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 Parishioner;
There is probably no country in the world where priests and people are so close to one another as in the United States; every family is the priest's family and the priest is "FATHER" in every home. The bond that unites them is spiritual, the priest assumes the responsibility and spiritual care of the flock, and as a shepherd he moves among them, and they in docile submission yield to him obedience and affection.
They have a diversity of cares but a unity of sympathy. The priest marks with anxious solicitude the struggle and the achievement of each parishioner. He is proud of some, depressed because of the failures or sorrows of others, and in sympathy with all.
He sees the little tot in school look up to him in all the reverend sincerity of innocent childhood. It speaks to him with its eyes the language of confidence and trust, and he must give no less than is expected of him -- a priest's solicitude and a father-‘s faithfulness.
The years pass. The parents and priests put on the glow of Autumn; the child has found its place in the world; with warm enthusiasm high spirit and splendid hope it faces its future. The parents and priest look on front afar. The youth thinks he is on an untravelled path, the parents and priest know 'tis the old, old trail of life, and their hearts go out to the pilgrim: they feel in his grand recklessness, the thrill of the unbroken spirit that was once theirs. In him they see reflected their own youth and inexperience. They would warn him of the dangers and the pitfalls of the delusions, but they know the lesson of life must be learned by each one from his own adventures and observations, and silently, they wait and hope to see the youth come through the dangerous passage of dreams and shadows with his wings, though singed, not scared, and his robe of innocence, though sullied, not destroyed.
There are confidences exchanged between the parishioner and the priest that are too sacred to be even remotely referred to here. In the confessional, the youth and the priest meet from time to time and the depth of the youth's soul is fathomed. The youth knows the priest alone holds an unbiased judgment of right and wrong and he reveals to him thoughts and deeds that are so personal and humiliating they could not be revealed even to the parent without confusion and annoyance. The priest is taken on as a pilot to guide a struggling soul that is tossed in the tempestuous sea of passion: in the order of providence he has a place not given to the parent or the spouse; officially, he stands where stood the master when Magdalene knelt at His feet and unfolded to his sympathetic eye the sin and sorrow of her soul.
What pen can paint the heart of a true priest when he listens in the confessional to the sobs of a sinner!
Now the man in him dies, and the spirit that was given him at the Ordination lives. He is a supreme judge in the High Court in Heaven; with the mercy of Christ, he must pity, but with the justice of God, he must judge, and yet the man in him remains to understand the frailties and infirmities of human nature, and to sympathize with the struggle of those who are his companions in the same battlefield.
At Christmas time, the priest is reminded of the love and claims of relatives. Should he indulge a fancy, he will see again the group that gathered round him in his childhood, and note the vacant chairs. One there is, he thinks, that would find a welcome there at Christmas, but not this year, perhaps no more! What of it! There is a life around him more absorbing. It has captured all his hopes and thoughts. He is part of that parish to which he is assigned; he is adopted into that big family which he calls his parishioners: they will need him at Christmas more than at other times.
He must be waiting for them when they come to confession, he must speak to them when they are assembled in the church, he must rejoice with them at the spiritual banquet which Christ has prepared for his guests, and he must minister at this great Solemn Function in his parish, without which Christmas would not be Christmas.
These thoughts are written impersonally and might he applied to priests and people everywhere. I have given them expressions that you may better understand the interest we take in one another's lives and how unnecessary words are to express the greetings that should pass between us at Christmas. I feel deeply grateful to all of you for the sacrifices you have made at my suggestion, and for the generosity with which you have contributed from your limited means toward the fund for the new Church. You have increased my courage by your unceasing co-operation, and given me reason to hope that my poor efforts are not entirely barren, and that I have a small place in your affections. I wish for your sakes that I had not so many defects and that I could be more to you than I am. I ask you one and all to be patient with me and with the Charity of Christ to co-operate with me in everything that I may undertake for the advancement of your spiritual interests, but especially in aiding me this coming year in the biggest drive that has yet been made for funds for the new Church. I hope to have the plans ready to submit to contractors by next Christmas.
