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."
Dear Parishioners:
God disposes us in many ways to receive his grace and strive earnestly to save our immortal souls. Since the church was opened there have been two alarming signals given as to the uncertainty of life and the suddenness of death. Mr. Duggan's tragic and unexpected demise followed in two weeks by the sudden death of Mr. Winters.
Nothing so startling nor with such dramatic effect has happened in the community in many years. Both men were well and favorably known, both were specimens of fine manhood, each was a model husband and a practicing Catholic. Mr. Winters a few years ago represented St. Louis in the National Handball interstate Contest. He was an old settler who grew up in the neighborhood, was by occupation a fireman and a man among men. Mr. Duggan was the father of seven young children.
In the providence of God nothing happens by chance. He orders all things wisely and well, we have therefore a right to surmise that there is in these deaths a sermon, it is perhaps a final warning to some sinner of the neighborhood to prepare, ordinary grace is not sufficient. He called on these men suddenly because they were always ready, in His mercy He granted a reprieve for a few years, perhaps, to some sinner who, if he had been called should be now amongst the damned.
You may be one, dear reader, who gives all your thought to the world, its ambitions, pride and pleasures and are sleeping each night in ease with a sense of false security on a thin partition over the bottomless pit of Hell. Christ died to save you and these two men had also to die to warn you that death will soon extend its skeleton hand and pluck you from your friends and home.
Mr. Duggan's orphaned children shall have to struggle, these widows will weep, and you, because of whom these calamities have come upon those homes, may continue to be merry and indifferent, or perhaps you will yield to God's Grace and begin immediately a practical reformation in your life. God's Mercy is abroad in this community because of the New Church. He wishes not the death of the sinner, but rather he be converted and live.
Don't imagine you are guiltless because you are not a murderer or a thief, these are abhorent to us because they sin against society and indirectly against each one of us; when you grieviously offend God no matter under what pretext, no matter how estimable you may be in the judgment of your neighbor you are in a perilous condition, your soul is in a state of spiritual ruin and if you die without repenting, it shall be lost.
These sensational deaths are, we believe, God's way of preparing the congregation for the mission that opens today in the parish. It shall be to many, we hope, a time of spiritual regeneration, a turning point in their lives.
If you suppose yourself outside the range of these remarks be humble and grateful; you too have a duty to discharge. One of the spiritual works of mercy is to admonish sinners, pray for the living and dead, be zealous for the salvation of souls. Search for the stray sheep, pray earnestly and repeatedly and above all sacrifice your outing on Labor Day or at least be back in time to attend the mission sermon and give a good example to your neighbors.
Sincerely youn In Christ.
PATRICK J. 0 'CONNOR, Adm.
OBJECT OF MISSION
To afford an opportunity to careless Catholics to be reunited with the flock and assist with them in publicly worshipping God in the New Church, also to give an opportunity to the rest of the congregation to properly begin its new era of parochial life. In the words of St. Paul we exhort you that you receive not the grace of God in vain. For He Saith: "In an accepted time have I heard thee, and in the day of salvation have I helped thee. Behold now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation."
WILL THE SCHOOL BE READY?
Yes! And there was never a more beautiful and commodious school in St. James Parish. The Parishioners are invited to inspect it.
THE OPENING OF THE NEW CHURCH
As a matter of historical record, St. James Church was informally opened for service on Saturday, August 11th at 4:30 P.M., when confessions were heard by Rev. P.J. O'Connor, Adrn., Rev. Norbert E. Pohl, Asst. Pastor, and Father Joseph J. Wahlen, Order of the Mission of the Holy Family. A large number of penitents presented themselves and the three priests were kept busy with the exception of an hour for supper, until 10:30 P.M.
The first confession heard was that of John P. Dolan, who battled with a number of others for the unusual distinction. The church was not entirely finished. the floors were not polished, the Stations of the Cross had not arrived, pews were not installed, a temporary altar was erected and the Sanctuary lights and reflectors were not in place.
