This pamphlet was conceived in enthusiasm by men and women who are bristling with PEP to build a Beautiful Church in St. James Parish. They are impatiently waiting: they are clamoring for action. They want YOU to know what they propose doing. They hope you will be with them. Don't look for a seat in the Grand Stand-People who do things move-the disinterested sit and watch -- Our Parish Big Drum is beating a marching tune – “LET'S GO."
My dear Parishioner;
The Bureau of Census of the United States has decided to take a census this year and has requested all religious denominations to send them a record of church membership. etc.
The last denominational census was taken in 1916. His Grace, Archbishop Glennon, was chairman of the Catholic Board on Census, and has often complained of the indifference shown at that time by priests and people in not forwarding accurate numbers to the government: had they complied, he said, it is evident the percentage of Catholics and the growth of the church would appear to be much greater than what the estimate, showed.
He has expressed a wish that the priests in each parish would take a census during January and February of this year and that a list be supplied the Diocesan Chancery before May, when a "drive" is to be made for funds for a Preparatory Seminary.
Availing of this opportunity of visiting every home Father Pohl and myself, intend soliciting funds for the New Church from each wage earner. Our immediate aim will be to get everyone in the parish to pledge himself to give a real 4% of his income this year to the church, and to solicit donations from all who did not promise subscriptions at the Barbecue.
Parish accounts that go over a period of five years show a notable difference in the amounts contributed by individuals and families whose income was possibly equal. Those who have not been contributing 4%, in many instances have not given half or even a quarter of the amount given by others who are in similar occupations: for instance school teachers, police officers, United Railway employees, firemen and others whose salary is set and whose income is nearly equal have not contributed with the same generosity; the same may be said of union artisans and clerks in commercial and other occupations.
It will be our purpose to strike a balance and to look for bigger subscriptions from those who gave little in the past, than from their more conscientious fellow parishioners who have been regular and generous contributors over a period of years and whose donations are already in the parish fund and have been drawing interest.
I am well aware there are many families in the parish whose contributions were small because of peculiar circumstances, such as sickness, lack of employment, special taxes, meeting notes. etc., and who feel distressed because they could not contribute. I appreciate their difficulty and only ask them to do the best they can at present and place their trust in God for their future needs.
The peculiar circumstances that have arisen in the parish owing to the building of a New Church make it imperative on priests and people to exert themselves unusually to raise sufficient funds.
It has not yet been decided that the church is to be a stone construction, all depends on the size of our fund at the time of letting the contracts, about Easter. If we have not enough money to purchase a stone church, we must be satisfied with something inferior in quality, and this applies to all the material used in construction and decoration, such as floors, altar railings, sanctuary furnishings, window trimmings, roof covering, walks, landscaping, etc.
I am not averse to going in debt or to extending the debt over a long period of years, but a little thought will make it clear that a big debt means a big rent. $100,000 debt would mean a rent of $6,000 a year or $500 a month. This is out of the question, it would mean a load that the parish could not carry, should a period of depressions come when a large number of parishioners were out of work and under the most favorable conditions it would make the building of a Rectory and Convent impossible for a number of years.
There is, however, no need for being pessimistic. So far the parishioners have shown no sign of weakening. There is a splendid spirit in the parish and the revenue of last year is a sufficient assurance of the determination of our people to see the thing to a glorious finish. I am confident that we are going to get the church we want and all I ask is the continued co-operation of every man, woman and child in the parish. The circumstances that placed each one of us in St. James Parish have imposed on each of us a duty before God and man to build a church worthy of our faith and generosity.
We have been discussing the affair many years. We have been longing for the time when the work would be under construction. The year has at last arrived, we must arise to the occasion, there is nothing too good for St. James Parish. Take off your coats, get down to the work. Excuses will appear this year as ugly as mortal sin. We expect the best from everyone and nothing but the best, so Let’s Go. The year 1927 has appeared. It is the year that we set seven years ago for building a new church.
Yours in Christ,
REVEREND P. J. O'CONNOR.
THE CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PARTY
Santa Claus dressed in his Christmas costume, his grey beard and heavy woolens touched with icicles and snow appeared this year at the party given the school children by the Mothers' Club, wearing a fancy pair of tan oxfords, his speech and diction also had a touch of the modern and his bag of goodies were branded with the symbolic sign of Success Dolan’s Real Estate. Names must be suppressed in the interest of popular delusions though some of the children surmised Santa was taller and thinner than usual, and one theory had it that the Santa Claus of this year was only the son of the big burly comedian who appeared on former occasions.
