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."
AT
Opening sermon at various Masses on these Sundays.
The Popular Redemptorist Father, Will Conduct the Mission, Assisted by
A short sermon will be delivered after the 6 o'clock Mass on weekdays. Those making the Mission are exhorted to be present at this instruction and attend also the Mass that precedes or follows it.
Each evening, Rosary, Sermon and Benediction at 7:45, Sundays included. (On ST. Patrick's Night, March 17th, devotions will begin at 7 o'clock.)
Men, women, and children may attend the weekday Masses regardless of whether it is women's or men's week.
Time of Confessions will he announced each evening by the Missionaries, as will the time of lectures to youth, but the general order here announced will not be changed.
The women's Mission will close Sunday, March 22nd at 4 p.m. when the Papal Blessing will be imparted.
Non-Catholics are hereby extended an Invitation. We assure them that there
shall not be a single word said which might have a tendency to offend or embarrass.
The misstonartes will confine their instructions to Christ's teachings and
Commandments. Father Pathe is as interesting as Father Coughlin.
The unique opportunity of doing good and
the natural inclination to spread the Gospel
and bring back stray sheep to the flock of
Christ should inspire every Catholic to go
into the highways and byways and spread
abroad the knowledge that St. James Parish
is having a mission under the direction of
Rev. Michael Pathe, a Redemptorist father
whose ability as an orator and whose charm
as a priest has attracted the attention of
non-Catholics and Catholics during the past
fifteen years in the many towns and cities in
the United States wherever he has given a
Mission.
Father Pathe is unlike most missionaries
in so far as he has retained the heart of a
boy and the mischievous humor of a
stripling. In his most serious discourses he does
not permit an opportunity to pass of making
people laugh at their foibles and
eccentricities. He delights in poking fun at the
infirmities of human nature and in serious
contrasts he dramatically depicts the horror and
heinousness of sin and the Holiness of God.
Usually his presence attracts a capacity
audience and the attendance becomes larger
as the mission advances because those who
once hear him return next night and bring
with them a neighbor or a relative whom
they desire to share with them the elation
aroused by his discourses.
His personality is peculiarly attractive to
youth. They catch from his words the
realization that he understands their temptations
and is in sympathy with their spirit. No one
among them has fallen so low or made such
spiritual errors as to put them outside his
brotherly solicitude. Like the Master, he
comes, not to tread upon the broken reed,
but to call back sinners from erring ways.
"I came," said Christ, "not to call the just,
but sinners to repentance." "Those who are
in health need not the physician but those
who are ill." In Father Pathe, the Mary
Magdalens, the publicans and prodigals will
find a father and a friend. The message he
will bring them is one of hope and spiritual
regeneration. "All you who labor and are
burdened, come to me and I will refresh you.
My yoke is sweet and my burden light."
The mission will bring joy and peace to
many a foot sore traveller who has journeyed
from sin tavern to sin tavern in search of
happiness. "My peace surpasseth all
understanding. Not as the world giveth, do I
give."
The eternal tangles and triangles of sinful
romance create problems that are difficult
to unravel. Missionaries are given special
faculties to cope with these impediments to
a return to the fold. A mission is the call
of Jesus to the erring soul. Whilst the
mission is in progress, Jesus is passing. Now is
the acceptable time. Tomorrow may be too
late. There may be no Tomorrow.
Don't suppose your case is hopeless. Until
the gates of Hell have closed behind the
sinner there is hope. The Devil is the
prompter of despair. Come to the Mission
and submit your difficulties to the
missionaries. You will at least go away no worse
than you were before and you will be sure
to get a sympathetic hearing.
The missionaries have heard worse tales of folly than
yours. Before you were born other men and
women had charted all the seas of sin. The
Cross of Christ has been carried beyond the
poles of iniquity. God's mercy is infinite.
Beware of the temptation to make excuses.
There is many a soul in Hell who traveled
there on a good excuse.
Mr. James Carr, who had been recently
residing with his daughter, Mrs. Smith, 6478
Dale Ave., was anointed last Tuesday and
taken to the hospital, where he died on
Thursday.
The objects of the Mission is to offer
extraordinary opportunities for hearing the
Word of God and for worthily receiving the
Sacraments. The Church enriches with
wonderful favors those who make the Mission
well: and we should all earnestly pray to
God that not one member of the parish may
fail to profit by this season of grace. In the
words of St. Paul: "We exhort you that you
receive not the grace of God in vain. For He
saith: In an accepted time have I heard
thee, and in the day of salvation have I
helped thee. Behold, now is the accepted
time; Behold, now is the day of salvation."
During: the Mission, avoid all vain
amusement, idle conversation, and useless reading,
and apply yourself earnestly to the great
affair of your eternal salvation. God alone
knows how near you are to eternity. We
beseech all attending the Mission to pray
earnestly for the conversion of sinners. Those
who have at any time led people to sin
should repair the past by leading others to
God. St. James tells us that he who causes
a sinner to be converted shall save his own
soul from death, and cover a multitude of
sins. St. James v, 30.
1. I will attend Mass daily.
2. I will attend every evening service.
3. I will make a good confession and
receive Holy Communion.
4. I will try to bring another to the
Mission.
5. I will pray for the intention of the
Holy Father.
1. Because I want to save my soul. "For
what shall it profit a man if he gain the
whole world and lose his own soul." St.
Mark 8: 36.
2. Because I desire to be forgiven my
sins. "If your sins be as scarlet they shall
be made white as snow." Isaiah 1: 18.
3. Because I want to change my life for
the better. "Forgettlng the things that are
behind and stretching forth myself to those
that are before." Phillippians 313.
4. Because I want to hear God's Message
"Go and preach my gospel. He who hears
you hears me." Luke 10:16.
5. Because I want a blessing on myself
and my household. "May the Lord add
blessings upon you and upon your family." Psalm
cxiii: 14.
