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."
There is a prevailing feeling that no matter who gives or does not give to the church, no one will suffer, but that is often a thoughtless impression and is the result of a mental condition that arises about everything in which all individual is not actively interested.
If you don't attend your parish church except at rare intervals you won't know very much about the problems that confront the pastor or the aims or the ambitions that he has for extending the influence of the Church and promoting the Glory of God in the community.
There might be a leak in the roof of the school, a general breakdown in the plumbing, a worn-out heating plant, an unsanitary sewer system, or, a neglected and uninstructed number of families, but in these things you will not be concerned if you do not go to your parish church. You don't mean to be indifferent, or to be in any sense a back-slider or a Cheap-skate, you just feel that it is more agreeable to keep away from parish activities and to attend a neighboring church on Sunday and leave all these petty worries and anxieties to someone else, but that is not doing the right thing, at the right time, or in the right way. Devotion to God should be more fraternal and cooperative. There wouldn't be a school, a Church or a Convent in any locality in st. Louis or for that matter any other notable improvement, unless someone in the immediate community took pains to arouse a general interest inl promoting and developing a theory of social betterment.
Your parish church, you parish school, the Nuns, that teach therein, the priests that minister to your spiritual welfare, are entrusted to you and your fellow parishioners to care for. The Church imposes this obligation under the pain of sin in a definite way on definite individuals. It binds those Catholics who reside within the boundary lines or a parish to interest themselves in everything as far as their time permits, that pertains to the welfare of that parish and frees them from all obligations towards other parishes for which they may have an affection because of youthful association or other human attractions.
Duty is an ugly word and makes many fetters that impair one's freedom, but if you haven't a sense of duty developed your religion is not helping to make you of that stern stuff which keeps husbands faithful to wives, wives faith full to husbands, children grateful to parents, society devoted to public servants and man submissive to his Creator.
The particular point to which this effort to focus your attention is directed is
Unless contributions are sent in regularly by all the parishioners during the Summer months there will be a noticeable deficit at the end of the year in the parish treasury which will set back indefinitely a much needed Convent for the Sisters who teach in the parochial school.
The sisters never complain about their personal comfort, they silently suffer, pray and make sacrifices.
The deficit in the parish treasury will affect them for the following reason: The building program outlined at the time of erecting the New Church included a Convent and a Rectory. When the Church was completed a movement to create a fund for a Convent was initiated, and in 2 years the surplus parish revenue added to the proceeds of two Carnivals amounted to $11,000,00.
This fund remains intact only as long as the parish can meet its current annual obligations. Last year it was drawn upon to meet a deficit of a few hundred dollars and this year, because of the general depression, the parish revenue is falling with such consistency there is reason to fear that the deficit at the end of the year might run into thousands, and that the Convent Fund instead of being slightly increased will be substantially diminished.
It isn't easy in the space of this short appeal to give a proper impression of the sacrifices that the Sisters who teach in our parochial school are making. We wish we could take you through the Convent and show you the distressing conditions under which the Sisters reside. We know that it would appeal to your sympathy and arouse your indignation that anyone should remain indifferent. The imagery of these things is constantly before our mind and our anxiety for the well being of the Sisters has increased because in the past few years there have been two Sisters stricken with an organic trouble that may or may not be caused by unsanitary conditions, the result of congestion.
Those good Nuns are very positive in stating that conditions in the Convent had nothing to do with their illness, but we have our doubts and regardless of whether they had or they hadn't, we know that the Convent is nothing to boast about and that every parishioner who regards with reverence the personal sacrifices made by Nuns, should come to their relief.
We therefore appeal to all the parishioners to make weekly contributions to the church fund, but especially do we urge new parishioners to take up this obligation.
The old parishioners have left a tradition of generosity and consideration. Many of them are moving from the parish and then weeklY contributions are being sorely missed. The economlc conditions that prevail make necessary movement or city folk from one home to another and for that reason, parishes are like parades, some are always going, whilst others are coming, but unless those who come take up and discharge the obligation of those who go, the church necessarily must suffer.
