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."
Between today and the yesterday of chi1dhood there is for many a long road of time. To one looking back the vision of things that were once vivid and dramatically impressive is blurred and begets a vague longing to retrace one's steps and linger among the shadows before the sun goes down.
Memories like greyhounds in a race flit before the mind and lose themselves at each turn on the way, -- pathetic memories of parents, playmates, and others who by long association, affection, or outstanding characteristics, wove themselves into our dreams and are cherished still in our thoughts.
Like school children who, when vacation is announced, burst from school with a joyous clamor, companions of youth have separated and gone into various pursuits, one to adventure, one to romance, another to ambition, each to his own peculiar place in life and not a few have gone into the grave.
And the old folks, the generation who were the men And women of the community when we were children, are passing too -- going one after another to take their quiet bed in some secluded cemetery.
On All Souls Dav we shall make a memorial of those dear ones departed; not with flowers and the blinding tears of grief, but with tender recollection, Christian hope, and fervent prayer.
Faith teaches us to hope that those who died in Christ live outside the sphere of earthly struggle and await our coming to the eternal shores.
Your dear ones live and love, and you can communicate with them through God. Perhaps they know the temptations and dangers of your struggle and plead with unceasing petitions for your salvation. Undoubtedly the blessed do, for the faithful on earth, the suffering souls in purgatory, and the saints in heaven are linked in the chain of communication that has God as its grand central station.
Do they know we wept and mourned for them? I cannot tell. A veil of mystery separates the living and the dead; nothing is permitted by God to disturb the blessed; but prayers, like flowers, are taken by God's angels to the blessed and are identified by them as the gifts of their loved ones.
To souls in purgatory especially are these gifts precious. Empty-handed, they stand before the throne of God and have nothing to offer Him in atonement for their unrepented sins until some pious soul presents for them the pleasing homage of prayer or other good works. In the liturgy of the Church they are represented as pleading for our suffrage, and in plaintive tones they say, "Have pity on me, at least you. Oh my friends, for the hand of the Lord hath touched me" -- Job XIX-21.
Purgatory, in accordance with Catholic teaching, is a place or a condition of temporal punishment for those who, departing this life in God's grace, are not entirely free from venial faults, or have not fully paid the satisfaction due to their transcressions.
That temporal punishment is due to sin even after sin itself has been forgiven is clearly the teaching of Scripture. Adam was forgiven but he was condemned to earn his bread by the sweat of his brow. (Wis X-2), a temporal punishment. Moses and Aaron were forgiven their unbelief, but in punishment they never entered the land of promise (Numb XX-12).
There is continuity of cause and effect that is not broken by passing into eternity. "He shall render to every man accoding to his works." The deliberate sinner, forgiven before his death because of deep, ernest repentance does not go scot free, rejoicing that he has outwitted Divine Justice; a repentant murderer, such as Hickman, cannot expect a reward at once similar to the man who has lived a life of an ascetic sacrificed his all in love for God and man, -- each will reap what he has sown. Be sure every sin will one day find you out. "We know that the judgment of God is in accordance with the truth against them that do such things; and thinketh thou this, O man -- that thou shall escape the judgment of God." (Rom, II. 2-3.)
Repentance, or turning from sin, is not sufficient. Our Lord told the Pharisees to bring forth fruit worthy of penance, (Matt. 3-8), voluntary assumption of penitential work, such as fasting, alms-giving, has always been the path of true repentance. God requires satisfaction, and a sinner failing to do penance in this life may be punished in another world, and so not be cast off eternally from God: "Thou shalt by no means go out from thence till thou has paid the last farthing" -- (Matt. 3-8.)
We can't help. This was the ancient tradition of the Jews; in the old testament we find that Judas, the commander of the forces of Israel "making a gathering, sent twelve thousand drachmas of silver to Jerusalem for sacrifice to be offered for the sins of the clear thinking well and religiously concerning the resurrection (for, if he had not hoped that they that were slain should rise again, it would have seemed superfluous and vain to pray for the dead). "It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead that they may be loosed from then sins." (II Mach. XII 43)
By praying for the souls in purgatory you please God and do an act of charity, you atone for your own sins, and make these souls your advocates before the throne of God, and thereby secure many favors.
