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."
Is due May 10. There is nearly enough to meet it, thanks to the generosity and sacrifices that are made every week by many of the Parishioners, but --
We must look ahead to November when a principle note of $5000.00 and an interest note of $1500.00 will be due.
Unless we make strenuous efforts to create a surplus each month, we cannot but fail when the time comes.
A cause of anxiety is, Parishioners are apt to forget their Parish Church in Summer when they go here and there for pleasure, and, the congregation that attends in the Parish Church is diminished by a third.
Remember the children you had in school, the Sisters that taught them, the Church that you encouraged us to build and the part you should play in your Parish Obligations if you have respect for Canon law.
Unless you are helpful in Summer you won't have much to give in Fall and the Church will not be able to pay its debts and current expense. Don't abandon the ship because there is a stormy sea.
Celebration of Mother's Day at St. James has attained a formality and a solemnity that interests the whole community and has taken on a character of great spiritual significance.
Little ones are taught to express by gifts and ceremonials honor to their own mothers and the Blessed Mother of God. The celebration which falls on the second Sunday of May will begin at the 7:30 Mass at which the parish choir will be present and render a suitable muslcal program. The children of the parish in their various sodalities will also be in attendance and each of them will receive Holy Communion and offer it as a spiritual bouquet for their mothers. In the procession school girls will wear the school uniform and white tams. Boys, any kind of suit.
In the afternoon at 3:30 o'clock the various ladies' sodalities and societies will assemble in the old church and march in procession to crown a statue which will be set in the Sanctuary of the New Church in an arbor of roses. All the parishioners are exhorted to be present at this celebration which has for its purpose a public manifestation of reverence for the Blessed Mother of God.
Those who have witnessed this ceremony in former years were delighted with the pageantry and singing. Whilst the procession is in motion, hymns to the Blessed Virgin are sung all along the line until the final climax of the devotion is reached when a young lady approaches the statue with a crown of roses and places it on the Virgin's head, the entire body joining in the hymn, "0 Mary, We Crown Thee Queen of the May." Usually a number of clergy are present and one of them gives an eloquent sermon on the Blessed Mother. This year Father Leo Steck, chaplain of St. Mary's Convent, is expected to preach.
Devotions will begin in the afternoon at 4 p.m.
St. James Parochial School will hold its annual picnic on Thursday. May 26, on grounds 1 and 2 which are adjacent to the lake in O'Fallon Park.
This Park was selected because it is eminently suited to an outing of school children during a period of depression. There are no artificial nickel-catching devices on these grounds which would necessitate an expense for parents and children. The Park overlooks a picturesque scene through which the Mississippi River wends a serpentine course and divides the valley now with a silvery stream of resplendent water.
Our idea of a picnic is a rollicking bus drive through the city into a rural district where there are grass, fields, bluffs, birds and wildflowers, a field for athletic contests, tables, benches, kitchens, water fountains, lavatories, boats, ice cream stands and soda fountains; a May day with sunshine not too intense and a table under a spreading chestnut tree where bees are buzzing and drinking the nectar from the blossoms; and men, women and children unpacking baskets filled with the tidbits and more substantial edibles that grace the table on a feast day in a poor man's home.
All this can be had at the school children's picnic at O'Fallon Park. It is possible even to have a barbecue and perhaps Uncle Henry who is an advocate of the stimulating odor of the grill room and a skilled chef and epicure, may exercise his ability to satiate the gourmand and delight the gourmet by the quantity and quality of the viands he may prepare for those who are not fortunate enough to have baskets of their own.
The children will run races and compete for cups. A baseball game between selected teams, a sack race, a nail driving contest, a peanut-picking-contest, etc., will give the children an opportunity of proving their prowess and showing Dad that Otto is a chip of the old block and that he can hold his own when competing with young Patsy in brain and brawn.
Ladies who have been practicing the sitting-up exercises will give an exhibition of their sprightly feline agility. There will be no fat ladies' race because since the Mothers' Club Minstrel the interest in setting-up exercises has promoted such exercise there isn't a fat lady left in the parish. In recent days we have noticed Officer Hefele and Mr. Arthur Pahl practicing baseball in the public thoroughfares; undoubtedly the older men are making an effort to come back and have a contest with the parochial school baseball team. This should prove interesting if Uncle Henry participates. His hands will be sufficiently greasy after the barbecue to enable him to throw spit balls without the added ingredient and tantalizing delusion that is given to a baseball through a spit: in other words, his skill will come through a meat spit rather than the garden variety which is so common in the diamond.
