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."
My dear Parishioner;
I want you to be under no delusion about the proposed New Church. It won't make a very impressive appearance. It is modeled on the best tradition of Catholic architecture and will be similar to the churches that were erected in parishes of moderate means in Europe before the reformation. These have maintained an indifference to seasons and centuries and have come down to us as models of plain unpretentious edifices that are correct, strong, truthful and elegant.
It shall have little of the grotesque, no gingerbread nor flamboyant ornamentation; there shall be no very imposing front, the 38-foot wall in the superstructure of the gable facing Tamm Avenue might be enhanced by a tower standing in line and rising majestically above the building as is usually had in modern churches, but this would involve an expense varying according to the height and construction, and to be in keeping with the building that is planned would cost about $70,000. This we cannot afford and to offset this lack of ornamentation and reduce the expense the tower is set in the back over the sanctuary as has been the custom in the best examples of old English Gothic churches.
The saving thus made will enable us to increase and complete the interior decorations and possibly, with good financial backing from each and all the wage earners in the parish, will justify our ambition to use in construction a first class Bedford rock similar to that in the imposing million dollar Masonic Temple in St. Louis.
The contract for plans was let November 1 at a cost of $7,000, the second for excavation was awarded April 2 to Andrew Schaefer Supply and Wrecking Co. at a price of $1,674. There was $1,000 difference between his and the highest bid, and his estimate was 15 cents a cubic yard less than the next lowest bidders. Ground may be broken for New Church before this issue comes from press.
The architect promises to have plans and specifications ready to submit for bids on April 21 and estimates on general contract are expected to be submitted by May 4.
That the $90,000 on hand may continue bearing interest it would be well that all who promised or intend making special donations should do so during the months of April and May so that there he sufficient money in our current account to meet the early contracts.
You will see in another item that three-quarters of an acre of ground at the back of the school was purchased during the past week to extend the yard and to acquire a clump close to the excavation on the church site which incidentally lowered the cost of hauling the clay. This plot was cut from the lots owned by five of the adjacent property owners, they had no desire to sell but in the interest of the school they yielded most graciously to our request and did not endeavor to enrich themselves at the expense of the parish. Two of the owners, Mr. Martin and Mr. Thomure, are not Catholics and their kindly and neighborly inclination to be of service to the church was admirable.
Wishing you all a Happy Easter, Your servant in Christ,
REVEREND P. J. O'CONNOR, ADM.
HOLY WEEK DEVOTIONS
Holy Week devotions are as follows:
Wednesday night, usual devotions and sermon at 8 o'clock by Fattier Bonn, S. J., who has been preaching each Wednesday evening in Lent.
Thursday morning the services of Holy Week begin with the :Mass of Exposition which will be a High Mass followed by procession of the Blessed Sacrament to the altar of Reposition. This Mass will be sung at 7 a.m. by the senior choir and thus early because many of the members have to go to work. During the day there will be a guard kept before the Blessed Sacrament by the people of the parish. The school children will be assigned divisions in the day and the promoters of the Apostleship of Prayer will also have a Guard of Honor. At night the men of the Holy Name Society will keen watch as they did last year. Those willing to take an hour during the night are requested by the officers of the Holy Name Society to write their names on a card on which they will state the hour they desire. This they may leave on the table in the vestibule any time before Thursday.
Thursday night the Holy Hour will he conducted from 7:30 to 8:30 by Father Pohl. Friday morning Mass of the Presanctified, preceded by Adoration of the Cross, will be held at 7:30. The Consecration does not take place at this Mass, a Host that is already consecrated is reserved from the previous day; hence the Mass of the Presanctified. Communion is not distributed on Good Friday but it is on Easter Saturday.
Good Friday The Three Hours' Devotion in honor of our Lord's three hours' agony will be kept from 12 to 3 in the parish church, where the school children's choir will sing between the seven sermons that will be preached on the Seven Last Words by Father O'Connor.
At 8 p.m. there will be devotions and sermon on Friday night by a Jesuit.
Saturday morning Blessing of Baptismal Water, of Fire, and Easter Water followed by High Mass at 7:30. Fast and abstinence ceases at midday.
Confessions will be heard by the priests of the parish assisted by a Jesuit Father at 3 p.m. The ladies of the parish, school children and others who are free are requested to go before supper, leaving the night for those who had been at work.
Holy Week is the most solemn portion of Lent and regardless of how indifferent a person night have been during the rest of the penitential season he should devote this time to serious meditation, earnest prayer and reasonable penance.
Easter Sunday morning Masses at the usual hour, the first at 6 a.m. will be a solemn High Mass.