November 1st is the Feart of All Saints and a Holiday of obligation. As the nation honors her heroes, so the Church honors her saints. Each day in the liturgy of the church and in the mass some particular saint is honored, and, on All Saints Day, we honer the unknown Saints of God, some of whom may be our own immediate relatives, and rejoice in their triumph and glory.
November second is All Souls Day; and the minds of many will go back to the deaths in their immediate family. Affectionate recollection is best expresseed, in prayer, alms deed, worthy reception of the Sacraments, offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and applying' the rich indulgences to the Holy Souls that are so generously granted by the church.
Masses will be offered in St. James Church every half hour from 5:30 until 8:00 a,m. when the last mass will be said. A decent respect for the dead should incline every Catholic to hear at least one mass and devote a half hour to the memory of their dear ones. Don't say you are too busy, you find time to go to the races, picture shows, and ball games, and if there is a will there will also be a way found to discharge this pious duty.
In the three early masses on All Souls Day, there will be a memento made of all those whose names are listed in the purgatorial sheets that will be distributed in church today, Sunday, and the High Mass at 6:30 will be offered for those for whom an alms is made. A Toties Quoties indulgence is granted to all who go to confession and Communion.
How to become a member of the Purgatorian Society:
Sign your name after your list of deceased members in the Purgatorran Society Sheet and add "Living Member." This will assure you and your deceased ones of a share in all Pegatorian Society Masses offered during the year, a daily memento in all Masses said by the spiritual director, and three Masses for your repose should you die during the year.
Obligation: Attend Purgatorian Society Masses when possible, and frequenty offer Communion and prayers for all the deceased.
List of deceased members should be forwared before the first Mass on the feast of All Souls.
In the ancient city of Zarapossa, Spain, where the Ebro flows broad and shallow toward the Mediterranian there rises a magnificent Church, whose many turrets are mirrored in Ebro's lazy waters. This great building, he said, covers the spot where your St. James dedicated a chapel to and set up a statue of the Blessed Mother on a pillar. This chapel of Our Lady of the Pillar was perhaps the first chapel in all the world dedicated, under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin.
This parish ought to be a place of deep and tender devotion to the Blessed Mother. Here, October and May should be truly blessed months. Every member should possess a rosary and use it. The walls of every home should be adorned with some pictures of the Virgin. Here, the priest should not be answered after Mass by a subdued murmur, but the people of St. James should answer the Hail Marys in full, round voice.
Your St James was amonug the first of the apostles chosen by our Blessed Lord. He was a fisherman, the son of Zebedee, a fisherman, and the brother of St. John, the Evangelist, the beloved disciple. He, with St. Peter and St. John were the only witnesses of the raising from the dead of the daughter of Jairus, and also of our Lord's Transfiguration as well as of his agony and bloody sweat in Gethsemane.
He was the first of all the apostles to die for the faith. A King Herod of the same foul breed as him who, in jealous quest of the infant Saviour, filled Rome with lamentations, the Acts of the Apostles informs us "killed James, the brother of John, with vi sword."
In northwest Spain, in the land of the stubornly catholic and sturdy basques, there is the City of San Tiago, City of St. James. There in the magnificent cathedral church is preserved the relics of St. James. The story is that after his murder by Herod the body of St. James was entombed near the temple of Jerusalem. In the ninth century pious Spaniards returning from a crusade, carried the body with them to Spain. San Tiago, under the old name of Compostella, was the episcopal see of St. James. A long list of illustrious bishops have succeeded him there, many of them saints, among them the reputed author of the prayer. "Salve Regina."
You have choren well, he asserted, when you called your Church St. James, but the title should not be an empty one: you have chosen him to be your parish protector, and that you may imitate his virtues.
Let this parish be a place of vocations to the priesthood and religious life. "And going on from thence, he saw afar two brethren, James, the son of Zebedee, and John, his brother, in a ship mending nets; and he called them and forthwith they left their nets and father and followed him." What beautiful obedience and surrender to the grace of God. The youth of St. James have a great example set up for them in the title of their new Church.