It is very proper that your heart would retain affectionate memories of the parish and the pastors that you recently left, but these are only feelings which like tears are often brushed aside by the hand of duty. Just look at the matter calmly and dispassionately and ask yourself if you are doing the right thing when you are not donating as much as you could afford, at regular intervals, to your parish church.
At the meeting of the Mothers' Club the first Friday in May the affairs of the year were brought to a conclusion and the treasurer read a satisfactory report. She stated that the cafeteria is now paid for and there is a small surplus in the treasury after all bills were met.
Father O'Connor complimented the outgoing officers on their work and requested them to submit for parish record an account of receipts and expenditures of the past year similar to the annual report made of parish funds to the parishioners.
The following officers were elected: Mrs. Emma Bovard, Hon. Past President; Mrs. Chas. W. Klasek, President; Mrs. Walter Lambert, Vice-President; Mrs. Whittaker, Secretary; Mrs. R.E. Pierce, Treasurer; Mrs. Chas, W. Klasek, manager of the school lunchroom and Mrs. H. Lott, Treasurer.
At the request of the new secretary, Mrs. Whittaker, 28 ladies visited Morgen's Laundry, 2025 Morgan Street, where she is in charge of exhibiting the modern process of laundry work to visitors. An allowance of 40c was made to the Mothers' Club for each lady visiting as a recompense for the advertising thus derived. The visit netted the Club $11.20. Probably they would have had a larger attendance were it not that the day was very wet. They say they were much impressed by the violet ray machine used in the laundry for sterilizing and bleaching flat work.
Sister Mary Redempta Reagan, a Franciscan Nun, and niece to Mr. Pat McGuire of Graham Avenue, died last week at her convent in New Lexington, Ohio, after a lingering illness. May she rest in peace.
Mrs. Briuglia is visiting her sister Mrs. Matreci of 2019 Schaefer Place. She is a former parishioner and says she finds great delight in being back among her old friends. Her home is in New York where she resides with her daughter, Mrs. Skouras.
Devotion to the Sacred Heart has continued during the past 25 years to extend its attractiveness, and on the first Friday of each month in almost every Catholic Church in the world, large congregations attend Mass and make the nine Fridays.
There may be a touch of selfishness in making a Novena or a Nine Fridays but all selfishness is forgotten where there is true devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The essence of this devotion is Love - a human being's love for a God-man, and a God-man's infinite love for human beings.
The Feast of the Sacred Heart, in the mind of the church is a day set apart, for special love to our Saviour. In the vision of the Blessed Margaret Mary He presented Himself as a much neglected lover longing for recognition, attention and affection, and He grievously complained of the coldness and indifference with which the majority of men regard Him. He promised many favors to those who frequently spent an hour in His Holy Presence in the Blessed Sacrament and to those who devoutly received Him on the First Friday of each month.
To perpetuate a daily memento of His devotedness, the Apostleship of Prayer with the approval of the Church has fostered the daily offering of oneself and one's labors to the Sacred Heart. The offering is made in these words: "O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer Thee my prayers, works and sufferings of this day for all the intentions of Thy Sacred Heart, in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, in reparation for my sins, for the intentions of all our Associates, and in particular for the special intention recommended each month by the Holy Father."
Making the above offering sanctifies one's labors and brings the Blessing of God upon them. It unites the individual's activities with that of the millions of others who belong to the Union of the Apostleship of Prayer and are the scouts in the army of the Sacred Heart. It also unites them with the offering of the Mass throughout the world and presents them to the Eternal Father through the hearts of Jesus and Mary. The idea is romantic and poetic and is a beautiful conception.