WHY HE WAS SENTENCED
John 11. The chief priests and Pharisees gathered a council and said: What do we; for this man doth many miracles? If we let Him alone thus, all men will believe in Him; and the Romans will come, and take away our place and nation.
V. But one of them named Caiphas, being the high-priest that year, prophesied saying It is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. From that day therefore they devised to put Him to death, saving: The Romans will come, and take away our place and nation.
The enemies of Christ have not changed. Christ and His Church is still being attacked and prejudice against them is being aroused in the sacred name of patriotism. "The Romans will come and take away our place and nation."
PALM SUNDAY
John 12. When the people heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, they took palm branches and went out to meet Him; and the children cried out, saying, This is He that hath come for the salvation of the people. He is our salvation, and the redemption of Israel. How great is He, whom the Thrones and Dominations go out to meet! Fear not, O Daughter of Sion: behold thy King cometh to thee, sitting on an ass's colt, as it is written. Hail, King, Creator of the world, who art come to redeem us.
Six days before the solemnity of the Passover, when the Lord was coming into the city of Jerusalem, the children met Him; and in their hands carried palm-branches, and cried with a loud voice saying Hosanna in the highest blessed art Thou that art come in the multitude of Thy mercy: Hosanna in the highest.
Crowds go out to meet the Redeemer with flowers and palms ; and pay the homage due to a triumphant conqueror: the Gentiles proclaim the Son of God: and their voices thunder through skies in the praise of Christ: Hosanna in the highest.
With the Angels and the children let the faithful join, shouting to the conqueror of death: Hosanna in the highest.
MAUNDY-THURSDAY
And Jesus stood before the governor and the governor asked Him saying, Art Thou the King of the Jews? Jesus saith to him, Thou sagest it. And when He was accused by the chief priests and ancients He answered nothing. Then Pilate saith to Him, Dost not Thou hear how great testimonies they allege against Thee? And He answered to him never a word: so that the governor wondered exceedingly. Now upon the solemn day the governor was accustomed to release to the people one prisoner, whom they would: and he had then a notorious prisoner that was called Barabbas. They therefore being gathered together, Pilate said, Whom will you that I release you Barabbas, or Jesus that is called Christ? For he knew that for envy, they had delivered Him. And as he was sitting in the place of judgment, his wife sent to him, saying, Have nothing to do with that just man, for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of Him. But the chief priests and the ancients persuaded the people that they should ask Barabbas, and make Jesus away. And the governor answering said to them, Whether will you of the two be released unto you? But they said, Barabbas. Pilate saith to them, What shall I do then with Jesus that is called Christ? They say all, Let be crucified.
GOOD FRIDAY
Afterward, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, said, I thirst. Now there was a vessel set there full of vinegar: and they put a sponge full of vinegar about hyssop, and put it to His mouth. When Jesus therefore had taken the vinegar, He said, It is consummated. And bowing His head, He gave up the ghost.
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Mr. Stephen Boyer, 6705 Garner Avenue, is at the Deaconess Hospital where a preparatory operation for removing fluid and pus from one of his lungs was performed last week. Since then he had a slight hemorrhage and is feverish. His condition is critical.
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Mrs. Wm. Quinn, 6322 West Park Avenue, was operated upon for appendicitis at St. Mary's Hospital March 19. It was very difficult to put her to sleep and she was given so much ether she did not fully awake for three days. She is expected home.
EASTER COLLECTION
A collection known as the collection for the priests is taken in every parish in the Archdiocese on Easter Sunday, it is a goodwill offering made by each parishioner to his pastors and is a direct contribution to their support.
Pastors are managers and custodians of parish funds from which they are paid a sustenance which means the minimum sum on which they can exist.
The Diocesan Synod in 1902 decreed the annual salary of pastors to be $1,000 and of assistants $800, from which sums supplemented by offerings the pastor is expected to pay a salary to housekeepers, meet expense of running rectory, and the assistant to pay $33 a month for his board, etc.
In 1918 the pastors petitioned the archbishop for an increase in salary to meet the higher cost of living. The Archbishop supposed there would be a return to old standards when things had settled after the war and said the pastors and people could readjust themselves to present conditions through the Easter Collection. In other words he transferred to the congregation the privilege of increasing the pastor's salary by special contributions at Easter. He allowed a small increase in salary and raised the stipend for masses to $2 but this was more than counterbalanced by all obligation imposed by Canon Law on the pastor of offering 100 masses each year for parishioners for which he is given no honorarium.
Whilst the expense of living has doubled in the past twenty-five years, priests' nominal salary has remained practically unchanged unless in so far as the parishioners' generosity has increased. In the Archdiocese of St. Louis the average life of a priest is short and hard. Canon Law permits pastors two months vacation each year. Few of them have time or money to avail of this privilege. They must provide a substitute and defray the expense.
