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 Parishioners:
Your wholehearted cooperation is earnestly requested to raise money through the Carnival to complete and furnish the parochial school. This is the onlv available method we have of raising the necessary funds. The church treasury is depleted. the parishioners are sufficiently taxed to keep up their weekly contributions, the parish can carry no more debt and I am straining every nerve of brain and heart to think out a way of having sufficient funds to meet 20 per cent balance due on all contracts at completion.
I am fearful of the day when the new church is completed, the general contractor's bill will amount to about $25,000. I am not sure but I will have to leave town and seek some obscure hiding place where my creditors shall not worry me.
But the school is dear to my heart and to the hearts of all the parishioners and we must find a way to finance the necessary improvements.
When the temporary church is abandoned, a space sufficient for the erection of five school rooms will be available, dividing walls, cloak- rooms and desks will have to he installed at an estimated cost of about $6,000.00, providing thereby a seating capacity for about 250 pupils.
I would like to see each child at the opening of the school occupying a neat new desk, optimistic and happy in his surroundings, and having every facility for a good education. Each desk will cost $11.00, of course if money is not forthcoming the old ones will have to be used.
Many of the children have been free in the school, and the parents and relatives at least of these ought to exert themselves to sell sufficient tickets to purchase a desk. There is not a man or woman in the congregation who cannot, if he will, sell $5.00 worth of chances to his fellow workers and acquaintances on the big prizes that are being offered. It is no disgrace to be zealous in the interest of the coming generation, the best Catholics in town sell Carnival tickets and the biggest and most prosperous parishes use this means of raising funds.
St. James has not given a parish Carnival since 1916, the parishioners have not been mailed books or asked to sell chances in all those years and undoubtedly they have purchased many from people who reside in other parishes. It is a duty they owe themselves to ask a small contribution from the many who have solicited them in the past.
The success of the Carnival depends upon the cooperation of each and every member of the congregation, 50 workers each selling $10.00 worth of tickets would raise only $500 whereas 5OO persons each working as hard could raise $5,OOO. Numbers count and crowds are made up of individuals.
The school children are expected to sell their raffle tickets among the non-Catholics of the community. No one will refuse a child a few dimes for a desk. We observed this when a group of them entered the new church to sell tickets to the workmen, every man present opened his purse and greeted the children with a smile.
The child who begins school life is at a most impressive age, he leaves the happy pleasing surroundings of home, and his transition to the other world of human beings and school is fraught with consequences that no one can forsee, his tastes are in a process of development as well as his ideals and principles, a neat school room, religious, self-denying teachers, and attractive school yard and recreational facilities are great stimulants to his ambition for what is beautiful and good and these together with religious training and worship in a temple that is in design and conception artistic and elevating will have an influence on his character that is cultural and reverent, and shall remain an inate characteristic of his nature all his life.
When we ask you to give your best efforts to the Carnival we are only pleading for your children. We are asking you to give them a chance to get what is best in life. We have at St. James a splendid staff of teachers, a well ventilated and sunny shell for a school, a large grounds for recreation, but we need money to bring them up to a standard of perfection that is due to teachers and pupils. It is for you to say how far we are to go with the work.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
PATRICK J. O'CONNOR
THE BIGGEST CARNIVAL EVER GIVEN BY ST. JAMES
The Carnival and Barbecue to be given by St. James Parish, June 21st to 23rd at the corner of Kraft A venue and Clayton Road! promises to be greater than any formerly given by the parish. The proximity of the grounds to one of the main thoroughfares leading to the city assures a big advertising and the extent of the preparations and the magnitude of the attractions make a large attendance inevitable.
The Carnival Committee under the energetic and intelligent direction of Mr. Frank Walsh are bidding to have a monster display of Carnival attractions, they have been studying the methods used by street fair organizations and combining them with the best that other parishes have employed and are determined to spare no expense in carrying out their ideas. The blaze of variegated electric lights, the rah, rah of boosters, the din, the rattle, the ha, ha and tra, ra and ding dong of every noise-making instrument will be availed of to attract attention of the passing automobilist to the gaily-trimmed booths where games of skill and tin element of chance will decide the distribution of innumerable valuable prizes that are now being stocked for the Carnival. A few hundred ladies in local sewing circles are busy making articles for the fancy booth which will be supplemented in the other booths by a variety of things that of necessity must be purchased such as electric lamps, shades, coiffeurs, mantillas, Indian blankets, shawls, wraps, lingerie, and the more substantial though commonplace baskets of groceries, hams, candies and kitchen utensils.