The Morning Offering is a requirement for membership in the first degree of the Apostleship of Prayer. Those who add an Our Father and ten Hail Marys belong to a higher degree and the highest is reached by adding to these two a day of reparation each month when Communion is received, and the mind elevated to a realization of God's unceasing love.
There are in St. James Parish probably 500 members in the Apostleship of Prayer. These meet only once a year and that is on the Feast of the Sacred Heart. The work of the Apostolate is carried on by promoters under the spiritual direction of Father O'Connor. These meet in the Rectory the third Sunday of each month at 1:30 p.m.
Those who have time and inclination to be promoters are requested to attend the next meeting.
Love for the Sacred Heart, like all other work requires the three elements which the Holy Father has recommended to all Christians, Prayer, Action and Sacrifice.
Be practical and consistent in your devotion to the Sacred Heart. Do all you can to make the Feast Day better known and more enthusiastically celebrated. Remember the date is Friday, June 12th, when there will be a special celebration at St. James Church at 7:45 p.m.
The financing of the school picnic has been undertaken by Mrs. Geo. Kletzker and not knowing the date of the picnic 6 months ago when she set the date for the supper to raise funds, causes her now no small embarrasment. As has been stated in the previous issue, the supper to raise funds for the school picnic will be held Thursday, June, 4, at the Town Club, to be followed by a card game at which there will be a prize for a table. Admission for both $1. There are only 116 reservations, but it seems to be difficult this year to dispose of them. Mrs. Kletzker whose telephone number is HIland 4581 will appreciate your calling for a reservation.
Mrs. James O'Hearn, 6219 Victoria Avenue, fell on a hardwood floor in her home when a rug slipped from her feet a few weeks ago and broke her hip. She is receiving medical care at St. Mary's Hospital.
A group of Sisters and novices from the Deaconess Hospital in an art inspection tour, visited St. James Church last week and were given a half hour lecture by Father O'Connor. They expressed themselves as being very pleased with the visit and manifested the keenest interest in the medallions in the art glass windows that portray the character and teachings of Christ.
Deep sympathy is extended to Mrs. Chevalier, 1029 Tamm Ave., in the death of her sister, Mrs. Lawler.
Mr. John Roles, age 70, father of Mrs. Arthur Pahl, 1458 Tamm Ave., recently underwent a second successful operation for hernia at St. Mary's Hospital. He is convalescing at his home.
Mrs. Thomas Hasty, age 44, died at her home, 6458 Lloyd Ave., on Wednesday, May 23rd, of an acute attack of heart disease. During the week preceding her death, her condition was regarded by her physician as being critical and she was given the last Sacraments on Sunday. She maintained up to the last a fine composure and spirit of resignation. She was a woman who had keen spiritual sensibilities and was a devoted mother and a good wife.
Her mother, Mrs. Begley, with whom the Hasty family reside, is regarded as the Saint of the Parish. She calmly accepted the death of her daughter and received the visitors during the wake with a placid countenance.
Mrs. Hasty was a sister of Mrs. Peter Dolan, and as the Hasty and Begley families are favorably and widely known, there was a very large attendance at both the wake and funeral. Her remains were conveyed from the family residence on Saturday, May 23rd, to St. James Church, and interred in Calvary Cemetery. May she rest in peace.
Ann Dolan's husband, Irl Humphreys, is known at the Rectory as a splendid radio repair man. He conducts the Radio Television Laboratories at 752 Hamilton Ave., and is a member of the Institute of Radio Engineers. He answers calls to the home for $1.00 and can be reached on phone, CAbany 1004.
A splendid new Missal was donated to the Church on Pentecost, by Mr. D.A. Merriman, Chicago, a boy who grew up in the parish and served as an altar boy. It cost $75. Thanks, Mr. Merriman. Your generosity and loyalty to your old parish is appreciated.
Richard Sylvester Cook, 1126a Graham Ave.
Patricia Ann Meyer, 6734a Garner Ave.
Agnes Jane Wilhelm, 2159 Sulphur Ave.