The committee appointed to take care of the picnic, it appears, broke on the question of music and offered their resignation. Some were very set on having a band which would approximately cost $60 whereas others were in ravor of eliminating music and spending the $60 for free ice cream for the school children. A vote of the children was taken and the ice cream easily won, many of the children asking, "Did we have a band last year?" A new committee is in the process of formation. Mrs. Klasek and some of the ladies from the Mothers' Club are retained and will have charge of the ice cream. Benny Sugden has volunteered to interest the boys in athletics and have them ready for the contest. The picnic therefore will serve a useful purpose if it helps to turn the minds of the school children from artificial and often harmful amusements to the normal natural games that belong to youth.
Thursday, May 20 was deiiberately selected for the picnic because it will give the children a 5 day vacation. Usually the day after an outing the children are too tired to concentrate on studies, so Friday following will be free as will be Monday which is Decoration Day.
To meet the expense of transit a charge of 15c will be made on children who go to the Park in the busses and 25c for return ticket for adults. Tickets should be secured through school children not later than Wednesday or from the Convent before 6 p.m. that day.
To raise funds for free ice cream and soft drinks for the school children, the Mothers' Club will give a mammoth Card and Lotto Tuesday, May 10, in the School Hall. Cash Prizes. Tickets 3 for a dollar. Ladies of the Mothers' Club are selling these tickets.
St. James Parochial School Alumni Association will hold their Annual Communion at St. James Church at the 7:30 Mass, Sunday, May 15, followed by breakfast in the cafeteria of the school. Mr. W. Strathman, President of the Association, is arranging a program of entertainment and toasts for the occasion. Many of the Alumni and Alumnae who are married and who have moved from the Parish have promised to attend.
The children who made their First Communion Ascension Thursday will have the front pews, boys on the right hand and girls on the left. Immediately in back will be all the mothers of the parish who are going to Communion. They will be in the pews at each side of the aisle, in rear of them the Angel Sodality, Children of Mary and Virgin Mothers Sodality. Next comes the Junior Holy Name and in back the Senior members of this Society. Ushers under the direction of George Boerckel will assign pews in sufficient numbers to the needs of each group. Members of the congregation who will not go to Communion are requested to attend an earlier or later Mass: undoubtedly the seating capacity of the Church will be sufficiently taxed to seat those who participate in the Mothers' celebration.
Excuse-a me, my friends, I'm-a just want-a say,
I'm thank you too much, I'm invite here today.
Father Pat he's-a giving big-a party you know.
And he's asking me if I'm-a want-a go.
Of course I'm-a please, an much-a joy I'm-a feel,
That I'm ask to attend this grand big-a meal,
The ladies they're-a cooking much-a spagett
And the finest-a feast what you ever have 'et.
Father Pat he's wanting to show his apprech'
For the help he's-a got in the St. James-a par-eech,
And when he's-a got lots of bills-a to pay,
Everybody he's-a giving four percent every day,
And if he's-a wanting to go catching de fish,
No one is-a blaming him, he's-a having his wish.
Father Pohl he's-a stepping right into the breach
And helping de folks with one grand-a big-a speech.
All de ushers are here, whats-a show you de pew.
And open the windows and-a closing them too.
The folks what's-a teaching the kids-a de less'
For the work they're-a doing; they're deserving de bless',
And the Bomans whats helping him writing de book.
What each month we're waiting for to give-a de look.
The're all sitting here and there looking so gay,
It's-a making de Pastor feel happy today.
And then there's the folks what's-a much fine-a sing,
When the organ he's-a play and the bells is-a ring,
Miss Minnie she's de big-a boss of de crowd,
She's-a making de play while the're singing so loud.
Helen Walsh and Miss-a Gittins, the're sounding so sweet,
And Cath Hefele and George Jenne' no can-a be beat.