A dress parade of men caricaturing modern feminine apparel is expected to give a good deal of pleasure. Louis Riegel, Pat Phelan, Dan Sheehan and Lieutenant Harry Maloney will represent the flapper type, and Eddie Ryan, Tom Duggan, Benny Kelly, George Wiber, Tom Williford and Charles Heil will be dressed en famille, whilst Jim Kelly, Ray Dolan, Joseph Wiss and Charles Gesell will exhibit the latest Parish fashions.
Refreshment stands are incidental to all such gatherings but the Barbecue that is being planned under the skillful direction of Joe Sauerberger is expected to throw such a tempting aroma across the park that Sergeant Martineau thought it would be well to instruct the keepers of the Zoo to put a double guard about the cages lest the lions, the tigers, the leopards and the wolves may decide to be amongst the guests.
THE SEWING CIRCLE WELL ATTENDED
The first of the sewing circles held in the parish was given at the home of Mrs. John O'Shaughnessy, Crescent A venue on Wednesday, May 23rd. Practically all the ladies in the block were present. Mrs. 'O'Shaughnessy entertained the ladies and Father O'Connor explained the purpose of these gatherings which he assured them were being arranged in every section of the parish. Since then other circles were organized at the homes of Mrs. Duggan, Victoria Avenue, Mrs. Lawless, Childress Avenue, Mrs. Wack, Tamm Avenue, Mrs. Hazelett. 1100 Louisville, Mrs. Nixon, Buck Avenue, Mrs. Bovard, Forest Avenue, Mrs. Jackson, Knox Avenue Mrs. Jim Kelly, West Park Avenue, Mrs. Martin Moore, Tamm Avenue, Miss Marie O'Gorman Nashville Avenue, Mrs. Harold Kern, Forest Avenue, Mrs. Larson, Hampton Avenue, Mrs. Pierce. Childress Avenue, Mrs. Adele Conroy West Park Avenue, Mrs. Hefele, Tamm Avenue: Mrs. McEvoy. Stedlin-Leahy Subdivision, Mrs. Marshall, Graham Avenue. Great enthusiasm prevailed every place and the ladies assured Father O'Connor of their intense cooperation to make the Carnival a success.
WHAT THE SEWING CIRCLES ARE ASKED TO ACCOMPLISH
The parish has been divided into five sections and each section is under a committee of organizers.
Mrs. Harold Kern and Mrs. Irvin have charge of the northwest district from the west side of Louisville Avenue and north of Dale.
Mrs. John J. Kelly and Mrs. Henry Hugeback from Louisville to Hampton north of West Park Avenue.
Mrs. Wiber and Mrs. Kirby, the district east of Hampton Avenue.
Mrs. Cooper, Mrs. Hefele and Mrs Engelhardt, south of West Park from Hampton to Louisville and Buck Avenue.
Mrs. M. P. Foley, Mrs. Corcoran, south of Manchester and east of Scullin's plant, Mrs Bovard, and Mrs John Oates, Benton district.
Mrs. Plengemeier is the active field worker in the entire parish.
All reports should be filed by heads of circles with local organizers who in turn will make final reports to parish meetings or Mrs. Plengemeier.
The sewing circles are the active field force and the success of the Carnival will to a great extent depend upon their efforts.
Information has just come to us that circles are being organized by Mrs. P. A. Bisso, MeCausland Avenue; Mrs. Wm. Blank, south Benton; Mrs John G. Houlihan, Oakland Avenue, Mrs. Ray Dolan, Grandview Place; Mrs. Doherty, Central Avenue; Mrs. Kinninger, Clayton Road; Mrs. Kletzker, Fairmount Avenue; Mrs. Ward, Louisville Avenue; Mrs. Ulrich, north Tamm Avenue and Mrs. Ludden, Clayton Avenue east.
PARISHIONER ON WAY TO CONFESSION RUN OVER
Mr. Michael Maloney, 6743 Garner Avenue popularly known as "Big Mike" and well known in the Holy Name Society and parish circles when on his way to confession at the Immaculate Conception Church of Maplewood was seriously injured and has been confined to his home the past two weeks. The occupant of the car departed from the scene of the accident. The police found an automobile, a Dodge coupe, the property, it is said of Louis Satory, 6543 Fyler Avenue on the fender of which were found scraps of clothing corresponding to that worn by Mr. Maloney. Congratulations are extended to Michael, his condition might have been much worse.
