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."
By giving a percent of your earnings to the Church enclosed In an envelope.
Many ofFthe parishioners give 4%. You may not be able to do this but you can do a little. Where there is a will there is a way.
Don't throw the burden of support on those who may be poorer than yourself. God sees how much you spend on things that give you pleasure or comfort.
The Church keeps a record of each individual's donation and mails a statement every three months.
Let's Go differs from all the parish journals we have seen because it carries each month items that have news value. This, we regard, as a great asset, curiosity is a quality in human nature that is insatiable and we avail of it to increase interest. News distribution, however, is not our immediate aim, it is the coating of the pill that carries a church message into every home. There are some parishioners, we fear, who like children, take the sugar and won't swallow the pill. These are very annoying when they require information pertaining to parish affairs. They go to the phone and call the Rectory and on the Eves of Holy Days and Fast Days it is ting-a-ling-a-ling all day and such unnecessary questions as, "what is the hour of Mass? Is Wednesday a Fast Day? What time are Baptisms?" etc., etc. Without intending to be uncomplimentary and for the purpose of useful training the inquirer is often told, "Look up the last copy of Let's Go."
Unfortunately there is sometimes a legitimate out-of-town inquirer who may feel there is a lack of courtesy in such a reply and in our better moods we have a dislike to make it; as a person who is grown up we would ask each of our parishioners to read items of Let's Go for all matters pertaining to Church activities and schedules. They could also render us assistance by giving us information as regards trips, visitors, illness, fires, accidents, socials, houses for sale or rent, new parishioners, etc. There are also frequently calls for labor. May we suggest that everyone who is permanently or temporarily out of work would take a pencil and paper and write his name, age, qualiflcatton, etc .. and mail it to the Rectory in care of our Business Bureau. We won't promise to find a job for everyone who is out of work but through the agency of St. Vincent de Paul and others we have no doubt but we will pick up a position for someone from time to time.
St. James Branch St. Vincent de Paul spent $285 in the month of January relieving the poor in this locality, and besides the orders for clothes and shoes that were turned over to the head Conference. The greater part of this sum came from the Archbishop's Fund, to be exact $256.86; the balance being made up of $17.81 collected at weekly meetings and $16.41 from the sale of the Sunday Visitor. There is now in the Treasury $4.81. Parishioners who are charitably inclined are asked to give donations to those who sell the Sunday Visitor on Sundays at the door of the Church. The paper costs a penny but undoubtedly there are many who would not mind paying a nickel or a dime for it.
To get a needy family immediate assistance, call Wm. E. McGann, President, 1201 Childress Ave., or any of the following: Rev. P.J. O'Connor, 1368 Tamm Ave.; Rev, Norbert E. Pohl, 1368 Tamm Ave.; Jos. M. Crotty, 1423 Tamm Ave; W.J. Bosche, 6449 Nashville Ave.; C.P. Billings, 6408 Lloyd Ave.; Wm. Henne, 6916a Bruno Ave.; John G. Houlihan, 6744 Oakland Ave.; Wm. Jones, 1209 Childress Ave.; Walter Lambert, 1455 Graham Ave.; Edw. L. Loyer, 6906 Bruno Ave.; A.H. Mudd, 1228 Tamm Ave.; John J. Newport, 6420 Wade Ave.; Roy H. Obermann, 1318 Victoria Ave.; J.P. O'Gorman, 6441 Lloyd Ave.; R.E. Pierce, 1223 Childress Ave.; P.J. Regan, 6405 W. Park Ave.; C.L. Thompson, 6419 Wade Ave.; Geo. H. Wiber, 6143 W. Park Ave.; Frank G. Ebenrick, 6508 Clayton Ave.; Ollie Dolan, 6412 Lloyd Ave.; Chas. W. Klasek, 6212 Victoria Ave.; J.E . McLaughlin, 6764 W. Park Ave.; Arthur E. Pahl, 1458 Tamm Ave.; M.C. Coad, 6433 Lloyd Ave.; Edw. Cody, 6448 Lloyd Ave.; W. H. Henkel, 1040 Fairmount Ave.; M. Scherzinger, 6436 Wade Ave.; Dr. Bowdern, Clayton and Tamm Ave.; M.J. Doherty, 6821 W. Park Ave.; Joe Long, 2232 McCausland Ave.
Clothes that do not fit your family or that are no longer serviceable should be listed and the sheet turned over to one of the above that he might attend to the distribution.
