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."
year's and I have never once had to send a person to your doors asking for a donation. We have made considerable improvements in the school, and erected a church that cost $217,000.00. Our debt, it is true, threatens at the present time to be galling, but so far I have not felt the shoe pinch. Loyal and persistent you have remained with me during this period of depression and God alone knows the sacrifices many of you have been making to give a contribution to the Church.
This is really the great cause of my joy and though it is material, it also is an indication of the spiritual progress. Church buildings are only the spiritual workshop, the activities they house and the aims they enable the pastors to promote are really the true measures of success.
The spiritual life of the parish, though not all that might be desired, is reasonably healthy and robust. The school conducted by the self-sacrificing Dominican Sisters, societies, sodalities, devotions. Mass attendance and reception of the Sacraments, are at least normal and when there is taken into consideration the temptations and impediments of these modern times to spiritual life, we have also reason for rejoicing at the spiritual progress made by the flock.
For these reasons I feel that my jubilee is yours and I would be very lonely if you were not with me in whatever program might be suggested for this celebration. I know a custom prevails of presenting a purse. I hope, if the matter has been suggested, that you are not taking it too seriously. I have never had any difficulty in meeting my personal obligations and foresee none at present.
I began life with one great advantage, I was a member of a family of 11 and from my earliest childhood I was taught simple ways and simple life. Luxuries make no appeal to me. I think people make a great mistake in considering them essential to happiness. Plain fare, innocent amusements, honest-to-God neighbors, the smiling faces of children, a dog, a fishing pole and a pinochle game have meant more to me than all the luxuries that money could purchase. In fact, I don't have much need of money, the only time that a store window makes an appeal to me is when it has flowers or a display of fishing tackle.
This sketch of my life, as I see it, would be incomplete if I did not mention the name of the Blessed Mother of God. I have had a deep affection for her as long as I can remember and though I am lazy sometimes in manifesting my devotion, I always tell her that she is my mother and I am her priest consecrated entirely to promoting the honor and glory of her dear Son, my Savior. I am grateful for her benevolent intercession and would not rejoice if I thought she were not pleased with me.
I consecrate myself anew to my priestly life and my labors for your spiritual welfare. I am keenly conscious of my many imperfections but I have great confidence that God will forgive me my sins and enable me to persevere to the end in His Grace. Whether the years that are left are few or many it matters not, I am thoroughly reconciled to God's Holy Will. I place myself entirely in His care and ask you to petition Him for a blessing on my labors.
With deep and abiding affection I remain gratefully your pastor and never want to be anything more or less.
Yours in Christ,
Patrick J. O'Connor
Beginning June 5 and continuing during June, July and August the Sunday Masses at St. James Church will be one-half hour earlier which will bring the time of the Masses next Sunday as follows: first, 5:30; second, 7:00; third, 8:30; and last at 10:00 a.m.
The 6:30 Mass on weekdays will be continued with certainty, but the later Mass will frequently be omitted because of weddings, funerals and the absence of the priests. Whenever there will be a Mass at 8:30 the bell will ring 20 minutes ahead.
The May Procession and Crowning of the Statue of the Blessed Virgin drew the usual large attendance. The day was beautiful, the singing good and Rev. John P. Flood, Assistant Pastor of St. Matthew's Parish, preached an eloquent sermon.
Rev. Antony Palumbo, son of Mr. and Mrs. Dominic Palumbo, 1347 Graham Avenue, will be ordained a priest at Kenrick Seminary on June 5 by Archbishop Glennon and intends celebrating his first Mass at St. James Church Sunday, June 12 at 10 a.m.
Father Palumbo, though born in Italy, has been associated with St. James Parish since he was 8 years old, serving as altar boy until he went to the Major Seminary and frequently residing at the Rectory. He graduated from St. James Parochial School and has won the admiration of a large number of the congregation. He is the first priest to be ordained from St. James Parish. He extends an invitation to the parishioners to be present at his first solemn Mass and a reception which the parish will give in his honor in the cafeteria of the school that evening at 7:30 p.m. His letter of invitation is as follows:
Dear Father O'Connor:
Our class will be ordained to the Priesthood on Sunday, June 5. Through your kindness I will be privileged to say my First Solemn Mass on Sunday, June 12 at ten o'clock in St. James Church. It would be a distinct pleasure for me to have all my St. James friends, parishioners of the past and present, attend that first Solemn Mass. Their active presence at the Holy Sacrifice would be their best means of helping me make my Thanksgiving to God.
At 7:30 o'clock on the evening of that same day June 12, there will be a reception in the school hall.
Father please do me the added kindness of publishing this invitation in the parish paper "Let's Go."
Thanking you for this and for your many other past favors, and asking your prayers, especially during the few remaining days of my seminary life, I remain,
Respectfully yours,
Tony Palumbo
Thirty children who have completed their course in St. James Parochial School will receive their diplomas at the 8:30 Mass Sunday, June 19.
The following is a list of the graduates: Dorothy Bertram, James Brady, Albert Buescher, Hermetta Burch, Rose Capelli, Benedict Cenatiempo, Bernice Coad, James Coad, Edward Corbett, Antonette Daddona, Edward Duggan, James Kelley, Arthur Lafser, Robert Lauterwasser, Thomas Marshall, John McCauley, Morris McEvoy, Francis McLaughlin, Robert Mudd, Harold Myers, Peter Palumbo, Margaret Purcell, Paul Pursley, Helgarde Raderneyer, Helen Reese, Mitchel Scherzinger, Sadie Sharamitaro, Herman Stoverink, Alice Thomas, Hubert Ward.
The class will go to Communion at this Mass and a musical program is being planned by Miss Carreras, organist. A class picture will be taken at 11:30 a.m.
