | 1346 Dominic DelVecchio |
| 1015 Margaret Mahoney | 1452 Patrick Kelly | 1347 Dominic Palumbo |
| 1019 Anthony Chiaurro | Dan Sheehan | 1353 Frank Pilla |
| 1029 A. Chevalier | 1510 Joseph Kurz | Anthony Pilla |
| 1026 Michael Antonucci | 1515 Maurice Cooper | Anthony DeMichele |
| 1026 Frank Antonucci | 1522 Henry McCauley | 1358 John Rocchio |
| 1032 Harry W. Placke | 1529 Allen W. Baer | 1444 Mrs. Jas. Radin |
| 1032 James Dwyer | 1533 Jerry McGrath | 1454 Thaddeus Konsie |
| 1033 Daniel K. Butler | 1534 Mrs. Delia Mahon | 1455 Walter Lambert |
| 1033a Joseph Strunk | 1540 Daniel J. Murphy | 1458 Peter Baerveldt |
| 1034 Mrs. Mary Jones | 1541 Mrs. Ella Graves | 1461 Morris McEvoy |
| 1041 John Eichner | 1546 John Henry Wack | 1465 John Lindauer. |
| 1042 Mrs. Edw. Manchester | Graham Avenue | 1467 Mrs. David Wilson |
| 1045 John Stamps | 1017 Thos. Jos. Meehan | 1468 Mrs. Agnes Ashby |
| 1046 Mrs. Walter Cooper | 1024 James Lossos | 1469 Peter Rademeyer |
| 1046 Nicholas Derinzo | 1028 Mrs. Mary McAnnar | 1604 August Drier |
| 1106a Fred Placke | 1028 John Oliver McAnnar | Hampton Avenue |
| 1112a Stanley Cunningham | 1032 Sam Greco | 1048 Frank Nebulonl |
| 1200 Patrick M. O'Donnell | 1101 John Pilla | 1052 Anthony Colombo |
| 1220 Mrs. Josephine Fuchs | 1105 Jas. Al Moellenbeck | 1222 John Keane |
| 1228 Mrs. Mabel O'Donnell | 1118 John Hruby | Mrs. Mary Baul |
| 1228 Mrs. Hazel Rehagen | 1120 Wm. Angendt | 1240 Fred Coad |
| 1228 A.H. Mudd | 1124a Louis E. Fieser | 1244 Ed Gibbons |
| 1228 PatrIck McKevitt | 1124 Oscar Woods | 1321 Richard Barry |
| 1240a William Edw. Gittins | 1126 Mrs. Mary Dadonna | 1321a Jos. Connors |
| 1315 Charles Gioia | 1129 Bernard Ant Kelly | Ed. Kenny |
| 1318 E. J. Burke | 1143 Michael Delaneyy | 1325 Charlest O'Keefe |
| 1320 Vincent Kigens | 1304 Wflliam Jno. Schmitz | 1431 Mrs. Barbara Gosch |
| 1328 Mrs. Marg. Davis | 1307 Mrs. Mary Brady | 1437 Geo. Diehl |
| 1336 Ben Plengemeier | 1309 Mrs. Peter LaGarce | 1443 Eliz. O'Toole |
| 1340 John Blasitz | 1310 Hugh MarShall | 1521 Mrs. Clara Haley |
| 1356 Mrs. Maggie Moore | 1316 Frank Cenatiempo | 1521 Leo. English |
| 1407 Mrs. Cath. Murphy | 1317 James Quinn | Earl Boyce |
| 1423 Joseph M. Crotty . | 1324 John J. Purcell | W. Billon |
| 1432 Wm. J. Hefele | 1329 Mrs. Rose Gallagher | 1429 Thos. Mowry |
| 1434 Hugh McVey | 1388 Mrs. Mary Winters | 1505 Valentine Bartosa |
| 1442 George Bachle | 1337 Mrs. Mary Rooney | 1509 Frank Cepak |
| 1515. Charles Cerutti | Crescent | 6231a Ray John O'Donnell |
| 1515 Mrs. Lillian Smith | 6115 Mrs. Emma Dailey | 6235 Bernard Brady |
| Ripple | 6122 Eugene Martineau | 6316 Arthur Daniel |
| 1319 Mrs. Al. Hoefstetter | 6126 Fred Micka | Wm. Baalman |
| 1320 Wm. Smith | 6129 Mrs. Sarah Gilpin | 6322 Antony Klanfar |
| 1321 Wm. Greenwell | Mrs. Mildred Crouch | 6326 John J. Phelan |
| 1322 Dennis Brady | 6136 Frank Pursley | West Park |
| 1323 Norman Brady | 6139 Mrs. Clara Z. Marshall | 6100 Mrs. Anna Roehr |
| 1323 Michael Lyons | 6145 Miss Eliz. Coyne | 6101 Percy Hartnett |
| 1333 James Brady | 6148 John Berresheim | 6108 Mrs. Mary Sullivan |
| 1334 John Spiesz | 6151 James J. Woods | 6114 Mrs. Mary Libiski |
| 1337 Michael Brady | 6160 John O'Shiaughnessy | 6118 Frank Lenci |
| Sproule | 6166 Mrs. Thomas Lewis | 6122 Joseph Straub |
| 1459 James Donnelly | 6167 Edw. Ryan | 6135 Harry M. Range |
| 1460 Frank J .. Murphy | 6170 John Kern | 6143 Geo. Wilber |
| Gregg | 6208a Albert G. FroeseI | Mrs; Theresa Placke |
| 1434 Marrio Chiodini | Clayton | 6144 Emil Bujewskl |
| 1447 Julius C. Fredrich | 6105 Andrew Contanos | 6146 Mrs. Julia Knickmeyer |
| 1447 Mrs. William Adam | 6115 P. J. Ludden | .6149 John J. Kelly |
| 1450 Mrs. Eliz. Maloney | 6125 James Zubiena | Wm. Driscoll |
| 1473 Mrs. Geo. Meyer | 6129 Charles Spicuzza | 6154 Wm. Kirby |
| 1500 William Markoetter | 6200 Renaldo Ciuffa. | 6159 Edw. Ready |
| 1504 Christopher Markoetter | 6208 Mrs. Anna Marquitz | Miss Marg. Flood |
| 1509 Emil Vilcek | 6222 Miss Bessie Keelan | 6163 Henry Hugeback |
| 1523 Fred Schmalz | Mrs. Anna Christy | 6200 Luke Fahey |
| Oakland | 6247 Samuel J. Gittins | 6211 Mrs. John Ulrich |
| 6224 . Mrs. Adolph Roedder | 6286 Joseph Angeli | 6217 James P. Harris |
| 6226 Michael O'Neill | 6319 John J. Houlihan | 6224 Paul Columbo |
| 6226 Wm. Collins | Victoria | 6312 Mrs. Cath. Fahey |
| 6232 Oscar Wolf | 6120 Mrs. Eliz. Murphy | Rear Leland Clyde Howard |
| W. E. Burtelow | Dr. R. Brent | 6315a Patrick O'Neill |
| Mary Jasceir | 6128 Mrs. Chester Hilton | 6317 John A. Bisso |
| 6234 Mrs. Cath. Patton | 6135 Jas. C. Blythe | 6320 Mrs. Laura Shaffrey |
| D. P. Lyons | 6153 Mrs. E. Gittins | 6322 Wm. Quinn |
| 6238 Mrs. Margret Owens | Wm. Volz | 6328 Joe Sharamitaro |
| 6310 . Leo Mitchell | 6156 Mrs. Mary Duggan | Roberts |
| 6316a Mrs. R. Worstenholm | 6162 John Henry Lott | 6134 Russell BraY |
| 6320 Daniel O'Keefe | 6211 Jas. H. Gallaher | Wade |
| 6326 Herbert Genck | 6212 Chas. Wm. Klasek | 6311 Lucian MarIotti |
| Miss Minnie Carreras | 6214 Bernard Buescher | 6317 Albert E. Schweil |
| Paul McClernon | 6219 James J. O'Hearn | 6319 Mrs. Anna Frieman |
| Berthold | v6219a P.H. Murphy. | 6333 Aug. Schweitzer |
| 6110 Walter A. Sauer | 6225 Mrs. A. McLaughlin | |