Joan Terese Finnigan, 1908 Forest Ave.
Charles Edward Kaiser,1538 Fairmount Ave.
Patrick Ronald Allen, 6448 Nashville Ave.
Under this head properly comes the morning Mass at 6:30 and 8:30 on weekdays. Quite frequently there is a Mass also by a visiting priest at 7 o'clock. Mass is the greatest of a11 devotions. What brings home Lent as a time of penance and reparation as much as Mass! When you offer it up for your sins and actively participate with the priest you are associating yourself with Our Lord in making atonement for the sins of the world; and, when you go to Communion you become more intimate with Him; the union is closer, sweeter and most profitable.
It is an indication also of your love. The fact that you put yourself to the inconvenience of arlstng early, taking, perhaps, a long walk whilst fasting, a hasty breakfast and a rush to work proves in a concrete way your spirit of generosity.
If you have decided to attend Mass endeavor also to be a promoter of this devotion. Ask someone to go with you, look around and do a little thinking. You may be able to induce a half dozen persons to attend.
On Wednesdays at 7:45 p.m. Rosary, Sermon and Benediction.
Fridays, Stations of the Cross 3:15 p.m. and 7:45 p. m. Stations and Benediction.
Sunday evenings you are encouraged to visit other churches.
Attendance at the devotions this year ought to be greater than usual because there are so many out of work.
If you are "loafing" that gives you a great opportunity of doing a great deal in atonement for your sins.
St. James Branch No. 1 of the Holy Name Society are arranging a big Lotto in the school hall at 1350 Tamm Ave. on Shrove Tuesday night, Feb. 9th.
The prizes will be confined to cash after the manner of well organized parochial lotto games.
Accommodations will be made to seat 700 players and old parishioners are invited.
Lunch will be served by the men of the parish who are very enthusiastic about making the affair a success.
The receipts will be applied to promote Holy Name Society interests.
Take Manchester cars to Tamm Ave. and walk north, or Market cars and walk south.
James Kelley, 94 4/9; Sadie Sharamitaro, 93 7/9; Hubert Ward, 93 2/3.
Edward Regan, 94 3/8; Rita Ward, 93 3/8; Gertrude Foy, 93 7/8; Eleanor Morrisey, 93 1/4.
Carmelita Kelly, 94 3/4; Charles Klasek, 93 5/8; Mary Catherine Kelley, 93.
Anna Dempsey, 95; Rosemary Hasty, 94; Hobert Saxton, 94; Frances Walsh, 92.
Howard Holzurn, 95; Josephine Barni, 94; Lester Duggan, 91; Mary Menner, 93.
John Weaver. 96 3/7; Walwin Bosche, 96 2/7; Catherine Kearney, 95.
David Saxton, 93 1/2; Katherine Hense, 93; Helen Roach. 93.
Mary Louise Bosche, Hobert Bosche, Charles Schmid.
Dorothy Ann Bayer, Eugene Fiesar, Anna Schinsky.
Mrs. Maria Schaiper, age 22, wife of Edw. Shaiper, 1557 Louisville Ave., died January 19th, at st. John's Hospital after a lingerine illness induced by pus in the system which involved blood stream, kidney and heart. She battled bravely for over a period of one year and was heroic in her effort to hide the pain and the weariness of being confined to her bed and separated the greater part of the time from her little boy, who has completed his second year. She was given blood transfusions several times and after each recuperated so much she was permitted to go home from the hospital. Mrs. Schaiper, a convert to Catholicity, was among those confirmed in the last class at St. James. She was deeply earnest and zealous in her practice of the faith and went to Communion weekly. Her funeral took place from High Mass at St. James Church Jan. 21st. Sympathy is extended to her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Hays and her bereaved husband. May she rest in peace.
Miss Margaret Mary Oates, daughter of Mr and Mrs. John J. Oates, 6811 Waldemar Ave., stole a surprise on her relatives and friends when she got married on the morning of Jan. 2nd at St. James Church to Mr. John Thos. Egan to whom she had been engaged over a period of years. Though she was married from Nuptial Mass, the news did not leak out until she was willing to make public her marriage. She has been receiving the belated congratulations and abuse of her many acquaintances with intense delight. Sbe said she found it difficult to concentrate on the demands of her employer the day she was married when she and her husband after a quiet breakfast went to work. "We wanted," she said, "to scrape together a few more dollars to complete payment on the furnishings of our love nest." Margaret, we understand, has given up her job and begun housekeeping for Mr. Egan. We extend to them our congratulations.