Assuring you that I will offer the Midnight Mass with much earnestness for the happiness of each one of you, with much affection, I wish you all a Happy Christmas.
Yours in Christ,
PATRICK J. O'CONNOR.
CHRISTMAS
The strong arm, the horse-drawn wagon and the crowbar were the big factors in force before Science detected the hidden energy in the rock, the river and the cloud. The unseen is more vital than the seen, and the mystery of things in nature makes one pause and seek in life itself a deeper meaning than the plain facts of the need of food and drink may suggest.
We are carrying on in a corner of an immense universe, and the mystery that surrounds us is greater than many suppose. God made the design and fashioned the pattern. Our intelligence is too limited to measure the infinite range of His conceptions. In awe we might pause at the Crib of Bethlehem and try to find a cause for the fountains of affection and good will which we find flowing in our hearts at Christmas!
The monkey origin idea might find some plausible possibilities in the fact that man as well as monkey has hair and nails and vertebrae: but the gulf that exists between our nobler emotions of love and hope and the grinning unemotional stupidity of a monkey are too vast to make possible a union of nature at some distant station back along the track.
Man is made of nobler stuff than the beast of the field; beneath the flesh there exists that mysterious spirit we call Soul, which inclines him to climb to the golden parapets of God, or for the love of home or country or principle, to dash in fine fury into certain death.
The depraved man looks to the animal for a solution of his existence; the monkey gives him a foundation for a morbid fancy, though he admits there is still a missing link. The virtuous man looks upward and accepts the revelation that the vital spark within came from a Being that is Divine.
The Christian ideal finds the link between God and man in Mary the Virgin Mother. In her womb God united himself to our nature and became man for our redemption. In Him we are lifted up to the Son-ship of Divine Adoption, and when we turn to the Heavens and say "Father," we see the rest of Humanity being enclosed by the outstretched arms of a God.
To meet the greatest need of humanity Christ was born in a stable so that he may find a pillow in the hearts of the poor and seal again the Soul of man with infinite honor.
Wealth has its trappings and its artificial caste. Christ is the inheritance of the lowly and the beats of the big heart of humanity are ever in harmony with His Gospel. The chains of the slave melted in the concentrated heat of Christian love, and in Christian civilization all that was refined and sympathetic in the human heart found expression; pity and justice are the pillars in the portals of Liberty and Christ opened the closed door.
Sin and selfishness are destructive of all that is divine in our ideals. If ever we destroy the Character of Christ, we shall find the iron man ruling in the court where Jesus was condemned, and the tear shed in misery shall evoke no pity.
The mysterious hidden power behind our happiness and prosperity is Jesus and His Gospel. Our bulky civilization would cave into the grave of Christianity; Our priests are more essential than our soldiers and our State Capitols shall not stand if our Churches fall.
Christmas is the time to emphasize these thoughts: "God so loved the world he sent his only begotten Son." In memory of this stupendous event we make merry at Christmas. The lights that burn round the Christmas tree shall light children to noble deeds if they are lit in the light of Faith, and in memory of the Star of Bethlehem. The symbolism of the tree should not be lost "I am the vine, you are the branches;" in Christ alone there is eternal life; the manger, too, with its unadorned simplicity, the ox, the ass, the faithful servants of man, are not excluded from a place in the plan of redemption; the plain things of the earth have their use and dignity. In the world that God made, the dumb beast, the inanimate rock fit into the picture with angels and men, but the humble shepherds kneeling in holy adoration in the presence of this mystery of love -- an infant who is the Savior nestling in the bosom of a Virgin -- are the great facts in this drama of human history. Christmas would have lost its meaning unless Christ is given his Divine Character and supreme importance and men come and adore.