Pastors are expected to and do contribute very generously to many charitable causes, and to the upbuilding of Diocesan Institutions such as the New Cathedral, the Seminary, Catholic High School and at present city pastors are paying each year for five years $200 of their Easter Collection toward a fund for new preparatory Seminary. .
There is no provision made for priests in case of accident or old age. Providence, however, seems to take care of their needs. When a priest talks money it is for the parish and not for himself. Efficiency in parish affairs makes the priest forget his own. The more the people give to the parish the less they have to give to the priest.
The Easter Collection is divided among the priests of the parish and the division varies with the number of priests; where there are two the pastor is assigned five-eights and the assistant three-eighths.
The people of St. James Parish have been considerate of their priests at Easter. The Easter Collection has been large in proportion to the number and wealth of the parishioners, and the parish has the reputation among the priests of the adjoining parishes of being generous.
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Wendell Joseph Dury, 6042 Wilson Avenue, died Saturday, March 12, and was buried from St. James Church. He had not long resided in the parish and was better known in St. Teresa's Parish. He received the Last Sacraments. May he rest in peace.
THE MOTHERS' CLUB SHOW
Rain, a murky atmosphere and a thunder storm did not deter admirers of the Mothers' Club Minstrels from witnessing the show which was given on St. Patrick's night at the Masonic Hall, Maplewood.
At 7 p.m. early comers sought desirable seats and by 8 p. m. every one of the 700 chairs was occupied or held for those who had reservations. Late comers were thankful to be given standing space by the doors. The street curbs in the vicinity of the hall were lined with automobiles, the people of Maplewood were asking what was it all about and when they learned St. James Mothers' Club was the attraction they became anxious to know how this society of ladies were able to gain so much notoriety.
The Mothers' Club Minstrel is an annual event since 1923 The cast is selected each year from among the members of the Mothers' Club. The minstrels have deservedly acquired a reputation of being first class comedians.
Mrs. Adele Conroy and Mrs. Sam Gittins, the leading ladies, are exceptionally talented and usually keep the house in an uproar whilst they go through their role. They were very generous in the last performance in responding to encores and the audience regretted they could not have it both ways when the clock showed there was little time for dancing after the curtain went down at 11:15 on the final number.
Other favorites were Mrs. Barney Quinn in a clog dance, Mrs. Marshall in a shuffle, Mrs. Foley in an Irish jig and Mrs. La Garce was given a great deal of applause for her mouth organ selection.
The setting for the minstrel was a Chateau. When the curtain raised a colored mammy and a maid were bewailing the absence of their young master. This was admirably presented by Mrs. Bovard and Mrs. C. W. Klasek. Mrs. Plengemeier, their interlocutor, was introduced as the young man returning as an actor with a group of merry minstrels. The acting in this scene was the best of the evening and probably made the most lasting impression.
The opening sketch, the Rummage Sale, had not enough of comedy to make a hit. The performers were not at fault as they spoke distinctly and acted naturally, but there was an artificiality to the humor and an unreality to the plot which made it tedious.
On previous years the celebration of the evening was considered a sufficient expression of homage to St. Patrick, but with radio programs dedicated throughout the world for a whole week to Irish music, the Mothers' Club determined to be in keeping with the highly complimentary attitude of the rest of mankind to the race and presented an Irish sketch followed by a selection of Irish songs by Mr. Joe Kenny.
The Moran Sisters, Mrs. Hefele and Mrs. Larson played this feature with magnificent sentiment and were awarded by an outburst of enthusiasm which was an assurance that they have secured a place in the hearts of the Irish. On all previous occasions they attracted attention by their elegant acting, on St. Patrick's night their admirers were delighted with the excellency of their singing, their voices were full and markedly cultured.
The orchestra, though good in other respects, disappointed the audience by their apparent inability to play an Irish number they did not seem to know much about, the "Wearing of the Green."
Mrs. Helen Dolan Walsh sang between acts and other ladies who took parts are Mrs. Lott, Mrs. Guerich, Mrs. B. Brady, Mrs. A. Strothkamp, Mrs. L. Bisso, Mrs. Duvall, Mrs. Kavanaugh, Mrs. Irwin.
Mrs. McDonnell and Mrs. Schollmeyer were members of the reception committee, and Mrs. Uxa directed the play.
The proceeds of the show goes to the Mothers' Club fund for the benefit of the parochial school. In the audience were three Redemptorist Fathers and Rev. Jake DeMoore. There was not a doubt about their enjoying the jokes. Their laughter was boyish and appreciative as were their comments.