| 6214 Mrs. Nora Collins | 6225a Daniel J. Coad | |
| 6224 Mrs. Cath. Pate | 6227 Patrick Dolan | |
| 6232 Stephan Kellerman | 6231 Mrs. C. Engelhardt |
New homes are being erected in every section of the parish. The fact that this continues, at a time when it is generally understood that there is a lull in building activities, indicates confidence in the development of this district. Homes are being built in anticipation of a need and new families are constantly being attracted apparently because home life here makes a peculiar appeal. Catholics usually have large families and our parish school has been establishing a reputation for efficiency and discipline. The new church also attracts attention. Last Sunday two families visited the rectory and expressed a desire to rent or buy homes in the parish because they wanted to be members of this congregation.
It is unfortunate that we cannot always find homes to meet the demands of those who ask for our advice and assistance in getting located.
We have more than once requested those who have property for sale or rent to advertise the same in the columns of Let's Go. No charge is made for these listings though indeed it is expected that an offering be made by those who derive advantages through sale or renting of their property.
There are now three large subdivisions where suitable homes can be purchased in the parish. The promoters are offering attractive terms and neat buildings. For those who desire an elegant brick cottage we cannot too strongly recommend those that are being erected in the Leahy SUbdivision, officially named Tamm Avenue Heights. There are for sale in this subdivision many beautiful homes that are offered at a cost of from $5000 to $7000.
In the O'Gorman-Cody Subdivision which is in the 6400 block of Lloyd Ave., there are now being erected ten bungalows of elegant architectural design and individualistic taste. The best of material and workmanship are used in the erection of these buildings. They are to have 18-inch stone foundations, supporting 13 inch brick walls. The floors throughout are to be finished with seven-eighths inch high grade oak. They will be heated with the latest type of steam heating plants. Living rooms will contain fire places. The interior walls in the living and dining rooms will be finished in California stucco and all ceilings will be insulated with celotex.
The Florence Subdivision is an attractive elevated site that is approached by a thoroughfare that connects it with Clayton Ave., viz., Louisville Ave. The district has already many beautiful homes that are attracting purchasers. There are many trim little cottages in this district of Spanish design, modern bungalows and neat residences. Anyone who has $500 will find it possible to make a purchase. The promoters are first class business men who seem to have lots of financial backing. They are accommodating, and we have been assured by those who have had dealings with them that they are honest and reliable.
There is herein listed also a number of residences that are for sale in the office of the John P. Dolan Realty Co., 6401 Manchester Ave. This company has been for the past quarter century doing business in this locality and have established a reputation which has made their name a guarantee of satisfaction and efficiency.
Readers of Let's Go will do the parish a service by advertising these facts among their relatives and acquaintances.
Don't forget to mention that this is a very democratic community, a parish where people like to reside, plenty of open spaces, pleasant breezes from the park, adjacent to the Arena, good family environment, a place where you would like your boy or girl to grow up. There has never been in this locality a criminal element and therea have been very few instances of boys who have come under the vigilance of the police.
Many hands will make light work and much entertainment when ladies of the parish meet under the direction of Sister Sacristan on Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy Week to give a spring cleaning and polishing to the Church.
Every lady who has time and is not afraid of work is invited.
The workers will be given a dinner by Father O'Connor.
A collection for flowers will be taken in the vestibule of the church at all the Masses on the Sunday before Easter to provide flowers for the decoration of the Altar of Repose and the other solemn functions. Should there be surplus funds the balance will go into a fund for vestments and altar linens.
The attendance at Mass on week days during Lent is edifying, from 125 to 150 people go to Communion at the 6:30 Mass each morning. Undoubtedly those who abandoned their good intentions of doing something worth while during Lent will renew their determination because of Passion-time and stimulate themselves to renewed action.
A full church at Mass and the various Lenten devotions is an indication that Christ's Sufferings fOr us are not forgotten by his faithful followers.
I don't like attending plays given by amateurs; nor do I care for shows generally. Most of them are performed in an atmosphere that presumes the audience is a standard assortment of lunatics who are romantic and keyed up to giggle at any imbecile setting of wildly impossible scenes.