Last Christmas a family in St. James Parish invited one of the priests to visit his home and see the Christmas Tree. It was expensive and well decorated with electric lights and tinsel, and underneath it was a miniature railroad running over mountains and streams which greatly delighted the children, but not the priest. He was evidently distressed with the pagan aspect of the Christmas decorations; there was no shepherd, no Virgin, no St. Joseph, no Infant, no touch of Christmas tradition to inspire the child; all was material and mechanical.
Christmas cards are becoming colorless. They are nondescript expressions of good cheer, good health and How-do-you-do.
Catholic people have a duty to keep Christmas Christian and we hope the people of St. James will not defraud the children of their friends by a departure from the Crib, the candle and the Virgin and her child.
CATHERINE A. SCOTT
On Monday, November 30th, the remains of Mrs. Catherine Scott, 2060 Knox Avenue, were taken to St. James Church and Father O'Connor officiated at her funeral. During the previous month her death was expected from day to day and Father Pohl was frequently at her bedside. She was a woman who was known in the community because of her exceptional charity and kindness. Miss Rose Hannick, a friend of the family and a lady of exceptional vocal ability, sang at the funeral.
THE LATE JOHN SHAFFREY
The funeral of John Shaffrey took place from St. James Church on November 11. An unusually large number of neighbors were present and accompanied the remains to Calvary Cemetery.
Mr. Shaffrey was born in Byrnesville, Mo., where his sisters and brother still reside, and came to the city when he was fifteen years old. During the greater part of 40 years he lived in Cheltenham where he raised a large family. His daughter, Leola, was unable to attend the services as she is a cloister nun in the Good Shepherd Convent. New Orleans.
In Brynesville, the Shaffrey family lives close to the little church and has been intimately associated with all the priests who were stationed there. Father John Dillon of Baden and Father John Nugent formerly pastors at Brynesville, were present at the funeral and Father Jeremiah Murphy, the present pastor regretted he could not be present because of a nuptial mass which was celebrated in his church that morning.
"Mr. Shaffrey," said Father Pohl, "was a silent man of rare character and sterling worth. He won the respect and confidence of the entire community and was ever a friend of those in need. His honesty was proverbial and his word was always considered as good as his bond. He was not endowed with much worldly goods, but, by many sacrifices, he gave his children a splendid education. He was never known to refuse a contribution to the church."
The priests of St. James parish had a deep affection for Mr. Shaffrey, and on many occasions, called on him to do odds and ends around the rectory. He was called a model Catholic and an ideal father. May he rest in peace.
THE SISTERS' PARTY
The sisters were given a party by Mothers' Club on Armistice Day. Dinner was served in the kitchen utensils supplied by the Food Research Dept. of the Everwear Aluminum Co. and a demonstration in cooking without water or grease was given them and a number of visiting sisters. The sisters were very delighted with the new method of preparing food and their gratitude was unbounded when the Mothers' Club presented them with a cooking set. The children, not to be outdone by the Mothers' Club, gave a party to the sisters and supplied them with a turkey for Thanksgiving.
SCHOOL PATRONS' ASSOCIATION MEETING WITH MOTHERS' CLUB
Monday evening, November 23rd, a joint meeting of the St. James Mothers' Club and the School Patrons' Association was opened by Chairman Martin Coad, who said, "We meet in the interest of the school and its pupils for the purpose of supplying the things most necessary, and to devise means of raising money to meet the expenditures." He called for suggestions from those ladies who spend much of their time around the children and the school.
Mrs. Bovard and Mrs. Plengemeier suggested that the Patrons' Association assist with the Christmas Party, which usually means an outlay of about $50.
Mr. Coad excused the Patrons, stating that the purpose of that organization was to provide additions and betterments of a more permanent and future nature.
"So you don't want to be a Santa Claus?" was hurled back at him amidst much laughter.
Wild Women
Chairman: "If the Mothers' Club has a plan for raising funds in which the Patrons' Association could consistently assist he would be glad to hear of it."