A Solemn High Mass was offered on the following morning Sunday at 5:30. The celebrant, Rev. P.J. O'Connor, Adm.; deacon Rev. Norbert E. Pohl; sub-deacon, Rev. G.A. FitzGibbons, S.J. Father O'Connor in his sermon said: In the name of the congregation I am presenting this Temple this morning to Our Lord Jesus Christ, whose home it shall be in our midst for all future time, you shall enter it with reverence and be always mindful that you are in the palace of our Divine King. You shall come with your petitions and your praises and unite with the priest in offering the divine sacrifice. Here you shall bring your children to be baptized, the last remains of your dear ones for requiem Mass, here, you shall pledge your vows and solemnize your marriages.
At the back of this altar there is the, picture of Christ, the King, acknowledge this morning that you are his subjects willingly giving Him and His Church obedience and love, consecrate to Him your lives, your minds and give Him the submission of your wills. Assure Him from henceforth with the help of His grace you will be more faithful in practicing your Faith and keeping His commandments, and when the Sacred Host is consecrated give Him a silent welcome before uniting with the congregation in singing 0 Salutaris Hostia.
Anthony Palumbo, an ecclesiastical student, was Master of Ceremonies, and the first to receive Communion. The following altar boys also assisted: Waldo and Dean Bisso and John Coad.
About 320 members of the Holy name Society went to Communion and the majority of a capacity congregation also received.
Miss Minnie Carreras played the organ and Charles W. Hell directed the choir which comprised the following members, Mrs. Frank Walsh, Miss Bernadine Quinn, Miss Angela Kollias, Miss Helen Muehling, Miss Margaret Centiempo, Mrs. Sam Gittins. Mrs. Joe Muehling, Mrs. W. Hefele, Miss Leone Lott, Miss Rose Gioia, William Koncen, Joseph Picschel, Geo. Jenneman, Bernard A. Kelly, Louis Riegel, George Wiber.
Owing to the number going to communion, the Mass was not over until 7:15, when another Mass was offered by Father O'Connor. Rev. FitzGibbons, S, J., was the second priest to officiate. His Mass was offered at 7:45.
Rev. Norbert E. Pohl offered the 9 o'clock Mass and sang a solemn Mass-at 10 o'clock which was followed by Benediction.
At 3;30 the Sacrament of Baptism was administered and Richard James O'Gorman. 6414 Lloyd avenue, whose great grand-father and great grandmother, Mr. and Mrs. John O'Gorman were charter members of the parish and and recorded in the first list of parishioners that is extant, was the first to receive Baptism. Claire Kiely, 6518 Berthold avenue, Margaret Ann Harrison, 6435 Nashville avenue, Leo Alfred Ginther, 6149 Elizabeth avenue, the 12th child born to Mr. and Mrs. Ginther were also baptized.
Chairs to take the place of pews were lent to the parish by the Immaculate Conception churches of St. Louis and Maplewood.
FLORENCE SUBDIVISION
A beauty spot at Dale and Louisville Avenue has been thrown on the market for homea and bungalows on easy monthly terms. Also, 25 beautiful bungalows now under construction; lots, $27.00 per foot.
Improvements include concrete streets with curbs, sewers, water, gas and electricity. Call Hiland 8989, Gabany 8788, or at the office, 6548 Dale avenue.
--------------------
Three boys from the Parish, John Coad, 6433 Lloyd avenue, William Hazelett, 1101 Louisville avenue, and Gregorv Rebman, 6141 West Park avenue, intend entering the preparatory seminary.
OTHER SCHOOL ENTHUSIASTS --
TIM CAVANAGH AND LOUIS SCHOLLMEYER, JR.
Mr. Will Hense scarcely ever passes the school without stopping to look at the yard and see how the improvements are progressing. It is now leveled to grade and a few more enthusiasts have been added to the list of those who love children and are solicitous about their games and comfort.
Among those who have become recently interested is Mr. Tim Cavanagh, who has a quarry at Da1e and Manchester. He has made a tremendous offer, which the parishioners undoubtedly will appreciate. He has donated all the rip-rap rock that will be necessary to cover the entire yard and Mr. Louis Schollmeyer, Jr., is spending his vacation driving his dad's truck and hauling it free of charge.
This donation of rock was secured through the efforts of Mrs. Bovard, Will Hense and Mrs. McDonnell -- and the truck -- Mr. and Mrs. Schollmeyer are always ready to make sacrifices for the nuns, pastors and parishioners and Louis, Jr., is a chip of the old block.