DEATH OF A BENEFACTOR
Mrs. Michael Macken died at her home on Semple Avenue, May 8th after a lingering illness the result of a fall on ice more than a year ago when she sustained a fractured hip, and was buried from St. Rose's Church, May 11th.
Mr. and Mrs. Macken, it will be remembered, donated the site for St. James Church as well as the main altar. Their generosity encouraged the parishioners to contract for the present costly building and made it possible for them to plan elaborate decorations.
Father O'Connor was requested by Father McGlynn, pastor of St. Rose's to speak at the funeral and he paid a well merited tribute to the kindly disposition and practical faith of the deceased.
Her name will be cut into the front piece of the altar and through her charity she will have a perpetual memorial in St. James Church. R.I.P.
BAPTISMS IN MAY
Betty Jane Boerckel
Josephine Vulso
Grace Vulso
Lily Vulso
Mervin Royce Bernard Newman
Geraldine Rollston
Austin Rickner
Ida Christiana Anderson
Mary Wilhemena Wolff
William Herman Joseph Pieschel.
THE ALUMNI ANNUAL COMMUNION AND BREAKFAST
About 150 graduates attended the Alumni communion and breakfast. Among those present from outside the parish were noticed, Mrs. Ed. Houlihan, Mrs. Jim Coad, Mary Syron and her brothers, Thomas and Vincent, Raymond Usher, the McKennas, the Kellys of Mitchell Avenue.
Dan Murphy was on the rampage and spoke strongly about members who had to be petted and humored to be induced to attend affairs given by the Alumni. "Drop them," he said, "if they consider themselves too good for the rest of us. Better to have 200 members who have the spirit of the association than 300, a hundred of whom are lacking in appreciation of their fellow members and the efforts practically wasted upon them by their teachers." The following members were elected to office for the ensuing year.
Fred McKenna, president; Dan Murphy, vice- president; Genevieve Mahon, secretary; Rosalie Moran, assistant secretary; Mary Wack, second assistant secretary; Euphronious Jones, treasurer; Walter Strathman, assistant treasurer,
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Mr. Michael Cullen died at St. John's Hospital, May 8th. He and his family had moved into St. James Parish about two weeks previous to his death and resided at 6404 Oakland Avenue. His last illness confined him to the hospital but a few days. His funeral from St. James Church to Calvary Cemetery was attended by a number of friends and relatives. May he rest in peace.
THE ALUMNI PLAY
The Alumni play, "Dollars and Chickens," that was given at Yale Hall on the evenings of May 9th and 11th though a financial failure, resulting from a small attendance, was one of the cleverest and best presented that has yet been given by the association. The cast without exception skillfully performed their roles and won repeated applause.
It is difficult to assign a reason for the small attendance, it is evident the Alumni Dramatic Club are not getting the co-operation and encouragement which they deserve from the Alumni and the community. It may be that business methods did not prevail, tickets were not sold, advertisements were not inserted in the metropolitan church papers, too much was left to prestige and local good-will, but in this as in all other matters success can be achieved only by persistent and unrelenting efforts.
The play is too good to be a flop and the prestige of the Alumni Dramatic Club is too closely connected with the parochial school to permit a failure.
The young people must be encouraged by the parishioners to develop an interest in parish affairs and in healthy amusement. This play must be staged again in the early fall when an assurance should be given to the cast that their efforts and excellent acting is appreciated.
A SCHOOL ALUMNUS DIED SUDDENLY
Charles Morrissey, son of the late Mr. Frank and Mrs. Morrissey of Brockschmidt Place and graduate of St. James Parochial School, died in New Jersey after undergoing an operation for appendicitis. His remains were brought to St. Louis and buried from St. James Church.
Charles, a world war veteran, was firmly built, rugged and masculine. He grew up in this neighborhood and had many admirers. He has resided in the East a year and the sympathy aroused by his death emphasizes the interest taken in him by the community. It appears he underwent an operation for appendicitis and when convalescing complications that proved fatal set in. He died at the Franciscan Hospital, New Jersey.
He is survived by a wife and three children, also his mother and seven brothers and sisters, two of whom are nuns in the Sisters of Mercy Order.
May he rest in peace.