And Margaret an Rose, Virginia, Lucille,
Riegel, Wiber and Thompson, all enjoying-a de meal.
And Clarence Gesell, I'm so sad to behold,
He's-a no can be here, he's-a got a bad cold,
Mrs. McKeon she's-a sing like a bird, up so high.
You are thinking the sound is-a come from de sky.
And Charlie Heil, singing bass, he's-a never give up,
He's a going so low, but he's-a poosh em back up.
And Marlo Failoni he's-a one grand-a guy,
But when he's Singing Christ's Words, he's making you cry.
And the rest of de folks, I'm not-a sure of de names,
But I know each one as a friend of St. James,
You are helping us out when we're needing you most,
And the Pastor I'm sure is a most-a grateful host.
So excuse-a me my friends, if I'm-a take up your time,
With this bit of nonsense in the form of a rhyme.
It's meant only in fun, please-a take it as such,
I am leaving you now, and I thank-you-too much.
On Ascension Thursday, May 5, at the 7:30 o'clock Mass, 50 children from St. James Parochial School and 20 who have been attending the public school will make their First Holy Communion. The class has been prepared over a period of several months and those children who are mentally alert and deemed sufficiently instructed were permitted to pass. Home training plays a prominent part in the child's fitness. Where the mother and father sit by the child of an evenmg and tells it those simple tales relating to the creation and redemption, the child easily acquires through the school room the necessary knowledge and proper understanding of the mystery of the Blessed Sacrament. Of course there is also the spiritual development which is in the soul and in the character of the child. This comes from inheritance, atmosphere and training. The child whose background is irreligious or non-religious has worldly ways and spiritual dullness that cannot be removed by a few weeks' instructions; however, it sometimes occurs that even children who have ail these advantages are lacking in spiritual perception of the meaning of the Blessed Sacrament and this should not be attributed to any fault of theirs or neglect of duty on the part of the parents, but to their innocence and tardy mental development.
The Pastors and the Sisters are deeply solicitous for the spiritual welfare of every child that comes under their care and are very slow to refuse giving First Communion to one who is of an age which is termed the use of reason. Sometimes parents are disappointed but the Spiritual Directors are in duty bound to consider only the spiritual welfare of the child and the danger of irreverence that might follow were a child who is unfit permitted to receive. Last year one of the children was detected taking the Blessed Sacrament from its mouth and dropping it on the floor of the church.
Parents are requested to go to Communion with their little ones who are to receive on Ascension Thursday. These children will meet in the school at 6:45 a.m. that morning when their veils and wreaths, etc., will be attended to by the Sisters. Boys will wear white suits, fore-in-hand ties, white socks, three-fourth length, and white slippers. Girls will wear a white dress with sleeves at least to the elbow, white stockings and slippers. Veils with wreaths complete can be had through the convent, price $1.30, $1.40, $1.50. Religious articles and communion certificates through Sister any afternoon in the Kindergarten until 5 o'clock.
No child will be permitted to receive communion until it has presented a Baptismal certificate. These should be given to Sister by May 5.
Enrollment in scapulars at 12 o'clock noon Ascension Thursday.
The boys of the parochial school have entered the municipal contests which will begin next week. The following players will represent the school: William Wack, short stop; Paul Pursley, left field; James Kelley, third base; John Kelly, first base; Harold Myers, second base; Frank Hart, center field; Edward Corbett, right field; Peter Palumbo, catcher; Robert Mudd, pitcher; Helgard Rademeyer, pitcher; James Coad, pitcher; subs: Albert Buescher, catcher; Morris McEvoy, first base; manager, John Kelly; captain, Robert Mudd.
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Father Coughlin made a mistake when he spoke against rich men and bankers; he should have stuck to the angels and given the bad ones hell.
Miss Margaret Irvin of 6515 Wise Avenue has returned from a trip to Nerinx, Kentucky, where she was present at a reception in the Loretta Convent when Madeline Koch who worked with her at Butler Brothers was admitted to the Order. Miss Irvin made the trip in her automobile and was accompanied by Mrs. Koch and two daughter, mother and sisters of the Novice.
Henry Hugebach, eighteen year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Huaebuch. 6100 West Park returned from an adventurous trip to the wild west that lasted over the period of a year. Since his return he has heen singing with a great deal of emotion "There is no place like Home."