--------------------
Miss Mildred McCauley, niece of Henry McCauley and Mrs. William Jones, received the habit of the Sisters of Providence at St. Mary of the Woods Convent, Indiana, on August 15th. The Wm. Jones family and Mary McCauley drove and were present at the ceremony.
UNCLE HENRY OFFENDS
Dear Father O'Connor:-
I think it is a shame the way you permit Uncle Henry to talk about people. I enjoy his humor now and then when it is not silly. I notice he has let up writing about Father Pohl. Are you quite sure he is a friend of yours? His comments in last month's issue about the wormy chestnut and you were not reverent or in good taste. He should not be permitted to knock or be so disrespectful.
In reply, dear Madame, Uncle Henry is not to be considered a private individual, he is Gossip in a blend with humor, he brings to the public ear the whisperings of the community, he is a reporter of what is said behind our backs, and he usually tells the truth, but of course we don't like it when it is not complimentary
Gossip is a verbal report of things people think, say and feel and deem it wise not to express except in the narrow circle of intimates; it is an editorial on local persons and events dictated sometimes by limited ability and warped judgment or it is an honest expression of personal opinion which is concealed lest it might give offense or is not sufficiently substantiated to be publicly affirmed. It is an old form of home entertainment and fruitful source of dissention among neighbors when there is a leak in the container or a loose tongue under a receptive ear. Its virulence depends upon pride and self-love of the individual whose character is depreciated, and there are few who are as well thought of as they would like to be. So, what is the use in railing against Uncle Henry, he is not one but the many who talk behind our back and advertise our deficiencies and peccadillos.
Of course, the old fraud is unfair in his innuendoes about the wormy chestnut; he was one of the building committee appointed by the congregation to examine the specifications and prevent mistakes. It would appear he slept at his post and did not awake till the worms almost buried themselves in his ears and made holes in his pants. Were the chestnut as rotten as his logic a sponge would be the rottonest thing on earth since it is full of holes. '
Don't worry about Uncle Henry, he can't be educated because the only thing he reads in Let's Go is the letters written by himself.
ST. ANN'S TO GIVE EUCHRE AND LOTTO
St. Ann's Sodality wish to announce that a Card Party and Lotto will be given in the school hall on Wednesday, September 13th to finish paying for the pulpit that is ordered for the new church at the cost of $1000. The committee in charge are Mrs. James Lawless, Mrs. Reese, Mrs. Foley and Mrs. McDonnell.
--------------------
Dan Sheehan of Dolan Realty Company is on a trip to Canada.
PAT WINTERS' DEATH AND FUNERAL
The startling and sudden death of Mr. Patrick Winters, a fireman at his home, 1333 Graham avenue on Sunday morning at 4:00 o'clock, has aroused the sympathy of the entine community. Mr. Winters, after returning from his usual work in the fire department to which he was assigned, ate his supper, said his prayers. and retired with the intention of attending early Mass.
About 4 A.M. his wife was awaxened by his deep breathing, and as he did not respond to her call she surmised he was dying. A neighbor telephoned Dr. Murphy and the Rectory, but Mr. Winters was dead when the priest and doctor arrived,
He was buried from High Mass on Wednesday, August 29th, the second funeral from the new Church.
Mr. Winters was a practicing Catholic and was at Mass in the new Church the first Sunday it was opened when he went to Communion with the Holy Name Society. We noticed him also in church the following Sunday. His wife informs us that he said the Rosary often of an evening whilst walking in his back yard. He was temperate in his habits and congenial in his ways. In firemen's circles he was an outstanding athlete, though he was over 50 he frequently represented the firemen of St. Louis in Local handball contests.
His funeral was widely attended his remains was accompanied to the church by the band of the fire department. May he rest in peace.
--------------------
Mr. Joseph Crotty has spent the past few weeks superintending the construction of the school. and saved the Parish at least a thousand dollars. Without his assistance it would have been impossible to have the school ready.