MICHAEL BEGLEY, DECEASED
Although a nephew of her late husband, Michael Begley was as a son to Mrs. M. Begley for the last twenty-eight years so that his death, May 24th at Mount St. Rose Sanitarium, was as the death of one of her own. The last months of his life afforded him many opportunities to enjoy the blessing of suffering on earth to gain a happier portion in Heaven hereafter. Whilst most of St. James parishioners did not know Michael Begley personally, everyone sincerely sympathizes with his aunt. Mrs. M. Begley, his cousins, Misses Nora and Hannah Begley, Mrs. Thomas Hastey and Mrs. Peter Dolan, and all join with these in praying for the eternal repose of his soul. R.I.P.
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Frank A. Walsh of the Walsh Cleaning Co. wishes to inform his friends that he did not sell his business This announcement is intended to counteract the false report that is in circulation.
FIRST COMMUNION
Fifty-seven children made their First Communion on Ascension Thursday. They were dressed neatly, the girls wore white dresses and smilax crowns, and all appeared to be well trained and deeply religious.
THE SCHOOL CHILDRENS' PICNIC
The reports that there is not going to be a school children's picnic are false, absolutely false; there appears to be an annual revival of this ugly piece of untruth, and it has a tendency to cause great mental distress and depression which an announcement of this kind alone can remove.
Let is be known to all men, the children are to have a picnic, a very glorious picnic, and they deserve it, their conduct in school this year has been very exemplary, and if a few of them have been late going home of an evening it is not because "they had to stay in," they just volunteered to assist the Sisters in decorating the altar or in cutting a bit off the next day's lesson; so faithful have the boys been to their studies they have neglected their recreation and games, a fact which accounts for their poor showing in the Muni-League baseball games, they need practice and more encouragement to set aside their books and take life less seriously and the picnic may be regarded as a proper occasion for diverting their minds from their arduous studies and bringing into their young lives a little wholesome diversion.
They need an opportunity also to dispose of their raffle tickets as every boy and girl has a burning ambition to raise sufficient funds to purchase for himself a new desk.
For these and divers other reasons the boys and girls of St. James School are going on a picnic to Creve Coeur Lake on Wednesday, June 13th. Open cars w:I1 arrive at the Tamm Avenue loop that morning at 8:30.
Baskets will be called for at 8:00 at Mrs. Bovard's, Mrs. McDonnell's store and Dolan Real Estate office.
Fare tickets can be procured at the Convent and should be purchased before 8 o'clock the previous evening. The price of children's return tickets is 20 cents, adults 30 cent. The school children will be entitled to three treats at the concessions on the grounds.
Mr. John D. Bersch has arranged a program of races and purchased a number of prizes. There will be a sack race, an egg race and for ladies a nail-driving contest.
Parents are invited to accompany the children,
GRADUATION IN CHURCH
The graduates of 1928 will be awarded diplomas this year in church after 7:30 Mass on June 17th when the class will receive Holy Communion. This is a departure from custom and has its advantages in rainy weather and at all times a spiritual significance, though much might be said in favor of continuing former procedure when diplomas were awarded after the school entertainment and the non-Catholics of the community could attend with less embarrassment.
Pupils of the class of 1928 are: Michael Brady, James Cadwallader, Carlo Cenatiempo, John Coad, Edmond Hefele, William Hazlett, James King, Bernard Kelly, August Matreci, Paul Menner, James O'Connell, John Pursley, Edward Schuler, Mary Claire Duggan, Agnes Frattini, Mary Kearney, Rosemary Kelly, Clara May, Evelyn Mergenthaler, Dorothy Mclaughlin, Ruth Pierce, Imelda Saxton, Gertrude Stoverink, Alice Scherzinger.
THE CROWNING OF THE STATUE
The solemn Devotion to the Blessed Mother on Sunday, May 27th at St. James Church was attended by Rev. Joseph P. Newman, P.R St. Theresa's; Rev. John Nugent, St. Catherine's; Rev. John Ryan, Maplewood; Rev. George Ryan, Holy Angels'; Rev. Robert McKeon, St. Mark's; Rev. Ed. Ryan, St. Matthew's; Father Bellock, S.J., preached a sermon on Mary the Mediatrix.
Miss Frances Doering crowned the statue of the Blessed Virgin.
The church was nicely filled; the number of young ladies in the procession was less than on former occasions. It would appear the modern American girl considers a display of devotion to the Blessed Mother a superfluous manifestation of faith or perhaps an unnecessary interference with her Sunday outing.
Father O'Connor later entertained the clergy.