Mrs. James Harris, 6217 West Park Avenue, spent four days in St. John's Hospital recently and had her tonsils removed.
Mrs. Martin Fahey, 6312 W. Park Avenue, died in St. Anthony's Hospital where she received the Last Sacraments, and was buried from St. James Church April 23. May she rest in peace.
Mr. and Mrs. P.J. Murphy, Victoria Avenue, intend going to the Euchnrtst Congress on June 13.
Mrs. Ellen Martin, a new parishioner, 6312 W. Park Avenue, age 62, died at her home on Saturday, April 23, and was buried from Solemn High Mass in St. James Church on Tuesday, April 26. Father Martin, Pastor at Owensville, Mo., a relative, was celebrant of the Mass, assisted bv Father O'Connor and Father Pohl.
The Choir was given a supper by the Parish recently as were the ushers and Sunday School teachers in the cafeteria of the school which was followed by entertainment that lasted until midnight. To say it was delightful would be putting it mildly. It was hilarious and vivacious from beginning to end. Everyone made a speech, Uncle Henry recited a poem which leads us to believe he is a flower that is born to bloom. His fragrance was not wasted at the supper. The poem is published in another part of this issue of Let's Go. There were songs galore as one might expect from a choir. Even Father O'Connor was prevailed upon to sing and Sam Gittens almost put his wife in the shade as a public performer and after-dinner entertainer. Mr. Lambert and Louis Riegel were appointed as bouncers to throw out anyone who did not respond when called upon by the toastmaster. Father O'Leary, Pastor of St. Malachy's, was toastmaster and seemed to know the right time to touch the right button. It was a very harmonious party and ended with an hour of free for all singing and general chorus.
The Mothers' Club will hold their regular meeting, followed by a card game, next Friday at 1:30 in School Hall. Lady parishioners are invited.
The Boy Scouts of the parish went to Mr. Chambers' farm, Ferguson, Missouri, Sunday, April 24, accompanied by Scoutmaster Jones, Ollie Dolan, Andrew Smith, and were driven by Mr. Jim Coad in his truck. They played indoor baseball, went on a bike and had a swim.
The Mothers' Club entertained at supper the cast of the Minstrel show and the ladies who worked in the lunchroom serving the children during the past year and in former years in the cafeteria of the school hall. Mrs. Charles Klasek was hostess, assisted by the other officers of the Mothers' Club. All the ladies were called upon to make a speech. Each responded and their embarrassment was as mirth-provoking as their wit.
Mrs. Sarah Ritchell. 6106 Wilson Avenue, has been ill for some time and is confined to her home.
Clarence Gesell, 1101 Louisville Avenue, was at Mass last Sunday at St. James Church. The choir, of which he is a member, gave him a warm welcome as did many of his acquaintances among the parishioners. He had been several weeks in St. Anthony's Hospital where he underwent an operation for appendicitis followed by pneumonia. He appears to be weak and has lost a great deal of weight.
St. James Branch of St. Vincent de Paul expended nearly $500 during April. Wage earners out of work in families receiving aid will be sent to an employment agency on application to the Central office. A recommendation must be had from the local Conference.
St. Ann's Sodalitv will hold its annual picnic May 18 at Fenton. All the married ladies in the Parish are invited. There will be a charge of $1 for transportation and meals. Call STerling 0332, Mrs. Plengemeier, to make arrangements to go.
The South Forest Park Improvement Association is urging the City to improve Clayton Avenue from Oakland to Kingshighway, and reduce taxes on real estate. You are invited to be a member of this organization.
Frank Walsh, a prominent Parish worker, has charge of the sale of Refrigerators, Cleaners, and Wash Machines at the Union-May-Stern Co.
Mrs. Edward Manchester, 1042 Tamm Ave., is a patient at St. Mary's Hospital as a result of a fall.
Every married lady in the parish is requested to be present in church after the 7:30 Mass on Sunday. May 15, to be enrolled in St. Ann's Sodality or renew membership.
FOR RENT - 1444 Tamm Ave., 4 rooms, bath, garage, steam heat. Rent reasonable. Inquire 1340 Tamm Ave.