Mrs. Robt. Griffin, 6450 W. Park Avenue, was taken ill last week rather suddenly and immediately removed to St. Louis Maternity Hospital, where she underwent a minor operarion. She is now home and much improved but her physician has not fully diagnosed her ease, and she fears she may have to return to the Hospital.
The committee in charge of Father O'Connor's Jubilee Celebration have decided upon the following:
Sunday, June 5, Solemn Mass at 10 o'clock which the parishioners who cannot be present on Thursday (the 25th anniversary date) are invited to attend. The Good Friday choir, many of whom are from St. Edward's and other parishes, have volunteered to sing the Mass, which will be celebrated by Father O'Connor, assisted by Very Rev. Dean P.J. O'Rourke, pastor of St. Mark's Church, Deacon; Rev. John Nugent, pastor of St. Catherine's Church, Sub-deacon; and Rev. John P. Ryan, pastor of Immaculate Conception Church Maplewood, Master of Ceremonies, Rev. John J. Lonergan, pastor of St. Cronin's Church, will preach on the occasion.
Monday evening at 6:30 a stag supper, followed by a card game, by St. James Branch St. Vincent de Paul Society and other men from the parish invited by members.
Tuesday evening a reception by the Virgin Mother's Sodality, in the school hall.
Wednesday, a reception by the school children and Dominican Nuns.
Wednesday evening a reception by all the parishioners in the school hall.
Thursday, the anniversary of ordination, a Solemn High Mass at 10 o'clock at which a considerable gathering of Diocesan Clergy, and other clerical friends, is expected, followed by a banquet to the priests in the school hall. Rev. Daniel J. Lavery, D.D., will preach at this Mass which will be celebrated by Father O'Connor, assisted by Rev. Robt. McKeown, assistant pastor St. Mark's, Deacon; Rev. Geo. Keating, Sts. Mary and Joseph Parish, Subdeacon; Rev. P.J. O'Malley, Professor Kenrick Seminary, Master of Ceremonies; Rev. Antony Palumbo, second master of ceremonies.
Toastmaster at the banquet, Rev. H.F. Schuermann. Ph. D., S.T.D.
Rt. Rev. P.P. Crane, Vicar general will reply to a toast, as will Very Rev. Charles L. Van Tourenhout. P.R., St. Genevieve; Very Rev. Charles L. Souvey, C.M., president of Kenrick Seminary; Rev. Wm. Carr, pastor, Millwood, Mo.; and Rev. Robt. E. McKeown will speak on our Jubilarian.
The priests' retreat is deferred to the last weeks of August
The officers of the Mothers' Club were in charge of a lotto and card party given in the school hall May 10 to raise funds to provide treats for the children at the school picnic.
Mrs. Plengemeier and Mrs. Wiber assisted by Mr. and Mrs. Lambert, Mr. and Mrs. Mudd and Mrs. Engelhardt were in charge of the Lotto game.
Mrs. Lawless and Mrs. Bess Gallaher, assisted by Mrs. Corbett, took charge of the cards.
Mr. and Mrs. Bosche, Mrs. Hefele, Mrs. Murphy and Mrs. Boman assisted in the lunchroom, and received many donations of cakes.
There was an attendance of about 250 and the amount netted was $50.19 in cash and $30 outstanding for tickets.
The committee requested that returns for tickets be made as soon as possible as they presumed, when planning on the picnic, that this could be counted upon.
Thomas Callahan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Callahan, was married from Nuptial Mass, May 17, to Mildred Magdalen Hardwick, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Hardwick, 6421 Garesche Avenue. The official witnesses were Thos. J. Rafferty, Jr. and Ann Miller. The ceremony was impressive and attractive. The bride was given away by her brother and the church was neatly filled. Mrs. Callahan, a convert to Catholicity, recently completed her instructions and entered the church at St. James. Congratulations are extended to the young couple.
The Month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart and devotees will exert themselves to increase this beautiful devotion. The promoters of the Apostleship of Prayer are the most interested propagandists. They meet in the Rectory the third Sunday of each month and also attend to the distribution of leaflets, pamphlets and especially the Messenger of the Sacred Heart. They are making preparations to celebrate the Feast of the Sacred Heart which is Friday, June 3, in a becoming manner and are to make a house to house drive to have a large attendance at the Holy Hour the preceding evening which also happens to be the eve of the First Friday.
Charles Jones connected the hot water heater in the lunchroom of the Cafeteria, and the kitchen is now equipped with a hot water tank.
The tank was donated by Charles LaGarce.
Mrs. John A. Murphy has donated an antependium for the altar. Four more are required to match the color of the vestments for each day and a donation of one would be appreciated. Material costs about $40. Miss Agnes Kern and sisters have volunteered to make them.
John McGuire, 1029a Central Avenue, age 43, who had suffered from a nervous breakdown several months ago, died May 6 rather suddenly at his home. He was born in County Galloway, Ireland, and leaves his wife Anna and one child. Mr. McGuire was a quiet unassuming man, markedly gentle and refined, and a fine specimen of the old time Irish Catholic. For a few days prior to his death his wife would find him in a room communing with God in prayer. He was buried from St. James Church and there was a big attendance of his countrymen, relatives and neighbors at his funeral. He was a member of St. James Branch Holy Name Society and a conscientious supporter or the Church. Sympathy is extended to his bereaved wife and relatives. May he rest in peace.
Sylvester Jenneman, 5952 Victoria Avenue, brother of the Jenneman family who are prominent in parish circles, died after a lingering illness at the Veterans' Hospital May 17. Sympathy is extended to his wife, children and relatives. His son Thomas who was recently reported in an automobile accident, was sufficiently well to attend the funeral.
At a small cost an alteration is being made in the Sanctuary. For the purpose of securing cheaper and better lighting effects, six windows are being changed and the replacements are in keeping with the rest of the windows.