6. Because I need many gifts of God.
"Every best gift and every perfect gift is
from above, coming down from the Father
of lights." St. James 1:17.
7. Because I need the solace of the Holy
Spirit. "Come to me all you that labor and
are heavy laden, and I will refresh you, and
you shall find rest to your souls." Matt.
xi: 28, 29.
8. Because God invites me. "The spirit
and the bride say Come!" Apoc. xxi: 17.
Come every Catholic and be renewed in the
fervor of your faith. "It is appointed unto
all men once to die and after this - the
judgment." Heb. ix:27.
Come all non-Catholics and hear the claims
of the Bride of Christ, the "pillar and the
ground of truth." "Other sheep I have that
are not of this fold; them also I must bring,
and they shall hear my voice and there shall
be one fold and one shepherd." St. John
x: 16.
St. James Parish, though it cannot boast
of the wealth of any of its congregatlon, is
never hard pressed for money. The
parishioners, as a whole, are generous to a fault,
and the parish church was erected without
a single collector being sent to anyone's
door. It is our purpose to maintain the
parish without forced contributtons. Let not
your failure to contribute be a reason for
keeping you away from your parish church.
Your associating with the congregation will
be sufficient assurance to us that you are
doing your best. Be assured of a welcome
whether you are rich or poor.
Sympathy is extended to Mrs. John
Newport, 6420 Wade Ave., on the death of her
distinguisherd brother, Father Coffey.
Keep in touch with parish affairs by
reading Let's Go. A copy can he procured free
of charge in the vestibule of the church on
the first Sunday of each month.
Father James Coffey, late pastor of St.
Leo's, has entered his reward. The
metropolitan press favorably and extensively
commented on his career. His funeral was a
manifestation of his wide popularity. It was,
in the opinion of many, one of the biggest
that has been given to a priest in this city
this past decade and there have been a few
very notable pastors buried in these years.
Father Coffey was never a man who
courted popularity. He was reserved and humble.
His activities sometimes necessitated his
name coming into prominence in the press.
It embarrassed him to make the front page
and if anything might deter him from doing
what he considered his duty it was fear of
notoriety.
The appetite for praise is curbed in the
priesthood. The judicious among the clergy,
fear it. Popularity is not regarded by them
as an equivalent of virtue. The motivating
force of a priestly life is the silent approval
of God. "It matters little to me," says St.
Paul, "to be judged by human day." A priest
who thinks more of his reputation than of
his duty is apt to become a sounding brass.
Father Ryan, C.M., who preached the
funeral panegyric summed up Father Coffey's
character aptly when he said, "Father Coffer
believed his duty was to work and die,"
complete surrender and consecration of self
to his sacred ministry. Each day he worked,
and in all his labors he was dead to
himself, dead to the applause and worldly
appeal, dead to self interest and family ties.
His sermons were always instructive and
impressive. When he spoke his hearers felt
they were listening to a man of God.
Sincerity, earnestness and conviction
embellished his thoughts. He rigidly suppressed
every inclination to play to the galleries.
He was not popular as the world estimates
popularity. He probably made in the course
of his career, bitter enemies. A strong,
sincere man does not pussy foot. When Father
Coffey determined to put his foot down on
anything he put behind it all the weight of
his character and it hurt. Priestly men make
poor politicians. The glad hand is often a
cheap hand.
Father Coffey's best instruction was his
life. Other men preach ideals. He lived an
ideal. He attracted souls to God and led
many into the religious state, and he has
left them an example. His influence goes on.
May he rest in peace.
In the semi-annual school examinations,
the following children in their respective
grades were awarded the highest marks.
Eighth Grade - Muriel Roach, 96; Mary
Louise Godfrey, 95; Agnes Duggan, 94.
Seventh Grade - Hubert Ward, 94; Edward
Corbett, 94; Sadie Sharamitaro, 93.
Sixth Grade - Rita Ward, 94; Gertrude Fay,
94; Edw. Regan, 93.
Fifth Grade - Carmelita Kelly, 95; Chas.
Klasek, 94; Jane Schmid, 92.
Fourth Grade - Anna Dempsey, 95; Helen
Frances Walsh, 93; Albert Frattini, 92.
Third Grade - Evangeline Vellios, 96;
Howard Holzum, 95; Frank Vellios, 94.
Second Grade - Vernon Page, 96; Margaret
Morrissey, 95; Catherine Lafser, 93.
FOR SALE - Four-room modern bungalow;
2019 Schaeffer Pl. Call Mrs. Matreci,
HI-land 2875.
FOR RENT - Beautiful four-room modern flat,
tile bath, screen porch; $40. Call Mrs.
Manion, HIland 4453.
FOR SALE - 6319 Wade Ave.; 5 rooms and
bath, modern mat brick bungalow, almost
new. Owner on place. Must sell.
At the end of the year the pastor in each
parish of the Archdiocese is obligated to
forward a report to the Diocesan Chancery
which demands a complete story of the
parish finances, and categorical answers to 62
questions pertaining to the application of
and compliance with the Canon Law of the
Church and the Decrees of the Diocesan
Synod.
The income tax report is easy in
comparison to the requirements of this document. It
is a time-consuming demand and a form of
examination of conscience which leaves the
pastors in an anxious mood during the first
month of the year, and keeps them on a trot
the following eleven months.
Here are a few of the questions asked:
Number of families: Catholic, mixed;
number of souls: practical Catholics, lapsed
Catholics, non-Catholics. Canon 470.
Are zealous efforts made to bring back to
their religious duties the lapsed Catholics?
Number of Baptisms: names of all baptized.
Names and number of all confirmed. Canon 470.
Number of marriages: Catholic mixed and
invalid marriages involving Catholics. Canon 470.
Number of Catholic children not attending
a Catholic school. Canon 1113.