Mrs. Bovard: "Yes, we have plans drawn for a social evening to be known as a 'Circus' -- 'Wild Man from Borneo,' clowns, tents, music, etc., etc."
Mr. Hense : "How about a Wild Woman?"
Mrs. Nixon: "Why not have a parade through the business section in clown suits and masks?" "Some of you would only have to act natural to be clowns."
Mrs. Bovard: "We need the men to help."
Mrs. Plengemeier: "The Circus is a good idea, but I think it is the wrong time of the year."
Chairman: "Ninety per cent of the people are out every night anyhow; they will go some place regardless of the season."
Why Not Give Euchre?
Mrs. McDonnell: "Why not give a Euchre?"
Followed by a chorus of "Why be arrested?
Do you think we could do it?
Sure, they aren't bothering church affairs -- they're being advertised, etc."
Father O'Connor: "I believe this would be a more sociable plan -- neighbors could get together and have a little chat and a little game of cards and more good feeling would be created than in any other way."
Chairman: "Have Euchre, Lotto, Pinochle."
"Fine-what about prizes?"
Father O'Connor: "If you would ask for prizes through our little paper, LET'S GO, you would get them. Parishioners have approached me tendering gifts that would be appropriate for prizes, such as furniture, books, china, art works, etc. Let a receiving committee be appointed in the different sections, and people told where the things could be left."
Accordingly, the following were named: Mrs. M. McDonnell, 6814 Clayton Avenue; Mrs. P. Manion, 6450 West Park; Eddie Ryan's Filling Station, Crescent and Clayton Avenue; Mrs. Bovard, 2201 Forest Avenue; Mr. Wm. Hense, Clayton and Wise Avenue.
Mr. Jim Coad was appointed to see that tickets were printed and turned over to Mrs. Plengemeier, general captain, assisted by Mrs. Heil, Mrs. Bovard, Mrs. Manion, Mrs. Bisso, Mrs. Cooper, Mrs. Nixon, Mrs. McDonnell, Mrs. Dugan, Mrs. Engelhardt, Mrs. Irvin and Mrs. Corbett.
Tables and Chairs
The question arose as to supplying tables and Mr. Dugan declared they could be made cheaper than rented, and this work was turned over to him. Messrs. Kelly, Cavanaugh, Riegel, Coad and as many others as necessary were asked to assist him.
Father O'Connor had seen a very nice table at St. Bridget's and one of these will be borrowed to be used as a pattern, the Mothers' Club to buy the material.
Charge 50c
A suggestion from the Chairman that the tickets be 50c brought forth a storm of protest from those present. "You can't get it in this parish -- people with a number of children can't pay it -- it won't work, etc."
Martin Coad: "Other parishes are charging 50c and drawing crowds."
Father O'Connor: "If you consider the rental of table and chairs, the price is small. A charge of 50c will make it more exclusive and will not leave the impression that it is a cheap affair."
Martin Coad: "With all due respect to the children, they certainly are a nuisance at such affairs. Charge 50c, offer good prizes, let the people know that there will be a sociable well conducted card game, and you will have no trouble filling the hall at 50c a person."
It was decided to charge this price for this time and be governed by results as to future games.
Another Meeting
It was deemed necessary to have at least two meetings before the Euchre and the chairman called for the first on Monday, November 30th. A committee in charge of lunch will be appointed at that time.
Work for the Patrons' Association
Father O'Connor requested the meeting not to adjourn until he had outlined a more definite plan for the Patrons' Association. He would like to see them taking a more active part in the affairs that concern the school, he said. From time to time, little things need attention and I would like to see you taking the matter off the hands of the priests -- you understand more about them and could more efficiently handle them. I would like also to call your attention to physical drills. Recently at Monroe City, Hannibal and vicinity I attended a basket ball game, and it was amazing to see the training these youngsters had. When our church gets going we will have lots of earth to dispose of, and some of the land in the rear of the school could be filled to enlarge the school yard for this purpose. Another advantage to the school would be a connection between the open air theater and the school yard, and while Mr. Moore is not offering his property for sale, I could buy enough of his rear yard to give us a connecting link between the church properties for $750. This to my mind is something for the Patrons' Association to think over.