The Archbishop has requested the pastors to have a summer school for public school children wherever it is feasible. We hesitate to try it because both public school children and their parents are usually very indifferent to our efforts for their spiritual welfare.
Mrs. O'Hearn, wife of James J. O'Hearn, who until recently resided at 6219 Victoria Avenue, died at her home, 4141 Sarpy Avenue, May 14, after a protracted illness induced by a broken limb which she suffered more than a year ago. She had been a patient the greater part of the year at St. Mary's Hospital. Besides her bereaved husband she leaves a daughter, Margaret. Sympathy is extended to the family.
Rev. Basile Luyet, professor of biology at St. Louis University, who resided at 6200 block Victoria Avenue. and frequently said Mass at St. James Church during the past year, has gone to reside at St. Anthony's Hospital where he intends staying during the summer months. He stated he left the Parish with regret and hopes to rent a house some place in the neighborhood in the early fall.
Mr. and Mrs. P.H. Murphy, 6219a Victoria Avenue, have definitely decided on a trip to Ireland. The itinerary includes a pilgrimage to the 31st Eucharistie Congress in Dublin via Chicago, Montreal, St. Anne de Beaupre and Quebec. They will sail June 13 on the Cunard Line Steamship Antonia. Mr. Murphy, a Kentuckian by birth, is going to see Ireland for the first time and will spend a part of his vacation with his wife's brother and sister in Rosscommon.
Mr. and Mrs. Murphy have for several years attended to the advertising department of Let's Go. In their absence all communications might be addressed to Mrs. Wm. Boman, 6452 Nashville Avenue. Telephone HIland 2031.
Capt. James Foley, 1017a Central Avenue, fell from a ladder at a fire at Maple and Hodiamont a few weeks ago and was a patient at St. John's Hospital for a few days. He escaped with minor bruises and a sprained shoulder and expects to return to work very soon.
Father O'Connor acknowledges an invitation from Miss Georgette M. Stiff, daughter of Mr. Clyde Stiff, 1360 Central Avenue. to the commencement exercises to be held at Arcadia College, Thursday, June 9, when she will receive her diploma.
Also from another class fellow, Mary Josephine Dempsey.
I have almost to pinch myself to make sure I am not dreaming. A quarter century has passed since I was ordained a priest. The years have travelled like a winged bird and the fiight is not yet ended. Looking back it seems but yesterday since I was a very small boy struggling with the intricacies of fractions. I see myself in the Seminary with as much vividness as if only a few months had passed since I left school, my class companions' faces, voices and mannerisms are very clear to my memory. I can portray them running to the handball courts, contending in the football field, silently marching to the chapel under the observation of an ascetic Dean or taking advantage of his absence to indulge in some mischief during the quietness of a study hour. The scene that comes most readily is one that involved the death sentence of a mouse. The culprit had been captured in the act of stealing a piece of cake from a particular Barney who was known to have a sweet tooth and a delightful appreciation for the good things of life. Having taken the mouse alive, Barney brought it before a group of students who were gathered in the corner of a corridor. "I caught him in the act," said Barney, and everybody gazed towards a paper box which he held in his hand. "Give him a trial by Jury," said Bill Ryan. Accordingly court was formally opened, the State appointed a lawyer for the defense, the prosecuting attorney was easily found, the Judge formally opened court and Barney presented the evidence. It was explicit, convincing and condemnatory. The defense was next heard and gave an eloquent treatise on the right that every mouse should have to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, but notwithstanding the admirable defense the jury brought in a true bill without any recommendation for mercy. The judge who was adverse to cruelty suggested that the execution be as humane as possible and recommended the modern American method of electrocution. This was probably suggested by the fact that electricity was being introduced to the Seminary and workmen were busy installing wires. Big B!ll Ryan who also acted in the capacity of sheriff got ready the death chamber and proceeded to make two electric attachments. One piece of wire he attached to a wire collar that was put on the culprit's neck; the other he carefully twisted around the tail. Everything being ready he called to Tim, his assistant, to turn on the switch. The audience watched the effects, they were gruesome and terrible, the mouse breathed in agony for a second and with a scream indicative of great pain gave up the ghost.
My college chums later on went each his own way in life and took his place in the Mission fields of the world, a few to New Zealand, Australia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Kansas, the Dakotas, California, one to England and one to Canada. Two of them died the year after our ordination. I have had very meager reports of the careers of the others. From what I have learned more than one-third of my class are dead.
Six months before my ordination I was undecided as to the land I should adopt. I was a free lance, so to speak, and a student in Carlow College, Ireland. Bishops wrote or called periodically requesting students to affiliate with their diocese. These requests came mostly from countries where the Church was not well established. Sometimes the Bishop was willing to defray the expense of education or refund in whole or in part the tuition already paid. I received a very good offer from Melbourne, Australia, and might have accepted it were it not that my mother did not want me to go so far from home. She pleaded that I go to America from whence I could return every few years. This and another circumstance led up to my coming to St. Louis. Looking back I can see how true the adage is, "Man proposes, God disposes." I have been to Ireland only twice in 25 years. I promised mother I would return before 7 years had passed. On the 7th anniversary of my arrival in St. Louis I received a cablegram that mother was dving. I had not returned and could not get permission to go then because Father Casey, my Pastor, was very ill. The Archbishop said I was needed in St. James. I had to struggle with myself to submit to his decision. I thought it hardhearted, but it helped to bring home the truth that priests do not belong even to dying mothers. Their duties to the church come first. At ordination the candidate takes an oath to obey his bishop. Thank God I kept mine. This was my first big struggle with my vow, that day something died within me, it was my dream of youth and home. I realized then that I had lost both. I did not grieve overmuch but took a kind of fierce delight in making the final sacrifice of all my childish sentiment. Since then I have considered myself a soldler of the Cross. I dislike any kind of petting or sympathy, it unmans me, in fact I find it necessary to have a scrap with someone every now and then to keep up my morale. Of course I am always sorry for any pain I might give and have usually a double reserve of kindly feeling for those who are big enough to attribute my ugly conduct to a passing mood. I can truthfully say I have never retained in my heart very long a hostile feeling for anyone. There are times especially after a long strain when I become so irritable I want to bite someone. Those that are closest to me have the best chance of being nipped. The amount of forgiveness that the best and the dearest of my parishioners have continuously extended to me makes me love them all the more. I am sure there is nothing I would not do for them, their patience and gentleness are coals of fire upon my head and I thank God there is enough Christian charity left in the parish to cover my many infirmities.