His bag of gifts however, had not diminished and the first gift he drew from his bag was a check for $185, which he stated was a donation from the school children to Father O'Connor for the New Church. He had a present also for Father Pohl and the Sisters, the janitor, Tony, and each of the children.
Preceding the arrival of Santa Claus, a pageant representing the first Christmas was presented by the school children. There was a manger and in it a real infant, by the crib stood the Virgin and St. Joseph. Groups of children dressed as shepherds paid homage and girls dressed in angel garb sang the Gloria in Excelsis Deo.
Donations of apples and oranges were made to the Mother's Club for the children's party by The Sharamitaro fruit store, and Mr. Ed Ryan also contributed.
TOTAL SURPLUS SAVINGS SINCE 1920
The sacrifices made by the parishioners in creating a fund of $90,000 in practically six years cannot be fully appreciated by one who is not familiar with St. James Parish. There are not 20 families in the parish, whose individual assets would amount to over $10,000 were they to sell all they have.
The total number of souls is about 1,500.
The attendance at the four masses on Sunday, including children does not exceed 1,100. The families who belong to the parish are estimated to be about 300, and a proportion of these have not the English language as their mother tongue.
The school is practically free; there is neither pew rent nor sale of seats in church, no collectors, nor list of contributors.
The parishioners contribute because they want God to know they are ready to make sacrifices for their faith, they enclose their offerings usually in envelopes to which they attach their names and they give with a magnificent generosity and good will.
There are few slackers.
The present temporary church was erected in the year 1919, at a cost of $11,000.00. In the beginning of that year there was also a debt of $4,000 on the parish. In the year 1921 the Convent was stuccoed and repaired, and the Rectory was renovated, these improvements cost $2,500. Since then new roofs and gutters were put on the school, convent and rectory new plumbing and toilets were installed in school and convent buildings.
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The figures for the annual report and surplus parish revenue have been taken from the parish books by Mr. Will Hawkins, expert accountant, assisted by Father O'Connor. The surplus has been invested profitably in bonds, stock and first mortgages, the greater part of which expire during the year 1927. . Mr. Sam Gittins has given helpful advice in the placing of funds. He is a bond salesman at the Mercantile Trust.
Father O'Connor and Mr. Hawkins expect to have the annual statement ready to submit to the Diocesan Chancery Office next week. Before mailing, it will be submitted to the Parish Trustees, who are : J. P. O'Gorman, Joseph M. Crotty, Henry' J McCauley, P. J. Ludden, Charles W. Heil and Ray R. Dolan, These gentlemen are requested to call at the Rectory, Tuesday evening, January 11th, at 8 o'clock, the ushers also are invited.
ST. ANN'S SODALITY
St. Ann's Sodality report a year of activity and success, they have created a fund for the New Church of $456. Special credit is given to the Euchre Committee, who made $314 in the two Euchres promoted by them under the direction of Father Pohl.
Mrs. Briuglia, 2025 Schaffer Place, secured pictures for two shows on which there were receipts of $120 and Mrs. Lederle donated and raffled a quilt on which she raised $25.
St. James Parochial School Alumni Association will hold a meeting in the School Hall, Thursday evening, January 13.
MR. PIERCE'S CHRISTMAS GIFT
Mr. Pierce gave a gift to Father O'Connor, Christmas morning which kept him smiling for the rest of the day. It was one of his extemporary jokes that was caustic and instructive.
It has been obvious to the observant that there are individuals and families in the parish who always come late for Mass. Father O'Connor sometimes stands at the door looking severely at the late comers. Mr. Pierce happened to arrive late and as he approached Father O'Connor, he noticed one of the worst offenders also approaching the door. He looked toward him in surprise and amazement and turning to Father O'Connor said, "Father, I knew I was late, but the Lord knows I never thought it was as bad as that."
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Antony Palumbo and James Hayes, students from Kenrick Seminary, have been spending their Christmas vacation at the Rectory. Mr. Hayes assisted at the High Mass as Sub deacon and Mr. Palumbo was Master of Ceremonies.
