LET'S GO

April 1, 1928
Volume Four, Number Four

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."



THREE HOURS DEVOTION GOOD FRIDAY

The agony and crucifixion of Our Lord will be commemorated at St. James Church on Good Friday by a three hour devotion beginning at 12 noon.

A Jesuit Father will preach, between meditations, on the seven last words uttered by Christ.

Stores in this locality will be closed from 12 to 3 and a large attendance is expected. Those who have been present on previous years say the time passes very quickly and that the emotion aroused by the meditation is sublime. An effort should be made by all who are employed to obtain freedom to attend.

OUR PASTOR'S LETTER

My dear Parishioner;

The thrill of viewing each morning the New Church from the Rectory door is gradually subsiding into a cold unimpassioned look at the mountain of debt that is rising behind it; there is a general feeling, I believe, that the decorations and furnishings of the Church should be completed at this time so that a finished and beautiful temple be presented to the Lord on the day of dedication and thereby give the parishioners the delight they may be expected to have on seeing their long deferred hope finally realized. I, too, share in this feeling and am prone to be led away by prevailing enthusiasm from the conservative judgment which would keep the parish ambition within reasonable bounds and the parish indebtedness within a safe margin of security.

Deferring the purchase of an organ would simplify the problem of financing the rest of the contracts and eliminate the risk of not being able to meet the obligations of the parish in the next few years, but the disappointment this would cause the choir who have been faithful and self-sacrificing has made me view every avenue of approach with an intense desire of being able to find a way out of the difficulty.

The architect and myself have examined the detail of decorations and furnishings and have decided to cut them down to a figure that will make it possible for us to complete them without lessening to any noticeable extent the scheme of the design or the richness and beauty of the decorations. The contract for frescoing the walls is already made at a figure a few thousand dollars less than what was originally planned, a cut has also been made in the cost of the electric fixtures; tiles for the aisles are eliminated and a herringbone maple floor will cover the entire body of the Church except within the Sanctuary where tiling shall be retained.

It is probable that the investigation that is being made of specifications and contracts for an organ will be sufficiently studied by the end of the week and that a contract be made before this issue of Let's Go comes from the press.

The practical encouragement I have received from the number of parishioners who have signed notes is the sale reason why I am contracting in the name of the parish an indebtedness that will in all probability exceed $85,000. These parishioners have given me an assurance that they will not only keep up their 4 per cent payments but in the event of the parish revenue not being sufficient to meet the annual payments of principle and interest they will share in the responsibility and be liable to the extent of twenty-five dollars a year for three years.

This is an admirable display of parish loyalty and an unusual backing of a parish programme; It not only says, go ahead but it further adds, if ever a time should come when you need twenty-five dollars you will know where to get it.

Not all the parishioners could, in conscience, sign these notes, a laborer, struggling to meet recurring demands and on the verge of want might like to show zeal for his parish but zeal must be tempered by prudence and I insisted that no one who could not be sure of finding twenty-five dollars, should the notes be called, ought to give a promise. The Seminary drive has already taken its toll of promises from most of the parishioners and these have to be dis- charged or the parish will be obligated to make up the deficit of the assessment.

Since the parishioners learned that there was a possibility of the Church not being finished a noticeable increase of donations has been received, new contributors have been registered, and bigger contributions have been made, many who were behind in their 4 per cent and special offerings have sent in checks that vary from $5.00 to $100.00. These indications of public spirit, parochial pride andl generosity to God are the best assurance that the parishioners want the Church completed in a manner that will be satisfactory to everyone.

Hence, I have decided to take the risk and sign all the remaining contracts, but I must most earnestly emphasize that a wage earner who does not keep up his payments is unfair to the ones who do and especially to the public-spirited parishioners who have been good enough to sign the notes. I may assure these I have the greatest confidence that if each wage earner does his duty the notes shall never be called.

Sincerely in Christ,
PATRICK J. O'CONNOR, Adm.

PARISH MEETINGS

Three parish meetings were held since Lent began after evening devotions, to discuss the advisability of contracting an additional debt to complete the decorations and furnishings of the New Church. Opinion was divided and it was difficult to decide what group present represented the mature judgment of the congregation. After motion was, made and carried at the first meeting to defer the purchase of an organ, the choir created such a rumpus, the resolution was rescinded and another made to call another and a larger meeting the next week.