Is proper provision made for the Catholic
education of the children?
Does the priest give adequate instruction
in the Parish School? Canon 467.
Are the sick visited frequently and
zealously attended? Canon 468.
Are the poor properly provided for?
Number of deaths and names of deceased.
In funeral service is all praise and all blame
of deceased avoided? Canon 1347.
Are the books containing records of
Baptism, Deaths, Confirmation, First Communion
and Marriages kept in proper order and up
to date? Canon 470.
Are copies of these records sent annually
to Chancery? Canon 470.
Is a sermon preached each Sunday and
Holy Day at each Mass? Canon 467.
Is a sermon on marriage preached at least
annually? Are special sermons preached
outside Mass during Lent and Advent? Is the
Holy Hour held weekly? Canon 469.
Are people encouraged to attend Mass
daily? Canon 467.
Are people encouraged to read the Sacred
Scriptures, lives of the Saints, Catholic
literature and Catholic periodicals? Diocesan
Synod No. 36.
Is there anything savoring of
commercialism in the conduction of any devotion?
Canon 1178.
Is the music at Mass and other functions
rendered according to the Laws of the
Church? Canon 1264.
Are the people encouraged to take an
active and intelligent part in all the services of
the Church?
Are your accounts always kept in such
good order that in the event of your death
there would be no difficulty in quickly
determining the exact status and whereabouts of
Parish funds?
State amount of insurance on each parish
building. Describe building, give an inventory
of the furnishing and an estimate of its
worth.
These are only a few of the duties that
fall on a pastor. To perform them as
accurately as the report suggests, he has not
sufficient hours to his day, days to his week,
and weeks to his years. The Canon Law that
permits him to take two months vacation is
not emphasized in this report; perhaps it has
in mind a man who has worked twenty hours
a day and never plays pinochle.
Mrs. Bridget M. Foy, wife of Thos. Foy,
1004 Forest Ave., and mother of a large
family, died at her home on Feb. 14th after
a chronic illness at a ripe old age and
as buried from St. James Church Feb. 17th.
Her remains Were interred in Calvary
Cemetery.
The Foy family were formerly parishioners,
of St. Malachy's Church, and the large
attendance at the funeral was a testimony, of
her Catholicity and respectability in that
community.
Father Martine, assistant pastor
Blessed Sacrament Church, also a former
St. Malachy's parish member,was present in the
Sanctuary. He said Mrs. Foy was a quiet,
gentle woman who had little to say all her
life but was much respected by her
neighbors. She received the last Sacraments.
To her husband and bereaved children we
extend our sympathy.
Pat Phelan is not much improved, he
has not regained his speech.
Miss Carreras has made an unexpected
recovery. She accompanied her sister, Miss
Minnie, on a walk in the Park last week.
Mrs. Hannah Brady, 1339 Graham, was
anointed last week. She is much improved.
A benefit and educational entertainment
was given by St. James Branch No. 1 of the
Holy Name Society and Troop 16 of the Boy
Scouts of the Parish at the Evergreen Hall
on the Sunday before Lent when the boys
gave a pageant in which the aims and
initiation ceremonies of these societies were
exhibited to an enthusiastic audience of more
than 300.
After this brief ceremonial short addresses
were made by Scoutmaster Morgan P. Foley,
Clarence Gesell, Robt" Edward Pierce,
president of the Holy Name Society, John Wack,
chairman of the Boy Scout Committee, and
Father O'Connor. There were community
singing, and vocal solos by Miss Helen
Muehling and Jack Webb. The rest of the evening
was pleasantly filled with old fashioned
dances and lunch periods. Frank Walsh acted
as Master or Ceremonies.
The net receipts so far are approximately $75.
The entertainment aroused an additional
interest in the boy scout movement in the
parish and has intensified the ambition or the
youngsters to be first class scouts and good
Holy Name members.
On Wednesday. Feb. 18th, the Central
district held a board of review for second and
first class scout candidates and 18 boys from
St. James group passed the final test and are
now second class boy scouts.
Wm. Wack, Bob Wack and James Kelley
were awarded special prizes for selling the
most tickets for the entertainment.
Miss Anna M. Dolan. daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. Pat Dolan, 6227 Victoria Ave., was
married at the Rectory on February 21 to Joe W.
Humphrey, a radio repair man. Mr.
Humphrey is a non-Catholic and has been taking
instructions from Father O'Connor with the
understanding that he will be free to form
a mature judgment of the facts. This is an
intelligent procedure for one outside the
church and is one we recommend to all
non-Cathollcs. The Catholic Church has been
grossly misrepresented by many of its critics.
Its doctrines have captivated more than 300
million people in the present generation, and
has affected the course of civilization for
more than nineteen centuries. "There is not
and never was, on this earth," writes Lord
McCaulay, (a non-Catholic) "a work of
human policy so well deserving of
examination as the Roman Catholic Church," and
yet there are millions of well educated
people in the world who have never taken the
trouble to give a dispassionate examination
to its teaching.
Miss Anna Dolan has been associated with
the activities of St. James Parish since her
childhood. We are glad she is married. Her
husband impresses us as being a fine manly
young fellow. We congratulate the young
couple and wish them years of married bliss.
Donations of linen for the Sanctuary and
altar railing have been made by Mrs. Pursley,
Mrs. McCauley, Mrs. Kietzker and Mrs.
Griffin. Members of st. Ann's Sodality have
volunteered to make albs. Miss Agnes Kern
is assisting Sister Sacristan in cutting and
designing the various articles. The quantity
of linen donated to date is not sufficient to
meet the urgent requirements of the Sanctuary.
This was literally true of the last marriage
in the parish church. Wedding bells rang in
the marriage of John Martin Mullahy and
Olivia Renalda 0'Jeman the morning of Feb.