THE CHOIR AND MIDNIGHT MASS
The unusual happened Christmas Night. It would appear from the assemblage around the church that every parishioner and some of their neighbors endeavored to be present at Midnight Mass. ,. .
Three priests were hearing confessions until 10:30. By eleven o'clock the church was filling, and at 11:30, there was not an available seat, though chairs were set in every suitable space, by midnight there was a concourse moving toward home because they decided it was impossible to gain admission.
The choir was at its best. Its rendition of the Venite and Mass was a surprise to all. Mr. Heil acted as director and succeeded in keeping every voice in harmony. There was a group singing in the lower scales in perfect unison and below them went in deep grave sounds, the voices of the bass singers, whilst the contralto singly and in groups gave emphasis to the most sublime expression of the composition. Miss Carreras surpassed herself at the organ. She must have been very pleased with her choir; they showed technique and their full voices undoubtedly were the results of persistent and industrious training.
More than 700 persons went to Communion at Midnight Mass, and a large proportion of the congregation at the morning masses also went to Communion.
CHURCH DECORATION FOR CHRISTMAS AND DONATIONS
The decoration and cleaning of the church for Christmas was attended to by a number of parishioners under the direction of Sister Sacristan.
The Crib was planned and donated by Mr. Thomas Duggan. It attracted a great deal of the children's attention. Billy Boman was among the first to view its marvels and mystery. The baby Jesus in his poverty, so appealed to his imagination, he went home and took fifty pennies his Aunt had given him, tied them in a ribbon, and presented them to the Holy Child. Older children came in groups, bringing their little brothers and sisters. As they knelt before the Crib a painter would find an inspiration in their innocent faces, there was awe and reverence such as the angels might have on the first Christmas night when they looked down from above on the stable at Bethlehem.
Whilst the Crib was being erected, there were several ladies on their knees manifesting practical humility and zeal, not in prayer, such as people understand it, yet more prayerful than devout petitioners in contemplative adoration; they were the housewives who had come to scrub the church they had the Christmas house-cleaning in their homes and their children and husbands saw the transformation, and the cleanness that brings good cheer, and now they had turned their attention to the House of God, and their active hands removed the dust from the windows and the furnishings, and the grime from the floor bringing brightness and gladness into the vision of all who came to adore at Christmas.
The ladies who were so solicitous, undoubtedly would be better pleased that a record of their deeds be known only to God. "Let's Go" would encourage emulation by registering their names: Mrs. Moore, Mrs. Marshall, Mrs. Kirby, Mrs. LaGarce, Mrs. Arlt, Mrs. Irvin, Mrs. Quinn, Mrs. Mary Jones. Mrs. Eichnor, Mrs. Plengemeier.
Mr. Joseph P: Houlihan furnished many plants and branches of evergreens to decorate the altar, and city fireman, Albert Arnold, though not a Catholic, busied himself many days making a linen case for the Sacristy and a crucifix which he presented to the eighth grade.
The spirit of Christmas was not confined to those already mentioned, it was in the hearts and minds of all the people of St. James. There were presents made to the priests, to the Sisters, to the School Children, to the poor, and the souls of the deceased relatives were not forgotten. Innumerable requests were made to the Parish Priests for masses for the dead. The New Church also came in for its share of special gifts. Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Pahl forwarded $100; Mr. and Mrs. Sam Gittins, $100; Miss Anna M: Merriman, $200; The Mahon Bros., West Park Ave., $200; Mrs. Hugh Marshall, $25; The Kern Sisters, $70; The Saxton Sisters, $75; Mrs. Wichman, $5; Miss Emma Ehle, $100.
The Christmas collection for the Seminary, Orphans and Cathedraticum was the largest yet received and represented offerings from the wage earners of the Parish, the total receipts amounted to $958.
PRIZES TO SCHOOL CHILDREN
Father O'Connor visited the School, Christmas week, and gave prizes to many children in the junior grades.
The baby room was awarded the greatest number of gifts. He examined the children and gave a prize to everyone in the kindergarten who could say the Act of Contrition and Morning Prayers.
In the other rooms his awards varied. He gave a prize to all who had gone to Communion every Sunday since making their first Communion, he found no one who went to daily communion, a fact which tends to show the parents are not mindful of the exhortation of Pius X. He offered prizes to all who had made a visit that morning to Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament; it was forenoon, there were very few who had made visits, and Sister explained that the children had been trained to go during the noon hour. All the children promised him to make a visit in future every day they come to school.