Svlvia May Ryan, 1904 Knox Ave. (Convert)
Robert Ryan, 1904 Knox Ave.
Margret Stafferd, 6823 Waldemar. (Convert)
Mary Jane O'Gorman, 7530 Folk Ave. (Convert)
John Willard Guignard, 6413a W. Park Ave.
Thomas Duggan, 6436 Nashville Ave.
Father O'Connor will preach at St. Edward's Church on Sunday, May 31st, at the First Solemn Mass of Rev. Daniel Brown, son of the late Daniel Brown, Listowel, County Kerry, Ireland.
Father Brown was ordained May 30th at the Cathedral, Davenport, Iowa, and is returning to St. Louis to say his first Mass in appreciation of the many friendships he formed whilst spending his vacation with Mr. and Mrs. Martin Scannell during the years he was a student at Kenrick Seminary.
The papal encyclical on labor is a timely supplement to the historic document issued by Leo XIII and is a modern application of Christian principles of social justice and charity to the economic and commercial problems that are concomitant to the machine age.
Invention has lessened the burdens of labor, but not of the laborer. He is caught in the belt that makes the wheels turn and his cry of distress is world-wide and pitiable. The Holy Father's appeal is not to destroy the machine but to liberate the man.
His pronouncements differ notably from those that have been made recently by conventions of bankers and international chambers of commerce. Representatives of these organizations spoke as Nationalists and as partisans. He speaks as the Spiritual Father of the human family and views the economic problem in light of universal good.
The key-note of his solution is union of minds and hearts between employers and employees. Man is more important than the machine and prosperity should aim at human happiness rather than at excessive profits.
The encyclical is a learned and philosophic document that can be fully mastered only by the schools, yet the ordinary man can understand much of its meaning and application. It is essentially in its nature, a treatise for "higher ups" and this increases its effectiveness because our social problems though they are most keenly felt by the masses, must be solved by the classes. These are complex and involve far reaching adjustments that must of necessity curb human selfishness and promote human happiness. The Holy Father does not condemn the capitalist. He invites him to enter the convention of men with a big mind and a bigger heart.
Selfishness and the lack of goodwill is at the bottom of all our social difficulties. We have in this Country, the men, the minds, the money and the machinery; what we need is goodwlll, justice and Christian charity. He who made the machinery of the Universe, gave it law. Selfishness is the monkey-wrench that man has thrown into the gears; this has made, "economic life," in the words of the Holy Father, "hard, cruel and relentless in ghastly measure."
Rev. Joseph Mathey, a member of the Fathers of the Holy Family, 6690 Oakland Ave., who is to be ordained at the College Church by Archbishop John J. Glennon on June 25th, will celebrate his first Solemn Mass at St. James Church at 10 a.m. Sunday, June 28th.
Father Mathey was born in Merzig in the Sarre Valley, Germany, and was a member of the 8th Army Corps Hospital Division in Coblenz during the World War. He made his early theological studies in Ravengiersburg, Rhineland, until he came to St. Louis University in 1929, where he completed his course.
He intends remaining in St. Louis at least another year and taking higher studies at St. Louis University, and assisting city pastors in occasional spiritual labors.
Rev. Ernst Braun of the same House will also be ordained the same day and will celebrate his first Solemn Mass at Holy Trinity Parish.
After the Mass at St. James, Father Mathey and the visiting clergy will be given breakfast in the Rectory. Later the Reverend Pastors will visit the Fathers Home where a reception will be given to well wishers of the young clergy in the afternoon and evening.
St. Ann's Sodality will have their annual truck ride and picnic at Placke Club, Valley Park, Mo., Tuesday, June 16. All married ladies are invited and each is requested to bring a knife, fork, cup and spoon.
Mrs. Nixon has volunteered to procure trucks to convey the ladies to the club. They will leave the school at 9 a.m.