12th, when Rev. Thos. N. Knapp, S.J.,
assisted by Father O'Connor, officiated at the
ceremony. Many people supposed that the
bells were rung because the Pope was
broadcasting and considered their peal
exceptionally joyous. They were indeed joyous bells
such as have been heard only at Easter and
Christmas, but they will continue in future
to announce a marriage from Nuptial Mass,
which is marriage in accordance with the
spirit of the Church.
Mrs. R. Brent Murphy is recuperating at
home from an operation she recently
underwent at St. Mary's Hospital.
The Catholic Church is an organization.
The Pope, the Bishop of Rome, is its head.
The originator of this Society was Christ.
The charter members were the Apostles.
Membership in this organization is procured
through Baptism.
The purpose of this organization is to
spread a certain body of doctrines
concerning the nature of man, his duty to his
Creator and his ultimate end.
The Catholic Church claims she was
established by Christ and was given by Him a
Mission to teach all Nations, to teach what
He commanded and to teach all days to the
end of the world. "As the Father sent me,
I send you. Teach all Nations, teach all
truths, teach whatsoever I have commanded
you."
She affirms that she alone on earth has
the authority to teach men the essentials of
their nature and faith. "Who hears you hears
me, who despiseth you despisetb me."
Christ continues His Mission through His
Church.
Is one church as good as another? There
is but one church of divine institution. There
can be no other. One faith, one baptism, one
God Father or all. "Other sheep I have who
do not belong to this fold." It is necessary
they be brought to me and that there be one
fold and one shepherd.
"This claim is the cause at once," says
Hilaire Belloc, "of the antagonism which
the Church arouses, of the discipline she can
exercise and of the solidity of her
following."
She is the spiritual mother of all who are
born in Christ. She is His spouse.
Those outside of the Church have nothing
to fear from this institution because her
ways are the ways of peace and the
foundation on which her teaching rests is Love.
Love is the fulfilling of the law. "Thou shalt
love thy neighbor as thyself." "If I should
know all truths and have not charity it shall
profit me nothing."
Love knows no selfishness, and tyranny
and love ane opposite poles. They can no
more live together than can the lion and the
lamb. It is the nature of the lion to kill the
lamb, and it is the nature of tyranny to
destroy love. Love does not destroy, nor make
prisons. Love has no steel knuckles. It is of
its nature protective and solicitous for the
happiness of its loved ones.
The church loves the human family and
makes no distinction of Race or Nation. It
protects the unborn babe, the aged, the unfit,
the imbecile. It defends life, property and
human rights and is the guardian of liberty
and the home.
Mr. James Pierce, son of Uncle Henry, was
in a critical condition at the Deaconess
Hospital during the past few weeks and
especially on the night when his father was
actively promoting the Holy Name and Boy'
Scout entertainment at Evergreen Hall. James
is now recuperating from a well
developed case of arthritis.
To answer the question in the Diocesan
report as to the number of non-Catholics in
the parish, we were in a quandary. At best
we thought we could only make a guess
based upon our general knowledge of the
district, but on deeper consideration we
decided to become fact-finders, and our method
was the following:
We went into the records of Catholic homes
and found in a section 199 families who had
212 children of elementary school age. This
led us to the conclusion that there is, at an
average, a school child to a family. We also
learned that there are 800 children in the
Dewey School, 400 in the Gratiot, 600 in the
Roe School, 400 in St. James, or 2200
children in the district and the same number of
families. We also found there are 4 1/7
individuals to a Catholic family, and about 4 to
the rest. This enabled us to estimate the
population as being about 9000 and as we
knew there were 750 nominal Catholic
families or about 3200 souls, we concluded there
are in the neighborhood 5800 non-Catholtcs
and 3200 Catholics.
As a check on this estimate we had a
count of the number of families in Tamm
Avenue which has a high rate of Catholics,
and of the Leahy Subdiviaion which has a
higher percentage of non-Catholtcs and the
count showed there are 120 families on Tamm
Ave. of which 79 are nominal Catholics; and
80 families in the Leahy Subdivision of which
26 are Catholics. There are 105 Catholic
families in these two districts in which resides
a total of 200 families.
In the neighborhood of St. James Church
we conclude the number of Catholics and
non-Catholics are about even, but in the
whole district from Forest Ave. to Macklind
Ave. and from Elizabeth Ave. to the Park,
there are two non-Catholics to every Catholic.
Notwithstanding this, we are not a bit
fearful of our neighbors. They are like
ourselves, very human people, and they are
animated, as is evident in time of sickness or
death, with a fine spirit of goodwill.
Christianity does not teach people to hate,
it encourages them to love.
There are probably 350 children whose
parents are nominal Cathollcs attending the
district Public School and not more than 50 of
them attend Catechetical instructions.
Billy Brady, son of Mr. and Mrs. James
Brady, after undergoing a variety of at
afflictions, is now threatened with pneumonia.
Sister Mary Etta, the kindergarten teacher,
has been suffering from sore throat and loss
of voice the past few weeks. Her condition
became very serious during the past few
days and she was transferred to St. John's
Hospital. She makes light of her illness but
the community are gravely concerned. Say a
prayer for her speedy recovery. She has been
a great favorite with her class and they miss
her.
A parish is a portion of a diocese under
the authority of a priest legitimately
appointed to secure in virtue of his office for
the faithful dwelling therein the helps of
religion.
Uncertainty of parish boundaries may work
harm and the Council of Trent orders the
boundaries of parishes to be defined.
All who are not travellers and who have a
home or board within these boundaries for
over a month automatically become members
of the parish in which territory they reside.
(Exception being made for those who belong
to a National Parish). From this results
parochial law, i.e. the reciprocal rights and
duties of the parish priest and parishioners.
The primary purpose of parishes is the
orderly direction of religious activities and
the salvation of souls.
Canon law requires pastors to take a
census of parishioners every three years and
keep on record the names of each family and
the spiritual standing of each parishioner.