I may add I did not return to Ireland until 15 years after my ordination. When I went back, those who were children when I left home were young men and women and scarcely remembered me and the older ones looked so old and dejected it was painful to meet them, and their lot had grown harder because they saw many of the old traditions set at naught. The country was in the fierce struggle of a civil war.
The other circumstance that led up to my abandoning my idea of going to Australia was a class fellow to whom I had become very attached, Father John Cronin, now of Webb City, Mo. We were pledged to go together whether it was north, south, east or west. He had been offered adoption in the Diocese of Kansas City and was inclined to accept it. I looked up the map and found Kansas was not far from St. Louis. Somehow St. Louis had impressed itself on my mind; at an early age I had read Mark Twain's stories, and had a belief that St. Louis was the gate of the west, the home of the trapper and the Indian. At that time I had ambitions to be a real missionary among Indians in a virgin soil. I happened also to get hold of a St. Louis paper sent to a fellow student during the World's Fair. There was a picture in it of more wild ducks than ever I had seen. There was a description of the swamp lands in the Mississippi Valley and the possibility of killing wild duck to one's heart's content; this had, I believe, as much an appeal to me as converting a whole tribe of Indians. You must remember I was little more than a boy then.
Boys have a way of making Heaven and earth unite to gratify their fancies. I decided that God wanted me in St. Louis. This I intimated to my Uncle, a Kerry parish priest. I did not tell him how I was drawn to this conclusion. Older people have an irritating manner of laughing at youth and in away that is very disconcerting. They see only the practical side of the question and have little appreciation of the world or dreams and the attractiveness of the beckoning hand of fancy. The cauldron that brews the spirit of adventure rests for them on a furnace that is a smoldering fire clogged with the ashes of a slowing-up experience. GOing to St. Louis for wild duck and Indians had better not been told my Uncle, but go to St. Louis I must because, 0 well, I wanted to go there! And this is an expression I recommend to all boys who find it difficult to give a reason for wanting to do or not do a thing. Older people cannot puncture it no matter how many questions they may ask, and it is the easiest and surest way to attain one's purpose. They look for a reason for everything and because a boy wants a thing is usually a good reason to incline most goodhearted people to help him to get it. So it was with me and Uncle, he helped me to secure my adoption in the Archdiocese of St. Louis.
The difficulty was great. St. Louis had a Seminary of its own and had not for many years much need of priests educated in other lands; however, this particular year 1907 there was a small class to be ordained in Kenrick Seminary and the need for priests in the various parishes was pressing. Father Lavery happened to make one of his periodic visits to Kerry that year and mentioned to my Uncle who had been at one time, I believe, his confessor, that he probably could get me affiliated with St. Louis. I jumped at the offer and in a short time I received a cablegram from him saying I was adopted.
Father Lavery was God's instrument in my destiny. He has given many a helping hand to priests and students who needed assistance and rarely is his home without a supernumerary. He has been my friend all through the years. True, he has often spoken to me like the proverbial Dutch Uncle, not for my improvement I fear, but to give an expression to an adverse judgment as to my character; this more frequently was on an occasion when he had lost a decision in the argument that calls for Jacks or better. Those Jacks and Better have strange ways of associating themselves with men who have no other claim to superiority than the inexact, though decisive nod of lady chance. Ability, Skill, in the game wherein Father Lavery fails! Such thing, Sir! just the habitual instinct that arises from common cunning.
I was not acquainted with Father Lavery when I came to St. Louis nor with anybody else that I can recall. I was an utter stranger in a strange land and had many misgivings about my abilities to serve in a Diocese which was, I learned, advanced in culture and ecclesiasticism. On hearing people speak I became keenly conscious of the gulf that separated me from them. I have not the least doubt that I also suffered from an inferiority complex. This I regard to be the brand burned into the souls of the old Irish by English domination. We were trained to bow and scrape to everyone who wore a tall hat or had a position that carried with it any distinction. They were the gentlemen, we were something else. The Sinn Fein movement happily changed this and young Irishmen now feel that one man is as good as another, and as one of them put it, "often a D-- side better."
The Irish immigrant cast amongst strangers usually had to battle with himself to keep up his courage. In the presence of superiors he felt like running away and taking cover in some remote place, so I felt that first day in 8t. Louis, I did not want to meet Father Lavery, he was that terrifying thing known as a D.D. which means pre-eminence as a theologian and scholar. I was not conscious of any scholarly attainments and to meet my Archbishop was also a severe trial. I had never once spoken to an Archbishop. I felt ill at ease at the thought of presenting myself to him. I deferred the ordeal for a day and put up for the night in a hotel somewhere near Union Depot which might have been the Terminal, and gave myself over to melancholy, and meditation as to how I should proceed. In the morning I walked around town, or rode aimlessly in the street cars. I could not get lost because, like a stray dog, one place was as good or as bad as another. However the time came for decision. I asked a police officer how to get to Holy Rosary Church. "You mean Father Lavery's Church," he said, and beamed with delight. "Taylor and Margaretta, take an Olive and Taylor and you will be at his door in twenty minutes." I did not know whether an Olive and Taylor was a train, subway or street car. Were it not that I presumed it was some means of conveyance I might have thought it to be a concern that took care of lost immigrants or an indigestion tablet made up of part Taylor and part Olive that facilitates walking. I thanked him without knowing where to go, and fearing to ask what might appear to be a ridiculous question, kept walking and thinking until an Olive street car passed, the sign on which enabled me to solve the riddle.