He was about to give a prize to every child who put a penny in the collection basket on Sunday, and found he would not have enough prizes to go around; he raised the requirements to five cents in the 3rd and 4th grades and even then was at a loss to supply premiums. He raised the amount to ten cents; on this basis a large number of children were awarded prizes. There were a few who were complimented very highly on their generosity, because they had in some instances saved up so that they had managed to give a quarter on the previous Sunday, and there were a few who came in for special benediction, because they had saved 3c a day from their lunch money and with additional saving from money given them by relatives, they had given on an occasion 50c on one Sunday toward the building of a New Church.
The children made three promises to Father and he wishes the parents to ask them what they are. . .
A CHILD'S FUNERAL
Austin Francis Baer, who was born July 22, 1926, son of Mr. and Mrs. Allen. William Baer, 1529 Tamm Ave., died of pneumonia, December 30. His remains were buried from St. James Church on New Year's Eve.
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Mrs. Florence Elile Hilton moved to her new home at 6128 Victoria Ave., December 15. It is a five room bungalow of matted brick construction. For a time she lived out of the parish and decided she would be happy nowhere else except in her old neighborhood She is an orphan girl, who has resided with her aunt, Miss Emma Ehle, West Park Ave., since she was three years old.
BOXING EXHIBITION
Officers of St. James Branch No. 1, Holy Name Society have arranged to have a sparring match Monday evening, January 10th, at their quarterly meeting in the Parish Hall, when Eddie Burke, the Sherman Park ringster, who won the Western A. A. U. featherweight title last season, will go a few rounds with Vic Windle, a local lightweight.
Following the bout there will be a two act vaudeville and addresses will be made by Mr. John A. Burke, President of the Diocesan Union of the Holy Name Societies and by Mr. Ed. P. Doyle, Secretary.
There will also be election of officers and a stag party to which all the men of the parish are invited.
Admission will be free.
THE SMOOTH CHEEK
A man desiring a razor wrote a letter to Sears, Roebuck & Co., and it read as follows Dear Sir: Enclosed please find fifty cents (50c) for which I would like you to send me one of your razors. Sincerely, John Smith. P. S. I forgot to enclose the fifty cents but I'm sure a firm of your standing would send the razor anyway.
He received a reply which read:
Dear Sir: We received your order for which we thank you, and we are enclosing the razor. Sincerely, Sears, Roebuck & Co. P. S. We forgot to enclose the razor, but we are sure that a man with such a smooth cheek as yours would not need one.
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Miss Margaret Byrne, Dale Ave., donated to the Sanctuary at Christmas time a case to hold the lunette, in which reposes, in the Tabernacle, the Blessed Sacrament used in Benediction.
WHEN THE PRIESTS CALL ON YOU
A religious census is being compiled by the government and to comply with the requirements, Fathers Pohl and O'Connor will visit every Catholic in the Parish during the months of January and February. During the visit they intend also soliciting funds for the New Church from each wage earner in the home. Though it will be a pleasure for them to visit each family, the number to be visited and the shortness of the time make it imperative that the visit does not extend over ten minutes.
You can expedite their work and make their visit more enjoyable if you comply with the following rule.
Soliciting Funds
SAMPLE COPY OF CENSUS BLANK
Address, 1212 Tamm ---------- Date: January 1927 ---------- Rent? No.
| NAME | AGE | OCCUPATIONS | REMARKS |
| Jones, Peter 43 | 43 | Clerk, Bemis Bag Co | Regular Communicant |
| Jones, Mrs. Mary | Home | Non-Catholic | |
| Jones, James 24 | 24 | Plumber | 6 years from Sacraments |
| Jones, Mary 22 | 22 | Stenographer, 6th & Pine | Regular Communicant |
| Jones, Elizabeth 19 | 19 | Restaurant maid | Don't go to church |
| Jones, James 15 | 15 | Third year, Central High | Confirmed |
| Jones, John 12 | 12 | Public School | Not Confirmed |
| Jones, Anne 4 | 4 | Baptized |
THE CONVERT
One of the happiest families in St. James Parish, Christmas morning was probably Mr. and Mrs. Clegg and family, 6851 Garner Ave., and this notwithstanding the fact that Mr. Clegg's life was despaired of by his medical attendant
Mr. Clegg, whose wife and three children, Arnold, Florence and Maria are Catholic, joined the church on Christmas morning. For many years his family have ardently desired his conversion. The children were educated at St. James Parochial School and each of them, when making his First Communion offered it for this intention.
