LET'S GO

May 1931
Volume Seven, Number Five

PARISH PUBLICATION: 1925-1932
Special thanks to Joe Boman and family for the loan of their bound copies of this rare publication.
Further thanks to Father Rauch for the loan of one issue which the Boman's didn't have
Without those loans this project could never have taken place.
Bob Corbett -- March 2004



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."



MOTHERS

The three sweetest words in the dictionary are MOTHER, HOME and HEAVEN. They are associated in sentiment and excite similar emotions. Mother comes at the beginning, Heaven at the end, and Home in the place in which they both should meet.

The annex to Heaven is home and the Christian mother is the other angel that God sent to guard the newly created soul.

Mother has established her official human valuation. She has a high rating wherever human civilization has penetrated and even among the savage and the untutored, she has Wall the basic affection of her kind. In the animal world her characteristics are not extinguished. Motherhood is a condition that demands reverence because there goes with it the dignity that is the heritage of self-sacrifice. Mother of man or beast, is a name for one whose self preservation, ease and comfort are often sacrificed for the wellbeing of her offspring. On the life of another she loses her own. There is no more romantic name in all the pages of our literature than Mother, the heroine of every home.

Stars differ from stars and mothers differ from mothers.

There are good mothers and there are mothers that are not so good. Mother is an official personage and in the order of Heaven and nature has specific duties to discharge. The care of her offspring is her natural inclination. In the animal world her duties are confined to the physical order. From her breast she gives food, from her flesh she gives heat and within the range of her strength and skill she gives protection. She has discharged her complete obligation when she has nurtured her little one to a state of development where it is physically capable of sustaining its existence and foraging for food.

The Mother of man has a higher and holier duty to discharge. The physical development of her offspring though it implies anxiety and innumerable sacrifices is only the minimum of her obligation. In the order of providenee she is given an office of considerable trust. To her the Creator entrusts a human soul whose existence is not limited by age or space and whose destiny and well-being must be protected through time and eternity. The soul of her child is not hers, it belongs to God and must be returned to Him with interest.

The mother of man is a good mother only when she faithfully and intelligently discharges all these duties. Hence the good mother is only the Christian mother, and the mother who thinks alone of the temporal well-being of the child is akin to the animal and belongs to the jungle.

A CELEBRATION THAT SHOULD NOT BE MISSED

The annual celebration of the crowning of the statue of the Blessed Virgin, which takes place on Mother's Day, has developed into an event of considerable parochial importance. Last year it attracted a crowd which taxed the seating capacity of the church. More than twenty city pastors and upwards of five hundred women and children took part in the procession Which formed in the yard of the old church and advanced to the New Church and through the aisles to a point in the Sanctuary wherein the Statue of the Blessed Mother was set in an arbor of roses.

During the procession the children and women sang hymns to the Blessed Virgin and one from amongst them placed a crown on her statue.

This year the celebration is expected to attract even greater attention and the whole congregation of men, women and children will honor in this expressive manner, Mary the Mother of Mothers.

Rev. J.P. O'Malley, professor In Kenrick Seminary, will preach a sermon suited to the occasion. A considerable number of diocesan clergy are expected to be present.

The procession will begin sharply at 4 p.m. on the second Sunday of May and those participating should be on the grounds at the back of the Old Church not later than 3:45 p.m. Only the school children will have a distinctive dress.

LET'S GO REACHES THE USE OF REASON

Let's Go begins, in this issue, its seventh year, and is a lusty, healthy youngster. It has been generally a source of pleasure to the community, though at times its childish pranks have caused annoyance to individuals.

Lack of reverence and decorum has marked its youth. It has been outspoken and truthful to a point of rashness. Regardless of its hearers' sentiments it has said what it thought. Its comments have been unaffectedly simple and original. Everyone likes to hear what it has to say, though some do not always like what it says.

It has been a terrible infant and has frequently been a source of embarrassment to its parents.

Because of its inexperience and youthfulness much has been forgiven it. It has been devoid of malice and diplomacy and takes for granted that it has a right to say what it thinks and to repeat what it hears from trustworthy sources.

