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."
OUR PASTOR'S LETTER
Dear Parishoner:
A sketch for the New Church has been submitted by one of the architects which seems to meet the requirements. The work is not sufficiently advanced to publish in this issue of "Let's Go." The architect asked time for more study; to make sure of the cost, he intends submitting the sketch to contractors as he progresses and making such alterations as the estimate may require.
This sketch I have already submitted to the department of architecture of two universities and to His Grace, the Archbishop. 'The general outlines of the design were approved and many helpful suggestions were offered which the architect is incorporating in his present plan. My aim is to erect a plain, unpretentious church that will be architecturally correct, which I hope shall meet the approval of connoisseurs, and which shall be a source of pride to parishioners.
Architects inform me there are very few parish churches in St. Louis that can be regarded as examples of correct architecture.
The architect who is working on our plan is fired with an ambition to erect something that will have a national worth. He intends to produce something that will, when completed, be regarded as a model.
Our limited funds make the problem so difficult the architect has suggested more than once that we defer building for another year, or extend the possibilities by erecting a brick structure. I insist that we will not delay longer and that a church must be built in the year 1927.
So far I have not entered into a contract with the architect, nor have I accepted as final the sketch on which he is working. Before doing so, I will consult The Boosters Club and call a meeting of the parishioners. If they approve of the design or decide to build in brick I will not offer any objection. I feel that I have done my duty because I have not spared time nor trouble to get the very best church for the money at my disposal. I don't even promise a pretentious church and you won't get very much for $150,000. Without a doubt, a larger building could be had in brick, and the question to be solved now is, does the parish want quantity or quality, or both? and this brings us back to the old war-cry, “more money." We want every wage-earner in the parish to "give till it hurts." It is a time when we find it difficult to be patient with slackers. This is God's work, and all who pretend to be passing-fair Catholics have a duty to give.
Yours in Christ
PATRICK J. O'CONNOR, Adm.
THE ALUMNI PLAY
The three one-act plays given by St. James Parochial School Alumni Association, on Tuesday and Thursday, October 19 and 21, was a splendid exhibition of amateur acting and was so unusual one could readily believe the performers were professionals
Without exception, the players suited their parts and revealed with admirable cleverness the wit and captivating humor which the authors injected into the plays. .
It is difficult to form a just estimate of the individual players' performance; each was perfect in his part and the appreciation of the audience was reiterated time after time by peals of laughter and applause.
Warren Carrol’s impersonation of the drunken husband and Helen Bawn's superb presentation of Vetori in the playette "Passe" left an indelible impression on the audience, and Louis Rose, the son who supposed had killed the humiliation of his mother, looked so weird and distressed, it required little imagination to fall into the delusion that he was the frantic, unhappy youth who rushed to his mother's comforting arms to unburden on her the anguish that tossed, and surged in his storm-swept soul.
Joe Wiss was exceptionally good and Arthur Pahl, Festus Signaigo, John Dolan have only to appear on the stage and there is comedy. Joe Hruby suits a severe part and was admirably fitted to play the sharp quick-thinking Mayor and man of the world. John Mahon was pre-emptory and deliberate, whilst Danny Murphy was more impressing as Danny Murphy than in the part he played.
Bernadine Quinn and Mae McCauley in the :Mayor and Manicurist were clever and natural. Bernadine played the villain and though she was outwitted by the mayor, her reactions as her villainy was unveiled were a magnificent exhibition of good acting. Mae McCauley surprised everyone by giving such a precocious interpretation of her part. She hid the jealousy that a woman has towards a rival under the semblance of confidence in her ability to be master of the situation.
The third play, "Speaking to Father," was the Bow Wow of the evening. The humor was so irresistible the performers had difficulty to keep from laughing in the parts that required serious expression. Arthur Pahl and Mary Murphy were a scream and Euphonius Jones and Dad Signaigo had their innings.
It was unfortunate that an incessant rain storm interfered with the attendance at the first evening's performance, as undoubtedly a satisfied audience would be the best advertisement for the second evening. The attendance the second night filled the hall. There is a prevailing belief in the parish that the playettes could be again reproduced and draw a full house. The Alumni Association are considering staging the performance some time before Christmas in the Parish Hall to give an opportunity to older people in the neighborhood to witness the plays.
"Let's Go" congratulates St. James Parochial School Alumni Association Dramatic Club on this, their greatest achievement. Their performance makes it evident that they are not lacking in ability and that their dramatic club will in future give desirable entertainment to all the community.