THE CHILDRENS' ENTERTAINMENT
The annual entertainment by St. James Parochial School children will be given in the airdome on Wednesday, June 15th at 8 o'clock.
An operetta entitled "A Day's Outing" will open in a picnic scene where children romping in the woods talk with butterflies, gypsies, dairy-maids and bare-foot boys; a bear trainer accompanied by children will enliven the rustic splendor and give it a touch of the terrible.
The Kindergarten boys and girls will discuss the problems of child life and reveal its many difficulties and shortcomings; the Second and Third Grades are expected to excel in a display of acrobatic skill.
To eliminate expense in procuring costumes and decorations many desirable effects have been sacrificed but the inexpensiveness of the performance makes it possible for the poorer children to participate and take advantage of the splendid training the pupils get who are being prepared for the performance.
The proceeds of the entertainment will go into the fund for the betterment of the school.
FEAST OF THE SACRED HEART
In recent pronouncements by the Holy Father Pope Pius XI emphasis is laid on devotion to the Sacred Heart; hence celebration of the Feast which falls on June 15th puts on an added significance. The promoters of the League of the Apostleship of Prayer and members are endeavoring to interest the congregation in the celebration at St. James. which, owing to the school entertainment, will be celebrated on the evening of June 14th. A lecture explaining the purpose and aims of the League will be given and new promoters shall received diplomas.
THE IRISH ARE PROUD OF ROSATI-KAIN
The Brady twins of this parish participated in the inter-scholastic meet of the University of Missouri and were among the successful candidates that won for Rosati-Kain High School of St. Louis the general trophy cup in the circular contest they were awarded first and third honors and medals in the general stenographic contest. Madge Maloney, also a parishioner, represented the school in Fourth year Latin and attributes her failure to be placed to an unfair question which in realty belonged to the subject of history.
Other Rosati-Kain successful pupils were Marguerite McCann and Kathryn De Laney, in Chemistry: Margaret Kennedy, clerical contest; Eleanor Carey, Third year Latin; Catherine von Steiger, plane geometry; Ethel Barry, shorthand.
The Catholic High School is a diocesan institution open to graduates from the parochial schools, the children from St. James School have distinguished themselves in various classes and some of them have been given frequently the honor of a place in the team in the circular contests. We congratulate the Rosati-Kain High School for its ability to compete successfully with state institutions, and the Misses Brady and Maloney for their ability and industry. Distinctions of this kinds are usually a mark of self-denial and persistent study.
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Invite old parishioners to the Carnival, don't leave it to others, do it yourself, and do it now. Many of the parishioners are known to always have a crowd of their relatives at affairs given by St. James, and this manifestation of interest is appreciated.
CONFIRMATION AND DEDICATION OF CHURCH
The Archbishop informed Father O'Connor that in all probability he would be out of town during the months of July and August, and that dedication of the New Church would have to be deferred until September. This also implies that Confirmation will not be conferred until the early fall. As soon as the church is ready for use it will be occupied; in order to give sufficient time for construction work on the school an effort will be made to celebrate the Feast of St. James in the New Church.
PROGRESS ON THE NEW CHURCH
The construction of the New Church is now practically finished except the Altar, the Pulpit, the Vestment Case, flooring and exterior walks. The interior. however. appears to be a mass of scaffolding, this will remain until the decorations are complete.
There are four coats of paint on the interior walls, the last is being glazed and the process is interesting, semi-transparent colors are passed thinly over other colors to tone down their, effect, this is a departure from the original plan of stenciling and is considered more proper for Early English Gothic, a style says Benister Fletcher, F.R.I.B.A. in his history of architecture, that is magnificent, rich and strong in its dependence upon proportion, well defined outline and simplicity in decoration.
The general effect that is being sought by the decorator is to emphasize the beauty of the Sanctuary, the richness of colors in the windows, the elegance of the craftsmanship in the woodwork. The decoration of the rest of the interior must subside into a restful unobtrusiveness richly ornamented at the points of greatest interest, and will remain as ladies waiting on a royal personage, useful, neat but somewhat obscure.
THE NEW CHURCH RATED HIGH BY EXPERTS
Members of the board of directors of the City Art Museum have made frequent visits to the New Church during the past month. One of them, Louis La Beaume of the St. Louis Architectural firm of La Beaume & Klein. who was nominated by the St. Louis. Kansas City and Nebraska Chapters as the director of the Central State Division of the American Institute of Architects at the recent convention, informed Father O'Connor that the Church in his estimation was architecturally correct, and has been attracting a great deal of attention in local art circles because of its admirable proportion and craftsmanship in glass, and requested that the artist communicate with him at once so that they may agree upon a contract for a church that is being built in University City.