It has had the spirit and enthusiasm of youth. Let's Go has been its constant clamor. It brooks no delays and sees no impediments. Failure has left no scars upon its soul. Action today! so that tomorrow the goal may be reached, and tomorrow brings another vision of new objectives to be attained, and again it urges, Let's Go!

What success it has had we leave our readers to decide. Through it we have accomplished our purpose which was to interest the congregation in Parish affairs and build a church.

Church papers are traditionally conservative. The deliberate policy of Let's Go has been strength, courage, local character, plain unpretentious language and youthful indiscretion. It was intended to be a pep sheet and an advertising agency.

But when a child reaches the age of seven, it becomes thoughtful and more deliberate. Let's Go is now attaining the use of reason and is in a reflective mood. The pleasure it found in expression is fast waning and each issue requires more effort. The task of editing is becoming a burden and for lack of time it often is a severe strain upon our energies. Each issue suggests the thought, "Let's Stop."

When the parishioners proposed issuing a parish journal seven years ago to raise funds for a New Church, they presumed that a unanimous resolution was sufficient to make an editorial staff; accordingly they appointed, at a parish meeting, a few of those present under the direction of Father O'Connor to edit a pamphlet.

After the first issue was prepared and sent to press, the difficulty of editing was fully realized and there arose a feeling of impossibility of continuing. The next month there was no issue because the editors could find nothing of interest to report and the editors made up their minds that they were not editors and that they had their own jobs to attend to; moreover, they foresaw that to edit a Parish journal one should have an intimate knowledge of all that transpires in a parish and as this is confined to the local clergy, of necessity, one of them had to become editor. So the editing of Let's Go was by a silent expression of necessity and duty undertaken by Father O'Connor, the rest of the staff volunteering to do all in their power to assist him.

Editing is a profession and requires special training and a modicum of talent. Priests as a rule, make poor reporters. Their training does not equip them to discharge anything more than the duties of their calling. When they endeavor to undertake to be editors tbey are like unskilled laborers undertaking the work of mechanics. They are apt to be awkward about the use of their tools and to begin the job at the wrong end.

For these reasons the editing of Let's Go has been a distasteful task and the Monday before the first Sunday of the month, the day when it is dictated, is sometimes a nerve-racking strain on the writer. Usually there is "no news" and the work of news finding begins after a busy morning perhaps in the Church or rectory. People seem to want to be buried on that day, or their business to the rectory becomes so urgent they must see the Pastor. Interruptions are frequent and irritating, and the composition calls for much detail as to name, facts and other circumstances. The work is exacting under the most pleasant conditions and becomes worse than a school boy's home lesson.

So when we think of quitting the publication of Let's Go, we do so in the desire to escape strain, drudgery and a work for which we are not specially trained. Our sense of duty alone inclines us to carry on, but the continuous strain of this work and increasing parish activities are a drain on our residue of nerve energy and a thorn in the sensory of our disposition. Often we long to run away to Forest and Stream. and sigh at the memories of days we've been fishing. Oh boy! it is good to go fishing when one's nerves are blistering with the heat of uninterrupted irritation.

Uncle Henry says what this country needs is not more birth control but more hatcheries.

And this brings me to my co-workers, Uncle Henry, Mr. and Mrs. Boman, and Mr. P.H. Murphy.

Uncle Henry's humor and unflagging enthusiasm keeps up our morale though he is often at the ragged edge of his energy. His position as inventor and improver of sewing machines at Bemis Bag Co. is exacting and strenuous. The time that should he given to much needed recreation, he devotes to Let's Go and other parish interests. His Uncle Henry's Letter is the least of his assistance. He arranges the copy for the press and spends many of his lunch hours in the printer's shop the week Let's Go is being issued. He never complains of the demands the parish makes on his time and is ever ready to give a helping hand.