ST. ANN'S SODALITY ELECTS OFFICERS
On Monday, October 18, St. Ann's Sodality, with 33 members present, held an election of officers.
The Spiritual Director, Father Pohl, with his usual enthusiasm called for snappy action and requested that no one decline a nomination because she didn't care to hold office; only very good excuses would be accepted.
Never in the history of the society was an election held so satisfactorily in so short a time. There was round after round of witty comment and hilarious laughter, but it did not interfere with the business on hand
The officers, who will be installed at the next meeting, are: Loretto Bisso, President; Mrs. Irvin, Vice-President; Mrs. Plengemeier, Secretary; Mrs. Boyer, Assistant Secretary; Mrs. Nixon, Treasurer; Mrs. Foley, Medal Bearer, and Mrs. Arlt, Assistant Medal Bearer.
At one period of the meeting Father Pohl was taking the names of those nominated and said. "Let me see, Mrs. Harris, Mrs. Cullen, Mrs. Hefele, did I jump over anyone?" "No," said Mrs. Nixon, "I didn't see you."
When Mrs. Hefele was nominated she said, "Oh, I have a policeman for a husband; you know, they are very unreliable."
Members were requested to fill up the front pews on Communion Sunday, as Father O'Connor had to move them up the last time. "Couldn't we tie the pews and open one at a time?" "Yes, or tie Father O'Connor," was the reply.
Mrs. Wiber declined a nomination because she held office in the Mothers' Club. "What's that got to do with it?" "Well, we can't hold office in both."
"Who said so?"
"Father O'Connor."
Father Pohl: "All right, that's enough; he's boss."
The meeting was a snappy, breezy, delightful affair, accomplishing a usually tiresome business in an incredibly short time. One lady remarked if she knew St. Ann's was such a peppy sodality she would have joined long ago.
The ladies who served refreshments were the busiest of the evening, and the empty cake plates gave mute evidence of their success.
In the report of the Euchre given by St. Ann's Sodality, Mrs. Engelhardt should have been mentioned as one of the committee who solicited prizes and helped to make the affair a success.
PARISH SUPPORT
Each parishioner is asked to contribute to the support of his parish church, which includes the upkeep of all parish institutions. Every Catholic understands that a parish could not exist unless somebody contributes to its support. The finances of a parish are quite a problem for the pastors. The growth of a parish demands growth of parish institutions, and the magnificence and completeness of parish buildings are a very good intimation of the fervor and the generosity of the flock.
Though St. James is an old parish, its growth is quite recent. The old buildings served their purpose and are unsuited to the present requirements. A church, rectory and convent have to be erected and the necessary funds have to be raised.
Distribution of the burden is just and a system of taxation or voluntary contribution has been imposed on or requested of each wage-earner.
The parishioners have agreed that 4 cents out of each dollar earned is about the minimum demand to make up the necessary funds, and the majority of wage-earners are gladly making this sacrifice each week. If a parishioner is out of work, having earned nothing, he is expected to give nothing; if his salary is small, his contribution is small, but if his income is large, he is expected to give in proportion to his means.
A few parishioners, for reasons best known to themselves, are not willing to regard this demand as a duty of conscience, but this does not free them from the obligation of church support On a recent occasion Father O'Connor said, "Do you believe in giving a penny out of each dollar you earn to the church, that is, giving 1 cent to God and keeping 99 for yourself? Perhaps you could be bigger and more generous; you might decide that you could easily afford to give 2 or 3 pennies. Make up your mind as to what you are going to give, and, that the parish income be definite and regular, put your contribution in an envelope every time that you are paid and drop it in the collection basket the next Sunday."
Should you not attend your parish church for a few Sundays or a longer time, if you have taken the precautions to place your parish dues in the weekly envelope, you can deposit them all at one time and you will be saved the difficulty of trying to estimate how much you owe.
This method is businesslike and methodical. You place your contribution under your own name you are not ashamed of it, and you get full credit in the parish books for the service that you have rendered the church.
Children also ought to be taught to contribute. It impresses them with the idea that they have to make sacrifices for their faith. Good parents are usually anxious to see their children generous and self-sacrificing; they take pride when their manifests a desire to contribute to the support of the church for they know it is an indication the child is going to accept every reasonable obligation that good citizenship and solid faith imposes upon him. He will not be a worse man for giving, but he may be a worse man for keeping. There is no greater curse for a child than the inheritance of selfishness, irresponsibility and greed.