I am never so bored or more inclined to bless solitude than when I am expected to laugh at a joke that has no point or to be present at a play that has little merit in composition or performance. Ah pshaw! I meant to tell you about the play given by St. James Parochial School Alumni.
It was good. Very good. The best they have ever given. The composition of the play was clever and humorous and the acting was admirable.
I went to the play much like one who goes to a wake to pay his respects. I stood by the door for a time notwithstanding many kind invitations from the ushers to take a seat and was loathe to cast anchor. I looked at the orchestra and was hopeful because it was St. Patrick's Night they might play The Wearin' of the Green or some merry Irish Jig. They appeared to me to be a very serious group of business young men who were not satisfied with their contract and were determined to give as little as they could in the way of melody. I was informed they had already played "My Wild Irish Rose:" perhaps they were exhausted after this effort, or they may have been at the end of their repertoire of Irish music. I was in the hall from 8:15 to 11:15 and did not hear them play a single note of any music. I presumed they were a part of the decorations --all of them are handsome young fellows. Of course they may have been engaged to play for a dance that was given by someone who was not travelling under church auspices.
After much urging by solicitous ushers I found myself sitting by Mr. Wm. Jones, a man whose companionship I enjoy and whose sober good sense I appreciate. He evidently had his mind on the big fight at the Arena and informed me he might have been there were it not that the little out of the way nook where he usually got a seat for $1.50 had been charted for $3.50, a price he could not afford to pay.
We looked around the hall whilst waiting for the curtain and recognized many of our neighbors. Apparently the Patrons of the play were numerous and enthusiastic. Seats were quickly being filled but the hour was late; traffic on Oakland Avenue had been interrupted by the crowds going to the fight; it was about 9 o'clock when the show began, and in less than a quarter of an hour a half empty hall was as crowded as a hall could be.
So the curtain rose and the play was in progress.
Mr. Jones and myself shifted our gears from merry chatter to respectful attention. We had difficulty catching the words for a few minutes. Many people were moving in the hall. Then a blank came in my consciousness. I remember catching myself giggle and having the sound of my merriment completely outdistanced by a prodigious volume of laughter from Mr. Jones. This was not a single but a recurring incident of the evening. We laughed almost continuously for a period of two hours and a half and I am sure Mr. Jones entirely forgot that there was a big fight on at the Arena.
I won't attempt to describe the play, nor to analyze the efficiency of the players. They were all good and a few of them made lasting impressions. In years to come I am sure the players will be recalled and they will remain a pleasant memory. Better they should appear again and again in other plays or in this one reproduced at an early date after Easter in the old church hall. The advertising which the play has been given by an appreciative audience will assure a large attendance. Why go to the trouble of preparing a new play when there are hundreds who want to witness the one staged on St. Patrick's Night.
Mr. Jerry Gesell, 1101 Louisville Avenue. a popular parishioner, directed the play and trained the players. They attribute to him their efficiency. We congratulate Mr. Gesell and the Cast. They gave the parish at a small cost, a very delightful evening, and incidentally made a nice sum which though it belongs to the treasury of the Alumni, will, we know, find its way into some useful parochial improvement.
May we suggest, the fitting up of the old church for handball, basket-ball and other athletic recreations.
Mrs. Grace Catherine Hastey, 6544 Nashville Avenue, wife of James Hastey and sister of Mrs. Winifred Wright, died at her home March 16th and was buried from St. James Church on the Tuesday following.
Mrs. Hastey was a convert to Catholicity and appreciated during her last illness the practical consolations she found in her religion. The cancerous condition affected her throat and the spine in her neck. For several weeks her suffering was intense. but her patience and resignation admirable. She frequently received Holy Communion and derived great spiritual consolation from a visit of a priest. Her stater Mrs. Wright remained at her side day and night for several weeks and was as kind and as helpful as might have been an angel of mercy. Mrs. Hastey was quick and impetuous but her character was neatly balanced by a forgiving disposition and a big hearted sympathy. She frequently offered herself to the Sacred Heart of Jesus during her illness and there we hope, she is enjoying eternal rest.
The father of John and Joseph Hruby and Mrs. Catherine Dyer died at his home, 1342 Hughes Place, where he had lived the life of a hermit during the past 17 years since the death of his wife.
Though he accomplished nothing great in life and was not favored with a liberal education, he gave many evidences of being a genius. A terra cotta worker by trade, he found pleasure in other fields of thought. Among his papers were found a few sketches of a church he proposed to be built in St. James. They had architectural merit and through some hesitancy in making a suggestion, Mr. Hruby did not submit them to Father O'Connor. He also carved out of a granite rock a tombstone for his wife's grave on which is chiseled a face of the Blessed Virgin in relief that has much expression and artistic merit. Since his wife's death he had no ambition, and became careless about himself and everything else. His mother-in-law, Mrs. Jas. Shields, reared his children. Previous to his death he received the Last Sacraments and was fervent and earnest in his Faith. May he rest in peace.
Loretta Pate, daughter of Mrs. Catherine Pate. 6224 Berthold Avenue, and Catherine Mahon, daughter of Mrs. Mary Mahon, 6125 W. Park Avenue, received the habit in the Order of Dominican Sisters, Sparkill, N. Y., March 25th, the Feast of the Annunciation. Their names in religion are Sister Audrey and Sister Kathleen.
Paul Benjamin Gratiot, 83, member of an old St. Louis family died of the infirmities of age March 4th in the house in which he was born at 6135 Victoria A venue.
The Gratiot School at Hampton and Manchester Avenues is named for the Gratiot family. For almost a hundred years they have been prominent in the social and business life of this city. Mr. Gratiot had for many years been associated with old St. Louis banking houses and until six months before his death with the Wm. C. Johnson & Son Machinery Co.
The oldest and best blood in St. Louis was in Mr. Gratiot's veins. His grandmother was Victoire Chouteau, a sister of August Chouteau the companion of Laclede.
Charles Gratiot the founder of the Gratiot family was granted by the King of Spain the territory from Kingshighway to Big Bend Boulevard and from Arsenal Street to a line dividing Forest Park in half.