Mr. Boman in our early numbers took his editorial responstbility seriously and was a rigid censor of our composition. When he came home from work he would sit and smoke his pipe and critically read the stenographical copy. He was regarded as the practical wisdom of the staff and many alterations were made at his suggestion. Uncle Henry was always timid about submitting his composition and frequently escaped with it to the printer. He has had little doubt about the correctness of his spelling. He meant it as he wrote it, and the censor accepted his amendments, but his theology was at time doubtful, and Mr. Boman who is an authority in this branch of knowledge was often compelled to blue-pencil his statements as being bordering on the heretical.

In recent times Mr. Boman has vacated his chair of wisdom and apparently feels satisfied that the news is fit for publication under his name. Mrs. Boman is blamed for all the errors. She is our stenographer, news hunter and telephone operator. She takes most of the dictation for Let's Go and has much of the news memorized before it goes to press. She tempers the rashness of our opinions, simplifies the pedantry of our expressions, soothes the irritation of interruptions and on the day when copy is being made, frequently misses lunch and dinner,

There is a financial side to Let's Go. It is exclusively the monthly bill. This is attended to by Mr. P.H. Murphy who solicits advertisements and through the revenue derived from them makes it possible to have 750 to 1000 issues of Let's Go distributed free of charge each month in the vestibule of the Church. When he took charge four years ago, Let's Go was in financial distress and was on the rocks. Since then he has piloted it into security and as long as he remains at the helm it shall not fail for lack of funds.

The purpose of Let's Go is chiefly to raise funds for the Church. This is not an interesting topic for some of our parishioners to read and necessarily must be sandwiched into local news and humorous comments. Uncle Henry makes the sweets and the pastor, he says, makes the "dough." The Church and the congregation are the recipients of the benefactions.

How well it has accomplished its purpos may be judged from the success of the Parish program. Since Let's Go began to be issued there has been little trouble in raising parish funds. Money is not "talked" in church an collectors are unnecessary. The parishioners under an intelligent system of training have learned to appreciate the difficulties of financing a parish. Training is better than blaming and goodwill is the foundation of sacrifice. Every form of compulsory giving is avoided in conducting the affairs of St. James Parish. There is neither a dime at the door, a charge for a service or a house to house collection. The parochial school is free; efficient service is maintained, a church has been built and all parish obligations timely met. This is the accomplishment of Let's Go and its Staff. It gratefully acknowledges the sympathetic appreciation of its readers and advertisers.

Now that we have told you our thoughts, we feel better, and we are ready again to continue our slogan of Let's Go

CHANGE IN THE HOUR OF MASSES

The summer schedule will go into effect the first Sunday of June and remain in force during the months of June, July and August, when the hours of Sunday Masses will be 5:30, 7:00, 8:30 and 10:00 o'clock.

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A class is being prepared for First Cormmunion and will receive at the 7:30 Mass on Ascension Thursday, May 14th. There will be three Masses on that day which is a Holy Day of Obligation, first 5:30 and last at 9 o'clock. There are about thirty in the night class in the Rectory. A new class will begin taking instruction on Friday. May 15, at 7:30 p.m.

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A Novena to the Holy Ghost for the Church throughout the world will he made after the 6:30 Mass in preparation for the Feast of Pentecost beginning on Ascension Thursday in St. James Parish.

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Mrs. Clara Jackson, 2063 Knox Ave., on last Sunday night when leaving a street car down town was thrown into the street where she remained prostrate several minutes. After being taken to her home a medical examination revealed that her ankle was fractured. She has been suffering extreme pain.

A CONVERT COMES BACK TO BE MARRIED

Miss Elizabeth Bond, who last year resided in the 1100 block of Louisville Ave. and whilst there became a convert, though she recently moved from the parish, came back with her pastor's permission to be married in St. James Church, to William H. Murphy of St. Mark's Parish.

The ceremony took place on April 11th at the 6:30 Mass and was solemnized with unpretentious simplicity and devotion. Only the relatives and a comparatively few friends of the couple were present, as well as the usual weekday congregation .

Laurence J. Zeitz and Miss Bernice Bond, sister to the bride, were the official witnesses.