MAYME BRADY
Mayme Brady is leaving the parish. She will be married to Ed Hayes before this issue of "Let's Go" comes from the press.
The old settlers are sympathetic and interested -- in fact, are quite pleased --because Miss Brady is a colorful character and has been prominent in parish affairs ever since she was knee high.
She is a member of the choir, and often was the whole choir.
She sang at funerals, nuptial masses, parish entertainments and local gatherings. Her comments on these events have been, to say the least, interesting and original.
She saw what others did not see. She heard the vibrations that were in the air. Her emotions are easily aroused and move in strong currents. She has a capacity to dramatize her thoughts, visualize the scene, and mimic her neighbors. She has been an impersonator of community characters. She is a first class vaudeville performer in every-day life and is a welcome guest in every home. She is an unconscious master of the unpremeditated art of depicting the hopes, the fears, the pretensions, prejudices, the virtues, the conceits, the eccentricities and the foibles of this community.
Being such a person, she is given this prominent place in "Let's Go." Mayme was probably intended by nature to be an actress, a writer, a great painter of life as it is lived by plain people, "for many a flower," the poet says, "is born to blush unseen, and waste its sweetness in the desert air." Her sense of humor is strong, her sympathies stronger; there is no bitterness in her wit, she is rarely sarcastic. Her neighbors want her in their sorrows and she comes to them without being asked. She deferred her marriage for many years because of her love for her parents. It is an open secret -- she has made no secret -- that it is 18 years since she received the first engagement ring from Mr. Hayes. You must understand that Mayme has received more than one because the course of true love never did run smooth, and Mayme and Mr. Hayes have had their quarrels, on which occasions Mayme usually threw back the engagement ring, being perfectly certain that she was going to get a much more modern and costly one the next Christmas.
For the past few years she and her father have resided with Mrs. Coad, her sister. Her nephews and nieces have difficulty in distinguishing which is their mother, they love Mayme very dearly, as do all her neighbors' children. Mayme has an assortment of nursery tales, hobgoblin stories and interesting anecdotes which delight an audience of children. Mayme is at her best when she is playing fairy godmother and will be missed by the children.
The Bradys, as you may presume, are Irish. It is not mentioned they came over in the Mayflower, they had their place defined in this community before the city had acquired Forest Park or knew it had a future.
Mayme's mother, the late Mrs. Brady, had an intimate knowledge of all the priests who served in the parish since it was established in 1851. She never forgot them in her prayers, and the names of former pastors, Sullivan, Tobin, Kelly, Butler, McNamee, for many years were listed in her purgatorial sheet. Mayme succeeded to this tradition and it is a dangerous thing to speak slightingly of the pastors of the parish in her presence, though it is to be surmised she had sometimes inclinations to comment critically on their frankness. Mayme is an uncompromising Catholic, tolerant and well disposed but never weak-kneed about her religion. Her husband is not a Catholic. He has long since learned that Miss Brady regards her faith as her richest dowry, and he appreciates the strength and breadth and goodness of it.
Mr. Hayes' mother has been an invalid for some time. Miss Brady intends taking care of her. We wish Mr. and Mrs. Hayes many years of happiness and prosperity
A LOCAL GENIUS
The Halloween party given in the hall under the auspices of the Holy Name Society gave abundant evidence that there is in this community a local genius.
His name is Eddie Pierce.
He dabbles almost in everything from the making of an apple pie to the perfecting of a steam shovel. He is mechanical engineer at Bemis Bag Co. -- when he is not inventing stop signals for automobiles, editing high-class pamphlets, traveling from city to city taking his breakfast in St. Louis, his lunch in Chicago and his beer in Milwaukee.
He was at his best as a comedian on the eve of Halloween The following is an illustration of his ability as a humorous observer and dramatic exponent of local men and customs
Senator Heintz
Ladies and oderwise, I haf come pefore you das efening to make fo you a political spooch. Politics, mine frients, is a funny pusiness; sometimes good, but not often. Polly may be a nice girl, but ven you add der ticks phooey pusiness. A politician got to be a grafter, a crook, a liar and a thief, so I tink I haf all der gualifications. Mit politics, der front door is marked with "pull" on der inside, un "push" on der outside. A politician iss like a accordean player, he got to haf push and pull. I got der push, and now I vant to get der pull from you, my fellow vote-duplicators.
I am going to tell you what iss wrong mit das juniverse, and how I am going to fix it so der common people can all become capitalists and der capitalists can all become common. In oder vords, I haf gaddered minself togedder, soda-speak to disgust all der impossible delusions vich confront us from pehint.