The purpose of this Canon apparently is to
keep the pastor in close contact with
members of his flock so that he may the more
intelligently attend to their spiritual needs.
The reciprocal obligation of parishioners
being in contact with their parish finds its
expression in parochial interests. Good
works are most productive of merit when
they are orderly and disciplined. A parish is
like a regiment in an army and its immediate
objective is the well being of the local flock.
Each parishioner has a duty to interest
himself in all that tends to promote parish unity
and activity. The active enthusiastic
parishioner is the best asset of a parish and shares
with the pastors in the work of their
ministry. His activity and parish interests
increase his fervor and are usually a source of
great delight. The first indication that a
parishioner gives of faltering faith is a lack
of interest in his parish Church. When he
fails to be interested in parish life, he ceases
to give expression to zeal for the spiritual
welfare of his neighbor and loses contact
with his pastor and the local flock. He
remains a Catholic but assumes the role of
being indifferent and by openly manifesting
disinterestedness and lack of cooperation he
makes it easy for others to lapse into
indifference and loss of Faith.
There are more than two hundred Catholic
children in St. James Parish who are
receiving little or no religious training because
their parents are careless and have broken
contact with the parish. These children will
later be married by the Justice of the Peace
and gradually drift away from their Catholic
moorings. Their parents in most instances
have never been in St. James Church.
Drifting away from one's Parish is the first
step towards drifting away from the Church.
It is rejection or the paternal care which
necessitates a pastor reeding his flock and a
reproof at discipline and order in the care
of souls. In the accumulated experience of
pastors and parishioners there has rarely
been found an instance of any great good
coming to the Church through parishioners
who have lost interest in their own parish.
If social betterment or spiritual delight is
more easily procured in a parish which is
not one's own, the plain duty of a good
Catholic is to transfer not only allegiance
but residence to that parish.
If you are zealous for the spread and
continuity of your Faith you will endeavor to
make your neighbors enthusiastic about the
the things in which your parish is interested.
It doesn't promote religion very much to
mock one's pastor, parish and fellow
parishioner's. The quickest way to kill the
effectiveness of a priest or a parish, is to knock.
Father Pohl is convalescing at the Rectory
from an almost fatal attack of scarlet fever
which caused him to be quarantined the first
three weeks of February in the City
Isolation Hospital. His condition has so much
improved he has begun to resume his pastoral
duties and intends appearing before the
congregation today, when he will say the two
early Masses. He was probably infected
whilst in discharge of his duties. He had
frequently made sick calls to homes which
had scarlet fever.
The early symptoms came January 30;
after offering Mass he felt nauseated and
suffered intense intestinal cramps and sore
throat. Dr. R. Brent Murphy was called
twice that day and by evening the patient's
condition was so serious it was decided to
take him to 8t. Mary's Hospital. Next
morning the case was diagnosed as scarlet fever
and Father Pohl was taken in an ambulance
to the Isolation Hospital.
During the following two weeks he
suffered excruciating pains and his kidneys
became involved. He was in a critical condition
during this time and the medical
superintendent of the hospital and his assistants
and nurses did all that medical science
could do to break the fever and alleviate his
suffering. He attributes his recovery to their
expert knowledge and the prayers of the
congregation.
The congregation was keenly concerned in
Father Pohl's recovery as was evident from
the number of telephone calls at the Rectory
and the many prayers that were offered by
the parlshioners. The children especially
were deeply afflicted because of his illness
and many of them offered daily communion
for his recovery - since he came home groups
of them have visited him in the Rectorv and
all the parishioners are jubilant that he is
again among them.
Father Pohl wishes to express his
gratitude to God for his recovery, and thanks the
parishioners for their many manifestations of
affection. He says he feels weak.
John Hruby, a young married man whose
home is at 1118 Graham Ave., has scarlet
fever and is a patient in the City Isolation
Hospital.
In a physical examination of 150 children,
pupils of the parochial school, the Catholic
school Health Bureau found only eight who
were perfect. Those receiving 100% included
Florence Foy, Mary Louise Godfrey,
Rosemary Bigney, Mary Virginia Regan, Joseph
Imperial, Rolla Gittins, Agnes Dolan, Rosemary Lenci.
The remaining children, it was detected,
surfered some physical defect. About 65% failed
to get a high percentage because of decayed
teeth; 15% were undernourished, 8% had
defective sight, 2% ear trouble, 18% infected
tonsils, 1% heart trouble.
Each child was given a health report card
on which was a recommendation that the
family physician be called upon to correct
the specific trouble. In the more serious
cases the parents were called in or a nurse
was sent to the home to confer with them
concerning the child's health.
The examination is very thorough and
defects were found of which the parents were
entirely unaware. One little fellow, it was
found, was ruptured and another child has
his eyesight much impaired. His mother said
she didn't even suspect it. A few children
were sent home because they showed
symptoms of infectious disease, and a few days
later one of these children developed measles
and another scarlet fever.
The Catholic School Health Bureau
consists of 1 doctor, 2 nurses and a social
worker. This staff is maintained by the
Council of Catholic Women and their services so
far have been given to St. James School,
free of charge, but a request was made last
July that each parish defray a share of the
expense. It is but reasonable that this should
he clone, or, that the parents of the children
would at least know that they are obtaining
this service from the Council of Catholic
Women. We suggest that the parents of each
child donate through the school $1 for each
child that is examined.
The Catholic School Health Bureau also
maintains an information bureau and directs
the children of the poor to the clinics conducted
by the medical school of St. Louis University,
the Clinic of St. Mary's Hospital, 1509
Chouteau Ave., DePaul Hospital Clinic and St.
John's Hospital. In cases where the parents
cannot accompany the child the social
worker employed by the bureau takes the child
to the clinic and in some instances the
Council of Catholic Women have been known to
defray the cost of glasses.