That the school children are expected to attend Mass daily during Lent, even on Saturdays? If you are a parent, co-operate with the Church in the Sanctification of your child.
That there is a Chapel down stairs in the New Church where Mass is offered on cold mornings when there is a small attendance?
That Holy Water can be had in the south vestibule of the church?
That there are very interesting booklets in the vestibule of the church written by authors of great ability? Price a nickel or a dime.
That Father O'Connor is endeavoring to teach everyone how to say Mass? He says you should say the same words as the priest says, and recommends the Sunday Missal that is titled "Christ's Gift, the Mass." It can be purchased in the Sacristy for $1.
That Father Basil Luyet who says the 9 o'clock Mass on Sundays at St. James is mentioned amongst the ablest biologists in St. Louis? He teaches at St. Louis University.
That the Athletic League wants all the young folk to become members? Get together is the beginning of a good time. The club is promoting get-togethers and if you are the least bit attractive it wants you to come.
That the Mothers' Club will give a Minstrel Show March 17?
And that the Alumni Association were hoping they wouldn't because they are preparing a play which they would like to give before Easter?
That you will be sent a carton of 4% envelopes if you haven't gotten one already, and are willing to contribute?
That you honor God and manifest a bigness of heart when you give to the church? The greedy child keeps a firm grasp on all that it gets. It's ugly before God and man to be greedy.
There isn't much difference between a confidence man who promotes, on a commission, a gold mine out west which is only a hole with a rascal at the back of it and the Bond houses, banks and financiers who sold useless foreign bonds to trusting American citizens?
That the Extension Magazine is owned and controlled entirely by the Extension Society and subscriptions help home and foreign missions? An authorized representative has been given permission to solicit in the Parish.
That Mrs. Fanny Russel, 6017 Loretta Ave., does splendid laundry work at a reasonable rate?
That st. James Lay Apostolate made an investigation about moving pictures and have decided that every picture in which the following actors appear are usually good? Richard Dix, Bill Rogers, Harold Lloyd, Charles Farrell, Janet Gaynor, James Dunn, Sally Eilers.
Picture Shows are to children what drugs and alcohol are to adults.
That Sister George has been very ill as the result of infected tonsils which were removed 3 or 4 years ago? It appears pus has affected her kidneys and heart.
That Mr. and Mrs. Henry McCauley are in Hot Springs? Mrs. McCauley hasn't been so well.
That Ash Wednesday ashes will be blessed at the 8:30 Mass and distributed also from 3:30 to 4 p.m. and at evening devotions?
That you should have two candles when the priest takes the Blessed Sacrament on a sick call to your home and he should be met at the door by a person holding one of them lighted?
That Mary Claire Duggan is a patient in the Deaconess Hospital and underwent an operation?
That solemn Nuptials alone are forbidden in Lent? You can be married in church from Mass but the Nuptial Blessing is not given and there should be no banqueting.
That Betty Griffin, 6450 West Park Avenue, has been very ill, suffering from abscesses in tonsils and ears?
St. Ann's Sodality cleared $100 net receipts on the Euchre and Lotto?
That the great center of Catholic Education is at the national capitol and was organized at the Third Plenary Council of Baltimore in 1894? It is endeavoring to give the Catholic Church a dominant position in the sphere of knowledge and intellect and has to compete with great non-Catholic schools that have vast endowments. The archbishop asks you to give today a donation towards its support. Help the Catholic University.
That a class for non-Catholrcs in the Rectory begins next Thursday evening? You might know someone who could he encouraged to come. They have not to become converts.
That Carl Maus, son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Maus, 3819 North 22nd Street, and Margaretta Adrigan, daughter of Joseph Adrigan, 6904 Magnolia, are having the Banns of marriage announced in St. James and Sacred Heart Churches?
Repairing, painting, paperhanging, house-cleaning. W.T. Boman, HIland 2031
An article by our Pastor recently published in the Catholic Register which received favorable notice from many Catholic editors.
Prosperity is just around the corner, but the axle is broken. Meanwhile the way is paved for Communism, which threatens Church, State and private property. If the government does not face the facts, the people must.
This, in substance, is told in the following
article, by an author who is in close touch
with the workers and knows what he is
talking about. Will it make those on top think?