I vant to say right now, and I say it in all stupidity, and mitout fear of combustion, dot it mox nix aus vich vay ve turn, our back iss alvays pehind us. I may start south oder east, but I alvay come out in der vest. Somebodies wrong, oder ve cant misunderstand vats der matter, and ve dont know vat to make it out off.
People are here de same as dare, and dare as odervise. Der oder evenink I vas visiting Dan Murphy, and he vas vaxing his liardvood floors, and dressed in torn pants and BVD shirt. Vile I vas dare, some young ladies off der DADA Club came in; dare vas Dolan and Vard and McVey and Valsh and Cody and Mahon and Conroy and Manion, py golly I never seen so many Irishers in vun place since Foley's vake. Und do you tink ven dey came in dot shanty Dan ran avay and hid? Huh. Pefore all dos shanas, dot three-time papa shtood in his undervorld clothes, and he didn't efen plush. Tush ! Vot is der vorld comming from. Such shaningahans got to stop, if ve got to run all der irishers oudt off der country.
Shust very ve least expect to find vat ve dont vant, den someding ve did vast so bad turns up mising, and ve are up against vot ve vouldn't haf if ve could find it by looking in der place vare ve thought it vas pefore it got transfigured avay from der place vere it should have been at der time ven it vasn't. Und so ve got to vait til der next election. Off you vote for me, dot vill all be changed for der people, in der people, mit der people, off der people and on der people.
Und off you dont think I can do it, shust ask Louis Riegel he vont tell you. Louis mofed oudt here from St. Bernard’s Parish pecaus dot neighborhood vas too conjested. He vanted to be oudt here vere dere vas lots off fresh air, and room to expandt. Off he expands much more, he soon conjects dis neighborhood too.
Fellow income-taxers, poverty stalks in high blaces. Last week, I called on a Senator. His vife came to der door and said, "der Senator is oudt in der rear." No, it vas not Tom Vatson, aldow he iss most alvays oudt in der rear too, fixingh tings up mit his clanis frients. She said "der Senator is oudt in der rear" and I gaddered from vat she said dot she vas telling der truth. He vas oudt in der rear, pecause he had left his seat in der Senate. Some bolshevik had put varnish on it. Ain't dot gonglusive evidence dot he vas oudt irt der rear? I said "lady, a vord to der vise is official, so conglomerate on dis vise old adverb: a stitch in time safes two in der bush.
Und vy do dey attack our seat off government? I tell you it is a base conspiracy, and it is all caused by der vimen off today. Dey all have der disfranchisement to vote, and vy don't dey use it ? It is pecause dey are afrait some man finds oudt how old dey are. Der vimen can't vote till dere 21, and after dot age no man is interested in dem. Der oder night Father O'Connor met several vimen, and it vas too dark to see good, so he said "good evenink girls," and der oldest in der bunch, vat iss der mudder of three children, and lives at 1540 Tamm avenue vas der first vun vat answered "good evenink Father." Did she tink ven he said girls dot he meant her? If elected, I am going to put in efery voting place a gonfessional vere dey can tell dere age in brivate, and den maybe ve can get der oldt hens to vote. Der trouble iss, dere iss too many vimen like Nan Cody, vot go to see Artists and Models, to get foolish ideas in der head, instead of to der pools to get new ideas in der government.
I tell you der country is full of gonspirators; for instance Dago Joe. He vants ve should buy his garden truck, so he can take der brofits to buy more trucks. Und Mr. Hense. He raises der price off goceries so he can squander der brofits on feetballs. He vould like to see der brice off groceries higher as der peramids ; hence der peramids. Und Charlie Heil, der big ham man. He vould like to feed us so much ham, dot ve soon look like vun. Und he vants ve should built a big exbensive church mit rectory and gonvent, and eferyding, un den some day ven he makes enough brofits from der ham he mofes to der vest end, and who pays for der fine buildings? Not Charlie; he aint dot kind off a ham. Und dere is also der grandfadder off Crescent avenue, Eddie Ryan. He iss der philandrophist off der neighborhood. He gifs avay more as any oder man I know. He takes avay all off your money for gasoline and den he gifs you der air.