SCHOOL ALTERATIONS AND REPAIRS
Immediately after the temporary church, which is a part of the school building, was abandoned, the work of alteration and repairs was begun. John Newport repaired the gutters; the Missouri Roofing Co., the roof; several workmen began at the top of the building to remove defective plastering and were followed by plasterers who restored plaster from the ceiling to the basement. Carpenters under the direction of Mr. Joseph Crotty put up partitions and erected five rooms in the former church with such celerity that before the end of the first week the lathers had completed their work. A corps of workmen under the direction of Father O'Connor, supervised by Mr. Edward Cody installed new sewers and a draining system in the school yard, which was later graded to a level under a contract by Mr. A. stevens, local excavator. Mr. Thomas Banks tuckpointed a part of the building and a retaining wall was constructed along the driveway leading to the boiler room, the space between the school and drive was leveled and covered with a cement floor. It is expected that before the end of the week a foundation of rip-rap stone will cover a considerable portion of the school yard to be later surfaced with macadam.
Painters have beautified the greater part of the building, the rooms upstairs are to be retained in use and are unuually attractive, as are the corridors and stairway, which also were stained with oil polish.
A new desk was installed for every pupil and the kindergarten is thoroughly equipped, nor were the Sisters forgotten; in each room there was built a combination book-case and closet, a stand for the teacher's desk, a new desk and chair. An Evans Wardrobe is a part of the equipment of each room and some of the pews taken from the recent church have been set in place along the walls in the basement.
The parishioners and the children will undoubtedly appreciate the extent and the attractiveness of the alterations and will realize that the successful Carnival which made possible this work was a permanent benefit to the whole congregation.
There are nine rooms in the school building. The ones down stairs by the vestibule of the former church will not be utilized for class rooms, but will be availed of for assembly and special classes. They will also be used as rooms for Catechetical instruction for public school children on Sundays and Friday evenings.
Will the school be ready to open Tuesday September 4th? is a question asked by many parishioners: Yes, and there was never a better-or-bigger school in St. James parish, If you are a Catholic and have children be sure to send them on the first day when registration will take place.
UNDERTAKER DONATES BIER FOR CHURCH USE
Schrader & Son, Undertakers, Ballwin, Mo., donated to St. James Church, a bier that is a memorial to Adele Forthman, a niece of Mrs. Plengemeier, who was buried recently.
The donation was a God-send to St. Ann's Sodalitv as they had a committee appointed to make the purchase. Mrs. Plengemeier, a member of the committee, seeing an adjustable bier at her niece's funeral, interviewed later Mr. Schrader who kindly volunteered not only to make the selection, but to defray the expense.
St. Ann's Sodality and Father O'Connor, in behalf of St. James Parish, assure Mr. Schrader of their appreciation of his gift, and Mrs. Plengerncier also has a claim on our good will.
---------------------------
Mission goods will be sold in the vestibule of the Church. See the $15.00 rosary,
THE FIRST FUNERAL IN THE NEW CHURCH
No one would suspect a week before the sad event, that Mr. Thomas Duggan would be the first to be buried from the new church. He died August 8th at St. Mary's Hospital. His illness was startling and the rapidity with which it terminated, tragic; people fear knives and firearms and take care mot to leave them lying around, but a pin - no one fears a pin - and yet because of the prick of a pin, Mr. Duggan underwent several hours of excruciating pain, the loss of a limb from the operation and few hours later, his life. It appears Mr. Duggan , before retiring one night when in his bare feet, stepped on a pin that lay partiallv horizontal on the rug. The wound was so trivial he forgot about it until several days later, when the doctor diagnosed a fully developed case of blood poison. He was removed to St. Mary's Hospital, where, in hope of saving his life, a limb was amputated, and though he was conscious for several hours after the operation the progress of the destructive disease could not be arrested.
Mr. Duggan was about 46 years old, a steamfitter, and a man of fine physique, the father of seven children, the oldest, Robert, not yet seventeen. His death aroused a great deal deal of earnest sympathy in the community.
Mr. Duggan was well liked. He was an honest, kindly disposed man who built swings in his yard for his own and his neighbor's childrcn. Frequently he made repairs free of charge in the heating system of the parochial school.
At parish meetings he was adamant in his ways and got the reputation of remaining set. While this characteristic is not always a desirable trait it happened to be hitched to so many admirable ideals with Mr. Duggan it became if not a virtue at least a distinguishing and often an amusing trait. He was not a man to carry water on two shoulders. He did not deviate from the course that he believed to be right, he was in all things, a practical Catholic.