After the marriage the young couple were given a breakfast by Mrs. Bond and spent their honeymoon in the city. We congratulate the young couple and wish them many years of happiness.

We regret that their efforts to find a suitable four room apartment in the parish failed. Father O'Connor accompanied them in their search, as he has done with several others who have been looking for homes. Though there is a prevailing belief that there is a surplus of residences in the city, it is very difficult to find places in the parish suited to the requirements of people of moderate means. Again we request those who have homes to rent or sell to advertise the same in the pages of Let's Go. There is no charge for these ads.

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On Sunday morning, April 19th, Mr. Edw. Bisso, 2226 McCausland Ave., was found by his daughter, Loretta, lying on the stairs of his home in a state of collapse. Medical attention was at once procured and for a few days Mr. Bisso's condition was critical. He is now sufficiently well to go into the yard and it is expected in a short time to be able to return to his former duties.

THE PAROCHIAL SCHOOL PICNIC

The parochial school picnic will be held at Carondelet Park Tuesday, June 2nd. Busses will leave the school at 9:15 a.m.

Mr. Jos. Sharamltaro has volunteered to pick up with his truck baskets at the following stations, Mrs. Bovard's store, Dolan's Real Estate office, Mrs. McDonnell's store, Ryan's filling station and O'Keefe's store. He will call for them at 9 o'clock.

A charge of 15c a round trip will be made of each child and 25c for adults. Tickets for busses should be procured at the Convent not later than 8 p.m. on the preceding day to enable the committee to decide how many busses will be necessary.

Mr. John D. Bersch, chairman of the Picnic Committee reports that an eight piece orchestra under the direction of Frank Momeno will accompany the picnickers to the Park and entertain during the day.

The refreshment stand will be in charge of Mrs. Ray Dolan.

Mrs. Charles Heil representing the Bridge Club, has volunteered to procure picnic baskets for poor families.

Mrs. John A. Murphy and Mrs. Danny Murphy have charge of the Sisters' lunch.

The Boy Scout Committee and Scoutmaster Foley wlll assist Mr. Bersch in directing the athletic events.

Mrs. Geo. Kletzker, with the assistance of the Mothers Club, has volunteered to procure finances and request those who are generously inclined to forward donations to John D. Bersch. 6803 Nashville Ave. Mrs. Kletzker, 1041 Fairmount Ave., Mrs. Chas. Klasek, 6212 Victoria Ave.

The day's program is as follows: Arriving at picnic grounds, ball game for boys until noon will be supervised by the Boy Scout committee. Races will start promptly at 1:30 p.m.

First Grade Girls-Peanut scramble. Boys- Peanut scramble.

Second Grade Girls-Peanut race. Boys-50 yard dash. ,

Third Grade Girls-Egg race. Boys-Sack race.

Fourth Grade Girls-One-legged race. Boys -75 yard dash.

Fifth Grade Girls-Potato race. Boys- Wheelbarrow race.

Sixth Grade Girls-Balloon blowing contest. Boys-lOO yard dash.

Seventh Grade Girls-Egg race. Boys- Three-legged race.

Eighth Grade Girls-Marshmallow race. Boys-100 yard dash.

SUPPER TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THE SCHOOL CHILDREN'S PICNIC

Mrs. Mary Boerckel, in behalf of the Mothers' Club, has procured the Town Club dining room for a supper and card party which will be given on Thursday evening, June 4th, to raise funds for the school children's picnic.

The school children are in their pleasures peculiarly in the hands of their friends. They will have a good picnic if there are available funds; otherwise, they will have to depend on their parents' pocketbook which at this time in some instances, is not much to boast about; hence, all good fellows whose memory goes back to school days should do their bit to make possible an enjoyable time; but funds are what is most necessary, those disposed to help the cause are requested to make reservation for the supper at the Town Club and to invite their friends.

There are in all, 116 reservations, but it is feared that there will be difficulty expertenced in selling them this year unless those who can afford to pay the price of $1 a plate will be present. Don't wait to be asked to buy a ticket for the supper, please send in your order at your earliest convenience to one of the above named committee.