The Vigil of Pentecost, Saturday, May 14, is a fast day and day of abstinence: the quartertense is Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, May 18, 20 and 21.
Last day for making Easter duty is May 22.
Novena to the Holy Ghost begins May 6 at the morning Masses.
Thomas Jenneman, age 14, son of Mr. and Mrs. Sylvester Jennerman, 5952 Victoria Avenue, whilst riding on a bicycle on Clayton Road on Friday, April 22 at 8 p.m., was struck by an automobile in front of Frank's Garage that was driven by Ferd DeBro, 6200 Victoria Avenue. Mr. Sam Gittens picked up the boy who was unconscious and Mr. DeBro, accompanied by John Lawrence, took him to the Deaconess Hospital where it was found he had a broken arm and a slight concussion of the brain. His condition is not critical.
Confessions will be heard next Wednesday, the eve of Ascension, from 4:30 to 6 and 7:30 to 9. There will be no other confessions heard for the First Friday until 7:30 on Thursday night, when the Holy Hour will also be held.
During the month of May there will be devotions every morning, Saturday included, when the school children will sing at the 8:30 Mass hymns to the Blessed Mother. There will also be a devotion every Monday at 3:30 when Benediction will be given.
Mrs. Birdie Shane, 1208a Tamm Avenue, needs help and would he glad to do housework, cleaning, cooking, nursing, laundry work or assist in a store.
Sister Georgiana volunteers to give extra help after school hours to children in the 8th grade who are desirous to enter the competitive examinations for scholarships that are awarded to parochial schools by St. Louis University, The Sisters of Notre Dame at the Rock Church, and the Ursuline Sisters at Kirkwood. Parents are urged to arouse an interest in these children in preparing for the examinations. Few pupils are ambitious to sacrifice recreation for additional studies and as a result fail in competition.
When awarding graduation diplomas teachers in the parochial school usually affix a seal which indicates the proficiency of the pupil. A gold seal on a diploma is awarded to pupils who successfully passed the examination, a gold and purple seal indicates honors, and those who fail in two or more examinations, thereby not attaining the normal percent, will have a red seal on their diplomas. This information is proffered in hopes that parents will encourage their children to work hard with their studies during the month of May.
The Press carried a news item on April 18 which stated that Father Coughlin's radio sermons were denounced by Cardinal O'Connell in an address delivered by His Eminence in Boston, before the Guild of St. Apollonia at the University Club.
The news item stated that the Cardinal spoke as "a Catholic citizen," hence, this utterance is not to be regarded as an official condemnation made by ecclesiastical authority. Father Coughlin's name was not mentioned but implied in the words "There is a man in Florida or Michigan who talks every Sunday afternoon. He talks to the whole world. What right has he to do this? To whom is he responsible?" The implication is that the man in Florida or Michigan is not responsible to church authority and is an ecclesiastic because the Cardinal added, "We do not like to hear hysterical addresses from ecclesiastics. They receive attention they do not deserve."
There is a great deal of similarity between this condemnation of Father Coughlin by the Cardinal, and that made of Governor Roosevelt by Mr. Al. Smith. Both are severe censures of "demagogic utterances" on social and economic themes. The objection being that these talks are not constructive, and have a tendency to arouse class hatred, setting class against class and rich against poor. Of course if this is true, the Cardinal has a right and a duty to speak, and even if it is not true, his right to speak as a citizen who believes it is true, cannot be denied.
Governor Roosevelt's defence is, "I am pleading for a policy broad enough to include every part of our economic structure, a concert of classes," and outlined his position by a quotation from the late President Roosevelt and quoted him as saying, "If we substitute for the standard of personal judgment which treats each man according to his merits, another standard in accordance with which all men of one class are favored and all men of another class discriminated against, we shall do irreparable damage to the body politic. This government is not and never shall be governed by an autocracy. This Government is not and never shall be governed by a mob."
"It is to this national community of interest that we should dedicate ourselves," said Gov ernor Roosevelt. "If that be treason, make the most of it."
We can conceive Father Coughlin replying in the same words to Cardinal O'Connell. His utterances have been in defense of the poor and at a time when our social conditions are evidently out of balance. The wealthy classes have also been condemned on occasions by Cardinal O'Connell, who is reported to have said more than once that social justice has been gravely violated since 90% of the wealth of the Country is in the hands of 3% of the population.