His funeral was the largest that has taken place from St. James in several years. His brother, Father James Duggan sang the solemn Mass assisted by his brother-n-law, Father John Kelly, as deacon and Father Godfrey, a school companion, sub-deacon. There were over twenty other priests in the Sanctuary, Father 0'Connor gave the funeral panegeric and paid an eloquent tribute to Mr. Duggan. May he rest in peace.
BAPTISMS
Richard James O'Gorman, 6464 Lloyd Avenue.
Claire Kicly, 6518 Berthold Avenue.
Margaret Ann Harrison, 6435 Nashville Avenue.
Leo Alfred Ginther. 6149 Elizabeth Avenue.
Teresa Lane, 6412 West Park Avenue.
Albert James Froesel, 6208a Crescent Avenue.
John Clifton Bruce, 6252 Famous Avenue.
Joan Kearey, 1422 Tamrn Avenue.
Chales Louis Gioia, 1315 Tumm Avenue.
THE SEWING CIRCLES AND MOTHERS CLUB EUCHRES
The Mothers' Club have organized sewing circles in almost every section of the parrsh under local chairmen; these furnished a considerable portion of the prizes that were given at the Carnival, and interested their neighbors and relatives in this big parish event. It has been planned to retain their useful and extensive co-operation in all that pertains to parish welfare, they are expected to become acquainted with new parishioners, give them information about Masses, confessions, parochial school, church dues and encourage them to parish duty and parish loyalty, introduce them to other parishioners and to their pastors and make them feel at home.
To give an opportunity for this work, a schedule of card games has been arranged by Father O'Connor and the Mothers' Club for each circle beginning Wednesday; September 19th, and continuing every Wednesday night until Christmas.
Each club will provide its own prized and make its own regulations; it will, however, receive assistance and co-operation from the executive committee of the Mothers' Club of which Mrs. Emma Bovard is president and Mrs. Plengemeier, active chairman and District Captains.
A sewing circle for all the clubs will be formed and meet every Friday evening in the school hall at 8 o'clock, beginning the Friday after the Mission. There will be sewing material on hand and perhaps a few cookies and a little coffee.
Though the euchres will be given under local direction they will be for the entire parish and every lady in the congregation is requested to make these a permanent date on which to meet fellow parishioners.
Weekly Euchre by Sewing Circles
Wednesday, Sept. 19 -- Mrs. John Oates.
Wednesday, Sept. 26 -- Mrs. John Wack.
Wednesday, Oct. 3 -- Mrs. Wagner.
Wednesday, Oct. 10 -- Mrs. P. H. Murph)'
Wednesday, Oct. 17 -- Mrs. J. LaGarce.
Wednesday, Oct. 24 -- Mrs. L. Larson.
Wednesday, Oct. 31 -- Mrs. Joseph Houlihan.
NEW CHURCH
The pews you will see have arrived, also the Altar and Stations of the Cross. It won't be long until everything is installed. A contract is made for reflectors, door lanterns, sanctuary lamp, vestment case and tapestries for the Blessed Virgin and Sacred Heart Shrines. These tapestries would be suitable memorials. Cost $1,000 each.
HIGH MASS EACH DAY FOR A WEEK
The first and Solemn High Mass in the new church was offered for the Parishioners. The Mass that followed for Father O'Connor's deceased parents and relatives. There was a High Mass each morning of the following week. Monday, Mr. Duzgan's funeral; Tuesday, Deceased Pastors; Wednesday, Deceased Nuns; Thursday, Repose of Mrs. M. J. Macken: Friday, Deceased Parishioners and Purgatorial Society; Saturday, Special Benefactors.
...................................
Men worked all night Thursday and Friday installing pews and altar in the Church and desks in the school.
..............................
The Alumni Dramatic Club meeting, Thursday evening, September 15th, in the school hall.
A PARISH MISSION
A mission to be conducted bv the Jesuit Fathers, Rev. John M. Cunningham and Rev. Robt. Tallmadge, will open in St. James church Sunday, September 2nd and close September 9th.
There will not be separate sermons for men and women except perhaps at one of the morning masses, the children, however, will be given a special mission, (time not yet announced).
Order of exercises for men and women
5:30 Mass and short instruction.
6:15 Mass.
8:00 Mass and Sermon. Blessing of religious articles.
8:00 PM Rosary, Sermon and Benediction.
Hours For Confession
During and after the Masses, and after night services, beginnings Tuesday. Also Thursday, from 3:30 to 6 P.M. and Saturday after 3 P.M.