Mr. Papin also expressed himself as being very delighted with the structure and has visited it several times accompanied by art critics.
OTHER VISITORS
The comments made by others who it may be presumed, are not art critics. are amusing and interesting, One of them said "Father O'Connor got badly jipped on the woodwork." "It is" he said, "full of holes" and the color scheme of the stonework on the exterior also came under criticism. "Too bad," one man said, "that all that muddy color couldn't be taken off." These honest expressions of opinion remind us of a housekeeper in one of the parish rectories who on being asked by the Rector for the Rocqufort cheese said she threw it out because it was full of holes and dark patches.
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Mr. George Kletzker, chairman of the major raffles and his committee which include Mr. Clyde Stiff and William Henkle were assisted in mailing books by Fathers O'Connor and Pohl who directed two or three days and nights in the Rectory a corps of stenographers. Amongst those who were drafted into service were Delphina, Camilla, Euphronious Jones Margaret McGuire, Mrs. Charles McVey, Mrs. Boerckel Mrs. Boman and Eugenia Morrissey. Harold Plengerneier, Edward Hefele and Jimmy McEvoy sealed letters and stamped the envelopes. They considered sponges unnecessary and showed magnificent activity With their tongues.
LOST!
A child's gold neck chain bound in a small handkerchief the valued possession of a First Communicant. Please return to the Rectory
A CARNIVAL IMPOSTER
On Saturday a week ago a young fellow about sixteen years of age called at the Rectory for ten books of tickets stating he was very anxious to do all in his power to make the Carnival a success. Being a stranger to Father O'Connor, he inquired his place of residence and was told the young man was a new parishioner and lived at 6448 Wise Avenue. Suspecting his good intentions, it was suggested that he call to Mrs. O'Hare and help her and her neighbors to sell the tickets that were mailed to them.
Half an hour later Mrs. O'Hare on the phone said there was a stranger in the block collecting raffle books from all the neighbors and saying he was authorized to do so by Father O'Connor. Father O'Connor immediately set out to catch the culprit and with the aid of a number of assistant detectives, the school boys of the neighborhood found him leaving Mr. Bernard Quinn's residence. He was forced into an automobile and taken to Dolan's corner where it was presumed a police officer might be.
The young fellow pleaded for mercy saying he was an orphan boy and the only support of a sick mother and that his name was Kelly. Later he confessed he was lying and admitted that his father was a motorman and that Kelly was not his name.
He was left off with a warning but before he departed the orphan story had made such an impression on Ray Dolan, he donated him 50 cents and might have transferred to him a block of real estate were it not that Father O'Connor became unduly hilarious.
The moral is, look out for others of his ilk.
ETIQUETE, COMMON SENSE, AND SHORT SERMONS
The phone rings twenty times a day in the parish rectory and the occupants often say, "another foolish question." The reason is in most instances someone asks a question that has been fully answered in the latest issue of Let's Go. Common sense and etiquette require consideration for others and the information that is given in this pamphlet must be repeated time and again at Mass unless people take the trouble to read every item that is deemed worthy of publication. It is not the sermon that makes Mass long, but the repetition of announcements which can just as easily be read and the elimination of which from the pulpit will give more time and attention to the Word of God.
A BRIDGE CLUB
It was learned that a number of ladies in the parish belonged to Bridge Clubs in different parts of the city and an effort has been made to organize a local organization whose special duty would be to interest new parishioners in parish affairs. To better accomplish this purpose it was deemed necessary to exclude the majority of parishioners and to admit only the few who have time, leisure and acknowledged prominence and social tact. The exclusiveness is not to be considered as a reflection on the innumerable self-sacrificing ladies whose home duties make it impossible for them to go abroad very often.