If it does not, mobs may do their thinking
for them. - Editor Catholic Register.
(By Rev. Patrick J. O'Connor, Pastor of
St. James Church, St. Louis, Mo.)
The best method of getting over a difficulty is to measure it accurately. Optimism is useful if a just estimate is made of the task and proper means are applied courageously and persistently. It is misleading to cry "wolf" when there is no wolf and it is equally misleading to shout that prosperity is around the corner when there is a broken axle in the truck that is expected to bring it into Broadway. Instead of waiting for it to arrive, it would be better that we be informed of the break and set out to make repairs.
My Archbishop, who is rarely carried away by the emotionalism that is the accompaniment of wishing, recently said to me: "The recovery will be slow and imperceptible. It will come like springtime, a splash of sunshine, a return of wintry winds, another moderation, and a gradual reawakening of life and vitality. There are signs now that life is returning to industry."
I cannot indulge in optimism. I fear the axle is still broken and that the mechanics are slow in making repairs. Nearly two years ago I endeavored in an article in The Register to diagnose the cause of depression and stated that the busy bee who made the honey was not given his just share of the honeycombs. He was fed whilst he produced: he produced too much, and when purchasers could not be found to buy the surplus he was locked out and was not given a key to the honey house. There has been no change in the order and this depression will continue until those who are fortunate enough to have keys have eaten up the surplus. In the meantime, the busy bee is having a precarious life and would undoubtedly starve unless charitable agencies begged a meal for him from those who are in some way sharers in the store.
I presume I was not the first to point my finger at this defect in our economic system. During the past year economists, statesmen and prelates have fairly aroused the world to the danger of having 90% of the wealth of our country in the hands of 10% of the population. They are saying the same things as I have said in this analogy of the busy bee, but, in my opinion, there is over-emphasis placed by economists on other minor causes to the depression and the main cause of the trouble is not being sufficiently kept before the public mind. Evidently there are many contributing causes to this gigantic depression in our own country, such as the World War and its consequent evils: tariffs, foreign markets, the flow of the stream of gold, etc., but these are really attendant spasms. The great disorder is a moral disorder. The busy bee or 90% of the population has not been and is not being treated justly. Whilst they produced wealth they were not given an equitable portion of the produce, which is saying in another way that they were not given a just wage.
True, there have been cycles of prosperity and depression in the past and our prophets conclude that the recovery, which usually comes in time, must soon, necessarily, arrive. This is not logical; what often happened does not necessarily happen. The depression now upon us is unique and is the climax, to a wrong moral principle which operated over a long period under conditions which made it easy for a few to accumulate great wealth. The broken axle is not the body of produce which Is admittedly gigantic, but a stoppage of exchange because the purchasing power of the majority of laborers has been gradually diminished and as a result the unpurchased articles gradually increased till a stupendous break came in the economic system, when there was unparalleled prosperity of produce with unparalleled lack of funds among the "common herd" wherewith to make a purchase.
Note the lack of funds among the plain people. This does not imply a lack of funds in the whole community. There are individuals who could purchase the whole surplus and were they to do so, and burn it, or better, distribute it among the poor, prosperity would come rushing down the streets and country lanes, because the hoarded wealth should then be in active use and purchases would force production. The busy bee would be back on his job and his wife would have money to give in exchange for the produce of the farm and factory.
The return of prosperity of necessity implies a distribution of hoarded wealth. Is this being done? No! People of wealth are keeping a tighter hold of their money because they think they have lost much of their income through depreciation of stocks, bonds and real estate. The purchasing power of the laborer is lower now than it was a year ago. His earning capacity is gone because he has no work and his reserve fund is almost depleted, and the farmer, the bulwark of all prosperity, is getting less for a two-hundred pound hog now than he got for a turkey in 1925. His purchasing power also is at zero. Hence, I say prosperity is around the corner, but the broken axle is still between the wheels and there can be no great motion until the wrecking car of the government arrives and makes repairs.