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Mrs. Wm. Kirby, 6154 West Park Ave., fell recently and broke her wrist in two places. She is again able to be about the house but the injury is painful,

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Mrs. Charles Schmitt, 1320 Ripple St., who sometime during the winter months was compelled to have a tonsil lanced, is again suffering from abscessed tonsils. It may be necessary to remove them.

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Mr. Wm. Volz, 6153 Victoria Ave., who recently underwent an operation, was in a critical condition last week. He is somewhat improved, but continues to be an invalid at home.

NOT A MORTAL SIN OR A DOLLAR LEFT IN THE PARISH

At the close of the Mission this remark was made by Mr. John J. Newport. He undoubtedly meant it to be a crisp summary of events and not a critical comment on contributions.

The Missionaries were given a goodwill offering of $425. They made no terms and were more than pleased with the donation. The two missionaries derived no personal advantage from the gift; the check they received went to defray the expense of educating students to continue their work.

Mrs. Cooper and Mrs. Wiber who had charge of the sale of religious articles, report gross sales of $450.00. Most of the articles were sold at cost. There was no intention of making profits.

The electric light bill for the month was $44.00, candles and flowers cost upward of $100.00. This expense was met by the parishioners as well as a modest sum for the keep of the missionaries.

When account is taken of this expense and the amount contributed by parishioners to the 4% and regular Sunday Collections, it will be found there was more truth than poetry to the latter part of Mr. Newport's remark.

But the fact that there was such a genuine reformation of morals more than justifies this outlay. The Mission was a splendid success. Many who had lapsed have returned to the fold and their presence at Mass on Sunday is a source of keen delight to their Pastors and relatives.

The Pastors foresaw that a Mission closing on the Sunday of Holy Week would substantially affect the Easter Collection, which is a benefit for the Parochial clergy.

By arranging so proximate a date, they accepted a cut in their salary of about $400, but they were willing to make this sacrifice because they want a share in the general distress and believed a Mission toward the close of Lent would find parishioners better disposed.

The Pastors realize how limited is the income of most of the parishioners and are deeply grateful for the many contributions which must have entailed sacrifice. Undoubtedly there are those who feel embarrassed because they could not contribute, but they need not be so. We are very mindful of their past generous contributions. We only regret that there are so many out of work and having troubles on their own.

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Joe Sharamitaro's vegetable store in Tamm Ave. was closed for two days to make space for a wedding celebration when Mrs. Sharamitaro's sister, Katie, on April 12th married Joe's brother. Nearly everyone of "The Hill" who has had any dealings at the store was invited and as the marriage took place on Sunday, few refused the invitation. There was a six-piece orchestra and "lashing and leavings" of everything. Unlike most Italian weddings a majority or the guests were Americans and they apparently enjoyed the lavish hospitality of their host and entered whole-heartedly into the fun and merriment. With permission of Father O'Connor, the marriage took place at St. Charles Borrorneo Italian Church where the groom resides.

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Sergeant Joseph Lesyna, age 72, died at his home 6668 Oakland Ave. on Wednesday, April 29th, and was buried from St. James Church on Saturday. Mr. Lesyna was an old resident of Tower Grove and was for many years associated with Mr. Shaw of Shaw's Garden. He has been ill over a period of a year and was cared for by his wife, Mrs. Barbara, and his daughter, Mary. Though his death came rather unexpectedly, he had been prepared and in recent months frequently received the Sacraments. R.I.P.

A WEDDING AND MUCH POMP

Dorothy Guglielmucci, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Angelo Guglielmucci, 1232 Kraft Ave., and Antony Rubano, son of Mr. and Mrs. Raphaelo Rubano, were married by Rev. Norbert E. Pohl from Nuptial Mass on April 11th at St. James Church. Church bells ushered in the wedding and two bridesmaids accompanied the bride who was given away by her father.

The official witnesses were John Cusanelli and Florence Ceglia.