From the many complimentary comments on the show it is not an exaggeration to deduce that St. James parishioners are very proud of the Mothers' Club and award them the first place among the parish entertainers.
TWO LIMBS BROKEN
Mr. Thomas J. Hasty, 6458 Lloyd Avenue, whilst crossing Kingshighway at Page Avenue on February 5, was struck by an auto and thrown to the street. A wheel passed over his thigh and fractured the bone. The crowd who witnessed the accident cried to the chauffeur to back up and in doing so Mr. Hasty's other foot was caught under a wheel and broken at the ankle.
He was taken to the Missouri Baptist Hospital and remained there until March 16 when he was transferred to his home. His limbs are still in plaster casts and he hopes to be able to move on crutches in a few weeks.
He is a brother-in-law to Mrs. Peter Dolan and has been employed in the City Water Department.
SAVES THE PARISH $426
Seven excavators were asked to bid on the grading of the new church site, only four responded; the job was too big for small contractors and too small for big ones. The bids were opened March 28 in presence of the architect and Father O'Connor. The lowest was $2,100. The architect recommended giving the contract at this figure.
There seemed to be good reason for doubting the cubage on which the estimate was based and Father O'Connor called in Mr. Henry McCauley, who recommended employing an independent engineer. Without expense to the parish, Mr. McCauley got Mr. Stecker, county surveyor, to measure the earth to be removed with the result that the contract was let April 2 for $1,674, thus saving the parish $426. Mr. McCauley is a member of the Boosters' Club and a parish trustee. He has done his bit.
WHY YOUR PARISH?
Because the church so declares it, Canon Law of the church divides the territory in which the church operates into archdiocese, diocese and parishes; to an archdiocese it appoints an Archbishop, to a diocese a bishop, to a parish a pastor; these have jurisdiction in their respective territories and outside of them are forbidden to exercise jurisdiction unless they are awarded it by the one in charge or by a higher authority.
These divisions are territorial and each diocese and parish is allotted boundaries and the people who have a home or quasi-home within these territories are subjects of the established diocese or parish.
An exception is made in the United States in regard to parishes established for people who speak a foreign language. They and their children are permitted to exclude themselves from the parish in which English is spoken and to belong to the parish of their race, but they cannot in the diocese of St. Louis after they have repudiated this privilege and joined an English parish, return to their former allegiance or to a parish in which their native tongue is spoken.
This arrangement is made in the best interest of religion and binds priests and people under the pain of sin.
The pastor in a parish is obligated to take care of the souls assigned to him, he is bound to instruct the children, establish for them a church and a parochial school, administer to them the Sacraments, especially those of baptism, matrimony and extreme Unction and the others when a reasonable demand is made upon him. He is also bound to offer mass for their temporal and spiritual needs on Sundays, Holy days and all great feasts.
Catholics within a parish are bound under the pain of sin to contribute as far as their means permit to the support of their pastor and parochial institutions. They are not given freedom of choice of having a pew in another parish unless they also pay for one in their own. This is a commandment of the church and binds with the same force as does that of hearing mass on Sundays and holidays or abstaining on Fridays.
Good order, discipline and a moderate amount of common sense make this arrangement imperative, even in civil affairs, hence we have states, counties, municipalities, townships, wards, precincts, and in the army there are divisions, regiments, companies, and each territory and division has its proper governors and officials. A soldier from one regiment is not permitted to drill and mess with another regiment nor is a citizen permitted to cast his vote in any precinct he may deem most convenient. He is allowed to vote only in the precinct to which he is assigned.
Catholics should not only be nominal parishioners, it is best for their spiritual interest to be parishioners in fact, taking an active interest and pride in parochial activities of their own parish, sustaining the pastor in the discharge of his duties and accepting with joy their share of the parish burden. ..
A Catholic who thinks more of his religion than of his whims and fancies knows his own parish, his own priests, associates with his own congregation, sidesteps no duty. If he is compelled to move from one parish to another because of peculiar circumstance of work and better accommodation, he begins in the new parish where he left off in the old, he becomes acquainted at his earliest convenience with his pastors, inquires about the hours of mass, the parochial societies, etc., shows a willingness to lend a helping hand and takes an intelligent zeal in the well-being of the parish.
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Wouldn't there be an awful mess if the basement for the new church were dug out before those, heavy spring rains?
A PLAYGROUND FOR THE PAROCHIAL SCHOOL
The Mothers' Club, Mr. Hense, Sr., the Holy Name Society and the school children themselves have become parties to a transaction by which three-quarters of an acre of ground will be added to the parochial school yard.