To communicate with the Bureau, call
GRand 2915.
Prevention of disease. There is an old
saying that an ounce of prevention is better
than a pound of cure and medical science
has found vaccination a sure preventative of
smallpox and innoculation a safeguard against
diphtheria. Immunity from diphtheria is not
immediate after innoculation and usually
takes from 3 to 6 months. Not a single child
of those treated last year in the school has
been known to become infected though
diphtheria developed among other members in
the same family who were not innoculated.
The City Health Department is considered
the safest to administer the protective
serums as it secures its own supplies from
dependable sources, but the Catholic Bureau
also recommends all reputable family
physicians.
The City Health Department innoculates
arid vaccinates children in St. James School
on stated periods once a year.
Communicable diseases. There is an
epidemic of communicable diseases all over the
city at the present time and homes are
quarantined in every part of the city. The signs
on the windows read, Scarlet Fever,
Diphtheria, Measles, Meningitis.
A Catholic Bureau representative states
that the epidemic is the worst on their
record. Six parochial schools have been closed
for short periods and one-fourth of the
teachers in the public schools, we are informed,
have been absent on sick leave.
To prevent the spread of diseases vigilance
is recommended in the home and school and
children should be kept under observation
and separated from their fellows whenever
they manifest suspicious symptoms. These
are, skin rash, sore throat, vomiting
and temperature.
Bobby Coad has been a prisoner in his
home these past few weeks and has been
observed watching his companions playing on
the street. He describes his illness as
"Scarlet and no Fever."
Mrs. Helen Bawn Bartin, 7348 Ethel Ave.,
on January 27th gave birth to a girl at St.
John's Hospital, who since has been
christened at St. Luke's Church and is named
Mary Joan. Mrs. Bartin has been detained
in the Maternity Hospital these several
weeks. Her condition, though not critical,
takes a little of the pleasure from the JOY
of initial motherhood.
Mrs. Eleanor Bannon Reed, 1943 Mitchell
Ave., underwent a follow-up operation at
St. John's Hospital where she has been a
patient during the past four weeks. Her
condition since the operation is very satisfactory
and she has maintained a pleasant
disposition the greater part of the time.
The Alumni Association Dramatic Club are
preparing a play under the direction of
Joseph Kelley which will be presented at the
St. Louis University Auditorium on the
evening of April 15th. The play is entitled "The
Goose Hangs High." The sale of tickets is
not being rushed until after the Mothers'
Club Minstrel. The officers of the association
urge the members to get behind the
advertising of the play so as to secure an
enthusiastic reception for the cast and a well
filled house. The funds derived by the sale
of tickets will be used to defray the expense
of the memorial window erected in the
church.
Mary Margaret Rehagen, daughter of Hazel
O'Donnell Rehagen. 1 1/2 years old, died at
St. John's Hospital Feb. 7th and was buried
from St. James Church Feb. 9th.
Hazel, for the benefit of her children's
health, has resided with her mother at 1228
Tamm Ave. during the past two years, and
her life would appear to be the Way of the
Cross. Her devoted husband, Clement
Rehagen, has a position which necessitates his
presence in the South and their separation
during their days of affliction intensified
their grief. They have the deep sympathy of
all who know them. Their cross is heavy,
but the heavy cross is sometimes given as a
supreme test of Christian fortitude.
Mr. and Mrs. Rehagen are very brave in
their afflictions.
The Manufacturers Supper given in the
school hall Feb. 12th by the Mothers' Club
drew a rather disappointing attendance. Not
more than half the plates were taken and the
net receipts were only $32. The mothers
worked hard and the receipts would be a
starvation wage for the hours of labor
expended on this venture. But the Mothers
Club members are not disheartened, they ran
into foul weather, hard times, an epidemic of
measles, scarlet fever, and a sprinkling of
flu. They will be again on top of the world
on St. Patrick's Night when they hope the
parishioners will not forget that all their
efforts are made for the benefit of the
children in the parochial school.
Wm. Roles, father of Mrs. Arthur Pahl,
1458 Tamm Ave., was rushed to St. Mary's
Hospital Saturday night, February 21, at 2
a.m. and was immediately operated upon
for hernia. The operation was successful
but he has contracted a slight attack of
pneumonia. His condition is critical.
The old church hall has been improved at
some expense to fit it for recreational and
athletic purposes and to provide a meeting
place for the youth of the parish. Two,
previous efforts to enlist the young people's
interest failed because a few Hooligans
obstructed the orderly process of running the
club and continued their presence after the
membership intimated that only persons
complying with the requirements of the club
were welcome.
As a result no rules could be enforced, no
order preserved: the handball court was
monopolized by those who were not members
and the club disbanded. The young men who
were promoting the movement felt they
would incur the enmity of the undesirable
intruders if they insisted on the enforcement
of the rules, and they accepted peace at the
cost of having the club fail.
A well disposed group of young men have
again resumed athletic exercise in the hall
and have constructed a basket-ball court,
and organized a club, John Houlihan and
a few others are deeply interested in the
project. They are planning a program of
social and athletic events for the young men
and women of the parish.
Mary O'Counell and Florence Wilsdon have
been named as a committee to organize
the girls. The Pastor strongly approves of
the plan and has requested those in charge
to leave entirely to him to eliminate those
who are not willing to comply with the
rules. That is the reason trouble is
anticipated. He won't use kid gloves with those
who are likely to obstruct the formation of
all orderly gathering of young people.
Freedom to join the club is the privilege of all
but an invitation is extended only to those
who are ready to abide with the regulations.
Young men are invited to enter Monday,
Wednesday and Friday nights. Initiation fee
covering dues for one month, $1. Monthly
dues, 50c.
Mrs. Margaret Buckley, sister of Mrs.
James Devaney, 1538 Fairmount Ave., died at
St. John Hospital recently. May she rest in peace.