St. James' parishioners should be loyal Catholics, active in all that is for the glory of God, and the salvation of souls: men and women without fear, and without human respact. St. James were called the sons of Thunder, The stout assertion, "we can" of these two saintly manly brothers should be the answer to every call from your Archbishop and your pastor. St. John says in his first epistle, "He that knoweth God, heareth us. He that is not of God, heareth us not."
The men of St. James should be staunch defenders of the honor of Christ and His Holy Church.
When the hostile Samaritans offered insult instead of hospitality to our Blessed Lord, the Thunderers, John, and your St. James, suggested that He call down fire in punishment on the heads of these irreverent men. True our Lord rebuked their imprudent zeal and over-wrought loyalty; but the fine spirit of their purpose is in marked contrast to the indifference and neglect, today, of so many Christian men, when their church and her teaching are misrepresented and reviled. Peter's cowardice and denial are so often met, where we would expect, and ought to have the instant and vigorous protest of John and James.
On Sunday, October seventh, at 10 :00 a.m., St. James Church was dedicated by Archbishop Glennon with deacons of honor, Rev. M.S. Ryan, C.M.D.D. former president of Kenrick Seminary, and Rev. Daniel J. Lavery, D.D. About forty priests were present at the dedication or at the Mass and thirty three remained for lunch which was served by a catering company in one of the halls in the school. The priests who did not tarry for lunch went to the World Series baseball game.
Among the clergy present were Very Rev. P.P. Crane, the Vicar General of the Archdiocese; Very Reverend Charles Souvay, C.M. D.D., president of Kendrick Seminary: Dean Eugene Coyle, pastor Kirkwood; Rev. Joseph P. Newman, St. Therersa's (since dead): Rev. Thomas D. Lloyd, St. Edwards; Rev. Paul Ritchie, St. Lawrence; Rev. Joseph English, Ephiphany; Rev, Joseph Collins, Visitation; Rev, I. Douglas, St. Annes; Rev. Thomas Kennedy, St. Philip Neri; Rev. John J. Long, St. Agnes; Rev. Father Lane, C.M. St. Bridget's; Rev. John Godfrey, Ferguson; Rev. George Ryan, Holy Argels; Rev. Daniel Ryan, Christ the King; Rev. William Nugent, St. Rita's; Rev. John Nugent, St. Catherine's: Rev. George Keating, St. Mary and Joseph's; Rev. Tim Mckeough, Mitchell, Ill.; Rev. M. Costello, Granite City; Rev, Joseph Himel, Luebbering; Rev. John D'Arcy, St. Thomas, Rev. Joseph Sullivan, Immaculate Conception; Rev. T. Weinig, Our Lady of Sorrows; Rev. Michael O'Keefe, Holy Rosary; Rev. Cornelius Gain, New Franklin.
Officers of the Mass: Rev. John J. Lyons, St. Pius, celebrant; Rev. Peter J. O'Rourke, St. Marks, Deacon; Rev. John J. Butler, St. Lawrence, Sub-deacon; Rev. Robert McKown, First Minister of Ceremonies; Rev. John Ryan, Maplewood, Assistant Master of Ceremonies; Chanters: Rev. Arthur White, Pine Lawn, and Rev. Mark Carroll. Deacons of honor to Right Rev. E. Byrne, Rev. Joseph P. Newman, and Rev, Michael O'Leary, St. Malachy's.
The Archbishop, in his short address, congratulated the pastors and congregation on their magnificent and beautiful church, he compared it to the temple of Jerusalem, which, he said, was adorned bv cedars from Lebanon, marble and gold from the mountains and precious stones from Arabia and Egypt. "You have in this temple the best that craftsmanship can accomplish in wood, stone, bronze, iron, plaster, and furniture. There are gems of many hues in the art glass of the various windows, gold in the decorations of the walls, a harmony of colors in the tapestries, and a charming elegance to the entire building. I would like to make this church the Cathedral of the South Side. It is magnificent and beautiful."