Father Coughlin has no right to speak for the Catholic Church or by implication to embroil it in class war. The Catholic Church is a tremendously serious organization as the Cardinal puts it, and is slow to make sensational accusations against individuals at a time when people are inclined to be hysterical, but it is also true that priests are urged by the Holy Father to study economic conditions and promote social justice. Father Coughlin has been a tremendous power in calling attention to social injustice. He has addressed bigger audiences perhaps than any man has ever done before in the history of the world. There is little use in dealing with generalities. Father Coughlin has been making a critical analysis of economic conditions and has frequently hit very hard.
What good has he done? Ask the starving poor who are willing to work for a sustenance and are too proud to beg. He has made articulate their criticisms and their groans. He has given a safe outlet to their indignations and resentments. How they have waited for him on Sunday afternoon and found in his words a solace and a hope after another dreary week of anxiety and distress. He came to them through the air as a pitying angel, to minister to their wounded pride; the starving world war hero felt that appreciation for his services was not entirely extinct and the religiously inclined man became more confident that the God of Justice still dominates the Temple and Holy Script. A scattered flock heard his voice and recognized in him the Good Shepherd. His words have broken pathways through the adamantine walls of prejudice. He proved that leadership in social and economic life belongs in its fullness to the Catholic Church.
A public rebuke to Father Coughlin from so prominent an ecclesiastic as Cardinal O'Connell is a grievous wound but it must be remembered it is not a church condemnation. Father Coughlin has at least the tacit approval of his own bishop. They have both spoken in the same hour to the same radio audience. Father Coughlin is within his rights when he speaks in his own parish to the whole world with the approval of the local ordinary. It is rather surprising that he has been permitted to broadcast for so long a time from his parish church, the Shrine of the Little Flower, at Detroit if his bishop disapproves of his utterances.
"Before the days of radio." Cardinal O'Connell said, "any priest seeking to direct affairs outside his parish would have been called to order by his own bishop." We fail to see how the radio has made a change; the bishop of a diocese has still the same right and authority, and if Father Coughlin has not been suppressed by his bishop, we conclude he has spoken with at least his passive consent.
P.J. O'Connor, Pastor
Business men, mechanics and laboring men touch shoulder to shoulder on week-ends at retreats given at the White House, which are conducted by the Jesuit Fathers. Many prefer a week-end there to a picnic, a tourist trip or a few days fishing.
Mr. A.H. Mudd. President of the Holy Name Society, letter carrier, during his two weeks' vacation in the past month, devoted a week-end to his spiritual welfare and spent it at the White House making a retreat. He came back very enthusiastic about the exercises and said, though he enjoyed the rest of his vacation, the days at the White House were full of a calm peace and happiness that can be had no place else. Charles Klasek, on hearing him express his appreciation, joined in the conversation and stated he goes there whenever he gets a chance and believes if the men of the parish had one experienee of a retreat at the White House they would never miss an opportunity of making one every year.
The White House is located some fifteen miles south of St. Louis on the bluffs over-looking the Mississippi River and consists of a group of buildings including a dormitory, dining room, a beautiful chapel. It sets in the most picturesque, quiet and restful surrounding's imaginable. There are 75 acres of scenic bills and shady groves and all the conveniences found in a modern city.
But you will ask, "Why should I make a retreat? I have been faithful to my religious duties and live a good christian life."
The promotion of lay Retreats is but a part of a world-wide movement warmly endorsed by his Holiness, Pope Pius XI, and in its local endeavors cordially approved by his Grace Archbishop Glennon. It responds to a wide spread feeling among thinking people of our times that human society with its vision narrowed to the temporal horizon, lacks the directive aim, and the uplifting power needed for its greatest accomplishments. For without a God and a future life man is but an advanced type of brute animal who may well satisfy the cravings of nature during his brief career; civil and ecclesiastical law are mere conventions of polite society; right and wrong, duty and morality are but names.
During a Retreat a man's mind is elevated to a plane from which he can view the spiritual horizon. He sees below him the gross and ugly things of sinful indulgence and passionate impulse. He realizes that men are not mere super animals, but the very image and likeness of the Creator.