The ceremony was colorful and spirited. The church was comparatively crowded and everyone seemed to be happy. It was an old-fashioned manifestation of gladness and was vibrant with enthusiasm and emotion. The young couple entered into their state with a hopefulness and the gladness with which we would like to see every young couple entering their nuptials. If sad days must come they should not begin at the wedding. A day or two of romantic elation, a pretty dress, a handful of flowers and a wedding ring should at least be the dowry of the bride, and as for the relatives and friends - it is nice to see them assemble and drink the health of the happy pair in a sparkling glass of wine. Mr. and Mrs. Rubano, we wish you many happy returns of the pleasure of your wedding day.

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Frank Houlihan, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Houlihan, 6744 Oakland Ave., was operated upon for appendicitis a few weeks ago at St. Mary's Hospital. Frank is different from most patients and seemed to enjoy the experience of a few weeks in the hospital. He remarked to a visitor that he didn't know he had appendicitis until the day after the operation was performed. Taking it all in all Frank is a fortunate boy and one who is to be admired for his fine amiability and optimism.

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Official list of St. James School baseball team: 1st base, Daniel Burke; 2nd base, Lester Stumpf; 3rd base, Jimmie Kelley; S.S., Edward Corbett; L.F., Harold Meyers and Lester Whitmore; R.F., Melvin Ehrlich and Billy Wack; C.F., Joe Moore and Gerald Lutz; P, Bob Corbett; C., Harold Plengemeier. This team expects to win the parochial school pennant in the Muny League.

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Mayme Brady Hayes has returned to the parish and now resides at 6504 Nashville Ave.

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Give a novel written by a Catholic to the school children's library. Thereby you benefit the author and many children.

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When going to Communion observe signs in church. Should you sit in the reserved seats when you do not intend going to Communion, the others in the pew will have difficulty passing you, and should you intend going to Communion and sit in a pew that is not reserved you will probably cause those in the pew unnecessary annoyance when passing them. Please do not tread on the other fellow's corns.

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Catherine Pahl Mcvey, 1458 Tamm Ave., is recuperating from a slight attack of scarlet fever. The Pahl home has been quarantined during the past 3 weeks.

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FOR SALE - 3 room brick; bath, electric, gas. Reasonable. 6509 Nashville Ave.

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WANTED - A first deed of trust on my home. Mr. Burch, 6509 Nashville Ave.

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FOR RENT: 6426 Lloyd Ave., 7 room modern residence, nice yard and garage. $60.00. STerling 0242.

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FOR general housecleaning and repairs, call: W. T. Boman. HIland 2031

MOTHERS DAY

The second Sunday of May is now an established event in the lives of our people and is known as Mothers Day.

It will survive because of its natural universal appeal. Mother deserves a day of special honor in every home. On this occasion her children will express their gratitude for her abiding affection. Those who are separated from her will mail her a letter and share in spirit in the family reunion. Those at home will in various ways pay her homage. Some will give her gifts of flowers or personal apparel; others will take her hand and in simple words, thank her for her unfaltering love and self-sacrifice.

The children of St. James Parish will do all these things and more. They know some day death will come and take mother from their midst. God alone can set back the date and again unite the family. On Mothers Day children will ask God to be satisfied with His angels and Saints a long time and to leave them their angel mother.

They will accompany her to the 7:30 Mass and share with her the bread of Heaven. Many communions will be received by children and mothers.

It will also be Mothers Day for Jesus and Mary, and the children of the Kingdom will join with Jesus in honoring their heavenly Queen. A statue of the Virgin will be set up within the Sanctuary and in the afternoon at 4 o'clock the parishioners and their Pastors will form a procession and with hymns of gladness, crown Mary the Queen of the May.

At the 7:30 Mass the south side of the Church will be reserved for the Virgin Mothers Sodality, the children of Mary and the school children; and the north side will be reserved for the Mothers. The Holy Name Society will yield the front pews to the mothers and children.

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The eve of Pentecost Saturday, May 23rd, is a Fast Day and Day of Abstinence as are May 27th, 29th and 30th. Quarter Tense. Sunday, May 31st (Trinity Sunday) is the last day for complying with the obligation known as Easter Duty.