The ground was purchased from the adjoining property owners, Messrs. Thomure, Martin, Pilla, Palumbo, and Mr. John Blasic threw in a strip eight and one-half feet wide to straighten the northern boundary line. The price is at the rate of $1,500 an acre and will be about $1,000.
The purchase will give the parish a right to the ground through which the sewer from the school passes; at any time during the past twenty-five years these property owners could have protested and caused the parish a great deal of trouble. The parish has now an opportunity of having a sewer constructed under city inspection and hopes Mr. Stedlin and Mr. Leahy will permit it to connect with the sewer built recently by them in the Evens and Howard subdivision.
Should this be done there will be no need of a city sewer at the back of Tamm Avenue to West Park Avenue and the property owners from the Rectory to West Park on the east side of Tamm will be saved a nice tax bill.
At a meeting of officers of the various parish societies it was decided that they would assume the responsibility of paying for the lot and Mr. Hense, who has been more interested than the rest of the parish in this affair, volunteered a donation of $200. The Mothers' Club promised to give the net proceeds of the St. Patrick's Night Minstrel, Father O'Connor reported the school children have in their self-denial and special fund a nice sum from which he was authorized to contribute an amount equal to the donation made by the Mothers' Club, Mr. John Kelly in behalf of the Holy Name branch said they would add $100 from their treasury, and Mr. Pieschel, Sec., suggested that a parish picnic be given to raise sufficient money to meet the balance and erect suitable fences.
Father O'Connor was more than satisfied with the arrangement by which the parish treasury would not be called on to meet the expense and congratulated the various societies on their good work. He said he would have more to do than he could well attend to during the period when the new church would be under construction and asked that a committee be appointed to attend to this and all other matters pertaining to the improvement of the school grounds. Mr. Hense, the officers of the Mothers' Club and Holy Name promised to discharge this responsibility. Mr. Ed Pierce and Mr. Pieschel were appointed on the picnic committee, and Mr. Ed Cody, city sewer inspector, promised to take care of the erection of the server.
GRANDMA CULLEN
Mrs. Cullen is a grandmother and will have a hard time filling the role of an ancient one. Her daughter, Mrs. Catherine Woodmansee, who resides in Chicago, gave birth to a baby girl last week. Since then Mrs. Cullen is like old man Ryan, stepping around to the tune of lullaby Baby.
Next St. Patrick's night we might expect to have two babies on exhibition. Ryan's was the whole show on the last occasion, the Mothers' Club Minstrel was only an after thought and this is the only satisfactory explanation that can be given of the vast crowd that assembled -- they all knew that Grandfather Ryan's miniature would be on display.
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Wednesday of Holy Week is a fast day and day of abstinence on which working men and their families are not permitted the use of meat even at the principal meal.
ADVERTISERS
Advertising in Let's Go is far superior to advertising in dodgers. This pamphlet has a monthly circulation of 500 copies which go into the homes of as many parishioners and passes from them to many others, moreover it is preserved for many weeks and months and will be kept as historical document of parish affairs for many years.
This month there will be 150 additional copies sent through the mail, making the total circulation 650 copies.
ARE YOU A MEMBER OF THE HOLY NAME SOCIETY?
St. James Branch of the Holy Name Society will have reception of members on Palm Sunday night, April 10, at 730 and intend in this and in future years making that evening a big occasion. All the members will assemble at devotions and with proper ceremony have renewal of vows and reception of new members.
The choir will render assistance by singing appropriate hymns and there will be a sermon to suit the occasion.
Those desiring admission should give their names to the ushers on Sunday or to one of the officers and all the old members are requested to sign their names and addresses on the cards that will be distributed at communion Mass so that a new register may be made.
Holy Name Manuals will be for sale at cost price in the vestibule of the church at the magazine exchange. On page 130 will be found the reason why every Catholic man should be a member.
AUGUST KOECHLING DIES ABROAD
Mr. August Koechling, who for many years resided at 1440 Hampton Avenue, took an extended trip to Neidermansberg, Germany, in the latter part of February, where he arrived safely. Before letters which he had written to his children in St. Louis arrived, they had a cable stating he was dead. So far they have received no information as to the particulars of his death which was a great shock to his children, one of whom, Louise, is a trained nurse, the others are Henry and Mrs. Alice Brock.
Mr. Koechling was an old timer of sterling character and fine manner. He was a zealous Catholic and it may be presumed his death, though sudden, was a happy one. May he rest in peace.
MRS. NORRIS FUNERAL
Mrs. Mary Norris, wife of Elmer Norris, 1346 Pierce Avenue, and sister of Mrs. Fehrensen, died at St. Mary's Infirmary on March 15 and was buried from St. James Church March 17. Whilst in the hospital she received the Last Sacraments. A large gathering of the old time settlers were present at the Requiem Mass. Her remains were conveyed to Calvary Cemetery. May she rest in peace.