The Gratiot family donated the site for the first parish church and school for St. James Parish. Mr. Gratiot though baptized in the Faith does not appear to have been instructed in its tenets or to have his religious life dominated by its influence. He was a man of evident refinement and culture and easy ot approach. He was an encyclopedia of local history and until quite recently his memory was accurate. He was generous towards every charitable cause and frequently made contributions to St. James Church. One of the windows in the Baptistry, a family memorial, was his donation.
His funeral was from his home and was attended by a clientele of very respectable St. Louisans. Father O'Connor read the burial service and delivered a eulogy. For many years they were intimate friends.
May he rest in peace.
Dr. B.J. Tynan. son-in-law to Thos. Nestor, 1003 Central Avenue, who resided in Chicago, was killed suddenly in that City in an automobile accident which occurred March 9th. His remains were brought to St. Louis and buried from St. James Church on March 12th. He was a young man of splendid promise and had been practicing only a few years. To his bereaved young wife and relatives, we extend our deep sympathy. May he rest in peace.
John F. Donnelly, who a few years back, resided in the 6800 block of Magnolia Avenue, died in the Immaculate Conception Parish March 23rd and in accordance with his dying wish his remains were brought back to St. James Church for the funeral rite.
The rubber plant in the reception room of the Rectory was donated by his late wife Sarah and incidentally led up to her conversion. Father O'Connor when passing by her lawn a summer's day, stood to admire the tree and thus became acquainted with her. Later they discussed religious topics and she became a convert.
Mr. Donnelly did not take any interest in religion until after her death when he received instructions and made his First Communion. Undoubtedly she was praying in Heaven for his conversion.
In unity of Faith may they rest in peace.
Mary Elizabeth Jean Martin, 1333 Graham.
Elizabeth Lavene Duncan, 2139 Clifton.
Louis Sidney Geen, 1526 Buck.
Robert Richard P. Rooney. 6432 Nashville.
Robert Louis Timmer, 5806 Victoria
"I will deliver to you every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon and no man shall resist you all the days of your life." (Josue I, 3 and 5).
The soft shadows of a summer night are stealing slowly down on the hills of northern Ireland. Kneeling on the mountain side is a lonesome, home-sick, broken-hearted boy of sixteen. Exhausted with grief he throws himself upon the mountain grass in an agony of despair. "Dear God! Thy Will be done! But not this! Not this!" Disturbed by his wild cry of despair a herd of swine settling into brutish slumber nearby start up and stampede in stupid fear. The slave boy fearing the lash of his pagan master pursues his disgusting charges until he gets them well in hand and soothes them down for the night. Himself, he then sits down beside a sheltering rock and looks up to the stars.
The summer moon rises from the Irish Sea and climbs steadily up the velvet sky through a lane of stars. All beauty and peace across the bosom of the sky. It soothed the agony of grief that swelled in the bosom of the boy. Ireland, they say, is the only country that was never conquered by Rome. No eagles of Rome ever spread victorious wings over this proud warrior land. Tonight this boy, a captured eagle of Rome, beats his fierce wings helplessly against the restraints of a humiliating captivity. This boy is Patrick, just turned sixteen, the very year when a Roman boy became a Roman man, a man and citizen.
St. Paul, when violent hands had been laid on him, appealed to Caesar. "Civis Romanus sum -- I am a citizen of Rome." A proud boast, but every appeal of Patrick had been laughed to scorn. He, a proud Roman, son of an officer of the Roman Empire! They were Irish, prouder still. They and they alone had stopped the legions of Rome meeting them in battle in their dependent Irish kingdoms in what are now Scotland and Wales. Patrick's hopes and his Roman pride were dashed to earth. He was sold into slavery and sent like another Prodigal Son, far from his father's house, to herd swine.
Time went on. The little Catholic Roman grew to stalwart manhood in the midst of pagan masters. The outdoor life of swine-herd and shepherd was building up in his sturdy frame a giant's strength. And yet, for all that his was a tender heart. He came to love the beauty of these vales and hills. He came to love the little Irish children, who made friends with him. They saw the unconquerable fire that flashed from his dark Roman eyes at the cruelty of his pagan master who really feared him. But they were quick to see that those proud fierce eyes softened when they turned on them. They felt that this young giant would be gentle with them and that his great heart was warm to love them.
They gave their Irish hearts to him in glad surrender. They loved to play with him and to talk with him. From them in this way he learned their sweet and musical language until he spoke it like a native. God's providence was in this. They told him all the warlike sagas of the Gael. They told him all their folk-lore of Cuchullain and Finn McCoole. They told him of the fairies that danced in the fairy ring and of the leprechauns, the "little people," who served the good and thwarted the wicked.
And Patrick matched them tale for tale. He told them the Catholic stories his mother told to him, of God's giants, Michael the Archangel, a greater hero than Finn McCoole and how Michael of the Flaming Sword conquered Lucifer, a blacker villain than Conor MacNessa.
They trembled with fear and dread at Patrick's recital of this great epic battle but they thrilled to the sweetness of his stories of God's fairies, the fairies with the wings. He told them how Gabriel, God's fairy, came to the sweet little Virgin Mary and promised to bring the Infant Jesus to her to mother and rear for the salvation of the world. And how she accepted humbly and how the Son of God was born on Christmas night and God's fairies came and sang sweet songs around the manger to keep the little Prince of Peace from becoming home-sick for heaven.
And oh! how home-sick did Patrick become at his own stories. Never once did he see a priest, never once did he have Mass, never once did he receive Holy Communion. Then, too, he saw himself getting old. He longed to be a priest but his hope of an education grew fainter as the golden years slipped by. How his heart went out to the little children who loved him. Oh if he could only be a priest and come back to convert them to Christ and take them to heaven with him.
Six long years went by. Patrick was now twenty-two. More than ever was he the hero of the young Irish boys. "Would he tell them stories again tonight when he brought the sheep down from the mountain?" "No!" he would not be down. He would stay out on the mountain all night tonight. That very night when the sheep were folded, Patrick slipped away to the west. He made good his escape, in a few weeks he found a vessel on the west coast clearing for France and went aboard. A free man, he left the ship when it made port and found his way to his distinguished uncle, St. Martin of Tours.