At the second meeting a majority of those present voted in favor of contracting a sufficient debt to complete the furnishing and decorations. Father O'Connor said, as much as he desired to complete the Church he could not act on the resolution and contract a larger debt unless the parishioners were willing to place themselves in the same jeopardy as that in which those voting for the resolution were about to place him. When the contracts are signed he will have to face the stern duty of meeting them. It would not be fair to the parish, the priesthood or to the men who had worked in the building, he declared, to make contracts without a reasonable assurance of being able to pay the bills; he added the only condition on which he would contract more debt was that the parishioners who wanted the Church completed would sign three notes of twenty-five dollars each, obligating themselves to the American Trust Company to meet those notes on thirty-one days notice should there not be enough money in the parish treasury to meet the annual payments of principle and interest in the next few years.

A committee from the Boosters Club was appointed to obtain signatures and in a partial report made by them the following gave promissory notes:

Mrs. B. W. Plengemeir, 1336 Tamm avenue.
Charles W. Heil, 2108 Forest avenue.
Edward L. Loyet, 6906 Bruno avenue.
John Pilla, 1101 Graham street.
Gus Beinecke, 2163 Clifton avenue.
Patrick Winters, 1333 Graham street.
Lenore Lott, 6162 Victoria avenue.
F. J. O'Sullivan, 1120 Louisville avenue.
C. J. Placke, 6143 West Park avenue.
Joe Sharamitaro, 6328 West Park avenue.
John McGuire, 1029 Central avenue.
Charles M. O'Keefe, 1325 Hampton avenue.
Mary M. Manion, 6648 Oakland avenue.
Mrs. P. LaGarce, 1309 Graham avenue.
Patrick McGuire, 1344 Graham street.
Henry J. McCauley, 1522 Tamm avenue.
Charles Kaiser, 1528 Buck avenue.
James Zubiena, 6125 Clayton avenue.
John J. Houlihan, 6319 Clayton avenue.
J. H. Cadwallader, 5830 Wise avenue.
Bernard P. Brady, 6235 Victoria avenue.
Thomas]. Meehan, 1017 Graham street.
R. E. Pierce, 1223 Childres avenue.
D. B. Jackson, 1111a Central avenue.
Rose and Agatha Jennemann, 1034 Oakview pl.
Patrick J. Mullarkey, 6402 West Park avenue.
John Doran, 6416 Wade avenue.
Kate Wagner, 6814 Clayton avenue.
Hubert A. Ward, 1041 Louisville avenue.
William Menner, 6430 Wise avenue.
Louis H. Riegel, 6329 West Park avenue.
C. B. Arlt, 2113 Prather avenue.
George L. Bayers, 6925 Magnolia avenue.
John O'Hare, 6446 Wise avenue.
Mrs. Irene Bruno, 1031 Art Hill place.
John J. Brady, 6433 Lloyd avenue.
Mrs. Clara Jackson, 2063 Knox avenue.
John King, 1428 Sulphur avenue.
Bernard A. Kelly, 1129 Graham avenue.
A. E. Schweitzer, 6124 Adeline street.
S. ]. Gittins, 6247 Clayton avenue.
M. Irene Maloney, 1022 Grandview place.
R. B. Barry, 1321 Hampton avenue.
Thomas M. Banks, 1208 Kraft street.
W. E. McCann, 1201 Childress avenue.
J. M. Badendieck, 1003 Knox avenue.
Mrs. Whitmore, 6421 Nashville avenue.
John Houlihan, Sr., Clayton avenue.
Arthur E. Pahl, 1458 Tamm avenue.
Thomas Williford, 5579a Manchester avenue.
F. A. Walsh, 6452 Lloyd avenue.
William C. Koncen, 2108 Forest avenue.
T. E. Cavanagh, 6650 Oakland avenue.
A. F. Froesel, 6208a Crescent avenue.
Josephine O'Gorman, 6452 Nashville.
W. H. Hense, 6402 Wise avenue.
Minnie Carreras, 7154 Manchester avenue.
W. J. Masterson, 1111 Louisville avenue.
George H. Wiber, 6143 West Park avenue.
William T. Quinn, 6322 West Park avenue.
Emil W. Bujewski, 6144 West Park avenue.
J.J. Corbett, 6531 Wise avenue.
James P. Blythe, 6135 Victoria avenue.
Bertha Y. Blythe, 6136 Victoria avenue.
James A. Hastey, 1549a Tamm avenue.
H. V. Lutz, 1516 Buck avenue.
James Devanny, 1538 Buck avenue.
Mrs. D. F. Collins, Sr., 6214 Berthold.
Marie Ryan, 6167 Crescent avenue.
P. H. Murphy, 6217a Victoria avenue.
Luella Weber, 6153 Victoria avenue.
John A. Doering, 6432 Wade avenue.
W. F. Nuelle, 1019 Central avenue.
Raymond T. Melican, 6649 Wise avenue.
Genevieve L. Mahon, 1534 Tamm avenue.
Mrs. P. Kelly, 1452 Tamm avenue.
Mrs. Thos. Sullivan, 6108 West Park avenue.
Kern Sisters, 1105 Central avenue.
William Hense, 6402 Wise avenue.
Leo. B. Menner, 6430 Wise avenue.
Mr. and Mrs. A. Briuglia, 2025 Schaeffer place.
Joseph A. Pieschel, 2033 Schaeffer place.
A. E. Cunningham, 6654 Mitchell avenue.
William Jones, 1209 Childress avenue.
M. M. O'Neill, 6236 Oakland avenue.
Charles W. Klasek, 6212 Victoria avenue.
Morgan P. Foley, 2063 Knox avenue.
John Manion, 6648 Oakland avenue.
P. J. Ludden, 6115 Clayton avenue.
Charles M. O'Keefe, Sr., 1325 Hampton ave.
Mr. and Mrs. A. Hausman, 1032 Fairmont ave.
Nan Forrest ,1015 Fairmont avenue.
M. R. Armstrong, 6650 Oakland avenue.
Joseph J. Witte, 6544 Berthold avenue.
Edward G. McKenna, 1030 Aberdeen place.
E. C. Orner, 1207 Kraft street.
August Logemann, 1038 Forest avenue.
C. Gioia, 1315 Tamm avenue.
Al. Dolan, Lloyd avenue.
Ray Dolan, Grandview place.
Joseph M. Crotty, Tamm avenue.
Martin C. Coad, 6433 Lloyd.
Mr. Charles Ehle and his sister, Miss Emma Ehle refused to sign but made a direct contribution of $75.00.
Several others gave lesser sums.