The clergy were apparently as favorably impressed and expressed themselves in terms of unstinted praise. Bishop Byrne's remarks were also very complimentary. He said the church was a practical lesson in architecture to him, and he wished his clergy in Texas had an opportunity of seeing it. Bishop Gilfillan of St. Joseph, who was unable to be present at the dedication, visited during the week and said he was expecting, because of previous information, to see a very beautiful church, but he did not anticipate finding any thing so charming. "It is," he observed, the neatest parish church I have ever seen."
Confessions will be heard on Wednesday, October 31, the eve of All Saints, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., and from 7:30 to 9:00, preparatony to the two feast days and the First Friday. There will not be confessions on Thursday.
Wednesday, the Eve of All Saints, is a fast day and a day of abstinance.
William N. Kletzker, a parish benefactor and brother to our parishioner, George Kletzker, who was president of the Central Engraving ompany, was buried Friday, October twelfth, from St. Luke's Church.
His death came unexpectedly after it had been thought he was rallying from an operation which he underwent a few days previous for appendicitis.
He was forty-four years of age, and is survived by his wife and one child. His home in the west end is palatial and on the night of the wake it was to a reflective person a paragon of achievement and the acme of the emptiness of human success. His young wife lay in bed in a paroxysm of grief. His mother watched by his coffin in silent sorrow. It was the house of death and a mocking tribute to man's endeavor.
0ur deep and heartfelt sympathy goes out to the bereaved family. The wood cuts in "Let's Go" these many years were donated by Mr. Kletzker. His fine boyish character endeared him to all his acquaintances, and his generosity added a further reason for our admiration, May he rest in peace.
Mr. Stephen Boyer, who has been in a precarious condition during the past two years, resulting from an abscess of the lung, is sufficiently recovered to walk to church every Sunday.
October seventh was a whole day of celebrations in St. James, In the morning at, 7:30, there was High Mass, precession of Blessed Sacrament within the Church, followed by singing of the Litany of the Saints by the parish clergy and the formal closing of the Forty Hours devotion. During the entire Mass a priest distributed communion and and was assisted for more than fifteen minutes at the regular Communion time by the celebrant. It was a day of great devotion in the parish, a day of rejoicing and thanks giving.
The dedication was well advertised in the secular and church papers, and many former parishioners were present at the blessing or visited during the afternoon.
The biggest crowd at the various functions was the one at Confirmation, which was administered at 2:30 p.m. The ambulatories as well as the pews were filled, 104 boys, 88 girls, 26 adults, and sinteen converts were confirmed by Bishop Byrne,
He gave a long instruction and the ceremony did not close until after 5:00 p. m. Everyone who participated in the day's celebration was tired, the choir were, they say, in church seven hours and the nuns who had the additionnl duty of decorating the children for the procession were busy all day.
Jacob William Marks, 6017 Loretta Ave.
Lilian Maran Smith, 2716 Carolina avenue
At its last meeting the South Forest Park Improvement Association, by unanimous vote, extended its thanks to "Let's Go" and Father O'Gonnor. Thanks to "Let's Go," which, of course, means it's editors and directors together, was tendered for the uniform and splendid notices its columns have given. To Father O'Conner the association, voiced its gratitude because he has over been keenly interested in the problems of this sector and has lent his active and moral support to everything of a beneficial nature that the association has advanced. "If everyone in this commnunity had the same interest, what a splendid neighborhood we should have."
The association had as its guest at this last meeting, Mr. E.J. Russell of the City Plan Commission. The attendance was good, but could have been much larger. As a matter of fact Mr. Russell had a message that should have interested everv home owner and every dweller in this district. The widening of Manchester avenue, for instance, a projcct now well under way. Then the circus ring at Oakland and KingshighWay; the widening and making of various streets, particularly Third street, extending it into a circle that will connect with our section. Did you know that fifty years ago Julius Pitzrnan, city surveyor, wanted to widen Grand avenue, to 100 feet, its entire length, and was hooted, booed and threatened because it would cost $5000. Today, Mr. Russell said, the cost is $20,000,000. When Forest Park was purchased for something like $225,000, Mr. Leffingwell and others who hoosted the project were called robbers, friend, of the rich, those with horses and carriages. They were described as enemies of the poor. Luckily they won and today, if Forest Park were laid out in building lots and sold it would pay the entire bonded indebtedness of the city, These are nice thirgs to know. You heal kindred ones at every meeting of the South Forest Park association.