Father Lavery gave me a cheery reception. He helped me to forget self-consciousness and the deep embarrassment I felt because I seemed so different from those around me. "That is a fine Kerry brogue you brought over," he said, "but it won't hurt you in this town, most people regard it as an indication of faith and sincerity." "There is an ambitious priest here," he continued, "that cultivates it with the greatest care and when he is not freeing Ireland, he is fooling the American people taking their good money to build a hotel for hoboes. Did you ever hear the likes of it? asking Molly Brodlgan for $5 to build a hotel for tinkers, and your Archbishop falls for it."
I deplored, in whatever words I could find, this astounding duplicity, but as there appeared a twinkle in Father Lavery's eye I was not certain how wicked was this particular Irish priest. It is unnecessary to mention his name, he has progressed so far, he is now probably known to every hungry man in St. Louis.
Recently a hobo stopped in front of St. James Church and as a preliminary to asking a dime made the sign of the cross. "Are you a Catholic?" I asked. "Well," he replied, "my mother died when I was a child, she was a Catholic and I was baptised, but I never got to first base. There are only two men in the whole world in whom I believe, "Our Lord Jesus Christ, and Father Dempsey."
I spent a week at Holy Rosary and thoroughly enjoyed Father Lavery's hospitality and original humor. When I received my appointment to St. Edward's he said, "you will find there more and worse mud than anything you ever put your foot in in Ireland." This remark left me puzzled. "Is it in the City," I queried. "5600 west," he replied, "and 6 fields up from Easton avenue as Father Dempsey put it when addressing a letter to Father Wynne." "Father Wynne was a grocer before he became a priest," continued Father Lavery, "and I can't see for the life of me why he ever changed."
Before night I knew what the mud of St. Edward's meant. My viewpoint of the City of St. Louis underwent a considerable change. I had no idea that there were cities that had mud streets wherein a wagon driver had almost to carry a mast, but my trip to St. Edward's opened a new vista of thought. What people called streets out there were in reality long unbroken stretches of mud with a scattered house marking the lines. There were scarcely any sidewalks or crossings.
In anticipation of meeting my first pastor I primped up a bit, had a shoe shine and wore my best suit. We proceeded from the terminus of the Cass ave. car to the Rectory. Father Lavery led the way over a sidewalk that appeared to be of recent construction. After a stretch of about 100 yards a cross street was reached. For the benefit of pedestrians a few rocks were set as stepping stones in mud of doubtful character as to depth and adhesiveness. I was agile and not heavy. Father Lavery was even then rotund and dignified in movement. He hesitated for a moment as if to measure exactly the dire possibilities of proceeding. He suggested that I lead. I advanced to the first step and balanced myself so as to extend a helping hand. He took the first and second stone like a pedigreed hunting horse. This brought us to a point in the street where wagons had cut a deeper trench and had unfortunately displaced one of the stones, the next step was consequently a long one. My greater stretch of limb enabled me to easily make the jump and poise myself again. He made an energetic motion to follow preceded by a few swings of the arms and hands. He rose like a bird but unfortunately landed on the outer edge of the step. It was a magnificent jump for a D.D. I have seen men in school who devoted more time to athletics than to study that could have scarcely done as well, but the Doctor was not yet in harbor. He endeavored to balance himself without treading on my toes. His standing became uncertain, one of his feet slipped and became imbedded in what must have been a bottomless pit. This disturbed considerably his equilibrium and necessitated his throwing an arm around my neck. Had I been a more stable character I might have been able to sustain him but unfortunately, I was as I have already indicated, a very slim support for a man of such tremendous proportions. He pulled at his moorings like an airship at its hangar in a storm. The step gave way under our feet and we both were projected into the mud. I might have endeavored to jump my way out of it but my sense of duty bound me to remain with the Doctor. A minute must have elapsed before he took solid ground, his breathing was labored and his countenance expressed considerable indignation and disgust. I felt I was to blame and expressed myself sorry for having drawn him into such a deplorable and untoward journey. "You ass," he said, "I don't blame you. but what in the name of Heaven does a man want asking the Archbishop for an assistant who has a parish like this," and with great forcefulness he continued his deprecation about pastor and parish in language which I did not consider becoming so eminent an ecclesiastic. However, it was necessary for us to extricate ourselves somehow. It was easy to get into the mud, but it was very difficult to pull out. It took a grip of our feet and held them as in a vice. Father Lavery's indignation mounted to such a pass I could see the veins in his forehead swelling and his continued mutterings were in the nature of general deprecation and contempt for everybody and everything in that locality. Finally he extricated one of his feet but he brought with it a sufficient piece of real estate to provide material for ten bricks. The going became heavier and the progress more uncertain; "Will we ever get out of this infernal mud?" he said, "It has already cost me a suit of clothes and a pair of shoes." I remained silent and looked around for a safe landing.