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Mrs. Wm. Henkel, 1040 Fairmount Ave., at the request of Father O'Connor, is assisting in the care of flowers in the church lawn. The grass in the greater part of the church lawns will not be cut this summer in hopes that wild grass can thus be eliminated. There would have been very little blue grass left this year were it not that over $90 was spent for special labor last year to weed out the wild grass, but notwithstanding this effort, a great deal of it went to seed and it is very doubtful if its growth and ultimate victory over the blue grass can be prevented.

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Miss Jane Hense, age 9, only child and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John A. Hense, White Plains, N.Y., died at her home on April 8th, and a girl was born on April 17th to Mrs. Lillian Hense Droege.

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Francis Szezodronski was married on April 18th to Miss Othea Lauterwasser, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Lauterwasser, 6400a W. Park Ave., at St. James Church from Nuptial Mass by Father O'Connor. Breakfast was given to the young couple by Mr. and Mrs. Lauterwasser.

VIRGIN MOTHERS SODALITY TO BE REORGANIZED

Zeal to promote devotion to the Mother of God in the parish has inclined several young ladies to become active organizers of the Blessed Virgin Sodality. Among these are Genevieve Mahon, Margaret McDonnell, Ethel and Margaret Irvin, Mary Smith and Vera Bersch.

These met in the Rectory last week and decided to mail a letter to every young lady in the parish inviting her to be present at Communion on Mother's Day at 7:30 Mass and to a meeting which will be held in the school hall on the following Tuesday when the organization will be completed and officers elected.

The pews in the front of the Church on the south side, will be reserved at the 7:30 Mass on Mother's Day, for the Sodality, Children of Mary and school children, the mothers will occupy pews on the north side. More than 150 letters will be mailed to ladies who have completed their 18th year and who are not yet married.

A generous response is expected to these invitations as the missionary fathers aroused a great deal of devotion to the Blessed Mother among the parishioners, and the young ladies, it was insisted, should become the most enthusiastic promoters of this filial affection.

Though 750 copies of the last issue of Let's Go were left for distribution in the vestibule of the Church, there was not enough to go around and those who came to the last Mass could not get any. Undoubtedly more than one copy was taken into many homes. Parents are requested to warn their children against waste. A copy for a home should be sufficient.

BAPTISMS IN APRIL

Patricia Ann MeMahon, 6525 Nashville Ave.
James Walter Cooper, 6318a Victoria Ave.
Bernetta Cresentia Schweitzer, 6333 Wade Ave.
Stella Vivian Kitchen, 6429 Wade Ave.

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When you leave your parish for a Sunday on a touring trip or vacation remember that you are only one of the two or three hundred whose contribution will not reach the parish treasury on that Sunday. This year there will be a struggle to meet the note which comes due in November and the battle will be lost or won during the summer months, but we never failed yet, it is not the size of the contribution that counts so much in this parish as the number of those that contribute. In this affair the old saying remains true, "many hands make light work." As a practical Catholic don't lay down on your share of the job.

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The Alumni play, which was promoted mostly through the self-sacrificing efforts of Mr. Fred Coad and Miss Marie O'Gorman, was in the estimation of many, an excellent performance. Though the stage arrangements were evidently poorly directed and defects in costume were criticised by the observant, on the whole, the acting was excellent and the cast gave evidence of much ability.

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The parochial school Alumni Association will have their annual Communion at St. James Church Sunday, May 24th (Pentecost Sunday) at the 7:30 Mass.

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Mrs. John A. Murphy donated two clematis plants and trellis for the lawn in front of the New Church. Thanks, Mrs. Murphy. We hope others will send us nice plants.

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Mrs. Nellie Cullen is visiting her sister, who is ill of pneumonia in San Antonio Texas.

UNCLE HENRY'S LETTER
May 1, 1931.