COMMUNION HOLY THURSDAY MORNING
Holy Thursday is the anniversary of the institution of the Blessed Sacrament. The Scriptures narrate how our Lord retired with His Apostles to a quiet place where he meditated, it is to be presumed, on the events that were to follow. The Church, mindful of this intimate union between our Lord and His beloved disciples, would have us receive Holy Communion Holy Thursday morning and during the day spend an hour before the altar of Repose.
To make it possible for all to receive, communion will be distributed at 6:30 as well as at the mass which will be at 7:00, and confessions will be heard from 3 o'clock to 5 on Wednesday and from 7:30 p. m. until all are heard.
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Mrs. John Steffan, 1014 Tamm Ave., has had a recurrence of her illness and a slight attack of pneumonia. She is convalescing at home. .
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Mrs. John G. Houlihan, 6744 Oakland Avenue, is a patient at home suffering from bronchial pneumonia. She is suffering a good deal of pain and discomfort. The doctor does not regard her condition as being dangerous.
BIG EUCHRE
Hundreds of prizes have been collected by the Angelic Warfare Society for the parish euchre which is to be given under their auspices on Thursday evening at 8 o'clock, April 21. There will also be a lotto in a separate hall and prizes will be provided for parties who prefer playing bridge or pinochle.
The Angelic Warfare Society have for several years purchased something special for the church and Sanctuary and are now creating a fund to make a gift to the proposed new church. They invite their many friends not to forget them on the Thursday evening after Easter.
CLOSING FOR GOOD FRIDAY
At the request of the officers of the Holy Name Society 38 stores were closed in the parish last Good Friday between the hours of 12 and 3 p. m. It is expected that all the stores in the locality will close this year as the observance of this laudable custom is growing in the city.
Parishioners should make an earnest effort to be excused from work so that they can attend the three hours devotion. The Crucifixion of Our Lord is the pivotal event of Christianity.
BAPTISMS IN MARCH - APRIL
ANNUAL REPORT OF MOTHERS' CLUB, 1926
Receipts
Expenses
Receipts .....................$1,277.53
Expenses .................... 1,100.97
Total on hand ....................... $ 176.56
MRS. WIBER, Secretary
MRS. WHITE, Treasurer
BASEBALL
The parochial school has organized a baseball team which Father O'Connor promises to enter in the Muny League contests provided the boys keep the sidewalks along the church property free from mud and grime. They have been seen with their shovels actively at work when they are not at school or practicing the game.
Sister Gabriel has interested herself in procuring them baseball suits and outfits; a raffle was held last week to raise funds and it is reported it went over b1g. The parish may hope for another pennant.
A BUNGALOW FOR SALE
Within a stone throw of the New Church site there is a beautiful modern bungalow for sale at 6445 Nashville Avenue. It was constructed by Mr. Will Boman and his work has a reputation of being of a superior quality. He just looks for a reasonable wage and the material cost of the building. A person who purchases this building within a week will avoid paying commission.
COPIES TO BE MAILED
When recording contributors and supporters of the church for the year 1926 a separate list was made of all the wage earners who did not contribute $10.00.
The assistance and co-operation of these is earnestly requested for the year 1927 when the new church is being constructed and they are asked to give at least the wage for one day of each month.
To make this appeal timely a copy of this issue of Let's Go will be mailed to them.
HOWDY, FOLKS!
We have just received some very interesting news. Our artist, Mr. Harris A. Brightly, is preparing to move into St. James Parish, at 1039 Aberdeen Place.
The readers of "Let's Go" are familiar with Mr. Brightley's ludicrous portrayals of themselves, the remarkable part of which is due to the fact that he has been able to show such clear likenesses without ever having seen any of them. We admonish you to watch your step now that Harry will have an opportunity of seeing you in action.
The best part of Harry's move is that he brings in three parishioners in Mrs. Brightly and her two sisters, Misses Anna and Frances Campbell. Mrs. Brightly is an interested member of St. Matthew’s Parish, and the Campbell girls are from St. Cronin’s.
We welcome the folks, and know them well enough to feel that the can enthusiastically commend them to their neighbors. You will find them 100 per cent ALL RIGHT.
MR. FRANK MORRISSEY'S DEATH
Mr. Frank Morrissey, 6410 Brockschmidt Place, died at his home March 19 after a lingering illness. Two of his daughters, Sister Incarnata, who teaches at Chaffee, Mo., and Sister Austin of Portageville, both Sisters of Mercy, arrived home the day before his death and constantly prayed at his bedside. Their presence cheered him in his last struggle and was a consolation to the family.