For further information, write or telephone Laymen's League, 221 N. Grand Boulevard, JEfferson 8903.
Mary Dora Rossarnanno, 1410 Sulphur Ave.
Eugene Henry Ebenreck, 6508a Clayton Ave.
Joan Elizabeth Graupner, 6438 Nashville Ave.
Donald John Becker, 6402 Oakland Ave.
Mother is an old old name and always implies a relationship that's akin to creation. She is an instrument in the hands of God for ushering souls into life and human beings into society. In the Divine plan she is the source from which the kingdom of heaven must draw its members. Christ's Passion would be in vain if there were no mothers. Barrenness is the opposite pole of creation.
Motherhood is a prominent feature of the Divine plan. "Be it done," said the Divine Mother and the Redemption was accomplished. Before a child can be born a woman must say, "Be it done." The creative power of God in ushering human beings into life is therefore under the veto of a woman.
A good woman appreciates this dignity and seriously sets about conforming her ideas to the distinguished part she plays in the Divine Plan. She measures the flow of life and dams the source when she sets up opposition to motherhood. Motherhood is the grandeur of womanhood, its grandeur surpasses all other functions that are not Divine.
There is dual ownership in a child; through the procreative faculty of the parents the fetus forms in the womb, but it is God that makes it a rational being and gives it an immortal soul. Parents cannot give back life to a dead offspring. They can destroy the life but only God can resurrect it. What dwells in that human temple and operates the brain is a spark of divine origin, and, by divine decree that spark can never be extinguished; the soul is immortal.
Christian Motherhood is the ideal of the Creator and mother is the teacher in the Divine University. Her efficiency depends upon her religious training. A woman who hasn't religion is unfit to be a mother. Mother should be qualified to read God's blueprints in relation to her child. She is a good mother who constructs character in accordance with God's decrees. She has a duty to become acquainted with the mystery of the Incarnation and Redemption. She is a necessary part of the spiritual edifice. The Church speaks through her to the infant. She writes the first records in the clean page of the mind. She does not make the principles of good conduct, these originate in God's wisdom, but she handles them as a skilled mechanic handles material, or a sculptor uses a chisel to fashion and form the mental concept of the piece he is to carve.
Mother, your child is your accomplishment, the formation of his character is your achievement, you succeed or fail in the success or failure of your offspring. The Christian mother has been the delight and the glory of Christian civilization and the Christian Church. Her degradation will be the ruin of both. Modern urge inclines women to tamper with sex functions as if the purpose of life were a sensual pleasure. This pagan concept has been openly advocated and efforts are being made to legislate in favor of its facile introduction into society. It is pagan in its purpose and abhorrent to christian principles. It is a straw taken from a sheaf in which is found divorce, free love and prostitution. Birth control is the prostitution of the house-wife and the degradation of womanhood. It is the latest pest that has invaded the fertile field of motherhood. It is a blight on the crop of babies and a scourge of divine vengeance that, of necessity must eliminate a faithless people. They will extinguish themselves through a suicidal principle which is being propagated by vicious minds.
Christian mother, you will be given a place of honor on Mother's Day in the Christian Church if you have done your duty faithfully and well. Behold your subjects, these are your children and God's children. To bring them into lifc you pass through the shadows of death. Night and day you watched their struggle to live and grow and overcome their physical antagonists. This is only the minor part of your efforts. They have also a spiritual birth and a spiritual life: that they may have it in abundance it was necessary for Christ to die on the cross: through Baptism they begin the life of glory but there are many impediments to its development. The Christian Church has given you the Nun and the Brother to help you in the proper education of your child, and the Sacraments to be his spiritual food. You must protect it and create in the home a an atmosphere that is suited to its proper development; books, companions, recreations and amusements enter into a child's concept of life; these you must superintend and select: that is one of your biggest problems in life, hence it has been said that woman's place is in the home. If the home is properly safeguarded, the child's welfare both temporal aud spiritual is guaranteed and in this we have the security of the Nation.