FATHER POHL AND HIS DOG
The hunting enthusiasm of our pastor is spreading in the parish. The last to get infected was Father Pohl. Recently he purchased a little single-barrel and a dachshund and at the dawn of day he betook himself to the woods. He searched the likely places for a rabbit. The hound dawg sniffed the breeze and seemed to be running on a trail. The scent got hotter and at last bunny bounced from his cozy bed. Father Pohl was not within shooting range, but expected the dog to round up the rabbit; both began running and Father Pohl, in consternation, noticed they were going in opposite directions; apparently they were trying to get out of one another's way. Father Pohl deliberated which one he should follow. In a little time they were out of sight and Father was left lonely in the woods, dejectedly ruminating the bitter thought of a bad bargain. Having nothing else to do, he went home and found the fearful dachshund hiding in the high grass in the back yard.
Later in the day he visited the kennel where he had made the purchase of the dog; the proprietor sympathetically heard the story and said, "How far were you behind the dog when he got up the rabbit?" "About a couple of hundred yards," said Father Pohl. "Father," said the proprietor, "the dog would have had more courage if you were closer to him with the gun; the next dog I will give you will travel slower." It is said that Father has to break down the weeds ahead of the new dog.
THE ANGELUS
Before telegraphy, telephone or radio, bells tolled in vibrant words, the message of forest fires, wars, victories, weddings and funerals.
Bells are losing their dignity and usefulness; they have been dethroned from their lofty seats in turrets, spires and castle crags, but there is one noble message which they have not forgotten; they still peal the message of the Angel -- Hail, the Lord is with Thee -- and remind man that Redemption was achieved, not through human effort but by Divine Decree.
The Angelus is the bell rung at 6 A.M., noon and the evening. Countless generations of Christians have heard it and bowed their heads in Holy Reverence. It still delivers its message of love and redemption, but few there are who give time and attention to its solemn notes.
The following is the prayer you should say when the Angelus rings
The Angelus -- The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary and she conceived of the Holy Ghost. Hail Mary, etc.
Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me, according to thy word. Hail Mary, etc.
And the word was made flesh, and dwelt among us. Hail, Mary, etc.
V. -- Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.
R. -- That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let Us Pray -- Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our heart that we, unto whom the Incarnation of Christ Thy Son was made known by the message of an Angel, may, by His passion and Cross, be brought to the glory of His Resurrection. Through the same Christ our Lord. R. -- Amen.
CHRISTMAS MASSES, ST. JAMES CHURCH
There will be a solemn midnight mass at Christmas in St. James Church. The priests of the parish will officiate, assisted by James Hayes, a student of Kenrick Seminary. The other masses will be as on Sundays, with the exception of an additional mass at 8:30 a. m.
Confessions on Christmas Eve will be heard from 3 to 6 p.m. and from 7 until 10:30 p.m., and again on Saturday at the usual hours.
Children's confessions will be heard from 3 o'clock until 4:30 on the eve of Christmas and those who are free to do so are requested to go to confession before supper, leaving the rest of the time for wage earners.
A Jesuit Father will assist the priests of the parish hearing confessions. ,
The eve of Christmas is a strict day of fast and abstinence.
A special collection will be taken in all the churches of the diocese for the education of students studying to be priests in the archdiocese. Envelopes will not be mailed as they had been in former years.
Holy Communion may be received at the Christmas midnight mass. The strict law of the church requires no fast before the midnight hour, but propriety and devotion would demand fasting from all food and drink from 8 o'clock of the evening before in preparation for receiving Our Lord at midnight.
The 8th of December, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, is a Holy Day of obligation, as is New Year's Day. The eve of these feasts are not fast days.