It is not the purpose of this summary to tell the government what it should do. Taxing the poor is not the way to distribute wealth. I am viewing this question from the standpoint of a practical moralist. The surest way to provoke a man to murder is to afflict him intolerably and irritate him to a point beyond human endurance, and, I further add, the condition that now prevails in our social order is surely destroying men's confidence in government and the morale of citizens and Christians. Our social organism is extremely ill, the fever is rising, a change is demanded. Law-abiding citizens want it brought about in a lawful way; others are fostering rebellion and anarchy. There is being manufactured a very favorable culture for the development of the germ of Communism. American workmen are patriotic and patient, but there is no guarantee that this fine disposition will not break under continued strain. Should they take the law in their own hands they will move like an avalanche. Police and soldiers will not shoot because their sympathy will be with the rebels, and the godless element will come to the top, fire, rape, robbery, and murder will prevail, and the Church and State will go down together. Nero, it said, played the fiddle whilst Rome burned. There is too much fiddling at present. Communism is extending its domain; it has crossed many a protected boundary. It gives a change, a promise, and a hope, though it is the grave of freedom, religion and property rights.
To cure the economic depression, restitution is necessary. Those who labored to make the rich man's wealth have still a claim on a just share of the profits. The fact that a corporation cannot now profitably operate its business does not justify those who made millions during the years of prosperity in sitting back on their easy chairs and closing their eyes to their moral obligation. They have a duty toward every man who by his labor co-operated with them in making their wealth. If their consciences do not trouble them, the government should, and if those who discharge the duties of government are also asleep, the people have the remedy in their own hands; the elections are coming.
The Indult permitting workmen and their families to eat meat on days of abstinence with the exceptions of Fridays and the days listed, applies it would appear, only where the head of the family is a manual laborer and this on days when it would be difficult to observe the common law of abstinence.
The Lenten Pastoral is instructive and should be read closely by every conscientious Catholic. It is a summary of the Law of the Church as it applies to you. You cannot observe the law unless you know it, and ignorance that is culpable does not excuse.
Quarter tense makes Saturday, February 20, also a day of abstinence.
With the approach of the Lenten Season, which this year commences on February 10 - Ash Wednesday - we wish first of all to set before you, as in former years, the laws of fasting and abstinence as enacted by the Church for the entire year.
The law of abstinence forbids the eating or flesh meat, and the taking of soup or broth made of meat, but it does not exclude the use of eggs, milk or milk products (cheese and butter), nor food seasonings made from the fat of animals.
The law of abstinence must be observed on all Fridays and Ember Days throughout the year, on the Wednesdays of Lent, and on the vigils of: Pentecost, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, All Saints' Day and Christmas.
The law of abstinence binds all who have completed the seventh year of age.
Sickness or other physical inability exempts from the law of abstinence.
Manual laborers (operarii) and their families, when it would be difficult to observe the common law of abstinence, may use flesh meat once on all days of the year, with the exception of Fridays, Ash Wednesday, the Wednesday and forenoon of Saturday of Holy Week, and the Vigil of Christmas.
The law of fasting permits only one full meal a day, but it does not forbid a small amount of food to be taken in the morning, and in the evening; the quantity of food at these latter repasts being left to local custom, which, with us, sanctions the taking of a small portion of bread with tea, coffee or such like in the morning; and in the evening a collation which may not exceed the fourth part of the usual meal, or about eight ounces.
The law of fasting must be observed on all days of Lent, on the Ember Days throughout the year, and all the vigils of: Pentecost, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, All Saints' Day and Christmas.
The law of fasting obliges all from the twenty-first year of age, completed, until the beginning of the sixtieth year.
Those obliged to fast may eat flesh meat only at the principal meal on those days when its use is permitted. Those not obliged to fast may eat flesh meat more than once a day when its use is permitted.
Those engaged in manual labor (operarii), the sick, the convalescent, and those who cannot fast without grave injury to their health are exempt from the obligation of fasting.
It is not forbidden to eat both flesh meat and fish at the same meal; nor to interchange the midday and evening meal.
On Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation the laws of fasting and abstinence do not bind; and the Lenten fast and abstinence cease at noon on Holy Saturday.
Pastors, in particular cases and for a just cause, may dispense from the law of abstinence or fast, or both single individuals or single families subject to them, or strangers in their parish.
We extend this same power of dispensing to chaplains for their institutions; and to confessors for their penitents at the time of confession.
The purpose of these laws is to impress upon the Faithful their duty to overcome by mortification the weakness of human nature and its lower instincts that thereby they may come nearer to the Blessed Christ Who for our example fasted for the forty days and forty nights which the Lenten season commemorates. They furthermore tend to introduce the spirit of penance.