But der vorst vat ve got to contention is der fakers. Dey force you out in der rear and den dey gouge oudt your eyetoot pefore dey let you in again. Ray Dolan sells you some real estate, and den you findt oudt you got a dirty deal. Shust a lot off dirt, and you got to pay taxes for it. Arthur Pahl goes arount selling cigars and shmoking cigarettes. Und dot odder big faker, Jim Coad. He sells you a paper fot insures you against death, and all der time, he knows dog-on vell dot some day your going to die.
Ain't it transparent? Aint it a stab at our very fundamentals? Off you want brotection, vote for a man vat has been a tailor. A man vot can pring your suit to der supreme courthouse, and press it himself. Vun who iss gaddering up der threads vich vill some day restore der seat off government in all its insignificance from vich it has been denatured, to its rightful place in der people, off der people, for der people and by der people.
Now a days, eferyone iss being deceived. For instance, der oder day I vas standing on der street corner, and I seen a little dog crossing der street car tracks, and der street car hit him on der south side and cut off his tail. Vot did he do? Vot vould you do? He came ofer to me mit tears in his eyes and said "brudder, here is a sad tail." I said, "vere iss der last extremity, Fido?" He vent back in der street, picked it up and brought it to me and said, "dis iss der end off me." Der poor little feller vas being deceived. He did not know. Der end off him iss ven Charlie Heil gets him, I bet you.
Und dots der way it iss mit eferyding. Honesty iss no longer der best policemen. Life iss a hard-boiled egg, and you can't beat it. Und don’t forget dis constitutional commencement: "No matter how fast your clock may run, it always vinds up in der same place." Wheeling Vest Virginia might be a hard job, but Lansing Michigan is a vorser vun.
Brudders, I tell you dere iss too much graft in der world. Look at Burbank. He plants here a pumpkin, dare a vatermelon, and vot iss der crop? Punk vatermelons. Vy, dis country has got so wicked dot ve got to haf a vice-president. Mike Maloney used to vas a nice feller, now look at him: He rides around in a high-powered Ford and tries to shiek all der widows in der Mudders Club. Der time has come to call a spade trumps, and vote for a man vot believes in equal disfranchisement off der people, for der people, mit der people and by der people.
In closing, I vant to say dot if elected, I vil use mine influence in having a law pabsed, vereby any man vot plays a cherman game like Pinochle against an Irish Priest, gets a gold medal if he vins. I dank you.
THE JUBILEE
Father O'Connor and a party of parishioners completed their fifth pilgrimage to the churches designed to be visited to gain the jubilee indulgence. It is estimated about 150 parishioners were in the group and the parade of automobiles was impressive.
It has been ascertained that the Holy Father has granted special privileges to all churches dedicated to the Holy Cross so that pilgrims making five visits in one day, to a church so dedicated, with the usual conditions of confession and communion, can gain the jubilee indulgence.
To give all the parishioners an opportunity of sharing in this privilege, it has been decided to charter busses on a date not yet fixed and visit the church of Holy Cross in Baden.
The officers of the various societies and sodalities are requested to decide on a date and to solicit the names of members and other parishioners who want to participate.
The school children also are asked to make the pilgrimage. Arrangements will probably be made to convey them to Holy Cross Church on the 8th of December, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
Invalids and others who find it impossible to make the visits can make the Jubilee by performing some other work assigned to them by their pastor or confessor.
HOLY NAME BENEFIT
Mr. Michael Oates, President of St. James Branch No. 1 of the Holy Name Society, became ill before arrangements were perfected for the Halloween vaudeville performance, which was held in the parish hall Sunday night. The programme was made up rather hurriedly and a few performers did not show up; however, all who were present enjoyed the evening’s entertainment was excellent.
The Cenatiempo family opened the evening's entertainment with a chorus. One of the boys played and five of the girls sang. One of the girls sang alto, their voices were very sweet and they were encored repeatedly by the audience.
Other entertainers were: Ed Pierce in a monologue. He presented himself as Senator Heintz. His acting was in keeping with his wit. The Manly children, dressed in green, gave an exhibition of Irish jig dancing. Velma Trammel sang as did Mrs. DeLargy and Miss Gertrude O'Neil from St. Edwards Parish. Mr. J. P. O'Gorman played the piccolo, whilst Jerry Corbett jigged. Mr. Hense was on the programme but did not appear. Mr. McCarthy from St. Luke's Parish was the big feature of the evening and entertained by telling a number of jokes.
Frank Walsh acted as stage manager and regaled the audience between the acts with a variety of interesting comments. He seemed to get a great deal of fun in embarrassing Mr. Mike Maloney and Mr. Heil. After the show there was a drawing for chickens; the Heil party were determined to carry home one, which must have cost them at least $5.