This order may be changed to suit the convience of the missionaries or the hest interests of the Mission.
WHY SHOULD I MAKE THE MISSION
Because I want to save my soul. For what shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his soul?" Mark 8:36.
Because I want to square my account with God. If your sins be as scarlet, they shall be made white as snow. Isaias 1:18.
Because I want to change my life for the better. Forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching myself to those that are before. Phil. 3:13.
Because I want to hear God's Message. Go ye into the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature. Mark 16.15. He that heareth you, heareth Me. Luke 10.16.
Because I want a blessing on myself and my household, May the Lord add blessings upon you; upon you and your children. Psalms 113-14.
A TOUCH OF SENTIMENT
After the last Sunday Mass to be said in the temporary church, the choir sang Holy God, We praise Thy Name; it was apparently impromptu and a few of the congregation sensing the propriety and sentiment in the hymn remained till it was finished, the rest did not catch on. - Ed Loyet sent flowers.
................................
Mr. P.H. Murphy; the advertising man for Let's Go, is responsible for the financial condition that makes it possible to have 650 copies of each issue of Let's Go, given free to the parishioners; he is an insurance agent for Missouri State Life, which recently purchased the International Life Ins. Co., and has become one of the big companies operating in the States. Give him your patronage .
...............................
The Chairs temporarily being used, in the new church were hauled by Thomas Mahon, Joseph Sharamitaro and John Badendieck.
MR. CROTTY TO BE RETIRED
Jos. M. Crotty has been for the past 25 years one of the most zealous and untiring workers there has been in the parish. There was never any affair of any parochial importance in which he did not take a part and has been a sympathetic friend to every priest. He has been chairman of the greater number of parish meetings, usher in the church on Sunday, trustee and general utility man. For these many services he has never received any compensation, and notwithstanding the many hours of labor and direction, he has been among the best parish contributors, his latest service has been to the new church and the completion of the parochial school.
Now that they are complete in almost every detail, we relieve Mr. Crotty of any further active participation in works that require manual lobor, and we place him at the head of the list of our parish benefactors and unselfish workers, but we do not see our way to separate ourselves from his gentle and fatherly guidance; hence we retain him as our chief counsellor and true friend. Long may he live.
...............................
Miss Helen Saxton has been a patient in the Jewish Hospital the past week. She has been a splendid church worker and has our earnest sympathy.
...............................
Margaret McDonnell, Margaret Irvin and Vera Bersch rode in a bus to Chicago where they spent a week.
...............................
Robert Glennon Nugent, son of Mrs. Amanda Nugent, 1206 Graham St., an intanf, was buried from St. James Church on August 29.
...............................
Eddie Hussman, a local letter carrrer and former parishioner, owing to an accident, had a foot amputated and has been a patient at St. John's Hospital several months.
...............................
The notice of the Baptism of Nancy Virginia Werner, 1014 Tamm avenue, was omitted from the June list.
...............................
Eugene E. Stevens and Mrs. Elizabeth Coble were married in the Convent Chapel Aug. 10th. Mr and Mrs. Peter McHugh were official witnesses.
...............................
Mrs. Cullen, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. D.B. Jackson, are after returning from a trip to Ozark, Mo. Mrs. Cullen visited caves, dance halls, and has accumulated as much travel lore as did Stodard in his trip around the world.
...............................
Clyde Stiff, Mr. and Mrs. W. Henkel and family and Mrs. Holland have returned from a pleasant vacation at the Meramec.
...............................
Mr. John Houlihan, Sr., and his daughter, Mrs. McLaughlin, are on a trip to Canada.
...............................
Miss Anna Crotty reports splendid fishing at Algonquin Park, Ontario, where she and her aunt, Miss Merriman, are touring.
...............................
The Holy Name Minstrel Show is being hatched.
...............................
Sister Bernadette (Sophia Smith) underwent an operation at St. John's Hospital, where she is a nun. She is convalescing.
...............................
No, there has not been a marriage yet in the new church. There are two scheduled for September 5th.
...............................
Mrs. Herbert V. Lutz has been in a critical condition at St. John's Hospital. Latest report says she is improving.