Arrangements must be made by June 10th by calling Mrs. McDonnell, HIland 9608, Mrs. Plengemeier, St. 0332, or Mrs. Pierce, HI land 4405. Each lady will be taxed 75c to defray the cost of the lunch.
Rev. John M. Smith, cousin of Sister Tarcistus, spent a few days at the Rectory during the past week and said Mass each morning in the Convent.
1. I am the Lord thy God; thou shalt not have strange gods before Me.
2. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
3. Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day.
4. Honor thy father and thy mother.
5. Thou shalt not kill.
6. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
7. Thou shalt not steal.
8. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
9. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife.
10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods.
1. To hear Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation.
2. To fast and abstain on the days appointed.
3. To confess at least once a year.
4. To receive the Holy Eucharist during the Easter-time.
5. To contribute to the support of our pastors.
6. Not to marry persons who are not Catholics, or who are related to us within the third degree of kindred, nor privately without witnesses, nor to solemnize marriage at forbidden times.
"There was a door to which I found no key.
There was a veil past which I could not see.
Some little talk awhile of me and thee
There seemed - and then no more of thee and me."
-Khayyam.
Miss Margaret A. Ludden, daughter of Mrs. Ludden, 6115 Clayton Ave., will receive her A.B. degree at Webster College on Wednesday, June 3rd.
Miss Ida McCauley sends us an invitation to her graduation at the Ursuline Academy High School.
Twenty-eight boys from St. James Parish attended the annual retreat of Catholic Boy Scouts which was held at Chaminade College on May 20th.
Catholic boys are exhorted by His Excellency, the Archbishop, to spend a part of their vacation at the St. Louis Catholic Boys Camp, Weldon Springs, St. Charles Co., Mo., 40 miles from St. Louis. M.K.T., R.R. Station Madja, Mo. Terms $8 a week. Fine directors; good companionship and lots of activities.
Fifty-eight children received their First Holy Communion at St. James Church on Ascension Thursday.
Father O'Connor officiated at the Requiem Mass at St. Rose's Church of Miss Mary O'Connell, niece of the late Rev. Cornelius O'Leary, former pastor of Notre Dame Church, Wellston, who was buried Tuesday, May 26th.
Miss O'Connell kept house for her uncle up to the time of his death which some may recall took place as the result of a cyclone at Mineral Point, May 31, 1917, in which Father O'Connor and Father O'Leary were seriously injured whilst on a visit to O1d Mines.
Miss O'Connell died at DePaul Hospital after an operation for appendicitis. May she rest in peace.
6426 Lloyd Avenue. 7 room modern residence, nice yard, garage. $60.00. STerling 0242.
More than two thousand people were, it is reported, urgently desirous to get seats at the Odeon at a cost of $1.00 to $2.50, to hear a prominent Jewish Rabbi, a popular Methodist minister, and a professor at a Catholic University, swallow in the name of tolerance, the carbon monoxide gas coming from the exhaust of a notorious agnostic lawyer.
We do not know how the door receipts were divided. Perhaps they were given to the relief of the poor and the participators were satisfied with the acclaim they were given by the press. Be this as it may, the agnosticism of Clarence Darrow had a fine religious setting. He sat with comfort and complacency on revealed truth. By agreement his arguments were to go unanswered. He availed of his opportunity of attacking the undefended fortress of Christianity. He ridiculed Christian tradition, flouted the idea of revelation and with the fools who applauded his utterance mocked the existence of God.
His arguments were identical with those advanced in the past century by Bob Ingersol and successfully answered by Father Lambert. He got away with them nicely because of the tolerance parade. The presence of Dr. John Lapp, professor in a Catholic University was an unwarranted suggestion of Catholic approval and an undefensible attitude for a Catholic lay man to assume. His name and position gave his presence an official character. In the minds of many he represented the Catholic Church. Catholics were lead to believe that it was proper for them to be present at a lecture by a clever agnostic because of the presence of Dr. John Lapp.