The pastor says:
The devotions of the month of May, dedicated to Mother, are very beautiful. The sentiments we feel toward our earthly mother are comparable with those the church has for its Spiritual Mother, Mary

dear Charlie:

springtime is budding out in all shades of green, birds are singing; and young men's fancies "gently turn to thoughts of" - baseball, golf, an vacation time. now charlie, dent be catty. youre wonderin what i know about young men's "fancies", but you dont have to say it out loud. i admit i dent have a hanker-in to play marbles or skip rope, but even old men get playful about this time of year; martin Coad for instance, only his thoughts roam to dreams of "bobbing" on the White River, or "fly casting" in the Ozarks. he took dermot Slattery to Bennett Springs last week, an though he didnt ketch eny fish, he had a opportunity at the breakfast table to tell about the wonderful ketch he made at San Antonio last year,an as the folks at the table was strangers, they pretended to believe it.

to the fellers like geo, Kletzker, "pappa" Boerckel, an young charlie Heil, spring-time is just the opening of another golf season. Charlie Klasck plays a little, but he prefers to sit comfortably in the grand stand, an watch the ball players work up a sweat. Speaking of golf, i always understood it was a scotch game, but a feller was telling me the dutch originated it: that is why they wear those "buggy" pants, the scotch took up the game to develop patience in searching for lost articles.

jim O'Gorrnan an walter Bosche spend there spring evenings reading seed catalogues, an trying to figger out how to keep their neighbors chickens at home. john Bersch devotes each spring to preparin for the school picnic. the ladies is giving a supper on June 4th to provide funds for the picnic. but as it is two days after the picnic, I cant figger if it is to pay the bills for this year, or create a fund for next.

charlie Jones, an genevieve Martineau played the part of the doting parents to a bunch of spoiled "brats" in the alumni dramatic club show last week an got thereselves in a peck of trouble as a rezult. charlie, it seem was a big man in city politics an was workin his eye-brows off to send the kids to college, an they unappreciated it in twentieth-century style. robert Duggan dont think of nuthin but gettin married to helen Marineau, an billie Hefele an his twin sister delores Brady flunked in every subject but the "proms".

charlie showed that he was too honest an imprudent for a politician, when he threatened to lick dan Murphy, a blustering "ward-heeler," an refused to underwrite the social aspirations of the uncouth joe Phelan, an so he had to resign his job. Genevieve indicated she was a novice at bein the wife of a high strung feller like charlie, when she agreed he done perfectly right in quittin his job, instead of balling him out like his reel wife would do, if he done a silly thing like that when times is so bad.

when the show-down come, the youngsters, true to their St. James training, stood by "the ol' man", quit school an got thereselves a job, an then talked there miserly old grandma, Florence Wilsdon, into stakeing "dad" to a interest in jack Houlihan's nursery business, which if jack knows as much about the business as his grand-dad John, an uncle joe, it will be a big success.

the Pastor run into tough luck when he tried to organize his pinochle club into a St. Vincent de Paul society. most of the "boys" said that if there luck didn't take a change for the better, they would be among the first applicants for aid, an it might cause talk, if word got out that they was on the committee that acted on there own applications. they preferred to let the Pastor handle it, then he would have to let em win sumtime, to keep them from becoming wards.

i guess you know charlte, that our old friend "uncle billie" Volz is a very sick man, an has been putting up a courageous battle to regain his health. he has been the God-father of this naborhood for a long time. many a man is indebted to him for opportunities such as they would not have received but for his self-sacrificing disposition. he once gave me a chance, without which life might have been a lot tougher for me, and i hope he has happier days ahead of him. your pertickler friend & uncle
HENRY

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Michael J. Shelley, 6655 Berthold Ave., age 67, died at his home Tuesday, April 28th, and was buried from St. James Church on Friday, May 1st, as a result of hemorrhage. He was ill at the time of the Mission and received the Sacraments from one of the Missionaries. He did not long reside in the parish but in the short time of his residence, gave evidence of fine faith. He leaves five children. May he rest in peace,

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Mrs. Manchester, 1042 Tamm Ave., fell on the stairs in her home on Monday, April 27th, and sustained a fractured shoulder blade and severe shock. She was immediately transferred to the Deaconess Hospital where she remained a few days.

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