Mr. Morrissey lived in St. James Parish many years. He was upright, outspoken and religious. He had the courage of his convictions and was respected for his earnest demeanor and virtuous living. He had the distinction among his intimates of a splendid chivalry. It is said he never spoke a harsh or inconsiderate word to his wife and they were as devoted to one another after 35 years of married life as they were the day of their marriage.
He had a fine intelligent faith and had no delusion about his illness. He was in constant pain over a period of two years and united his sufferings with his Savior for his own sins and the sins of the world. He waited for death with fortitude though he often spoke with emotion of the grief he felt in parting with his wife and children.
During the past year he received communion every Saturday and the fervor of his prayers and the confidence he had in the goodness of God was edifying.
He was buried on Wednesday, March 23. A rule of the order forbids Sisters of Mercy attending funerals even of parents, and Sisters Incarnata and Austin were not present at the requiem mass, though Irene Barr, now a Sister of Charity, and other nuns were in attendance.
Mr. Morrissey died a happy death. May he rest in peace.
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There were about 200 people present at the 6:30 mass each morning in Lent and there were five railings of those going to Communion. Daily Communion is no longer a counsel, it has become a fact and the practical experience of those who have found this "bread from heaven" a remedy for sin will soon find persuasive words to urge all the faithful to seek this daily bread to strengthen their spiritual life.
THE DODD SURVEYING CO.
The survey on the five lots purchased for the school was done by Dodds Surveying Co They had four men working on the survey for the greater part of a week, they not only measured the ground but gave descriptions of property, maps, agreements for individual contracts, etc. In comparison with the work the cost was only a trifle, one of the parishioners, Mr. Conroy, better known as Adele McVey's husband, works for the company.
NEW INDUSTRIES COMING TO THE PARISH
It is reported a number of out-of-town firms are negotiating for locations in the 72-acre tract at Macklind and Manchester Avenue owned by the Evens & Howard Fire Brick .Co. The Schurk Iron Co. is already established and has completed its plant and has begun production. The Morland Roofing Co. has also finished its factory. The Wabash Stone Co. is engaged in the construction of a new factory. The O.B. Avery Co. is also constructing a plant. Two spurs for switching purposes are being built across the tract by the Missouri Pacific Railroad, one of them comes west almost to Hampton Avenue. These added to the plants west of Kingshighway which include the Hydraulic Press Brick Co., the Evens & Howard Fire Brick Co., The National Lead Co., The Laclede Christy Clay Products Co., the Missouri Fire Brick Co., The Scullin Steel Co., More Jones Brass and Metal Co., the Highlands Fire Clay Co., The Winkle Terra Cotta Co., and the Mitchell Clay Mfg. Mo., will constitute an industrial district along the east side of the parish boundary which undoubtedly will bring a number of workers who will desire to purchase sites and build homes in the many subdivisions of residential property that is being opened up in the parish.
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The excavator says he will begin work on the site of the new church this week.
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Mr. Joseph Donnelly, 7434 Hazel Avenue, an alumnus of St. James Parochial School, was buried from the Immaculate Conception Church April 4. May he rest in peace.
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Mrs. John J. Oates, 6811 Waldemar Avenue, had a tumor removed from her side at the Christian Hospital, North Newstead Avenue, Her condition is favorable, and she expects to be home soon after Easter.
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Mr. Owmby, 6434 Nashville Avenue, a painter, was seriously injured by the fall of a scaffold on which he was working, and was removed to the City Hospital. The side of his face was mutilated and he sustained a fracture of the skull which has resulted in partial paralysis. Since his accident he has been received into the church, which is a consolation to his wife, who is a parishioner. He is not expected to recover.
A NEW DANCE FLOOR
Mr. Hense, Sr., is an exception to the rule that years destroy the spirit of youth, his head is gray, his years are many, but he has retained the heart of a boy. His enthusiasm adds a dash of color to the drab of everyday life, he stands out among the elders like a truant who has escaped from his class and gone arraying with the juveniles.
He and his youthful dreamers were so aroused with the possibilities of the old time dances given before Lent that they have decided to construct a highly polished dance floor in the girls' play room of the school. Mr. Hense was appointed a committee by the Holy Name Society to inquire into the cost, and reported at the last meeting that the Clayton Road Lumber Yard will furnish the wood free of charge. A number of the carpenters and handymen in the parish have promised to lay the floor some Saturday afternoon.
Mr. Pieschel is assisting him to organize an orchestra. It appears there are many of the young folk who have musical talent ready to volunteer. Their services will eliminate the cost of music and make possible an old fashioned dance every week or two.