No lay man has the right to represent and compromise the Catholic Church, or to expose her teaching to contempt. The Pope and hierarchy alone have the right to represent her. The professor without the Roman Collar should not dictate her policy. We doubt if Dr. John Lapp represented anyone but himself when he sat with Clarence Darrow at the Odeon in St. Louis.
We cannot see how any good can come from such a symposium. Truth is not reached by a confusion of directions. The highways of thought should be marked by authoritative signs. Until East and West mean the same direction Clarence Darrow and Christianity cannot be tolerated on the same platform. The toleration that calls for the presence of both is a confusion of thought and is as bewildering to a traveler as are two signs at cross roads each pointing in different directions to the true way.
Undoubtedly Mr. Darrow's sophistry and wise-cracks did not disturb the intellectual faith of Dr. John Lapp, but what about the less favored members of the audience? Many of them undoubtedly went to have their difficulties solved or their unreasoned agnosticism confirmed. The press reports the bulk of applause went to Clarence Darrow. Revealed religion made a poor showing, it was represented by an effeminate, hand-shaking coterie of cultured diplomats. The early Christians who fought mental battles with the prevailing Paganism of Rome were not made of such stuff. They were uncompromising antagonists of error, they asked no favors, feared no consequences and did not inculcate the virtue of pussy-footing among their disciples. When we think of Dr. John Lapp and Clarence Darrow exchanging pleasantries and ideas on a public platform and making light of the difference there is between Christianity and agnosticism, we think also of what a world of difference there is between a Dr. John Lapp and a St. Paul.
John D. Bersch intends having a band and a parade as a feature of the school children's picnic which will be held on Tuesday, June 2 at Carondelet Park.
The parade will form in the school yard at 8:45 a.m. and will consist of the school children marching several blocks in the locality preceded by the band and boy scouts, and followed by an automobile escort.
Busses will meet the paraders at an undetermined point and convey them to the picnic grounds.
A prize is offered by the picnic committee to the school room that has the most attractive banner, and automobiles are expected to have an economic and instructive decoration, such a sign as "Please don't block traffic, here comes St. James."
Mrs. Ray Dolan has made ample preparation for serving refreshments. Dan Murphy will have charge of the ice cream, and Mr. Walwin Bosche the candy.
Mr. Bersch intends forming other committees from among those present and is enthusiastic about the outing. He says he expects the children will have a great day but he advises the need of each one procuring a ticket to ride on the bus, in the convent not later than 8 o'clock Monday evening, otherwise sufficient busses will not be chartered and those not having tickets will be disappointed.
FOR RENT - 5 rooms, modern, sun parlor, garage, heat furnished. $37.00. 5 rooms upstairs, sunparlor, garage. $42.50. 6916; Bruno Avenue. HIland 6240. Mr. Henne.
On Sunday, June 14, at the 8:30 Mass, a class of 12 boys and 13 girls will be awarded diplomas by St. James School in the parish church. Members of the class are: Rosemary Bigney, Daniel Burke, Victoria Calcatara Daniel Coad, Robert Corbett, Agnes Duggan, Clara Duvall, Melvin Ehrlich, Virginia Fahey Florence Foy, Mary Louise Godfrey, Joseph Kearney, Catherine Hefele, Helen Kilderry, James Lawless, Joseph Moor, James Moulden, Harold Plengemeier, Muriel Roach, Mary Jane Robertson, Mildron Saxton, Lester Stumpf, Catherine Vellios, Lester Whitmore, Lawrence Arlt.
Muriel Roach, Agnes Duggan, and Mary Louise Godfrey competed for the scholarship awarded to graduates of the parochial school system of St. Louis by Font Bonne and the Rock Church High Schools, and James Lawless and Joseph Moor were among the two hundred competitors for St. Louis University scholarship. The awards are not yet made and these pupils are humbly hoping that they might be among the winners. Competition is a severe test of a child's ability, as there are undoubtedly many unusually talented children among the graduating class of the parochial school system.