The Quartertense occurs in December and Wednesday, December, 16th, and the Friday and Saturday following are fast days and days of abstinence. There will be four masses on New Year's Day, the same as on Sunday.
On other Holy Days through the year there are only three masses, the last being at 9 o'clock.
The Mothers' Club will give a Christmas party to the children on Wednesday, December 23rd, at 3 p. m., who may bring their little sisters and brothers.
The ladies of the parish are requested to assist the sister sacristan in the cleaning of the church on Wednesday, December 23rd, at 9 a. m.
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The Parish meeting for November and December will be held on Friday, December 11th, when plans will be perfected for the campaign of 1926 and officers selected.
A PRAYER FOR PRIESTS
Keep them, I pray Thee, dearest Lord,
Keep them, for they are Thine
Thy priests whose lives burn out before
Thy consecrated Shrine.
Keep them -- Thou knowest, dearest Lord,
The world, the flesh are strong,
And Satan spreads a thousand snares
To lead them into wrong.
Keep them, for they are in the world,
Though from the world apart,
When earthly pleasures tempt, allure,
Shelter them in Thy heart.
Keep them, and comfort them in hours
Of loneliness and pain,
When all their life of sacrifice
For souls seems but in vain.
Keep them, and, O remember, Lord,
They have no one but Thee,
Yet they have only human hearts,
With human frailty.
Keep them as spotless as the Host
That daily they caress
Their every thought and word and deed,
Deign, dearest Lord, to bless.
AN IDEAL CHRISTMAS GIFT
Every Catholic will remember that his real Christmas Gift is Jesus Christ and Him crucified, and when looking about for gifts to make to friends, why not give good Catholic Literature.
One very good book has been called to the attention of this press, "A White-Handed Saint," by Olive Katherine Parr, which deals with the love of God and man; in short, a good, clean, wholesome love story for old and young. So good that one cares to read it more than once.
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Mr. Ed Gibbons, Sr., 6452 West Park Avenue, has been suffering from an acute attack of heart disease and has been confined to his home during the past week. The doctor reports that his condition is much improved and expects he will be able to enjoy Christmas dinner.
ENMITY BETWEEN MRS. BOVARD AND MRS. McDONNELL
As is very often the case, when a quarrel between two friends arises, we learn more truth than poetry. In this case Mrs. Bovard blames first Father O'Connor for printing, and secondly Mrs. McDonnell for relating her embarrassing predicament at an affair at St. Luke's last month.
Mrs. McDonnell: "Now, Mrs. Bovard, I did not tell Father O'Connor about that."
Mrs. Bovard: "You must have; I never told it to a soul but you, and the ladies don't like it, either."
Mrs. McDonnell: "Mrs. Bovard, you know you told me that you had an invitation to an affair out there and you asked me to invite several others. I told you it was a pay affair and you said that it wouldn't be for us, because we were invited."
Father O'Connor: "Mrs. Bovard, is it true or not as written in LET'S GO?"
Mrs. Bovard: "Well, I did pay 50c, or at least I was supposed to pay 50c, although I was so excited at having left my purse behind that I was shelling out nickels and dimes and pennies so rapidly I don't know whether there was 50c there or not."
Moral -- Mrs. Bovard, play in your own back yard. You could have run a charge account with us.
JOHN L. McANNAR
On November 24th when Mrs. McAnnar went to call her husband to go to work she found him dead. He had been in comparatively good health, had worked the previous day as usual at the Zoo in Forest Park. His funeral took place from St. James Church on Saturday, November 28th. Mr. McAnnar had an unusual knowledge of horticulture. On the last occasion when Father O'Connor visited his home he showed him a number of rare specimens of plants which he had cultivated in his yard, and among them one called the Touch-Me-Not plant, a creature so sensitive that it folded all its leaves and wilted at the touch of a finger. Mr. McAnnar was one of the old settlers and was much respected by all who knew him. R. I. P.
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Mrs. Arlt, an active member of the Mothers' Club, has been ill for some time and is still confined to her home.