The slogan of the world is: "Eat, drink, and be merry." The instruction of Christ and His Holy Church is: "Unless you do penance you shall all likewise perish." In the Book of Wisdom (Chapter 5) the sinners in hell commend the wisdom of their contemporaries who practiced mortification. "We fools;" say those condemned souls, esteemcd their life madness and their end without tumor. Behold how they are numbered among the children of God, andi their lot is among the saints ... We have erred from the way of truth... We wearied ourselves in the way Of iniquity and destruction, and have walked through hard ways, but the way of the Lord we have not known ... We are consumed in our wickedness."
Every Catholic, of either sex, who has reached the age of discretion, that is, attained the use of reason, must receive the Holy Eucharist once a year, at least during the Easter time, unless his own priest should, for a reasonable cause, advise him to abstain for a time. With us, the time for the fulfilling of the precept of the Paschal Communion is extended by special concession of the Holy See from the first Sunday of Lent until Trinity Sunday, both inclusive.
It is the expressed desire of the Church that all the Faithful who can do so would attend Mass daily throughout the year and we call attention to the very praiseworthy practice of daily attendance at Mass, especially during the season of Lent.
It is likewise the ardent desire of Christ our Lord and of His Holy Church that all the Faithful who attend Mass should receive Holy Communion. We, therefore, also commend earnestly Daily Communion as a practice very suitable to the Lenten season.
The general law of the Church is: (a) that the Faithful should be diligently admonished and exhorted to hear sermons frequently, and (b) that during Lent sermons should be preached to the Faithful oftener than at other times.
Prayer is the first of the three principal religious actions. Among the best forms of prayer is that of Visits to the Blessed Sacrament. This is specially recommended by the laws of the Church; and that the faithful may avail themselves of this privilege the same laws direct that parish churches must be open certain hours of the day for the convenience of the Faithful.
Among the commendable forms of prayer what could be more suitable to Lent than the pious exercises of the Stations or Way of the Cross? If we cannot perhaps make the exercise in common, the opportunity is given us to make it in private. The Way of the Cross is very richly indulgenced and has been recommended time and again by the Supreme Pontiffs.
NOTE, THESE RULES AND REGULATIONS WILL BE CONTINUED IN THE NEXT EDITION OF LET'S GO
The story below of the 1932 St. James Parochial school soccer team. It did NOT win the city championship (the 1933 team did), but it lost in the final game. This story below contains the ENTIRE story that is at this place in the February 1932 Let's Go, but it contains more, since I found a second photo in a newspaper article and Let's Go only contained the first photo. Plus there is data in this story provided by my father as well. It includes the story of the winning 1933 team as well.
Story by Bob Corbett, but lots of help from Father O'Connor along the way and an unnamed newspaper article
St. James School soccer team had a long history of winning their league throughout the mid and late 1920s and in 1931. However, they couldn't get by St. Matthew's, which had won the championship for 10 years running. Most of the time they knocked St. James out handily in the playoffs.
The 1932 team upped the ante and came within a hair of winning the championship. While the author is unnamed the style and mini-sermon in the middle of the article clearly identify this as Father O'Connor who celebrates the 1932 team in Let's Go, Feb. 1932.
"ST. JAMES PAROCHIAL SCHOOL TEAM MADE A GREAT FIGHT FOR CITY CHAMPIONSHIP"
Top row from left: James Kelly, William Wack, Harold Meyers, Peter Palumbo, James Brady, and John Kelly.
Second row from left: John McCauley, Hubert Ward, John Barry, Thomas Marshall
First row from left: Daniel Murphy, Francis McLaughlin, Edward (Spider) Corbett, and Robert Wack.
"The boys of St. James School tied twice with St. Mathew's in the final struggle for the city cup in the parochial school Municipal Soccer League. It was an exciting contest and drew exceptionally large crowds from both parishes to the Park Grounds near Barnes Hospital where the final games were played.
"Observers said that the evenly matched teams played better soccer than has ever been witnessed in a junior game in St. Louis. The capturing and passing of the ball was very clever.
"St. Matthew's has probably twice as large a school as St. James and an enviable reputation for the superiority in soccer football. This school has easily won the Municipal cup for ten years in succession and in the two out of three final games they never had to play more than two till this year when a decision was not reached till the fifth. They won this by a single score in a corner kick. St. Matthew's team having a larger school to draw from had consequently stronger and older boys but not more clever. The teams had little advantage of one another. St. James won the first game by one score. St. Matthew's the second by one score. The third and fourth games were a tie, and St. Matthew's took the honors in the fifth.