THE SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE THREE HOURS DEVOTION GOOD FRIDAY

Mr. William Hense, Sr., the most active and enthusiastic member of the School Improvement Committee has been busily engaged during the past few weeks in the school yard where he has been directing a force of volunteer school boys to spread cinders and level the earth which he has procured from local excavators to continue the fill. His enthusiasm and effort are inspiring and no doubt the rest of the committee will be aroused to action by his example and get ready to put on in the early Summer a big carnival to raise funds for the completion and erection of dividing partitions in the temporary church so that it will be ready for school use by September.

There is on hand at present a nucleus of $627.00, the balance from the parish picnic of 1927, and it is absolutely necessary that this be increased very substantially so that the entire expense of the contemplated improvement be met without turning to the ordinary parish income.

The other members of the committee are Mrs. Bovard, President of the Mothers' Club, and the presidents and prefects of the various parish societies. Honorary members: Father Pohl, Sam Gittins, Mr. Joseph Pieschel, the Angelic Warfare Society are usually represented by Father O'Connor.

MOTHERS' CLUB MINSTREL

St. James Mothers' Club Minstrel Show which is annually held on St. Patrick's Night was presented this year at Lambskin Hall, staged and directed by Henrietta Bufunno Uxa and was awarded the laudatory reception that usually falls to the Mothers' Club. It is estimated a few hundred persons failed to gain admission. There was not a dead moment in the entertainment. The Minstrels increased in confidence under the stimulation of repeated applause and it was evident that many of them were compelled to temporize in order to meet the demands for repeated encores, a good-natured and friendly understanding was evident between the players and the audience and much of the humor and banter was original and of local application.

A commendable feature of the programme was the prominence that was given to the minstrels who have established a reputation for unusual ability, they were kept to the front of the stage and the audience were given a generous serving of first-class vaudeville. The variety of entertainment and the skill of all the performers were gratifying, and songs, dancing and even the mouth organ rendition were each in their own way excellent.

The Irish feature of the program conducted by the Moran Sisters, Mrs. Hefele and Mrs. Larson put the rest of the entertainment in keeping with the traditional spirit of St. Patrick's Night, it was reminiscent, colorful and Irish in sentiment and staging. Mrs. Hefele in wig and gown would have passed anywhere for a beautiful and kindly old Irish dame and Mrs. Larson, her supposed son stalwart and stately had the rascally suggestiveness of expression and the athletic clip peculiar to the race. Their sketch was clever and their singing good. It is to be hoped that future occasions they will increase the cast and not be so limited to time.

The orchestra, St. James own, in no way could be suspected of being amateurs. They accompanied the players wherever accompaniment was necessary and rendered many delightful selections, however the sweetest impression that they made on the Mothers' Club was in the knowledge that their services were free. Some of Mrs. Cullen's jokes apparently belonged to her private stock and were not intended for the general public. She must have thought, because she wore male attire, she was at a stag party.