Up to the time that Father O'Connor dropped in on Mr. Clegg, on Christmas Day, he had manifested no desire to join the church.
When Father O'Connor, after a conference with Mr. Clegg announced to the children that their father desired Baptism and the Holy Eucharist, they embraced one another and wept tears of gladness. Their prayers were heard, God had given Grace to their dad to appreciate at last, their Holy Faith. Their emotion was pathetic and beautiful, as they all knelt around the sick man's bed and heard him make his profession of faith and baptismal vows.
Mr. Clegg's condition though still critical, has noticeably improved since his baptism.
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Mr. Maurice Sullivan, when kindling a fire at Frank's Filling Station, Clayton Road, upset a can of gasoline which ignited and scattered flames over the building. His face and hands were severely burned and he was rushed to St. John's Hospital, where he now is in a very critical condition.
BAPTISMS
UNCLE HENRY'S LETTER
January 3, 1927.
Dear Charlie
well Charlie, new year's is ben hear an gone an i gess by this time a lot of peeple relize that it aint no use to makt new years rezolushions an probly mos of them is deside to make a rezolushion not to make no moor rezolushions an they are mos likely gettin ready to brake that 1 to.
Charlie, you shuda ben out hear Christmas ev an here the midnite mas an our new Quire you wood think you wus ill the cathedral or somewares. the orgenist, Mis carrareas, is doin rounders an you out to here the swel musick she can make out of that old orgen of ours. Mr. heil is better than ever an seams like he is the main boss of the gang an direks the hole works by movin his arms up and down like Sousa an when he drops his arms they al stop. Gess that is why they kep rich gud time. i don't no who works the orgen wile mis carreras plays it but i notic wen Charlie drops his arms the orgen stops rite now. charlies vois is as strong as ever an wen he lets it out he dronds out all of them escept Lou riegel who has got sum A and B battery volum hisself. we are gettina lot of nue singers to and it luks like we mite have some use for that quire loft which they is goin to bild in the nue church. 1 fellow was so impress with the singing than lie went up to sum one in the quire after mass an offer them $2.
you rumember how savin the paster uset to be. wel he is just as savin only more. He sent me a Christmas card all address it decent 25, l926, 27, 28. 29. 30 and wen i made my contribution i wrote a check an date it decem. 25, 1926-27-28-29-30. he is jus as sharp wit as ever, an belief me he sees everything wot gos on aroun. the day after new years he announce that a lot of peeple was out so late celebratin that they could not get up for mass the nex day an that they ought to hang there head in shame. wel, i lookt aroun an near every ones head was hangin an so i hung mine. It beets all how that man can reed your mind.
of course sum of the peeple wat was absent mite of been at some other church like i herd of 1 feller from our parish wot went to confeshion at the college church an loos his hat an it servs him rite cause if he woud of los it at St. James he mit of reconize it on somebody but now he aint got much chance an maby hereafter he will stay out hear wear he belongs with his sins.
wel charlie I got miself in a fine perdickamant new year's eve on acount of the factory shut down early an i nowed the mrs. wuld not be lucking for me so soon an so it wud giv me a good chance to stop in a place wear they are puttin out pretie good stuf an hist a cuple acount of new years only comes onst a year. wel i met sum fellers wot i nowed an befor i relize i wus away late an wen i got home the mrs. give me a good look an i sade darling (that wus the second mistake i made) darling i says the cars wus block for miles an miles. wel she look at me an bust rite out laffin an she says wot is the cars got to do with you well you are drivin yur machine. wel Charlie you culd of nock me over with a feether an every time i speek out of turn she says wots the matter with the cars now.
wel Charlie it jus proves 2 things if you are maried all hav got a wif you shud not selebrate an if you selebrate you shud not try to lye to your wif caus she roil probly call you on it.
Yours truly,
UNCLE HENRY
BACK TO LET'S GO, 1927
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