The Ursuline Academy is making a big offer to the pupils of St. James School. It will award 3 scholarships to the girls ranking highest in the graduating class. We thank you Sisters, and appreciate your kindness.
FOR RENT -- l to 5 rooms. Modern. Furnished or unfurnished. 2102 Clifton Ave.
The Month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart.
During the summer months, the Church will be open until 8:30 in the evening, and parishioners are urged to make evening visits.
The Pastors' retreat will open at Kenrick Seminary June 15th and continue two weeks. Father O'Connor will attend the first week and Father Pohl the second.
St. James Parochial School is among the few in the city that have an Alumni Association. Its origin dates back 27 years and was intended by its promoters, the Dominican Sisters and Father Casey, to link together the succeeding graduating classes and foster a spirit of fraternity and Catholicity amongst its members.
The annual class of graduates is received each year into the organization at a banquet which is usually given at one of the city hotels. The expense on the occasion is borne by Alumni and Alumnae who are loyal to the tradition of the school and sufficiently interested and selfsacrificing to be sponsors of the reception. This year the banquet will be held on Sunday evening, June 21 at the Knights of Columbus building, 3900 Lindell Boulevard.
The officers of the Association experience much difficulty in keeping an up-to-date mailing list and take occasion of using this publication to extend an invitation to all members. They say it will do you good to come back, don't forget those who went before your graduation and prepared for a proper celebration of that big event in your young life. We owe nothing to posterity but we owe ourselves the duty of maintaining those high ideals that make for self respect.
There can't be a breakfast or any kind of a meal that does not require someone making preparation. Tables, chairs, cups, saucers, and other accessories were washed and shined and arranged Saturday evening in the hall of St. James School by Mesdames George Wibel, Dulany Reese, McDonnell, Chas. Klasek, Foley, in preparation for the parochial school Alumni breakfast which followed the annual Communion that was received at the 7:30 Mass in St. James Church on the Feast of Pentecost.
The attendance for some reason best known to individual members, was not as large as usual. Probably not more than a hundred went to Communion. Breakfast was served to 91 and amongst those who were present from outside the parish were noticed Mary Murphy Bresnahan, Maplewood, Helen Bawn, the Brady twins, Helen Ryan Pahl, Margaret Sianaigo.
A business meeting was held immediately after breakfast and was a spirited, humorous affair. As usual Danny Murphy reviewed the activities of the Association and had the members discuss the outline of a program of action for the coming year. It was agreed upon to take a keener interest in future years in the school children's picnic and in the way of a beginning to present a cup this year for the best athlete in the 8th grade in 100 yard contest, the event to be the first in the day's program. A discussion was also held concerning the advisability of presenting a gift or a medal at the Alumni Banquet, to the graduate who had been awarded the highest merit mark. No decision was reached on this or in the discussion pertaining to the advisability of the Alumni Association taking an active interest in promoting the young folks' social and athletic club that is now a feature of parish life.
The following officers were elected: Mr. Walter Strathman, President, Mr. Jos. Dyer, First V.P.; Miss Florence Wilson, 2nd V.P.; Miss Margaret Oates, Treasurer; Miss Loretta Cooper, Asst. Treas.; Miss Estelle Coad, Sec'y; Miss Ethel Irvin, Asst. Sec'y; Those for the Dramatic Club are: Joseph Phelan Chairman; Dorothy McLaughlin, Treas.; Wm. Hefele, Sec.
Assisting the committee on arrangements cooking and serving breakfast were Mesdames Kelley, Knickel, Cooper, Jones, Moore, Nixon, Thompson, Bovard, Murphy, Jones, Evans, Pierce, and Misses Margaret Hense, Mary and Katherine Ward.