In his uncle's famous monastery Patrick became a monk and started his long training in studies and virtue for the priesthood. How happy he was to be home again. How sweet was the peace of the cloister with its daily Mass and Holy Communion, its regular round of prayer and study. How hard he worked to make up for lost time. How happy the prospect of the golden grace of the priesthood. Then the great day of ordination followed by a paradise of priestly consolations.
And yet for all this Patrick was not a happy man. With growing pain and repeated longings he came to realize that he had left his heart in Ireland. Fiercely had he fought against his slavery but at length like Simon of Cyrene he had learned to carry the cross behind our Lord. The love of the Irish children had conquered his proud Roman heart and made it an Irish heart, more Irish than their own, the very human miracle that the Irish race have never lost the power to work. The Irish win you by loving you.
Patrick dreamed of Ireland. In his sleep came a vision of his little Irish children. They were crowding the western shore whence he had sailed away. They were holding out their little arms to him and he could hear them calling: "Patrick! Come back to Erin' Oh holy youth! Corne back to Erin! Walk once more amongst us!"
At long last he was given leave to go. Down to Rome he went to see the holy pope, Celestine. Much they talked and planned together. Patrick was made a Bishop and given ample powers. It was now that the Pope changed his name to Patrick. He had really borne another name before. A name that now no one remembers except the scholars, while the new name is known and loved the wide world over.
At the age of 45 Patrick lands on the Irish coast. His first care is to seek out his old master, but he finds that the man whose cruelty he planned to repay with kindness was already dead. Then began the golden story of Ireland's conversion to the faith. The miracle of a war-like conquering nation embracing the Faith in a single generation without a single martyrdom. Patrick had won their love for himself and then, true saint that he was, taught them to give their love and loyalty to Christ.
So strong and vivid was the faith of the Irish and so richly did it flower in consecrated lives, even in Patrick's life-time, that it has been said that "Ireland knelt at Patrick's feet and her hands in his made the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience,"
When St. Patrick felt age coming upon him he went up on the Mount of Eagles, now called Creagh Patrick, the Mount of Patrick, and there like Moses on Mt. Sinai and like Christ in the desert, he prayed for forty days and forty nights. Patrick prayed that, come weal come woe, the Irish might never lose the Faith. He prayed that though all the other nations should deny Christ and abandon Him to His fate on Calvary, yet might the Irish like John the Beloved Disciple remain faithful to the end and with Mary stand loyal guard at the foot of the cross.
How well that prayer was answered the long centuries of Ireland's crucifixion prove. But the Irish were ready to prove their love of Christ by carrying the cross. "For St. Patrick had taken the Irish harp and strung on it a chord which was to remain taut when all its other strings would be broken. And bending down to listen the Irish caught amid the din of battle the only note that the pagan harp had not held in its scale -- the note of Faith. And Rising, they overcame hunger and death and exile; for a chord had been struck in their soul whose symphony annealed them against sufferings of sense."
The Irish have kept the Faith -- and the Faith has kept the Irish. It has brought us through 1,500 years of joy and sorrow and now joy again. If we keep the faith of Patrick and love God with the love of Patrick, the Irish Race like the Catholic Church will live forever. An English Catholic a few years ago attended a Corpus Christi procession in Ireland. He said: "I never saw anything like it. Faith! It's not faith, but actual vision that God has blessed these people with."
Vision! We see God because we have kept as a race the spirit of the three vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs' is the Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are the clean of heart for they shall see God!"
The Irish almost from the beginning have done great things for God and the church outside of Ireland. In the three centuries following St. Patrick's death Irish monks converted Europe to the faith - the new Europe made up of those barbarian races that overturned the Roman Empire and grew under Irish teachers into the nations of Europe that we know today.
Again, after the Reformation the providence of God so ordained that thousands of young Irishmen, the "Wild Geese" they called them, after the treaty of Limerick sought service in the armies of the Catholic countries of the continent; Spain, France, and Austria in particular. The result was that the Irish were in the van in every war fighting for the Catholic cause in the religious wars of Europe.
Later still the Irish came to America in time to be an important factor in the American Revolution. Forty per cent of Washington's army were Irish. Among the French troops under Rochambeau who stood with Washington at Yorktown were the Walsh and Dillon regiments of the Irish Brigade of France.
And here we are today - you and I - "the Wild Geese of God." Without our fathers and our grandfathers the Catholic Church would have been lost in America. What a glorious service in saving the Faith for America did not our fathers work? It is now our turn to serve our country and God. The Irish made Europe Catholic; we can make America Catholic. Our fathers kept the faith, we must spread the faith. We must win America for the faith as St. Patrick won Ireland - by love. We must love our country and our countrymen. We must make them fall in love with us, charm them by our virtue, inspire them by our ideals.
What are these ideals? They are the ideals taught us by St. Patrick. For 1,500 years they can be traced in the history of the race. They are a vivid faith; a love of prayer, the gift of coming close to Jesus and Mary, a familiarity in their company, a living in their presence; and prompted by this tender love a spirit of self-denial and self-sacrifice. Living these ideals will make our lovely girls, sweet with the charm of modesty and chastity; will make our boys strong and pure; will make our men and women models of every home-loving and home-keeping and home-making virtue. From such homes will come those chosen souls whom God calls to lead, those golden-hearted boys who like other Patricks will stand at our altars and break for us the Bread of Angels, who will absolve us from our sins, who will stand by us when the Angel of Death brings us our summons home. From such homes will come those other heroic boys to serve in our schools and hospitals and missions as religious brothers and in the hidden life of Nazareth, so dear to God, like other Josephs will train the sons of God in the ways of wisdom, age, and grace. From such homes will come those glorious girls, who like other Brigids will consecrate their virgin lives to God, who will pray for us before God's throne to win the grace we need in our struggle with the world, who will stand guard over the souls of our sick in the hospitals and of our children in the schools. From those homes will come those other boys and girls now grown to noble manhood and womanhood who trained to mutual reverence and respect will stand before God's altar and in Catholic Marriage consecrate their bodies and their souls to the service of God in rearing new generations to the honor of His name.