Mr. Hense has shown an admirable interest in the youth of the community. His soccer team led the Muny League several years and took the boys off the streets and gave them an interest in wholesome athletics. It may be presumed that the children's playground and the dance floor are only a part of the program he is contemplating. His son, Mr. Wm. Hense is heartily in accord with his father's desire to do something big for the parochial school. They are uniting with the Mothers' Club in raising funds for future improvements.
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Lieut. Harry C. Moloney had a very severe attack of gastritis after midnight on Saturday, April 2. A doctor was called who immediately relieved him.
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Mrs. Capelli, 6500 Lloyd Avenue, the mother of five children, has been pronounced tubercular and went on April 2 to the Koch Hospital. She was seen in church the First Friday the day previous. She looks very well and has very great hopes for her complete recovery.
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The St. James Parochial School Alumni Dramatic Club will meet in the school hall Friday, April 15, when parts of the next play will be assigned to members. All are invited.
UNCLE HENRY'S LETTER
April 5, 1927.
dear charlie
you miss ½ of your lif on account of not bein hear to see the minstrel show wot the mother club give on st. Patricks day. it sure was a good show an it luk lik that the older them winten git the better, jus lik it is with wine.
they don seem to git no thinner neither an i gess that is becus they don worrie about nuthin an git plentie to eat acount of servin lunch to the school kids and probly helpen them to eat it, but i gess no bodie don grudge them nuthen they eat at the lunch rume, specialy there husbans well they don haf to buy it.
but enyway they is certainly gude entertaners an they put up 1 of the bes shows i seen for sum time, they hire the mason hall in maplewood, becus it is the bigges hall in the naborhood, an it was exacly big enugh cuse if they wus 1 more people there they cude not of got in an if it wus not a bad nite and rainin they woud of been about another milion people trying to git in the hall, an so I gess nex yr. they wil haf to rent the coliseum or suntthin.
wel i seen several strange faces in the audience an someone said thet they wus agents front suns of the big theatrical bookin companies wich come out to see the show an try to sine up sum of the stars, an I don no if there husbans got the agents to cum out there an i wooden be surprise on acount of with all of there practicin i don suppos the wimin is much good aroun the house, an maby sum of there husbans thot they mite jus as wel git them a job or sumthin.
it woud be hard to say wich wus the bet part of the show acount of it was all good. adele Conroy an Cath hefele an mrs. Gittins put on wot they call the dog-town trio, wich i anit seen anythin better since prohibshun tuk afeck. mrs. Gittins sung the blews wich woud drive the blews away from any bodie. adele Conroy wus warein a suit wot luk lik it maby was 1 of Hughe's old ones an she fil it out so much I luk for it every minute to bus sumplace and she did have 1 axciden which it didn't faze her nun on acount of she jus laff about everythin an take it for a joke an I wus thinkin that if you woud stop worries and enjoy yourself maby you woud get stout not luk so skinnie and woud feel better eh Charlie?
cath Hefele an her sister, thersa Larsen put on a gude ack wick they call the Moran sisters on account of that wus there names afore their husbans make the mistake of thinkin a whole famlie can live as cheap as a bacheker. In there ack, catherin was a irish coleen an Thersa wus her boy frien Patrick an they preten that they wus kuarlen but it was not natchal on acount of if they wus havin a real famlie fight sumbodie in the audience woud of got a cup or old shoe bounced off of there head. i mus say Thersa wus a gude lukin man an a better lukin man than her husban cause Lou is a nice feller but i wouldn't call him no ravin beautie.
father O'Connor wus there with severl more priest an they had seets in the frunt row but befor the show start they stove to seets in the back of the hall with the comon people on acount of I gess they wus afrade they mite here the jokes 2 plain or suntthing. they seem to injoy the show a grate deal but i especk they had to close there ears severl times.
we coudent get very good seats on acount of we didn't hav reservels an had to set in the back, an the nex sundae me an the mrs. wus late for mass an the usher tuk us up wile the paster was makin anounctnent an set us in the front pew an everybodic wus lukin at us wile we stumble over the neelin rale an make a lot of noize. the mrs. wus mad as a hen in a shower an blame me for bein late an sence then she insis on bein ½ of hour earlie an it seems funnie to me that wen you are late for a show you have got to set in the back ware you cant here nuthin an wen you are late for church you hav to set in the frunt ware you cant help from herein. it luk like the people wot gets there first is afrade there is going to be a fire an grab the sects near the door.
yours truly,
uncle Henry
BACK TO LET'S GO, 1927
BACK TO LET'S GO, 1925-1932
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