After much travail we arrived at the Rectory. Old Father Wynne appeared at the door, a dignified gray-haired man robed in biretta and soutane. His appearance was impressive with a touch of severity. The pastors exchanged greetings with a coldness and a formality that left me doubtful as to the pleasure they experienced in meeting one another. Father Lavery, who still was conscious of mud and soiled clothes, could not hide his contempt and Father Wynne was apparently nervous and embarrassed. However, he made an effort to extend to me a welcome. To regain his equanimity he lighted his pipe. I noticed it was in part a meerschaum with a corncob stem of great length. He appeared to have difficulty in getting the smoke to flow in any considerable volume. Father Lavery observed his efforts with a facial expression that seemed to imply he did not expect much from the pipe or the pastor. Father Wynne apparently realized that the suction was not as perfect as it might have been. He looked at the bowl and observed that it was punctured at the bottom but he was equal to the occasion, he opened the door, bent down, took a piece of mud on his finger and pressed it into the aperture. Father Lavery thereupon, to conceal his utter contempt for such crudeness, turned his back on the audience and gazed towards the inner room. I noticed that the floors of the one we were in had no carpet and were painted red. There was a coal stove, the first, I believe, I had ever seen, setting in the center of the room and the pipe therefrom made a right angle towards the ceiling where it united with a transverse piece that entered a sidewall. The inner room, I noticed, was as poorly furnished. It contained a dining room table and a little bed. My sympathies for Father Wynne were greatly aroused and I felt deeply for his abject poverty. He was living in the sacristy of the church which was only a basement about 10 feet high. He showed me to my quarters which was a room across the street in the school. There was a new carpet on the floor, a bed, a stove and 2 blackboards were the sole mural decorations. There were four windows each about 20 feet high which I later learned were a part of a construction used to house at exhibit in the World's Fair. To erect the school he availed of the wreckage of the exposition buildings. He invited us to remain for lunch but Father Lavery wouldn't hear of it. He wanted to leave at the earliest possible moment that was consistent with a strained etiquette and it was decided that I might stay at Holy Rosary until the end of the week when I was to begin my regular duties.
The following Saturday I arrived with my bag and baggage and took up my home in the school. My quarters were surrounded by the empty school rooms and through the floor I could see the light from the basement. There was a chilly draft coming through the apertures and a little fellow named Jimmy O'Brien was busy lighting a fire. He was a fine little fellow and he remains to me a grateful memory. He attached himself to my person and rendered the service of a valet-de-chambre as long as I continued to live in the school. He swept the floor, removed the ashes, carried the coal and had his mother make my bed. The nights were dreary and lonely, there was no lock to the door, nor to the one at the entrance to the building More than once I awoke at night to hear a step on the stairs which I later learned was the police officer on the beat looking in to see that all was well with me. Often he occasioned me great terror because there appeared in the paper about that time an account of a priest that was kidnapped out West and slaughtered in some lonely place.
That Saturday afternoon returning to the sacristy I was ushered into the confessional by the pastor. As I walked through the church those present keenly scrutinized me. "Isn't he frail and delicate," said one, "He looks like a German," said another, but all were agreed that I was a new curate. I was the first assistant Father Wynne had and the parish apparently were ready to accept me as a happy addition because of my youthfulness. In various ways during the week they showed me by little attentions and presents their solicitude for my welfare. The good Sisters of St. Joseph also who taught in the school were keenly interested in my comfort. I call never recall those days without a sense of deep gratitude for everything and to everybody. I regard St. Edward's as my second home and nothing would give me greater pleasure than to go back and spend a few days among the old parishioners. There are few of them now left but enough to bring back the memories of the past. The parish is in a flourishing condition and is directed by a zealous pastor. Father Wynne is long since dead; his life was hard and the struggle made more difficult because of a number of circumstances mostly arising from the difficulty of starting a new parish in a territory where there were few homes and many poor people. Before I left there a rectory was built and the old church burned to the ground. The 5 years that I spent at St. Edward's were ones of ceaseless activity, daily I became better informed and absorbed the spirit of the country. I associated considerably with the young folk and was spiritual director of their societies and sodalities. We had plays and picnics and athletics. The school children especially were to me a great source of happiness. I took part in their games and frequently I would have to give an exhibition of jumping a gate that was at the entrance to Lock Miller's pasture through which ran a stream where we searched for crawfish in summer. Frequently I was accompanied on those trips by Robert McKeown now Father McKeown, assistant pastor at St. Mark's. Somehow he supplanted Jimmy O'Brien after the rectory was erected and in winter we went on many a hunting trip to Florissant and the bottom lands near Creve Coeur Lake and the bridge to St. Charles.
I don't know why the people of St. Edward's became so endeared to me. When my transfer was announced, many of them burst out crying in the church, and later a contingent went to the Archbishop requesting him to let me continue with them. They aroused so much commotion the reporters got hold of it and gave me a front page space in a morning paper. Their efficiency in dramatizing the event was conspicuous. When they failed to find me or get my photograph they interviewed the parishioners and painted a picture of what they considered my person. When it appeared, however, there was a notable discrepancy. I was portrayed as a fairly stout man with raven black hair and genial smile. I failed to recognize myself as did everybody else who knew me.
On the Thursday preceding the First Friday in September 1912, I left St. Edward's. The crowd that assembled to give me a farewell party blocked the hall and the adjoining streets. I left there with deep regret but determined to transfer my activities and my affection to St. James. I didn't know where it was and Mr. Foster of the Midday Club who drove me over not knowing the rectory, ushered me into the Convent where I was given a warm reception by Sisters Catherine and Louis. I think Mrs. Moore also appeared on the scene and gave me a very good report, as she always does, about the parish and the pastor. She said, "You are coming to one of the best parishes in St. Louis and one of the finest pastors." So I entered the Rectory with these happy thoughts in my mind and though 20 years have passed I have had little reason to change my opinion.
In the issue of Let's Go that shall follow my Golden Jubilee, twenty-five years from now, I hope to write of St. James parish and my life amongst the parishioners. It is very wise to view life from a distance when events take their proper perspective and trifles lose the delusive magnitude that they get from passing emotion and current conception. In this issue I have written mostly of St. Edward's because those times are a long way back. If I, of necessity, intruded too much in the picture I ask your forgiveness because of the latitude which is usually given to a priest celebrating his Silver Jubilee. Should I ask Father Lavery as to the merits of this composition and a fitting title for it. I know he would say, "Put as a heading 'The autobiography of an ass'."