The officers of the Holy Name Society were pleased with the receipts of the evening. The returns go to make up a treasury to meet expenses, as the members of this society are not charged dues.
DEATH OF LEO DOLAN
Mrs. Ollie Dolan and her four children were ill for a few days before a doctor was called, it being presumed that their indisposition was a trifling cold or at worst, an epidemic of tonsillitis. Mrs. Dolan had been attending to her household duties and applying home remedies till Doctor Costello diagnosed their condition as being a serious case of diphtheria. He ordered the mother and children to bed and administered immediately the standard doses of anti-toxin.
Little Leo's case was the most pronounced and before the doctor's arrival he had taken to bed and was in much distress. As the hours passed he grew worse and on the fourth day his heart weakened and the doctor had fears that he would not survive.
A few hours before his death he was calling for his mother and she was taken for a short time from her room into his. With difficulty she was compelled to retire for the night. About 12 o'clock she was told the child was dying and before she reached his bedside he had passed away.
Mrs. Dolan's illness was aggravated by her grief and on the day of the funeral her condition was so critical she was given the last sacraments whilst the child's remains were being taken to the cemetery. She disposed herself with admirable heroism to be reconciled to God's Holy Will, and now she and the children are convalescing.
Leo was a fine specimen of childhood. He was four years old, strong, humorous and manifestly inclined to be generous. He had a well-chiseled face with an unusually fine forehead and gave promise of being a high-class man.
The distress experienced by the family was aggravated by the fact that the house was quarantined and that relatives having young children could not prudently enter to aid Mr. and Mrs. Dolan; however, they were not neglected, as two friends of the family, Mrs. Sullivan and Mrs. White, constantly remained with them, and Mrs. Smith, a saintly woman, wife of the late Ed Smith, who used to reside in Brockschmidt place, hearing of their affliction, left her home on the South Side and unselfishly nursed Mrs. Dolan and the children.
The sympathy of the parish goes out to the bereaved parents, Mr. and Mrs. Dolan.
FATHER POHL ACTIVE
Father Pohl has been soliciting funds towards the special collection. He received a great deal of encouragement on his first visit when he called on Mrs. Kammerer, wife of Dr. Rudolph Kammerer, 6660 Oakland boulevard. She gave him a check for $70. Her neighbor, Mrs. McArthur, intends visiting Europe in the near future and she promised Father O'Connor that she would purchase in Rome a marble statue of St. James to be installed in the new church. Mrs. Irene Mills, wife of the eminent roentgenologist, Dr. Walter Mills, has promised to donate a Sanctuary Lamp. She sent to the rectory Sunday a check for $50 on her 4 per cent. She also paid $100 on the special collection.
BAPTISMS
September
October
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Mrs. James Albert Moellenbeck, 1105 Graham Ave., is a patient in St. Anthony's Hospital where she was operated on during the week. Her condition is satisfactory.
IS YOUR NAME ON THE LIST?
There is no special obligation attached to being a member of the Purgatorian Society and it is a great charity to help the souls in Purgatory.
Mrs. Mary Finn signed as a living member on Sunday but on Tuesday was listed amongst the deceased. By her act she is assured of at least three masses for the repose of her soul.
These masses will be announced later and all living members of the Purgatorian Society, though not obligated, are requested to assist at these masses and to offer communion for her. By being faithful to this pious custom membership in the society will mean something to the living and the dead.
Living members have also the advantage of getting a memento each morning in the mass said by the spiritual director and they participate in the monthly mass which is offered on the first Friday.
Men, women and children are eligible. You can still join the society by filling in the Purgatorian sheet that can be found in the vestibule of the church.
MOTHERS' CLUB
Ladies who are new in the parish and others who have not been registered in the social set, were given an opportunity of meeting the Mothers' Club members in the school hall on October 8th. There were 68 ladies present, and as may be expected, Mrs. Bovard, the president, in her usual brilliant way, acted as hostess. Her assistants, Mrs. McDonnell, Mrs. Nixon, Mrs. Wiber and Mrs. Plengemeier smiled at all her witty sayings and were very gracious entertainers.
There was a danger every now and then of Mrs. Cullen throwing a monkey-wrench in the works by saying something that had a tendency to shock the visitors, but the worst that happened was they all laughed when she spoke and everybody seemed to have an inclination to add some jocose remark and keep up the merriment.