INSURANCE OF ART GLASS WINDOWS

The attention of the donors of the art glass memorial windows is called to the problem of having them insured. The rate demanded by one insurance company who were questioned makes total protection prohibitive. The premium asked was 10 per cent a year of the price set on the windows, in other words it's a bet of 10 to 1 that the windows will not be broken in ten years. The rate undoubtedly would be less had storm windows been installed or wire protection fitted over the openings; to these the architect objects because light passing through storm glass is less colorful and the shadows from wire falling on the art glass would destroy the artistic effects.

The windows, though undoubtedly the property of the Church are also personal memorials. Were they destroyed the donors would be as much concerned and more dejected than the rest of the congregation. There is no guarantee that the congregation would repair the injury and continue the memorial, hence it is as much a matter of concern for the donors as the congregation to decide for what sums the windows should be insured. Mr. Gaytee, the designer, thinks the chances of the windows being destroyed by hail is not very great owing to the leading which intervenes every few inches and says should any small section be destroyed by accident he can replace it at trivial expense, but this does not cover the possibility of the windows being entirely destroyed by tornado or fire.

Art glass windows are covered by ordinary cyclone insurance only in proportion the sum of the insurance bears to the cost of the building, If the Church IS insured for one-half of it's value, the windows are insured only to the same extent. It was suggested that each donor look out for his own window and insist that such insurance as he deems necessary be carried under the condition that he and the Church pay one-half. This appears to be practical and timely, and donor's are requested to take their share of the responsibility and at their earliest convenience confer with the pastor.

BAPTISMS IN MARCH

Hugh Michael Mestres, 1022 Aberdeen place.
Joseph James Mestres, 1022 Aberdeen place.
Rose Mary Masterson, 1111 Louisville avenue.
Charles Harry Nelson, 6847 Waldemar avenue.
Jean Maria Dapron, l044a Forest avenue.
William Joseph Cooper, 1112 Tamm avenue.

LUKE O'SHAUGHNESSY FUNERAL

Luke O'Shaughnessy, son of Mr. and Mrs. John O'Shaughnessy, 6160 Crescent avenue succumbed March 6th from an undiagnosed illness induced it is thought by the Pasteur Treatment taken at the City Hospital after he was bitten by a dog on Graham avenue.

No bad effects were felt until several days after the dog bite when the patient felt a heaviness in his limbs and a disinclination to take food. A day or two later he had a pronounced case of paralysis and this condition continued two or three weeks till death ensued. He suffered considerable pain and great discomfort, and was attended in the hospital by his mother assisted at night by a special nurse.

Realizing the seriousness of his condition he requested to be given the last Sacraments and was frequently attended by Father O'Connor and Father Pohl.

His untimely and tragic end aroused unusual and widespread sympathy and his funeral was attended by a large concourse of relatives and acquaintances.

He was a cheerful, happy-go-lucky handsome young man, neatly proportioned, alert and vivacious. He was favorably known among the youthful parishioners, and was frequently seen in Church of a Sunday receiving Communion. A deep felt sympathy is extended to the family and prayers are requested for the repose of the deceased. May he rest in peace.

HOLY NAME SOCIETY

Through the activity of the officers of the Holy Name Society the captains and lieutenants, the attendance at Holy Communion the second Sunday in March was extraordinary. Most of the pews in Church were filled by members and there was little room for the rest of the congregation. The slogan to fill the Church is being realized and to accommodate the membership on Easter Sunday it has been decided to have a special Mass for them at 7 o'clock. Every man and boy in the parish is expected to attend.

Reception of new members will be held tonight, Palm Sunday, after evening devotions, Those desiring membership are requested to give their names in the vestibule to the secretary who will assign them a proper place.

Mr. Ed Pierce, the president, has made a map of the parish and after the lieutenants have taken a census a colored pin will be affixed indicating the Catholic families in the community. The society are very enthused in regard to the possibilities of thoroughly organizing the parish and enlisting all the societies in rehabilitating indifferent Catholics.

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Mrs. Mullarkey, 6402 West Park avenue, returned home from St. John's Hospital where she had been a patient several weeks.

FOR RENT

6219 Victoria avenue, 5 rooms, furnace, electric and other modern conveniences. Garage if desired. Reasonable.

EASTER COLLECTION NECESSARY

Ecclesiastical regulations are slow to change and pastors' salaries are about the same today as they were thirty years ago, to be exact during that time they have increased 20 per cent, whereas the cost of living and the salary of a house-keeper has gone up 100 per cent.