Mr. Ray Dolan and Mr. James P. O'Gorman, leading spirits in the associaton have much work ahead and the membership committee, has in hand many works for improvement and Mr. O'Gorman is developing the plan to stabilize that sector between Manchestel, Tamm, Louisville and Dale avenues. Both have been given carte blanche by the association and their committees will bring results. The resurfacing of Oakland avenue and the making of Lloyd avenue are in the hands of these gentlemen and Mr. Alois Rothenheber.
Come to the next meeting which will be held Thursday, November 15, in the Dewey School, Central and Clayton avenues, KAYGEEBEE
Today the Holy Name Society branches in the Archdiocese will rally at the Municipal Theatre in Forest Park, at 4:00 p.m. Women, as well as men, are invited, and the people of St. James are expected because of their proximity to the park to participate enthusiastically in this big Catholic event
Paul Bisso, McCausland and Manchester avenues, underwent an operation last week at St. Mary's Hospital for a locked bowel. This is the second operation for similar trouble in a few years. Though he is in a weakened condition, his recovery is assured.
The: ladies of the parish never fail in anything they undertake for the church; they begin with good will which they warm with enthusiasm, and cover with self-sacrifice; they are untiring and persistent in their effort and keenly conscious of their responsibility. This is the reason the Wednesday Night Card parties are so popular and succesful. We arc deeply grateful to them.
Proceeds of Euchres
Sept. 19 -- Mrs. John Oates and Club $90.00
Sept. 26 -- Mrs john Wack and Club $135.00
Oct. 3 -- Mrs. Wagner and Mrs. Cullen $142.20
Oct. 10 -- Mrs. P.H. Murphy Club $183.75
Oct. 17 -- Mrs. P.J. Le Garce Club $203.00
Total $759.03
Expense $ 88.11
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Net $670.92
Mrs. Oates had only a week for preparation. Mrs. Wagner and Mrs. Cullen had their party interfered with because Father O'Connor kept a big body of people and the Conformation Class in church until 10 o'clock arranging for sponsors for the Italian children. He pleased nobody. Most of the American people had to be satisfied to have Italian god-parents for their children, but they are good-natured and slow to give trouble.
Nov. 7 -- Mrs. Joseph Hourihan,
Nov. 14 -- Mrs. O'Shaughnessy, and Mrs. Pohl.
Nov. 21 -- Mrs. Reedy and Mrs. John Kelly.
Dec. 5 -- Mrs. Noonan and Mrs. Jackson.
There will be no Euchres on October 31 nor the eve of Thanksgiving.
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Mrs. William Jones has been ill for several weeks, and spent a few days recently in a hospital, where her constant headaches were diagnosed as sinus infection.Last Sunday, Joseph Rudin, a foreman employed by the Construction Company who have the contract for the River Des Peres improvement was killed by a train near Balsom avenue a minute after he left his home to go to work.
He apparently endeavored to save a minute to be in time for work, and crossed the track though he must have seen the train in sight. He was a foot outside the rails when struck. His body was thrown a hundred feet and thrown in his own yard, in sight of his son. The shock to his wife and five children has aroused the sympathy of the entire community.
He was buried from St. James Church Wednesday, October seventeenth. May he rest in peace.
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There are probably 20,000 Catholics in St. Louis who are associated with no parish, they move from one apartment to another and make no parochial contacts; needless to say, they are, in a way, out of the church. Their faith is without good works, except such as are impulsive and peculiarly emotional...........................
St. James Alumni Dramatic club is not dead. You will soon hear from them. They are rehearsing a play, and will make it a success if they can learn how to hustle and sell tickets. Give them your generous cooperation. Their last performance was a splendid piece of amateur acting and deserved a more enthusiastic attendance...........................
W. J. Trankler, 6834 Balsom avenue, and family spent a few days in the country in mid-summer, and, after their return, were stricken with typhoid fever. Mr. Trankler has been in a critical condition several weeks and two of his children were removed last week to the City Hospital...........................