St. James Alumni Association held its annual Communion and Breakfast on Pentecost Sunday. May 15th. There were about one hundred present, many of whom reside outside the parish. The breakfast was unlike any held in former years, because of the excellency of the speeches and the attractiveness of the entertainment.
Mr. Walter Strathman, president, gave a speech of welcome in which he stressed how representative the gathering was of the various classes. "We have today," he said, "a group distinguished more by quality than by quantity."
He outlined briefly the history and purpose of the Alumni Association and stated that it was organized 28 years ago to unite graduating class with the classes that went before and foster among all, a life that is truly Catholic. He emphasized the necessity of appointing a committee from each class who would interest themselves in bringing back to the fold those who had grown careless and who had abandoned their Catholic ideals and practices.
Mr. Frank Strathman sang in a charrnnig tenor voice, "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling."
Miss Mary C. McGrath, a student of the Ursuline Academy, gave a speech on "Co-operation." She is one of the young ladies who was selected as prize-winner in the Oratorical Contest recently conducted under the Mission Crusade. Mary Catherine, without a deliberate effort, made evident how deserving she was of the honor. Her voice is deep, musical and as clear as a bell. It was a treat to hear her speak and her speech was instructive and delightful to listen to.
Miss Dorothy McLaughlin surprised everyone by the timbre of her voice in "The Desert Song." On being encored, she and Frank Strathman offered a few pleasing selections.
Mr. Waldo Bisso, a student of St. Louis University, gave an instructive and interesting speech on current Catholic literature. He very aptly stated that the person who does not read Catholic literature is not sufficiently instructed to propagate and defend the faith and suggested that everyone present subscribe to a good National Catholic Weekly Magazine and have a small Catholic library in his home. Ask Santa Claus to bring or take a good Catholic book into the home, he said.
Father P.J. O'Connor, pastor, expressed himself delighted with the morning's program. "I have noted," he said. "a big change in the tone of our banquets. Since our young Catholics have taken up higher education their superiority is easily observable." He seems to have a hobby for building up a Catholic library in the parish and requested the Association to donate books.
Mr. Pierce, who is, as Father O'Connor says, the adopted son of the Alumni, gave a definition of Education, and said he would much prefer to be an intelligent ignoramus than an educated fool.
Election of officers for the coming year followed immediately. The new president is one whom all are glad to see in office again, Mr. Dan Murphy. First Vice-President, Mr. Waldo Bisso; second Vice-President. Mr. Norman Fehrenson; Treasurer of the Alumni, Miss Genevieve Mahon; Secretary of the Alumni, Miss Virginia Jones; Chairman of the Dramatic Club, Miss Mary C. McGrath; Secretary of the Dramatic Club, Miss Estelle Coad; Treasurer of the Dramatic Club, Miss Mary Siren. We wish the newly elected officers all the luck in the world.
The Alumni Association are grateful to the following ladies who prepared the breakfast: Mrs. Wiber, Mrs. McDonald, Mrs. Englehardt, Mrs. Bovard. Misses Mary and Catherine Ward, Mrs. McVey, Mrs. H. Hugeback, Mrs. Cullen, Mrs. Pierce, Mrs. Daugherty, Mrs. Lambert, Mrs. Cooper, Mrs. Nixon, Mrs. J.J. Kelly, Mrs. McCauley, Mrs. Moore, Mrs. R. Dolan, Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Klasek, Mrs. Bosehe, Miss Nerviana, Mrs. Plengemier.
Mrs. Tim Flynn, 6936 Bruno Avenue, is a patient at de Paul Hospital, awaiting an operation for gall stones. She had been running a fever and for that reason the operation has been deferred from day to day.
Mr. J. Masterson, 6424a Nashville Avenue, is a patient in St. John's Hospital, where he underwent an operation for hernia last week.
Mr. Matt Fennessey, 6432 Nashville Avenue, continues to be very ill.
Miss Mary Hilary, sister to Mrs. Marshall, 6139 Crescent Avenue, recently showed symptoms of appendicitis and was removeD to de Paul Hospital where she spent a week under medical scrutiny. The diagnostician delighted her when he said, "There is nothing wrong with you, all you needed was a little rest, you may go home tomorrow."
Mrs. Ann Schmidt, nee Seibert, 6937 Noonan Avenue, age 52, was received into the church a few hours before her death on May 7 and was buried from St. James Church May 10. Condolence is extended to her bereaved husband and her children.
Father O'Connor journeyed by train last Monday evening to Webb City. Mo. and was present at the Silver Jubilee Celebration of his class fellow, Father John D. Cronin, pastor, who anticipated the date because he is to be on his way to Ireland on June 9. He returned on time for Mass Wednesday.
Charles Billings, 6408 Lloyd Avenue, after being out of work 6 months, got a position in the office of the State Highway Department, Kirkwood, Mo.
Did you hear Waldo Bisso make his maiden speach over the radio last week? Some who listened in without knowing who the speaker was, thought they were hearing the Hon. James A. Reed.
Two of the little tots without preparation or permission went to Communion during the past few weeks. Parents are reminded to warn the little ones that they shouldn't go until they get permission from the Pastor, and this to prevent irreverence.
Mrs. Manchester, 1042 Tamm Avenue. continues to be a patient at St. Mary's Hospital.
The Athletic contests at the school picnic were exciting and keen.
The Father O'Connor Cup for the best all round athlete in group No. 1 was won by ................ .. , and in group No. 2 by
Time does not permit us to give the names of the winners in the other events but it is certain that the boys' interest in athletics has been aroused and will continue through the year.
Credit for the success of the meet is due to the interest taken by Messrs. Daniel Murphy, Clem Placke and Paschal Palumbo in training the boys and to the parishioners who were kind enough to award special prizes.