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Father O'Connor reports there are plenty of quail.
Recently he and Mr. Jim Blyth spent an afternoon in the county and got the limit.
He also had a few outings with Mr. Ray Dolan and says Ray is a splendid marksman. In many places there appears to be a scarcity of rabbits, apparently they were frozen out in last winter's frost.
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MRS. BISSO ON A HUNTING TRIP
Mrs. John Bisso, 6317 West Park Avenue, has established a reputation of being the only woman nimrod in the parish. She can tumble them over as good as Father O'Connor. Recently she visited her parents in Sullivan, Mo., with her two sons, Waldo and Dean. A trip to Roche's farm near Spring Bluff was undertaken. A twelve-gauge gun was given to Mrs. Bisso, and as she wasn't modern enough to have knickers she compromised with male attire by getting into overalls. Mr. Roche and his boys accompanied Mrs. Bisso to the woods, a rabbit jumped from a brier patch, the gun was discharged, and bunny heard his death knell.
In the course of the day several squirrels and quail were added to the bag. In the evening everybody expected Mrs. Bisso to have had enough of it, when she suggested that they get the dogs ready for a possum hunt.
Night fell. Mrs. Bisso headed the party. The dogs roamed through the woods -- their dulcet music could be heard in rhythmic cadence in the frosty air. The moon lighted up with silvery tinsel the streams, the pine trees and the hillside. "Gyp has him treed!" said one of the boys. Mrs. Bisso arrived at the tree as quickly as the men. A pair of fiery eyes looked down from amongst the branches. "Let him have a bullet," said one of the men. "No," said Mrs. Bisso, "take off your coat and use an axe." In less than an hour the tree was felled and Mr. Possum and Gyp were in a death struggle. Gyp won, being an old soldier; and Mrs. Bisso brought back the prize to West Park.
On Monday the ladies who assist in the lunch room had possum for dinner and Father Pohl and Father O'Connor were also given a generous share. Everyone in West Park Avenue seemed to have shared in the spoils of Mrs. Bisso's hunt.
Let us hope she will soon go out again.
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Mr. Ed Loyett, brother of Mrs. Bovard, was a patient in Barnes Hospital during the past few weeks, where he was operated on and had one of his kidneys removed. He is now home and convalescing.
A SILVER WEDDING
On Saturday, November 21st, Mr. and Mrs. John Blasitz, 1340 Tamm Avenue, celebrated the Silver Anniversary of their wedding.
The ritual of the church provides a pretty ceremony for such an occasion. The couple kneel within the sanctuary and promise anew they will be faithful one to another until death does them part. They are given Holy Communion and a special blessing, and a few suitable words of encouragement and congratulation are expressed by the officiating priest.
John and Catherine Blasitz were married in San Gelina, Jugo-Slavia, a seacoast town on the Adriatic. Sea. After their marriage John found it necessary to emigrate to America, and two years later he sent for his wife. The couple settled in St. Louis and prospered.
Father O'Connor said to them: "You have traveled far from your country and wedding day, but not from your religion and early romance. They are still your best possessions and you do well to seal them again by so evident a manifestation of being true to them till death."
CHRISTMAS CLEANING
The ladies have decided to give the church its Christmas cleaning on Tuesday, Dec. 22nd, and say they can use a few more recruits. Those inclined to help will be welcomed.
We understand Ben's training at the New York Art School is having a marked effect on him; extending even to his clothes and personal appearance.
In a recent letter to his folks, Ben says he is now growing a beard, carrying a cane, wearing spats, and spends his spare time walking around with a camera looking for views.
If Ben ever appears on Tamm Avenue in this makeup, some of the "dog town" kids will certainly spatter him with mud.
When Ben left for New York he sold his Buick to Joe Gibbons. He recently wrote Joe a letter, admonishing "Safety First" in driving. After going into great detail in explaining what wonderful results could be obtained by running the machine with care, and what could be expected from careless handling, he ended up by saying, "I know it is a waste of time, Joe, to give you advice, but I'll bet George Freigshauser laughs up his sleeve every time he sees you drive by."