But oh! how hard it is to keep these ideals in the pagan atmosphere that now surrounds us. An atmosphere that is full of vile animal talk of the body with the indulgence of all its sensual and sexual appetites and never a word of the life of the spirit. Talk of divorce, birth control, companionate marriage, free love, infidelity in the home and injustice in business and never a word of God and Mary and the Angels.
Today the world does not threaten us with martyrdom. Our Fathers laughed at martyrdom. The world invites us to debauchery and calls it freedom and in such honeyed words as "to deceive even the elect." Against that we must set our face, against that we must train our children. We must put "Every Catholic Child in a Catholic School." There is now in our generation no other way. We must lead vivid Catholic lives. Frequent Communion is our salvation. Monthly Communion is not enough. You must go every week. If possible even every day. If you go every month you will save your own soul - just that. But you will never be much of an influence on your own children or your non-Catholic neighbors.
Sons and Daughters of the Irish! There was a time when heroic priests in persecution days threw their gallant lives away to bring the Mass and Communion to our fathers on the mountains and in the wild glens of Holy Ireland. They will show you today the "Mass Rock" where Mass was offered. On one such" rock they will show you the dark stain where flowed the life-blood of one martyr priest who died on the very altar where he was saying Mass - died that the Faith might live. Deep in that rock a single word is cut in bold brave letters that have not been erased by time. That one word is the Holy Name of Jesus.
We, today, your priests of Irish blood are, God help us, the poor successors of such heroic sires. Every day at dawn we stand at marble altars or bend over modest altar-stones. Were it God's will we would give our poor lives, as our heroic brother priests did recently in Mexico, to bring you the consolations of your religion and the Sacraments of Christ. Sons and daughters of Ireland! Do not let us stand at the "Mass Rock" alone. Rally round us here. Let us cut deep into your heart with the Sacrament of Love the Holy Name of Jesus.
Christ the King is calling. It is the Call to the Colors of the Irish Brigades of God:
"Who has a blade for a splendid cause.
Who has a heart that's true,
To live and fight for the grandest thing
That man could dream or singer sing,
Or ever soldier knew."
With him in our hearts we can face the world together. Then we will be worthy of St. Patrick. Then with our Irish gift of the social graces, sunny dispositions, wit and humor, and personal charm we can bring our children, our neighbors, our America, and through America perhaps the world-willing captives to the feet of Christ the King.
"I will deliver to you every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon and no man shall resist you all the days of your life."
To raise funds for the school children's picnic, the committee in charge have arranged to give a supper in the School Halls on Tuesday, April 29th at 6:30. Tickets 50c. Reservations can be obtained from Mr J. Houlihan, HIland 0988; Mr. D. Murphy, HIland 4467; Mr. J. Bersch, HIland 0985; Mrs. G. Kletzker, HIland 4581; Mrs. Ray Dolan, HIland 7732; Mrs. Chas. Heil, HIland 0279.
Meats will be donated by the Heil Packing Co.
Geo. Kriegshauser, founder and president of the Kriegshauser Undertaking Co., died at St. John's Hospital March 19th and was buried from Our Lady of Lourdes Church in which parish he resided these past few years.
Mr. Kriegshauser had for many years conducted more than half the funerals from St. James Parish. His success arose from no race sentiment. His services were sought by the parishioners because he was moderate in his charges, efficient and always sympathetic and kind. May he rest in peace.
The formal devotions of Holy Week begin on Thursday morning with High Mass at 7 o'clock which will be sung by the parish choir. There will also be procession of the Blessed Sacrament to the Altar of Repose and the usual visits of adoration during the day.
On Thursday evening the Holy Hour will be kept from 7:45 to 8:45 after which parishioners and volunteers from the Holy Name Society will keep guard at hour intervals until Friday morning.
On Good Friday morning there will be Mass of the Presanctified preceded by Adoration of the Cross. At noon the Tre Ore will begin and on Friday night there will be a sermon on the Sacrifice of Calvary at 7:45.
Saturday morning there will be blessing of Sacred Fire, Easter Water and Baptismal Water, and Mass at 7 o'clock.
Communion is not distributed on Good Friday but will be given on Saturday morning at the Mass.
On Holy Thursday as many as possible should go to Communion. To enable them to do so, confessions will be heard on Wednesday evening at 7 o'clock. Fast and abstinence ceases at noon Holy Saturday.
A special confessor will assist the Pastors hearing Confessions on the Eve of Easter. Confessions will be heard from 3:30 to 6 and from 7:30 until all are heard. All who are free to do so are requested to go to Confession before supper.
Note the Solemn High Mass on Easter Sunday will begin at 5:30 a. m. and the other Masses will be as on Sunday: 7:30, 9 and 11. The last Mass will be a low Mass.
Church Bells are rung at the Gloria of the Mass on Holy Thursday and are silent until the Gloria of the Mass on Easter Saturday.
Mrs. Irvin, an untiring worker for St. James parish over a long period of years, passed to her reward on March 12th, and is mourned by her bereaved family, the community in general and especially by her many relatives and friends and the parish Sodalities in which she was usually an officer.
Her funeral and wake drew a large gathering of sympathizers, and the evidence of the esteem in which she was held was manifested in many ways. The room in which she was waited had an abundance of flowers and there were many spiritual bouquets of Masses on her coffin.
Mrs. Irvin and her sisters, Mrs. McDonnell, Mrs. Kemsley and Mrs. Billings who reside in the parish were formerly members of the old St. Malachy's Parish where they were widely known and much admired. They have a big following of relatives and intimate friends. All these gathered at the wake and for many hours there was a line of people before the door striving, to gain admittance.
Mrs. Irvin was a woman of retiring manner and humble bearing. One of the every-day people who slips in and out of the home or store and has a kind word and a pleasant smile for all her acquaintances. Without being queenly she was very kindly and easily lost sight of herself when an occasion arose or a call came to serve others. She was a motherly woman and invariably found the sympathetic cord in others and did and said the right thing at the right time.