The Mothers' Club, apart from its customary duties, intends this year paying special attention to develop a fine social spirit amongst the ladies of the parish. Members will call on their neighbors who are not members and invite them to many affairs which are to be planned for the winter months.
It has been decided to have a rummage sale in the parish hall on Monday morning, November 15th, and parishioners are requested to send in a day previous, articles which would be useful for the sale and not necessary in the home.
There are now on hand many articles of furniture, misfits for homes where people move which would be very desirable for those whose pocket-book does not give them the freedom of going to the department stores. The proceeds of the sale go to the Mothers' Club Fund.
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The St. James Alumni Dramatic Club will hold their regular monthly meeting Thursday evening, November 11th. All members are urgently requested to be present as a final report of the last show will be made, and plans for the next one will be discussed.
Refreshments will be served by the officers and a special entertainment is being prepared. The Alumni Association are giving a dance in Yale Hall Saturday evening, Nov. 20th. Admission 35c to raise funds for the treasury of the society.
A SUDDEN DEATH
Mrs. Mary A. Finn, mother of Mrs. Michael Scherzinger, 6436 Wade Ave., died suddenly on Monday, November 1st. She had been nursing in South St. Louis until Saturday afternoon. Feeling somewhat indisposed, she came home on Sunday, and Monday noon she became very ill. Priest and doctor were called, she received the Last Sacraments from Father Pohl and was dying when Dr. Murphy arrived. Her funeral was held from St. James Church, Thursday, November 4th. She was a woman of the old school who went almost every morning to church and after mass was accustomed to make the Way of the Cross. She went very frequently to communion and had a remarkable spirit of prayer.
She was a former member of the Immaculate Conception Church, St. Louis, where she is remembered for her untiring service in church activity.
May she rest in peace.
FATHER M. I. STRITCH, S. J. COMING TO ST. JAMES
Father M. I. Stritch, S. J., well known St. Louis University professor and popular lecturer was invited to speak at the Barbecue in May, but peculiar circumstances made it impossible for him to be present. He is a friend of St. James parish and has been very anxious to have an opportunity of addressing the congregation. It will be remembered he put new life into the Holy Name Society on an occasion about ten years ago, when it was being reorganized. He spoke in the old church and assisted Fathers Casey and O'Connor initiating 83 new members.
It has been arranged to have him present on Sunday, November 14th, when the Holy Name Society will go to communion. Members of St. James Branch are reminded that during the winter months they go to communion at the 7:30 mass. Father Stritch will be the celebrant and it is to be hoped that members will honor him by being present in large numbers.
To give an opportunity to those who have not been at the Sacraments for a long time, Father Stritch will hear confessions Saturday afternoon and evening, and will also speak at the late masses on Sunday.
OFFICER MANION CELEBRATES HIS 60TH BIRTHDAY
Officer John Manion, 6328 Berthold Ave., celebrated on October 28th, his 60th birthday. His friends determined to make the event impressive and arranged for a dinner at the Forest Park Hotel, where 38 members of the immediate family gathered and participated in a banquet.
Lieut. L. Hussy acted as toast master, and three lawyers, Messrs. Robt. Schroeder, Earl Broeg and Francis Manion were the chief speakers.
Later in the evening he was initiated in the Osler Club for old men, who purpose to safeguard their energy and health and who take life easy. Mr. Manion appeared too young for membership and was asked for his birth certificate. He responded by showing his grey hair and pointing to his 36 years on the police force. He has no wrinkles in his face, looks hale and hearty, and in line for promotion.
THE SANCTUARY LAMP
Each year it is customary for some lady to donate a fund for the purchase of oil for the lamp that burns before the Blessed Sacrament. This year Mrs. John Pilla, 1101 Graham avenue, solicited small donations from her neighbors, to which she and Mrs. Louis Scortino each added $3, making a total of $23, sufficient to purchase oil for one year.
Other donations to the Sanctuary were made by Mrs. Sullivan, who donated a beautifully embroidered Ciborium cover and a number of altar linens by Mrs. Signaigo.
NOT TOO YOUNG
"Johnny goes to the public school, he is too young to go to the parochial school." This is all oft-repeated phrase and an accepted truth, but it shows lack of understanding of a child's mind and a lack of appreciation of early impressions. An eminent Jesuit authority on educational topics recently said, "A child forms its first and most lasting impressions about religion before it goes to any school." A child's mind is a clean slate on which each day's impressions are written, and the wise mother realizing this, will see to it that the seed of religious truth is the first seed that is sown in the receptive mind.