Mrs. Adele Conrov has been practicing
military drills in a cast-off police officer's
uniform during the past few weeks in
preparation for a parade of black faced
comedians to the footlights on the stage at
Lambskin Hall, 1656 S. Kingshighway, when St.
James Mothers'Club will present their
annual Minstrel Show on St. Patrick's Night,
March 17th. Others in the cast include, Mrs.
Corinne Gittins, Mrs. Barney Quinn, Mrs.
Wamhoff, Mrs. Kramer, Mrs. Plengemeier.
The show will be directed by Mrs. Uxa and
will feature comedy that has local setting
and personnel.
All orchestra has been secured that can
play Irish jigs and reels and all effort is
being made to have on the program old
fashioned dances and an Irish sketch that
will associate the evening and its pleasures
with St. Patrick the great Apostle of the
Irish race.
St. Patrick's Night has come to be
regarded as an occasion for making a relaxation in
the dlaclpllne of Lent and the Church does
not frown on it as long as the festivities
pertain to reverence and honor to an
illustrious Saint of God, but should this feature
be eliminated there is no jusitfication for the
break in the Lenten program. Mrs. Uxa, in
appreciation of this fact, is planning a sketch
that will do honor to the occasion.
Reservattons can be made through Mrs. G.W.
Meyers, 6144 W. Park Ave., STerling 0045.
Tickets 50c, reserved seats 15c extra.
Mrs. Mary A. Wilson, mother to Mrs. Foley,
1017a Central Ave., age 71, died at her home
on February 5th after a brief illness and a
slight attack of pneumonia, and was buried
on the morning of Feb. 7th from St. James
Church.
She had been a widow many years and
suffered many privations. She battled bravely
all her life to maintain her home and
support her children. She received the last
Sacraments with great devotion a few days
before her death and faced this great ordeal
with calm confidence. May she rest in peace.
On Saturday, Feb. 21st, a funeral cortege
that extended more than a mile wended its
way to St. James Church where the North
Italian Association and many relatives were
present at the funeral of Paul Colombo, age
52, of 6224 W. Park Ave., who died at the
City Hospital on Feb. 17th of cancer of the
jaw.
Mr. Colombo has been known in this
community for many years and was a man of
simple, practical faith who rarely or never
missed Mass, and, made sacrifices to give his
children a parochial school education. He
was born in Italy and was much beloved by
his fellow immigrants. To his wife and
bereaved children we extend our sympathy.
Mr. Colombo piously received the Sacraments
frequently whilst in the City Hospital and
maintained a splendid heroism during the
excruciating progress of the disease. May
he rest in peace.
The remains of Mrs. Eltzabeth Christman,
whose son, Mr. Wulf, resides at 6438 Wise
Ave., were convoyed from Las Vegas, New
Mexico, to he interred in St. Louis and the
funeral took place from St. James Church on
Feb. 23rd with Requiem Mass when many
relatives and friends paid their last respects
to her memory. She never resided in this
community. May she rest in peace.
Mrs. Margaret Cecilia Newman, nee Glenn,
died at her home, 1026 Louisville Ave., on
Feb. 15th and was buried from St. James
Church on Feb. 18th. She died of cancer and
for several days, in a reflective mood,
reviewed her life and hopefully anticipated
death. She was humble, devout and sincere
in her last days and received the Sacraments
in a manner that was notably edifying. May
she rest in peace.
Miss Lorene Lutz, daughter of Herbert V.
Lutz. 1516 Fairmount Avenue. was received
into the Sisters of the order of St. Mary on
Feb. 11. Congratulations, Sister Maureen.
What a nice Irish name for a lady who is
part English and German!
Dear Father O'Connor:
Many, many thanks to you for your
splendid mention of this association and for your
kind expressions about me in Let's Go. It
was most gracious of you. I wish this
community had a few more Father O'Connors.
You have not only been a great beacon in the
spiritual uplift of all of us, Catholic and
non-Catholic, but you have taken such interest in
our temporal welfare that we have been
spurred to greater SERVICE. And Father,
that one word speaks volumes.
Mrs. Bellairs joins me in wishing you
every blessing. And again. many, many
thanks.
Five non-Catholic families appealed at the
Rectory one day last. week for help. They
were in extreme want. The membership of
the combined families is 31. Father O'Connor
filled their baskets at a neighboring store
and Ray Dolan who happened to come along,
played the good Samaritan and paid the
bill. It cost him $17.50. For some unknown
reason these families have never requested
help of the Provident Association. If you are
charitably disposed, send an offering to the
Rectory or put it in the Poor Box in Church.
There are many appeals; we don't have to
investigate cases; we know them. The poor
hesitate about making their needs known.
So far no one has been refused assistance
by us.
There was only one Baptism in February.
Edw. Robt. Hruby, 1118 Graham Ave.
A Catholic Instruction Class is being held
at the Rectory on Tuesdays and Tnuradays
at 7:30 p.m.
Miss Margaret Fahey, 1030a Forest Ave.,
whilst nusing her mother, contracted a
severe case of influenza. She was anointed
last Sunday and since then her condition
has constantly improved.
Miss Mary C. Harris, 6217 W. Park Ave.,
went to Chicago last week and spent the
week-end with her cousin, Miss F. Harris.