Though never neglectful of her home duties she gave much time and was intensely active in parish affairs. There was not a Carnival or a church event in the parish for many years that she did not enthusiastically support. She accepted the least desirable place and the most difficult and exacting labors and looked neither for praise nor approval from the pastors, evidently she worked for the Love of God and as long as He saw, she did not mind the apparent lack of human appreciation or seek the distinction and notoriety that comes from position. She was one of the band of old reliables who always turn up when there is parish work to be done. She was always present when expected and she usually remained till the last dish was washed.
Pious, devout and humble in serving God and man, she made no pretense at unusual virtue. Her husband, Mr. Irvin, though not a Catholic, gave constant encouragement to her zeal and often accompanied her to church affairs. He must have been impressed with her sincerity and her faith and he never interfered with her supervision of the Catholic education of their children. Her two daughters, Margaret and Ethel, are graduates of a Catholic High School and are models of what Catholic girls should be.
Physically, Mrs. Irvin was never robust. She was thin like one who is ill nourished; evidently she must have had a chronic complaint for many years, but she never would admit that she was ill, not even to her doctor during her last illness. When the news went abroad that she was in a critical condition, neighbors and friends were amazed and many of them went to her home in hopes of being able to see her and say a few last kind words of appreciation to her, but her condition made visitors undesirable and caused them a good deal of grief because they were cut off so suddenly from her kindly presence. She was partially unconscious the last few days of her life.
The comings and goings of Mrs. Irvin are daily missed in the gatherings of old acquaintances and she will not be forgotten when the parish workers assemble to get ready for the Carnival. She was to be the leader of a band of workers and undoubtedly she would be among the most enthusiastic promoters of those who are endeavoring to raise a fund for The Convent.
We regret to have to close this last chapter of her life in the simple narrative of her kindly deeds. She was loved by Saint and Sinner as children are loved, not because she was anything or anybody but her plain simply and unassuming self. May she rest in peace.
The old Church is being remodeled to make room for a hand-ball and a basket-ball court for the young people and a Catholic Club is being organized. Only those who are members will be permitted to use the Hall.
Dan Murphy and Joseph Houlihan are promoting the athletic idea and Mr. Thompson will be the authorized director of the hall program.
Admission fee $1 a month for adults and 50c for school children, payable in advance. A percentage of this will be given Mr. Thompson and the balance will go into a fund for further improvements.
Mrs. Bessie O'Gorman Gallaher is conducting a class in the School Halls for school children on Monday and Wednesday from 3 to 5 o'clock.
The program includes group dancing, ballet technique, tap dancing, formations, tactics, drills, stunts and games.
She also conducts a class for adults on Thursday and Friday nights and teaches tap dancing in her home on Saturdays. Little girls, 10 to 11 a. m., little boys, 11 to 12 noon. High school girls at 2 p. m.
Mrs. John Lawrence, 1228 Childress Avenue, was operated for removal of tonsils at St. John's Hospital on Thursday, April 3rd.
The Wednesday of Holy Week is a day of strict fast and abstinence.
Mrs. Delia Mahon, 1534 Tamm Avenue, has been in a critical condition during the past week at Mullanphy Hospital where she underwent a major operation.
Modesta Kendrick, 6484 Dale Avenue, has come home from St. Mary's Hospital and is recuperating after an operation.
John Lavin, 6427 Wade Avenue, was confined to a hospital 6 or 7 days recently.
Mrs. Whalen, 1461 Graham Avenue, sister of Mrs. McEvoy, is convalescing at the home of the latter.
Mrs. Theresa Barron, 6818a Plateau Avenue, has been very ill.
Mrs. Sarah Ritchell, 6106 Wilson Avenue, has intermittently been confined to her bed during the past month.
Mrs. Eckhardt, 1111 Central Avenue, has been threatened with pneumonia and has been in a critical condition.
Mrs. Louise Wert, 5822 Victoria Avenue, (Mrs. Godfrey's mother) whose death was momentarily expected is convalescing at St. John's Hospital. She had a slight stroke and her condition was aggravated by a broken ankle.
Miss Margret Butler, 1421 Tamm Avenue, is in a serious condition induced by an abscess of the lung. She recently underwent an operation.
Mrs. Gusmus recently came from Alabama to be under the care and have the companionship of her sister, Mrs. Mills, 6682 Oakland Avenue. She is suffering from a very serious malady. She is fully aware of the seriousness of her case and is ready to abide with God's Holy Will. She asks the prayers of all devotees of the Little Flower
Preliminary plans for the Mid-Summer Carnival to raise funds for the erection of a Convent are incubating in the minds of the Mothers' Club and will be fully fledged by Easter.
Parish groups of men and women are to be organized by Mrs. Bovard, Mrs. McDonnell, Mrs. Klasek, Mrs. Lawless, Mrs. Wack, Mrs. Marshall, Mrs. Pierce.
Each organizer will have seven Lieutenants who will each direct seven workers. The 50 men and women forming a group will collect and make prizes, run a booth and be independent of other groups.
There will be keen competition for honors.
Every parishioner who wishes to cooperate and be a group member should volunteer his service to one of the organizers.
A raffle to raise funds to defray initial expense will be launched Easter Week.
The Catholic Radio Hour each Sunday from 5 to 6 p.m. is instructive and should be a notable contribution to a better understanding between Catholics and non-Catholics. There is a wealth of philosophy and logic behind Catholic belief.
St. Ann's Sodality will go to Communion at 6 o'clock Mass third Sunday.
Mrs. Cullen who has always had an innate inclination to high-flying, rode in an airplane recently and the story of her survival and observations has been the last vaudeville item in the program of St. Ann's Sodality.
Mrs. Marty Moore, 1356 Tamm Avenue, is recovering from an infection of the elbow.
On the Sunday before Easter, Palm Sunday, the ecclesiastical custom of blessing palms and carrying them in Procession will be introduced in St. James Church. The Congregation are requested to join the Procession and to be present in Church at 10:45 when the ceremonies will begin. The symbolism of this ceremony recalls Christ's triumphal visit to Jerusalem as described by St. John, Chapter 12. verses 12, 13.
"On the next day a great multitude that was come to the festal day, when they had heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of Palm-trees and went forth to meet him and cried: Hosanna, blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord. the King of Israe1."