The child's religious education must begin at the very dawn of consciousness and continue through all the stages of mental development. At first the child learns of the existence of a being which mother calls God by seeing her on her knees apparently speaking to one that is unseen. Later he is taught to lisp a prayer and to be watchful lest he should by word or act give offense to God, in fact, his mother's commands are only the outspoken wishes of the Creator and with prudence she tells him what to do and what not to do. There must be a reason in her every word and act if she hopes that this child will believe that it is infinite wisdom that dictates these commands. Under her wise guidance it will not take long for a child to build up for himself a standard of right and wrong, which it is the duty of the parent to maintain at all times in his presence as a standard for her life and her home.
I have mentioned the mother because she is more in the child's company than is the father, but he also has a place. At night he enters, almost as a stranger to what has been passing during the day in the child's mind, and the unsolved difficulties are to be decided by his judgment. The child sits on his knee and tells what mother said. The father now becomes the second pupil in mother's class and the child watches his every word and act and notes how far his conduct and his speech is in approval of mother's admonitions. If the father is not a good boy, how can he expect his son to be better. In a very short time the child can distinguish in how far the father approves or disapproves of mother's words, and since father is the hero of the home the child will copy his actions and accept his thoughts.
From what has been stated it is evident that a child usually has accepted or rejected in whole or in part the ten commandments before he is of school age, and when he goes to school he is, or is not, receptive to a fuller development of the principles of conduct which these commandments involve. If he is cowardly and unassertive he will in all probability comply with the requirements of the school and submit to his teacher's moral code, but not with his complete will and entire heart.
The seed of rebellion is within his soul and some day it will assert itself. Nay, even on the evening of that very day on which his conduct in school was most exemplary, he will manifest on the street corner or on the playground conduct that is in keeping with his own thoughts and which meets with the approval of his moral code, so that in truth it can be said he has rejected the religious lesson which his teacher hoped she had impressed upon his mind.
The bully of the school yard now enters his life and takes the place where daddy was once enshrined as the hero. He watches him as he watched his father, he copies him and seeks his approval and the weakling boy accepts the moral code which is voiced by the bully and which the gang approves.
Hence the second step in moral development is environment and companionship. Progression here towards good or evil depends largely on the bully's moral code, because being a bully does not always imply decadency of character; on the contrary, it is a mark of qualities which makes a boy attractive and gives him a physical superiority over his fellows. It is fortunate for the majority of boys if they come in contact with a bully who has been brought up by Christian parents in a well regulated home, for his conduct, though not always to be admired for its propriety and amiability, has still at the back of it a number of moral principles which will be admired and copied by the rest of the gang.
This may imply that reference is being made to children of mature years. I have still in mind the child of kindergarten age, for he finds in the school a different world from the world that he knew before he went there and his mental and moral development does not cease because his parents decided that he was too young to yet go to a Catholic School.
The day he leaves home and goes to school his moral development has an increased urge to determine what he is going to accept or reject as being right or wrong. He is falling into the hands of other teachers and they are not the school ma'ams, they are his companions, and their code if accepted is likely to continue to be his code even should he later go to a religious school.
The question that must be answered by parents who send children to a public school at an early age with the intention of sending them later to a Catholic School, "Am I fair to my child: Are the teachers helping me to educate a child to the one thought that God is and must be first and last in all his aims and efforts, and that religion must be the nurse of his childish thoughts?"
I am not condemning the teacher or the code of morals of the public school; officially the teacher is presumed to have nothing to say about religion nor have any two teachers a similar viewpoint as to a moral code unless indeed they happen to have the same religious creed. There are undoubtedly in public schools teachers of the highest ideals and the finest morals, but religion, which is the basis of all morals, is not on the program.
For this reason the child cannot help but have an idea that religion and all that pertains to God is a matter of secondary importance and this in itself is sufficient objection to a course of kindergarten training in a public school, for besides the dangers of this laxity as to the importance of religion it must be remembered that there is no determined effort made to increase the child's religious impressions. The mind develops, but the heart and the will is not fed with the food that makes a child reverence God and adhere to His laws.
REV. P. J. O'CONNOR.
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Officer Peter Manion is a patient in Barnes Hospital. To save his life the doctors decided it was necessary to amputate one of his legs.
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St. Anne’s Sodality report they cleared $200.00 in their last euchre.
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If everyone gave toward our New Church like me
What kind of church would our New Church be?
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 in other years been given you. The Spiritual Director requests that he be notified at once if your name has been omitted.
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