P.J. O'Connor. Pastor
UNCLE HENRY'S LETTER
May 1, 1932.
dear Charlie:
now that you been laid-off i suppose you are going to run for public office at the coming electtons, the business of running-far-office is the only one that hasn't felt the depression. the boys are hustling day and night with great enthusiasm, and more orders than they can fill,solicitin votes, makin promises, and evading issues.
all you need to be successful is a dumb look, numb conscience, and the endorsement of the anti-saloon league. if our ancesters had been as poor statesmen as the ones we elect now-a-days, the indians would still be running the country. so throw in your hat charlie; you got as many qualifications as the rest.
i guess you was as shocked as i was to read where Cardinal O'Connell denounced Father Coughlin's radio talks from the Shrine of the Little Flower, with due respect to the Cardinal who undoubtedly has been beset with appeals, threats and cajolieries from public and individual powers, to get the "demagogue" off the air, i just can't resist a friendly feeling for the Pastor of the Little Flower. i am utterly opposed to priests assuming an attitude that might be construed as political ambition. we wouldn't have our ministry stoop to the level of a certain sect of preachers who spend their time in Washington lobbying for pet measures and ballyhooing selected candidates.
Father Coughlin though has never shown any such ambitions. in fact he chose to fight on the side which held out the least promise of personal gain. he has fought the battle of the lowly by pointing out with facts and figures the method by which the government of 120 million people is manipulated by weak-kneed officials, for the benefit of the 511 who take their mllllon dollar salaries for playing golf, yachting and vacationing in St. Moritz and Honolulu.
he has shown us that about the only work done by most of these parasites is the installation of cost-cutting and price-boosting methods, in business; perfection of mergers for stiffling competition; and engineering pools for manipulating stock values. he has pointed out the faults in government, where they germinate from and what they lead to. he scorns the "species", but carries no brief for individual or party. if that be demagogic teaching, i salute the professor.
speaking of "parties" we been having some here, like the one the Pastor give to entertain the Choir an some of the other parish workers, which he felt he owed a treat. i have never attended a gathering where the folks enjoyed thereselves better. an i think the Pastor was the happiest of the lot.
the Mothers Club had a get-together also, to entertain the minstrel members an the lunchroom workers. i didn't attend on acount of not being a good enough minstrel to "make" the show, an too busy to help in the lunchroom, but i got reports that the party was a complete success. everybody had to do some "stunt", so adele Conroy an bess Wamhoff ate. these two are funny at all times, but with their feet under a well stocked table, they are at their best, an kate Klasek had it well stocked.
you ought to pay us a visit durin' the next month on acount of they will be several interestin events for you to attend.
first there will be the Alumni Association breakfast on the 15th. where you will have a chance to see your old school companions. they expect a large attendance this year on acount of it being the first and twenty-fifth anniversaries of Tony Palumbo's an the Pastor's service in the priesthood.
then there will be the ordination and First Mass of Tony, only he won't be tony then but Father Palumbo. the parish is very proud of Tony on account everyone knows how pleasantly he has smiled through the many trying years since he made his vocational decision. that smile will be one of his best assets in the work he has chosen. an i prophesy he will be a popular and successful priest.
the biggest event of all will be Father O'Connors Twenty-Fifth Jubilee Celebration which you ought to attend by all means. i understand a big affair is being planned but the details are not definitely decided so i cant tell you what they are.
also, you might be here for the school picnic on the 26th at O'Fallon Park. the committee is planning a old time outing like we used to have where everybody got together for a real good time. an don't have to spend the day arguing the kids out of "nickels". they will he all kinds of athletic events for men, women and children with real prizes; barrels of "lemonade, made in the shade, stirred with a rust-": and a hot barbecue lunch for those that dont care to pack a basket.
you should of been here for the dramatic club show as it was about the best they ever gave. Frank Staub selected the play, picked the cast and trained them, so you dent need any further assurance that it was a hit with the audience.
the plot was of the "jack Dalton" type spiced with just the proper amount of humor to leave a savory after taste. jerry O'Connell was the "hero", jack Houlihan the "lead", and Matt Mclaughlin "the dirty villun." they were surrounded by a bevy of good-looking girls with dorothy McLaughlin the chic little french maid. was she cute? wi! wi! may McCauley was all excellent villianess.
your pertickler friend & uncle
HENRY.
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