HOLY NAME SOCIETY'S HALLOWE'EN ENTERTAINMENT
We regret that in the last issue of "Let's Go" no mention was made of the splendid entertainment given by the Holy Name Society on the eve of All Saints Day.
While the size of the audience was not very gratifying, the show from start to finish merited high praise. The program opened with an amusing comedy picture, after which the Ganley sisters gave a fine exhibition of truly graceful dancing. Indeed, they did so well that a number of special requests were received to have them appear again at the close of the program.
Miss Bernadine Quinn revealed the fine quality of her sweet voice, and so did Miss Helen Ryan, and Miss Mary Harris, with Miss Marie Ryan at the piano. Helen accompanied her song with a few fancy steps from the Charleston, while Mary added zest to her part with a catchy recitation. The work of each one of these young ladies was highly pleasing.
Among the delightful treats of the evening were the Irish dances by Mr. Richard Barry and his brother John, with violin accompaniment by Mr. Frank Ganley. Mr. Richard Barry is a past dancing master, and he is also quite expert at playing the flute. And Mr. Ganley, too, may be said to be an artful violinist.
Miss Genevieve Mahon was the official pianist of the evening, and without her the tuneful selections would not have been so enjoyable as they were.
The program closed with a, comic picture appropriate to the occasion of Hallowe'en.
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Mr. Oscar A. Wood, who was received into the Catholic Church on his birthday, Nov. 18th, was united in Holy Matrimony on Thanksgiving Day to Miss Rose Pilla of 1101 Graham Ave. At the Nuptial Mass the couple were attended by Mr. and Mrs. James Smith, lately of Richmond Heights. After the ceremony, Father Pohl and Mr. Anthony Palumbo had the pleasure of also enjoying the wedding breakfast at the home of the bride's parents.
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Mr. Ed Conley, who was recently killed in an automobile accident on the highway between Robertsville and Union, was first cousin to Officer Maurice Cooper, 1515 Tamm Ave. The day previous to his death, Father O'Connor was hunting on his sister's farm, Mrs. Strothman of Robertsville. She said she was expecting her brother next day. A pathetic incident pertaining to the accident was the fidelity of the dog which escaped from the accident uninjured. He stood by the demolished car and would not permit anyone to approach the dying men.
THE STORK
A "shower" was the occasion of a jolly celebration at the home of Mrs. William Hefele, at 6511 Manchester Ave., on Monday afternoon, Nov. 30th. It was given in honor of an expected visit of the "stork" to the home of Mrs. Hefele's sister, Mrs. Theresa Larson, Victoria Ave.
A number of ladies were present, and it is said they all had a great time. Mrs. Hefele lived up to her reputation as a generous and efficient culinary artist. Mrs. Barney Quinn, after a great deal of coaxing, was prevailed upon to render her version of the "Charleston," and, we are significantly told, other dances.
Joe Sharamitaro must have thought the ladies would be unable to walk up the hill, after their big feed, as he obligingly delivered them to their respective homes in his fruit truck.
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On Tuesday, November 10th, Louis E. Fieser and Anna Kornegger were married at Nuptial Mass. Mr. James Gibbons and Miss Marie Meyer were best-man and brides-maid. The newlyweds traveled north for their honeymoon.
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To the advertisers who have so generously contributed to the financial support of this publication during the past year, we extend the season's greetings. We again ask our readers, before making purchases, to consult the following list:
Purgatorian Society
If you are a member of the Purgatorian Society and have sent in your dues and list, your name should appear in the following list, which will take the place of the usual certificate of membership which has heretofore been mailed or handed you. The spiritual director requests that he be notified at once if your name has by chance been omitted.
Masses will be said on the first Friday of each month for living and deceased and three masses offered immediately on death of a member. members,
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