The movement of people in this locality is effected to a great extent by local conditions of labor and family growth. As soon as the family increases a new house has to be procured because the poor can ill-afford a permanent vacant room. The need of more room usually necessitates a move; hence this year the parish has decreased as the count of the attendance at Mass would indicate.
The following figures show Mass attendance
in first Sunday of Lent for the past four
years:
| Year | 1927 | 1928 | 1929 | 1930 |
| 1st Mass | 135 | 134 | 110 | 148 |
| 2nd Mass | 350 | 314 | 481 | 570 |
| 3rd Mass | 349 | 402 | 533 | 472 |
| 4th Mass | 320 | 411 | 419 | 265 |
| Total | 1160 | 1261 | 1543 | 1455 |
These vgures include children. The small attendance at the last Mass in 1930 arises from the fact that Reception of Holy Communion has increased
The collections for first three months of 1930 are $200 higher than for 1929, and would be very satisfactory were it not that the 4 per cent fell $105 on the fourth Sunday in March, $90 last Sunday.
Carl Cenatiempo received the last Sacraments last Thursday night. He is suffering from pneumonia.
WANTED -- To solicit your painting, repair and building work. Hardwood floors renovated. W.T. Boman, HIland 2031.
For them no more the blazing hearth shall burn.
Or busy housewife ply her evening care.
No children run to lisp their sire's return,
Or climb his knees the evening kiss to share.
Gray
John A. Murphy
Thomas Brady
Maurice R. Armstrong
James McEvoy
Cora Thomure
James W. Gallaher
Daniel Kavanaugh
George Andrew Hruby
Dr. B. J. Tynan
Isabelle Irvin
James Earl
Grace Catherine Hastey
John F. Donnelly
May they rest in peace.
UNCLE HENRY'S LETTER
April 6, 1930
dear Charlie:
it looks like old man Winter has took a tumble to hisself an moved out, to make way for the popular young tenant, Spring. the old feller was pretty hard to get along with an the young one is well liked so i dont suppose they will be eny tears shed over the change.
this is the seazon wen young mens fancies is suppose to turn to thoughts of love. wen you wake up in the morning with the birds singing an the sun peekin over the hill, an the sweet scented breeze floatin up through the open window an; gosh, I'm gettin that way myself; guess i'll have to cut out the sassafras tea. the other morning at breakfast i was reading Edgar Guest an the mrs, thought i was gettin poetic an she says "dont be like that Henry; act your age".
an so Charlie dont run off with eny foolish notions that quotation about "young mens fancies" has got eny thing to do with you, or let sentiment put you on the flat of your back. Spring, to old fogies like you an me is just the end of another winter. of course we is privileged to listen to the birds an look at the green lawns an bright flowers but we musn't forget that our wife's aint got no prospect of bein June brides, so this love stuff is out.
A lot of the young fellers that would ordinarily be qualified to follow the precepts of spring is having there minds occupied with disturbin thoughts like how are they goin to pay there room rent if they dont get a job; an wot will they do for a Easter suit; an hadn't they better put off getting married till things pick up, etc. an it is all due to a misunderstanding an too literal acceptance of the term "Hoover prosperity". they had a idear it might mean prosperity for themself, but i have got a hunch that most of em are getting over the illusion. just a little phonological manipulation would make the phrase "Who-for prosperity", an in attemptin to answer the implied question you can reach sum odd deductions which may make you do sum wonderin. Who-for? is it for you? is it for the average hardworkin man in legitimate business? or do you have to be one of the merger-promotin gents who are on familiar enough terms with Mr. Mellon to call him "Andy"?
i better get on another subjek charlie on account of i dont want to be accused of spreadin "bulshevik " ideas. besides, they are only my opinions, an may be all wrong. have a feelin though that they is a lot of very rational folks that is entertainin notions along much the same line.
speakin of green lawns, i dont think they is enything prettier than the one around the church. it is as green as a picture of Ireland an the flower beds are budding into a beautiful sight. Charlie Thompson can be proud of that lawn an so can John Bisso for they help he gave charlie. the pastor is all smiles these days, an his face lights up in its own inimitable way whenever he looks over at that lawn with its beautiful shade of "emerald green".
St. James choir, which is takin rank as 1 of the best in these parts is preparin to render another fine recital of the Tre Ore on Good Friday an it would be worth your wile to attend, but you will have to be here early if you want to get in. last year the church was packed with about 1000 persons from all over the city, an they all admitted it was the best they ever heard. charlie Heil is tickled pink with the rehearsals an you well know charlie is hard to please. Lent always hits the packin business a hard blow but charlie dont complain on acount of the breathin spell he gets from his vocation of hog-buyin gives him a chance to devote more time to his avocation of choir directin - an he is sum director.
the alumni give another clever show on st. Patricks day an it was a big hit but so involved that everyone wants em to give it over so that they will have a chance to figger out wot it is all about. jerry Gesell was the director an he made a mess of things on acount of gettin the cast all mixed up.
for instance, he had John moore married to cath Hefele and everybody knows that john aint got no kind of a wife, an if he ever takes one i give him credit for havin enough sense to layoff of 1 that belongs to a big strappin detective. to make things worse, jerry o'Connell was there uncle Henry. an that is a lot of bologny because jerry aint nobody's uncle on acount of Julie and Dick aint got no offsprings. besides, jerry was so uncouth an crabby that josie Nervani was mortified an worried sick on acount of if she ever gets him for a husband she will have a miserable life ahead of her.
may McCauley was Ann. an joe Wiss turned out to be the prize package that she brought home, an he no more than landed till he started schemin to turn the "old folks" property into a fish pond on acount of it bein lent, an he could see that the fish business was pretty good.
dan Sheehan was courtin another daughter, catherine O'Shaughnessy, an he tried to spoil Joes plans by promotin another scheme to make use of the property an wile his scheme didn't come out in the play, chances are it was a sub-division. it was a good show.
we lost a real friend charlie when belle Irvin passed on to her reward. she was a conscientious, hard worker, popular an agreeable, an always hustling for st. James. they aint near enough of her kind to go around, an we are goin to miss her.
your pertickler friend & uncle
HENRY
BACK TO LET'S GO, 1930
BACK TO LET'S GO, 1925-1932
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