"The outstanding player of both teams was John Kelly, the goal keeper for St. James. He saved his team from defeat several times when the back and forwards struggled in front of his goal. He seemed to be everywhere the ball was and unerring in his defense.
"There was nice sportsmanship exhibited all through the games by both teams. There were no rough-neck tactics nor any display of temper. In the old days teams met to battle and the one that was beaten in the field usually beat the other team off the field. We have discountenanced this among our Catholic boys, character building is more important than football and ambition for honors never justifies a boy or a man to be unfair and ill-tempered.
"An unfair decision, or what to most of us appeared unfair, on the part of the umpire gave St. Matthew's one game. This to us was the crucial test of our boys' training. They displayed magnificent patience and forbearance, and though they believed they were wronged and would lose the cup they did not lose their heads or their Christian principle of conduct as unfortunately did some of their elders from whose attack the umpire had to be protected by police.
"The contest was a marvelous display of clean, clever soccer and good sportsmanship. The loss of the cup almost broke the hearts of some of our boys. Harold Myers, one of the players, wept bitterly and the seasoned George Wiber, his guardian and friend, was so much in sympathy with the boy's distress he also shed a few tears.
"Harold, when the years have passed and school days are almost forgotten, the memory of those teams will mean more to you than a golden cup and when you think of the game with St. Matthew's you will says, "good old George."
"A banquet will be given the team Monday evening, February 12, in the cafeteria of the school by their mothers and other admirers."
However it turned out for Harold, my father and my Uncle Ed (Spider) Corbett who played in that game, never forgot the play that caused the near-riot which Father O'Conner even played down in his attack on the spectators. There was a huge crowd and they ringed the field completely. They didn't have nets in those days, and the spectators stood right behind the goal. A large group of St. Mathew fans (adults) were behind the St. Mathew goal and a hard low shot went (according the St. James version) into the corner, but a spectator stuck his foot out and the referee thought it hit the post and bounded out. He did not allow a goal. That was the game St. Mathew won by one goal.
Revenge and triumph were on the way within a year as St. Mathew's dynasty was finally broken by the 1933 St. James team!
Kneeling: Edward Hart, Edward Buckley, Charles Klasek II, Robert Anderson, Edward Sugden, John Anderson, Jr., David Mudd.
Standing: Mr. John Rooney, Timothy Barry, George Scherzinger, William Wack, William Griffin, Dan Murphy, Robert Wack, Lester Gagan, Mr. Dan Murphy, Sr., Michael Eichner.
Rear: Rev. P.J. O'Connor, Pastor, Mr. John Anderson, Sr., Manager.
In a match which required two overtime periods, St. James defeated St. Matthew, 2 goals to 1, at Sherman Park yesterday afternoon to win the Parochial School Soccer League championship. As a result, St. James takes the Leacock trophy and gains a leg on the DeAndreis Cup, a three-time trophy.
In a preliminary contest, the Sherman Park All-Stars won from the O'Fallon Park Stars, 5 goals to 0. Margolis scored three goals and Strassberger and Corbett, one each.
St. Matthew was first to score in the title match, Center Halfback Dalton sending in a shot from 20 yards out. St. James was unable to equalize until the second period when Bob Wack dribbled down the left side of the field, cut in and drawing the fullbacks out of position, sent a shot past Goalie Komer.
In the second overtime period, Billy Wack, with a clear field, was tripped form behind by Dalton and referee Harry Donovan awarded a penalty kick. Wack made good on the ensuing boot. Wack spoiled much of his good play by unnecessary roughness. Bob Wack, Llasek and Murphy played best for the winners and Dalton, Komer, Kelly and Moynihan for the losers.
On Jan. 19, at the annual DeAndreis soccer night, trophies will be awarded to the division winners -- St. James, St. Matthew, St. John the Baptist, St. Paul, St. Henry and St. Mark.
The title game lineups:
| ST. JAMES | Position | ST. MATTHEWS |
|---|---|---|
| Gagan | Goal | Komer |
| Murphy | R. F. | Moynihan |
| Barry | L. F. | Gray |
| W. Anderson | R.H.B. | Darwin |
| R. Wack | C.H.B. | Dalton |
| Hart | L.H.B. | Alberici |
| Scherzinger | O.R. | Kelly |
| R. Anderson | I.R. | Sheldon |
| W. Wack | C. | Gorman |
| Sugden | I.L. | Bair |
| Klasek-Buckley | O.L. | Walker-Lodderhaus |
St. Vincent De Paul will meet on Monday during Lent.