Robert Martineau, whilst playing desperado in best movie fashion in the back yard of his home, jumped from one shed to another, missed his step, and fell on a sharp rail of a fence which penetrated his thigh. He says he is through with movie stunts. Wonder how many other boys have made wrong moves because of picture show suggestions...........................
Mrs. Louis Schollmeyer, when on her way to get a milk bottle on her porch last week, fell and broke her hand near the elbow...........................
In audition to the donation of 175 tons of rock for school yard, Mr. Tim Cavanaugh gave, recently, twenty tons of rough rock for sidewalks by the church and sufficient crushed gravel to finish them. His enthusiasm seems to be contagious. Mr. Reinschmidt, 4400 Goodfellow, did the hauling free of charge. Their fine spirit to better conditions is encouraging...........................
Lawrence Dempsey, Dale avenue, happened to be the first to be confirmed in new church...........................
Waldo Bisso is proud of the distinction of having served Bishop Byrne's mass each of the three mornings he was guest of the parish. Waldo was sufficiently proficient to observe the special rubric when serving a bishop's mass.
UNCLE HENRY'S LETTER
November 1, 1928.
dear Charlie:
the Archbishop dedicate the church a cupple of weeks ago, an so, if we keep up our payments an don't get kicked out, sum day it will belong to us. the dedication service was very impresive, an his Grace seem to be just as much impressed as we' wus, in fact he wus almost speechless, becaus from ware i was sittin i couldn't hardly hear a word he said.
however, i could tell from his actions that he wus greatly please an i herd him remark on the beauty an correckness of the church, an he said that the interior decorations made him feel like he wus on a journey to the Holy Land on account of the windows "visilizing pracktily every important incident in the life of Our Lord Jesus Christ". i don't like to take issues with His Grace, but i am sure he pulled a boner in discribing the woodwork as he refered to the "beautiful effect of the hand carved cedar". they has been so much said in the parish about the "wormy chestnut" that the name of the woodwork is pretty well establish, an even the word of the Archbishop cant make us believe that it is Cedar. besides, worms dont make their home in cedar; an they is plenty of evidence of worms.
Bishop Byrne preach the dedication sermon, an he must have took his cue from the Archbishop, or else he didn't want to show up His Grace, becus he also addressed his remarks to a few favered l's that occupy the front pews. they is times, charlie, when it dont pay to grab off the back seats.
they is 1 thing I herd, though, an i gues it kept about every one else awake too, an that wus the quire. Charlie, we have got sum quire, an we ain't apologiaing to nobody. It seems like a long time since the old days when Mamie Brady and Maude Gilroy and Nick Saxton an the Howlands give St. James a reputation for good singing, but we have got a quire now that lives up to the reputation. Mis Careras an Charles Heil wus tickled with the impression made by the quire, an well they should be, becus they have certainly worked hard, an deserve a lot of credit for its success.
we are still havin our weekly card parties, an they seem to be as well patronized as ever. i notice too that they are bein attend by a lot of strangers, an peeple from outside the parish, as well as non-catholics, an of course we are glad to see them, and get acquainted, an there money is undoubtedly as negoshable as enybody elses. mrs. Kletzker was in charge of the Bridge game at the party last week, an from the looks of the crowd you might of been spendin an afternoon at North Hills Country Club, an this week mrs. Larson had a large crowd of very agreeable peeple, an they was mostly strangers.
They had to call off the card party for nex week on account of the Holy Name Minstrel Show takes place on Tuesday and Wednesday eves; an that is about the only thing that has been able to interfers with the games, I understand the "boys" have assembled a lot of high-class talent, an worked up a fine show, an to show how confident they are, i was talking to a couple of them an they came out with the blunt statement that they was going to beat the Mothers' Club. this is the first time that they have made such a rash claim an they know that they will be on the receivin end of a fine chorus of rasberrys if they dont make good, so they must have somethin up there sleeve.
i herd the other day that martin Coad is usin his inflooence with the Missouri Pacific to have them lower the rates for the 2 days of the show, to give out of town peeple a added inducement to come in for it. an so, if you see that the rates are cut next week, you will know why it is an i hope you will be able to cum in and see the "anti-cuss boys" do there stuff.
Your perticler friend an uncle,
HENRY
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