The picnic committee consisted of the above and the following ladies: Mesdames Michael Doherty, 6821 W. Park Avenue; Ben Plengemeier, Mrs. Wiber and Mrs. Charles Klasek, chairman, assisted by Mr. Walwin Bosche, and R.E. Pierce who had charge of the Barbecue. Ollie Dolan was in charge of the buses.
The Sisters and Priests were the guests at lunch of Mrs. John A. Murphy and Mrs. Dan Murphy.
The children were very delighted with the outing, each one of them was given a balloon and two orders good at the fish pond, ice cream, candy, pop corn, soda and barbecue stands.
Many of the parishioners gave a helping hand to the committee in the various booths and are extended the appreciation of the pastor and nuns.
Volunteers to clean the church are requested to be present on the morning of Tuesday, May 31, or the day following, when a general polishing and cleaning will be given in anticipation of the events that are to be celebrated.
FOR RENT - 1444 Tamm Avenue. New 4 room flat, modern, near schools and good transportation. Reduced to $30. Inquire at 1340 Tamm Avenue.
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Mildred Magdalen Hardwick, 6421 Garesche Avenue.
Nina May Higgins, 5821 West Park Avenue.
Melvin John Binger, 1422 Sulphur Avenue.
REPAIRING. PAINTIG, PAPERHANGING - Wm. T. Boman, HIland 2031.
UNCLE HENRY'S LETTER
May 29, 1932
dear Charlie:
the next few weeks will be full of excitement for this parish owing to the many important events that are scheduled to take place, an it would be a fine time for you to pay a visit to the old naborhood. A lot of the "old timers" are coming back for a few days, an it would be a good chance for you to renew old acquaintances.
it is too bad you couldnt be here for the Picnic last Thursday as it was a real family "get-together", the kind you dont often see in these modern picnics of Merry-go-rounds, Racer-dips, and Pony rides. The Pastor dont like those crude inventions for money snatching and he insisted on a regular old-time outing without any "frills", and everybody that attended agreed that he had the right idear.
dan Murphy was in charge of the athletic program an he had a event an a prize for everybody, old and young, to strive for. there was a fine lake with lots of boats; baseball games for the men an boys, and bridge and euchre games for the women.
when the Pastor asked me if i was going i told him how i hated picnic lunches with their pickled beets, potato salad and deviled eggs, so he delegated me to provide a hot barbecue "for people with eccentric tastes" like mine, and we discovered they was a lot of em.
I told the mrs. that i was to perform a modern interpretation of the "Miracle of feeding the multitude", an she said "it wlll be a miracle if you can get anyone to eat what you provide". i fooled her though; I found out who the fellers was that did all the cooking for their families like walter Bosche, Geo. Boerckel, arthur Pahl, and Charlie Cunningham, and got em to help me on the committee. then i called on katherine Klasek an the mrs. to give a hand; charlie Heil bought the meat an i persuaded joe Garavelli to cook the beef, an the "miracle" was performed - they ate it, and liked it. the moral to this is "whenever you get lost in strange surroundings, act stupld and some smart person will steer you right".
now that the picnic is over the whole parish is feverishly preparing the two big events of the year - Father Anthony Palumbo's First Mass on June 12th and the Pastor's Silver Jubilee on the 9th.
The Alumni Association is sort of taking charge of the arrangements for "Tony's" celbration on acount of they are so proud of him. he will be the first Priest from the Alumni and he received his training under such tremendous handicap that he has aroused the admiration of everyone. i expect the church will be filled to capacity for his Mass. an the Pastor would do well to get sum chairs for the side isles.
Everybody seems to be taking part in the preparation for the Pastor's Jubilee, except the Pastor. he appears to be totally unconscious of the fact that a Silver Jubilee only comes once in a life-time, an most people feel that it is a sufficient excuse for celebratin. You or i would probably go out on a "rip-snortfn" blaze of crimson hilarity, but he has peculiar ideas, an feels that his dignity must be sustained even at the expense of pleasure.
the parishioners, however, are going right ahead with preparations for a real celebration - the kind, of course, that will meet with ecclesiastic approval - an everyone seems to be enthusiastically giving their support.
i think the folks want to show there appreciation for what the past twenty-five years and life in St. James - has done for the Pastor. there is no doubt the years - and environment - have improved him considerably. i was looking at two photos of him, one of which he had taken recently, an the other when he first came to St. James, an the comparison told the whole story of how he has ripened and mellowed with the years; how the attachments of St. James have broadened him intellectually and improved him physically.
Of course he still has the human inconsistencies of varying moods. But the twenty-five years have brought an understanding both of him and by him. as favorable as the comparison of his pictures. Our native short-comings no longer shock him as they once did; and we have learned to accept his infrequent more graciously, as being well intended and beneficial. His methods have made us proud of our parish,- we cannot but be proud of him.
i dont know what the "folks" have up there sleeve, but they are making great preparations and i sure wish you could be among those present. we expect a lot of the old timers like the Robinsons, Pattisons, Ushers, McKennas, Kletzkers, Bradys, Martineaus, Nolans, Schollmeyers, etc. so come along Charlie, we will be glad to see you.
i guess you didnt know i graduated from St. James School - Class of 1932. Yes sir! walter Strathman come up to the house one evening an said he been reading sum of my letters an though i had improved enough to justify a eighth-grade diploma so he handed me one an invited me to the Alumni breakfast next morning.
i told him if i had improved so much i must of been terrible in the beginning and he said "yes, you was". i thought he could of been more diplomatic but passed it over an gave him credit for his frankness.
at the breakfast the Pastor proposed me for "honorary membership" - the mrs. says "onery ", but i am sure he didn't say that; he dont know me as well as she does.
your pertickler friend & uncle
HENRY.
BACK TO LET'S GO, 1932
BACK TO LET'S GO, 1925-1932
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