UNCLE HENRY'S LETTER
dear Charlie:
the Pastor has arranged with Father Pathe
to conduct a Mission here starting March 15,
an we would like very much to have you
attend. Of course, i know you don't need it
charlie, on acount of they is lots of worse
feller's than you are.
you go to church every Sunday - except
when you have a good excuse, like goin' on a
all day picnic or a fishin' trip; an you would
go on Holy days of obligation only you would
have to get up so early to get to work on
time. You attend the Sacriments often enough
to be considered a practical Catholic -
Communion at least once a year.
you contribute to the church - what you
think you can afford - and would give more if
the priests would stop talkin money so much,
an practice a little economy on there own
part; instead of givin' away half the money
they get to poor families which would be as
well off as you if they would hustle more an
try to get ahead.
i am sure you would take more interest in
parish affairs if the pastor showed a little
appreciation, an if he hadn't been so obstinate
the time your youngster had trouble in the
school.
the Lord knows, charlle, that you ain't a
bad sort, an He surely will give you credit
for being a respectable citizen, a peaceful
neighbor, a faithful husband an father.
sumhow though, i cant help feelin that a God
that goes to so much pains to pervide this
old world with so manv things for our
interest an enjoyment is likely to expect a small
measure of affection on our part.
the Golden Rule is a fine creed: but not a
religion. it is like having a step-daughter
who implicitly obeys every request you make;
who never gives you any reason to find fault
with her conduct; but who shows no sign of
affection for you, or appreciation for your
favors. wouldn't you rather have one that
tracked mud into the house; and then threw
her arms around your neck and said "I'm
sorry daddy, I'll try not to do it again"?
the laws of God and man were made to be
obeyed but i believe He will over-look sum of
the short-comings of the feller that ain't
afraid occasionally to dip his pride in a bath
of pious subjection. funny too, that kind of
feller don't have so much trouble obeyin the
laws. think it over. charlie: better attend the
mission.
we are planin' to get "pop" Kiely to
attend; that is, if he is well enough to get out
of the hospital by that time. i dont suppose
you remember "pop," on acount of it has been
quite a wile since you left "butcher-town".
he is a lovable old "renegade" who was too
decent to do anything wrong, but just kinda
drifted away from the church. recently when
the Pastor was callin on our "jimmie" at the
hospital, he run onto "Pop," and it wasn't no
time till he had the old feller straightened
out with the church, an in just the right
frame of mind to undergo the serious
operation that had been worrying him, an i never
saw enybodv happier than he and his family
was over the turn of events.
wel charlie, the winter is slipping away, an
we are coming into them bleak March days
when derby hats tell which way the wind
blows. although we haven't had much winter,
no one will be sorry to see the season go, on
acount of the terrible amount of sickness it
has brought. hardly a home has escaped an
it has got so bad that even the doctors is
complainin'.
maybe you herd that Father Pohl was in
the hospital with a severe case of scarlet
fever. he got home last week an dont look
none the worse for ware, in spite of losing a
few pounds. Scarlet is usually
consided to be a childs disease, an i dont know if his
enthusiasm for the boy scouts has got
anything to do with his ketchin it or not, but it
jest goes to show that at Father's age, a
person shouldn't try to go back too far.
the Holy Name Society are planning
another big meeting for the 9th of March, an
lou Riegel tells me that a big surprise is in
store for those that attend. he wouldn't tell
me what his plans are, but he certainly is
got sumthing up his sleeve, judging by the
grin he is wearin. The meeting will be short
an lively, smokes will be passed around. an
a fine attendance prize given away. drop
around.
they is a rumor out that the Murphy's
house on Lloyd avenue was robbed last week,
an folks around here are savin they aint a
bit surprise, on acount of the way mary
dresses, one would think Dan was a millinair.
the news is not for publication though, so
please dont pass it around.
the improvement association is putting up
a real fight to have the city make the north
side of Oakland Avenue. so as to relieve the
traffick on the south side, which has develop
into a regular speedway. in the meantime, it
would be good if they could get a cupple stop
signals, or a few cops during the morning
and evening hours, so that a person could get
to an from the street cars without running
chances of being bounced into Franklin
county.
i understand our old friend, "Chubby"
Glaus is openin a confectionery at Clayton
and Tamm Ave., ware he will put out all
kinds of soft drinks. drop in there sum day
wen you are drlvin by, an maybe he will
sing you a song, or recite his classic, "They
are tooking me to war."
your pertickler friend & uncle BACK TO LET'S GO, 1931
FATHER PATHE HAS THE HEART OF A BOY AND THE HUMOR OF A STRIPING
AND IS A GREAT MISSIONARY
WHAT IS A MISSION?
Object
Advice
Resolutions
Why Should I Attend This Mission?
DON'T LET THE LACK OF MONEY KEEP YOU AWAY FROM YOUR PARISH
.......................................
.......................................
FATHER COFFEY
HONOR PUPILS IN THE PAROCHIAL SCHOOL
...........................................
............................................
.............................................
THE DIOCESAN ANNUAL REPORT
MRS. FOY DIES
..........................................
..........................................
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THE UNITED ENTERTAINMENT OF HOLY JOHN'S BARBER SHOP
NAME SOCIETY AND BOY SCOUTS
ANNA DOLAN GETS MARRIED
......................................
MARRIAGE BELLS
.......................................
WHAT IS THIS CATHOLIC CHURCH?
......................................
CATHOLICS AND NON-CATHOUCS IN THE PARISH
.........................................
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WHY PARISHES? CAN'T PEOPLE GO WHERE THEY LIKE?
WHY PARISHES? CAN'T PEOPLE GO WHERE THEY LIKE?
FATHER POHL HOME FROM ISOLATION HOSPITAL
EIGHT PHYSICALLY PERFECT CHILDREN
...........................................
PAROCHIAL SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION NEWS
.......................................
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........................................
THERE WILL BE TROUBLE AND THIS IS A SNARL
.............................................
THE MOTHERS' CLUB MINSTREL ST. PATRICK'S NIGHT AT LAMBSKIN HALL
FUNERAL OF MRS, FOLEY'S MOTHER
NORTH ITALY ASSOCIATION ATTENDS FUNERAL
........................................
........................................
........................................
A LETTER FROM SOUTH FOREST PARK IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION
Sincerely,
Jock Bellairs.
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March 1, 1931.
HENRY
BACK TO LET'S GO, 1925-1932
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