UNCLE HENRY'S LETTER
June 3, 1928.
dear Charlie:
this is just about the busyest place you ever seen, charlie, on acount of the big carnival which we are givin on the 21, 22 and 23 of the month an you ought to take a few days off an come back for the big occashun. i understan the pastor is tryin to get all of the old timers back an make it a sort of reunion. an so it would be a good chanct for you to renew old acquaintance.
the pastor has organize the whole parish an you never seen such a busy naborhood. it seems like everybody from the little kids to thc old folks is got a job of sum kind, and they all seem to like it, wich shows how thorough he has sold the idear to everybody. he started out by givin father Pohl the job of directing the whole afair an, in spite of his sore stumick, the poor feeler is puttrn in about 18 hours a day pluging for a big success. .
this will be the 1st carnivel we have had for a long time, an i guess the last for quite a wile so that is probly 1 reason why the parishineers is so enthusastick. but the main reeson is becaws it is for the school and that is a cause that everybody is willing to work for. they have lined up severul go-getters like frank Walsh and martin Coad and geo. Jenneman an geo. Kletzker and several more to ackt as a commity to plan the carnivel an I doubt if they is eny skemes for gettin money out of peeple which that gang don't no about.
the carnival is goin to start with a big parade, an of course a parade can't be a success unless they is plenty of clowns in it. an so they apointed Loyet and eddie Ryan to make the arrangments. you can just imagine how funny the parade will be with that pair doin the planin. i understan there plan is to lead the parade all over the naberhood an every time they come to a busy corner, 1 of them wich is dress like a policeman will try to direck the traffick, an they have worked up a lot of comidy for it. 1 of them has also got a pet horse wich they are trainen to dance an sing, an do a lot of other stunts. i ain't got room to tell you all of the stuff they intend to pull off, an you would have to see it to preciate It.
they are goin to have booths at the carnivel, but they don't intend to raffel enything becaws that is again the law. but they are going to give prizes for contests of skill. i don't no how it is worked but i understan that sumbody spins a wheel an then you shoot at it with a arrow, or sumthin, an try to hit your number. it ought to be a lot more fun than just buyin a ticket with a number on it, an then standin back an watch sum other number win.
charlie Heil is in charge of 1 of the booths and he will have a bunch of wimen to assist him an of course they will have to take there orders from him, an he was tellin me the other evenin that he thought the plan was a good 1 on acount of the effeck it will have with Mrs. Heil, as she is gettin kinda hard to handle, an he figgers if she hears him givin the other wimen there orders, she will lern to keep her place hereafter so he won't have to take no drastick measures.
the Dramatic club give a play on the 9th and 11th of the mo., an i believe it wuz the best 1 they ever give. stirling Rose was a agronomist, an I guess you aint no more puzzled than i wuz bout what is a agronomist, but i found out that it is a farmer, on acount of i asket Father O'Connor an he lookit it up in the dickshunary. sterling was a gentleman agronomist, an if you nowed sterling you would reelize that is the only kind he could be, on acount of he don't no eny more about farmin than nursin a baby.
bernadine Quinn was dan Murphy's daughter an they called her Twinkle on acount or she was 1 of the stars of the play. Arthur pahl was a crook in the play an tried to get away with a bunch of money, an i was surprise on acount of Arthur's folks is pretty decent peeple, but it just goes to show that you can never tell wen a crooked strain will crop out. jerry O'Connell must of been out with josie Nerviani the night befor, on acount of he couldn't stay awake, an spent most of the evening layin around taking a cat-nap. Charlie McVev was a cop, but i think that they ought to of got Hughie for the part, on acount of charlie's 2 light to get on the force. It wuz a good show, an you ought to of saw it.
the alumni had a meetin last sunday an it certinly was a stormey 1. it seem like sum of the members was soar about the others not attendin the meetin, an dan Murphy was ready to fight. he made a cupple of speeches that was full of brimstone, an finish by yellin "what do we care about those peeple ? we are better than they are." Atta boy, dan.
i lookt around wile dan was readin the riot act an father O'Connor was smilin from ear to ear, an he said "i have been hopeing for 7 yrs. to see dan fightin mad. an i have finely succeeded." After the meetin i was talkin to dan's wife, an she wuz about as mad as he wuz, an she said, I can see ware I am gom to have trouble with that man, on acount of he has done so much talkin here that he is goin to get the idear he can do the same thing at home, an it will be my painful duty to put him in his place"
Your pertickler friend an uncle,
HENRY
ALUMNI MEETING
The St. James Alumni Dramatic Club will hold a general. meeting on Thursday evening, June 7th at 8 o'clock in the school hall. Every alumni member is eligible.
Members are requested to make returns for tickets. A good time is assured to all. Refreshments will be served.
BACK TO LET'S GO, 1928
BACK TO LET'S GO, 1925-1932
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