UNCLE HENRY'S LETTER
September 1, 1928.
dear Charlie:
we finally got moved into the new church, an i want to tell you, it is certainly beautiful, at least it will be if it ever gets finshed. Of couse it is almost finished, but on acount of not having the pews in, an the alter an stations not being finished, wen you look at it, you get the impresion that it is only about half finished.
a lot of people are complainin specially about the pews and kneeling benches not being in, on acount of they have made pampered favorites of there knees, and dont like the idear of makin bend down to the floor, a good many has been razzing the Pastor about the pews, like margaret O'hara was goin into the church with a bundle under her arm, and the Pastor ask her what she had, an she said "i have brought my kneeling cushion," and i ben thinking that it wasn't such a dumb idear at that.
we are going to have a reel school, on acount of the way the committee has hussled, an specialy Mr. Crotty. the Pastor was tellin me that they have saved a good deal of the cost on acount of the economical way Crotty has handled the job, an they will he able to get that much more with the money on hand. as a result, The grocer contingent, Hense, McDornnel and Bovard did some good work too, as they persuade tim Cavanaugh to donat enough rip-rap to cover the school yard, an louis Schollmeyer is furnishing the trucks to haul it, that's the new "Spirit of St. James."
we are having a mission this week, on account of we have got a grand church now, and the Pastor says it belongs to everybody that wants to use it. an he feels that a number of the people that has been neglectin their duties would like to come back to church, an he wants to give them a chance to do so. this is a oportunity for you to do sum good work by using your influence with eny of your friends that mite need it, so get busy and start doin sum persuadin.
wel, charlie. the summer is slipping by, an most of the folks has had there vacation, an are bark to work. startin on another yr. charlie Heil got a big kick out of his vacation, on acount of him an his family took a long trip through the East, an came back by way of Canada, an i understand he brought back a grate many pleasant memories, an several qts of "sweet-reminder," and he has been busy keeping his memory refreshed ever since he got back.
the prize vacation story is 1 i herd about lou Riegel, and it seems he woke up 1 morning with a terrible head, after an "effervescent" evening with sum friends, an he felt so bad that he went to the telephone an called up his boss an told him he would not be down on acount he was sick, an the boss said, "you must be crazy as well, because i dont expect you to come down while you are on your vacation."
i met bill Hefele the other day an he told me he wus "enjoyin" his wife's vacation on acount of her spendin a week at the Aberdeen Club, an he said to me, "you know Henry," I reely get more good out her vacation than what she does, on account of i dont have to eat her cookin wile she is away." of course he wus just kiddin, becus i happen to no that Cath is agood cook.
ray Dolan an his family went awav for a week, an the day before they left ray was telling Gerry Coyne that he wus going to take a weeks vacation, an Gerry says "what are you gein to do ray, go to work for a week? that's about the oniy thing that would be a complete change from wot you been doin."
the epidemic of deaths that has been working amongst the Holy Name Society members is sti1l takin a heavy toll, and we lost two of our most conscientious members durin the past month. big, strong, healthy, tom Duggan, just gettin a fair start in the job of raising his large family, was taken out so sudden that it was almost impossible to reelize the truth an seriousness of it. tom will always be remembered as one of those rare individuals who are loved bv their friends, an respected by everyone. besides bein a thorough, practical catholic he had an outstandin quality that i always admired. wen you aroused tom to the point of rezentmont, you didnt here about it through your nabors, you "got it" from tom. he didnt send enybody up to bat for him. an he didnt use no "doubles" or "proxies." he didnt waste no time "sugar-coatin" his words, just served em plain, like we used to take quinine, an wile the dose was hard to take, the cure was usuallv more prompt and lasting.
another shock was the sudden death of Pat Winters, who was buried last week. we dont like to lose such members as Pat, on acount of he was one of the most loyal an' conscientious members the Holy Name Society had, an a fine example to the others. they is sum consolation for the society however, in knowin that membership helps one to be prepared for a sudden departure.
Your perticler friend an uncle,
HENRY
...............................
Mrs. Schollmever spent three weeks recently in New York and was present when her niece received the Dominican habit at Sparkill.
BACK TO LET'S GO, 1928
BACK TO LET'S GO, 1925-1932
| HOME | DOGTOWN |
| Bibliography | Oral history | Recorded history | Photos |
| YOUR page | External links | Walking Tour |