UNCLE HENRY'S LETTER
February 1932.
dear Charlie:
how are you getting along with your contrack, these days? Oh, i don't mean a business contrack, or the one you used to have with your boss, as i realize they ain't no such thing enymore. the boss now-a-days dont care if we stay on the job or not. in fact he would just as soon have sum of us leave, as it would relieve him of the job of deciding which one to layoff.
what i meant was are you using the "force" system, or the "1-2 approach"? do you think Lenz is a "tin-god" or is Culbertson "invincible"? which way do you bid; informative like a expert, or inteligent like a novice'? do you force-bid the suit you don't want, or name the one where you have strength? do you always return your partners lead even though you know it is wrong; and do you finesse the black queen when the trump is red, provided it is Friday the 13th?
these Charlie, are the burning questions of the day. business is rotten but we can't let that distract us from our game. we can't even worry about the "depression" because depressing thoughts affect our play. we wouldn't even go to church only it is hard to get a table together so early in the morning. a customer asked bill Meyers the price of lamb chops the other day, an he dreamily answered "three spades".
Yes sir: the country is certainly "contract-minded" since Culbertson an Lenz got together so each of em could prove that his system was best. all they proved was that the others system was rottenest. their failure though is what has made em successful. they was suppose to be experts all their play was so poor that the country is full of amatures that think they could beat either of em. now everybody wants to he experts.
helen Walsh says she could beat the Culbertsons, an carry Mary Murphy along as a partner. Margaret O'Donnell deot think josephine Culbertson is "so hot" an arthur Pahl was vory critical of Lenz an said he could pick a dozen partners from St. James parish that would outplay Jacoby.
Father O'Connor knows so little about the game he is thinking of writing a "how-would- you-play it," for Lets Go. An all because these suppose-to-be-experts are such good showmen that they have succeeded in making thereselves the years-best-sellers. Culbertson has pushed Lenz off the front page, an murder, reporations and racketeering cant get a line this side of the second column of page 4. so Charlie, if you dont play contrack, you just dont belong.
the craze must of got the Pastor thinkin an last Sunday he gave us a red hot sermon on the "contrack of marriage, an the curse of divorce." he must of been thinkin about the possibility of couples takin their bridge too seriously and the resultant effect on the family circle. maybe he was reading about the woman that got a divorce because her husband slapped her face when she bid 7 spades an didn't have the ace. he ought not of slapped her for a thing like that; he should of broke her neck, an the divorce wouldn't be necessary.
taking it all in all though, i guess the bridge craze can bring a lot of strife into the domestic relations, like the mrs. getting home late from a afternoon session, an feeding you with a can-opener; an argerments about force-bids and take-outs, so i imagine it had something to do with the Pastors remarks.
he said one thing though that may cause trouble in sum quarters. parents he said, were insolent, who broke up there home an brought suffering to there children. the mrs. an me was disgussing the matter after we got home. an she just laffed an said, "shucks. if i was to take it seriously every time you said or done sumthing to hurt my feelings, i would of fed you poison long ago." of course that made me sore, an i shot back at her, - "yes, an if i was to let your insults worry me, i would of took it". we was just getting our guns unlimbered an our sights leveled, ready for the battle, when one of the youngsters started a flank attack with "say, did you two hear what the Pastor said about bein insolent to your children? now shut up both of you". an that is just what the both of us done.
the O'Gormans had a contract session the other night when they tried to park their car all over the basement. they broke a pipe off the furnace, knocked down the gas meter, put a hole in the foundation, removed a supporting column, an scratched the paint off overything including Marie. it wasn't New Years either, but sum people get that way on any occasion. they had to contract for the services of a plumber, gas fitter, stone mason, two carpenters and three painters.
your pertickler friend & uncle
HENRY.
Masses on Sundays: 6, 7:30, 9 and a High Mass at 10:30. Baptism at 3:30 each Sunday. Confessions on Saturday: 4:30 to 6, 7:30 to 9 p.m. Weekdav Masses: 6:30 and 8:30.
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BACK TO LET'S GO, 1925-1932
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