UNCLE HENRY'S LETTER
May 31, 1931.
dear Charlie:
i ain't got much news for you on acount of i been away from home about three weeks, an as i have got the kind of a wife that don't write me eny of the news when i am away, i don't know what is been going on in the old naborhood. just between you an me, i think the mrs. is a little bit jealous of you enyway, on acount of we was wrangling a wile back an she says, "you tell that feller Charlie everything you know, an sum you don't, but you hold back plenty from me." wel, i was about to hand her a hot come-back, but i didn't care to disgust the subjeck eny furthur, an maybe she was more than half right at that.
i was pretty tired this evening after a hard day at the plant, - an not much sleep the past few nights on acount of the boys over here is great entertainers, - an so when i got to the hotel my thoughts was centered about a full night in the "hay". you can imagine the jolt i got when i asked the clerk for my key an he hands me a telegram which read, "Charlie's letter must be mailed today, as Let's Go will be issued next Sunday." signed: P.J. O'Connor.
i didn't need enybody to tell me that they is probly a fishln' party planned for next week, an that a prominent ecclesiastic of St. James parish will be among those present.
this town is all excited about the 500-mlle auto race which takes place next Saturday and i will probly stay over long enough to see it. they has been a smash-up nearly every day while they are getting ready but it will be just about my luck that on the day of the race they won't be a Single accident. i neVer get to see enything exciting.
a cupple of weeks ago, the boss sent me up to a small town in northern Wisconsin to inspect sum equipment he was buying an i got into the most ideal spot i have ever seen. i am so much in love with it that i am tryin' to figer out a way to make a lot of money, so i can go up there to live. the town is located on the shore of Lake Michigan. the air was clear all clean, and the landscape was beautiful. the people was friendly, happy and prosperous; i didn't see an intoxicated person while i was there nor a Policeman. the natives enjoy every moment of life; when they are through working they play golf an tennis durin the day, an bridge after dark.
i was so much in love with the place that i plumb forgot what i went up there for, an was on the way back before i remembered that i hadn't even seen the equipment. simhow though, i didn't worry none, an when i got back i assured the chief that everything was all right. i just figgered that people living in such a condition of contentment, couldn't possibly turn out a inferior product.
they is only one draw-back to the place. in a population of about 50,000, they is 145 saloons running as wide open as if they never was a prohibition law; selling brewery beer at ten cents a stein, an bowls of pretzels standing on the bar. in spite of this, i believe i could get used to the place, an would like to go back there to spend my vacation, an maybe invite frank Walsh an martin Coad to visit me.
walter Lambert has been workin on sum entertainment for the next Holy Name meetin, an i understand he has got several high class boxing an wrasteling bouts arranged, so if you are in the vicinity, we would like to have you join us.
your pertickler friend & uncle
HENRY.
Beginning the first Sunday in June, the Masses during June, July and August will be held at 5:30, 7:00, 8:30 and 10 o'clock. Note, there is an hour and a half between the Masses.
The Virgin Mothers Sodality at the special meeting held recently to reorganize the sodality, decided to put all members on a three month probation and deferred the election of officers until the Feast of the Assumption. All the young ladies who desire membership are requested to go to Communion next Sunday at the 7 o'clock Mass.
Keep in mind, there is only one housekeeper at the Rectory and that she has to leave her otherwise exacting labors at least fifty times a day to answer the telephone and reply to such unnecessary calls as "What are the hours of Mass next Sunday?" "Is next Wednesday a day of abstinence?" "What is Father Smith's telephone number?" "Have you the Sisters a phone?" "When is the school picnic?" "What time are Baptisms?"
The information usually requested in all probability was announced the previous Sunday at all the Masses, or can be obtained by asking a neighbor, or looking up the last issue of Let's Go, or a telephone directory.
Baptisms at 3:30 on Sundays.
Confessions 4:30 on Saturdays.
Week-day Mass 6:30.
BACK TO LET'S GO, 1931
BACK TO LET'S GO, 1925-1932
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