The pastor is allowed a salary of $3.25 a day or $1,200.00 a year, whereas a union carpenter is given $12.00; the assistant pays from his salary of $1,000.00, $50.00 a month for board and keep which makes the pastor's stipulated allowance for running the house, paying the house-keeper and the laundry bins less than $5.00 a day. At the end of the month the assistant is sure of $33.33, the pastor is sure of nothing and often finds a deficit.

Of course, the pastor and assistant have other sources of income, the pastor is given Baptismal and marriage offerings and both priests receive stipends for Masses, but the offerings in a parish like St. James where the people are comparatively poor and their Church obligations great, are very insignificant with the exception of the stipend for Masses which is now generally understood to be $2.00, here also the pastor is handicapped as one hundred of his Masses are offered without a stipend each year for the spiritual and temporal welfare of the flock.

Pastors also have their Church dues which are usually paid for diocesan purposes, every pastor in the city has pledged himself to give $1,000.00 in a five-year period to the diocesan preparatory seminary and there are many other demands made upon them from the hobo that rings the door bell and asks for carfare to East St. Louis to the more deserving call from sufferers and religious institutions and missions in every part of the world.

The only opportunity they have for providing for the rainy day is through the annual Easter Collection, in fact this is the relief fund for yesterday and tomorrow. In St. James parish it has been more than generous and has made it possible for the priests to live in comfort though not in luxury.

Envelopes will be mailed at the end of this week to parishioners who have been known to contribute and those who are not listed and are well disposed will find an envelope in the back of the Church to which they should attach their names after they have enclosed their offering.

Among the clergy the Easter Collection is taken as an indication of the standing of the priests with their people. A big collection is therefore a big boost.

PUBLIC SCHOOL CHILDREN AND CONFIRMATION

In all probability Confirmation will be administered on the day of the dedication of the New Church or in the early Fal1 and children who hope to be permitted to receive the Sacrament are forewarned that unless they know Baltimore Catechism No.2 from cover to cover they may not expect to pass. Public school children will be given a simpler examination because of their lesser opportunities. They will be expected to know only the small catechism, Baltimore No. 1.

Many parents presume that a child can be prepared for Confirmation in a few months and permit them to absent themselves from instructions during the period that intervenes from First Communion to Confirmation.

It is unfortunate for those children that their parents do not realize that religious characters are formed as slowly as mental habits that are necessary for a trade, and are built on persistent endeavor and frequent repetition. Those who make the grade in a few months or even in a few years are little more than spiritual illiterates.

HOLY WEEK SERVICES

Wednesday night, usual devotions and sermon at 8 o'clock by Father Foote who has been preaching each Wednesday evening in Lent.

Thursday morning the services of Holy Week begin with the Mass of Exposition which will be a High Mass followed by Procession of the Blessed Sacrament to the Altar of Reposition. This Mass will be sung at 7 a. m. by the senior choir. During the day there will be a guard kept before the Blessed Sacrament by the people of the parish. The school children will be assigned divisions in the day and the promoters of the Apostleship of Prayer will also have a Guard of Honor. At night the men of the Holy Name Society will keep watch as on previous years. Those willing to take an hour during the night are requested by the officers to write their names on a card on which they will state the hour they desire. This they may leave on the table in the vestibule any time before Thursday.

Thursday night the Holy Hour will be conducted from 7:30 to 8 :30 by Father Pohl.

Friday morning Mass of the Presanctified, preceded by Adoration of the Cross at 7:30 o'clock. The consecration does not take place at this Mass, a Host that is already consecrated is reserved from the previous day; hence the Mass of the Presanctified. Communion is not distributed on Good Friday but it is on Easter Saturday.

Good Friday the Three Hours Devotion in honor of Our Lord's three hours agony will be kept from 12 to 3 in the Parish Church, where the school children's choir will sing between the seven sermons that will be preached.

At 8 p.m. there will be devotions and sermon by Father Dan Daly, assistant pastor of St. Mark's.

Saturday morning, Blessing of the Baptismal Water. Fire and Easter Water followed by High Mass at 7:30.

Fast and Abstinence cease at mid-day.

Confessions will be heard by the priests of the parish assisted by a Jesuit Father at 3 p.m. The ladies of the parish, school children and others who are free are requested to go before supper, leaving the night for those who had been at work.

Holy Week is the most solemn portion of Lent and regardless of how indifferent a person might have been during the rest of the penitential season he should devote this time to serious meditation, earnest prayer and reasonable penance.

MASSES EASTER SUNDAY MORNING

There will be a change in the order of Masses on Easter Sunday morning. There will be an additional Mass the time of which is specially arranged to meet the requirements of the Holy Name Society who will go to Communion in a body that morning.

First Mass, Solemn High, 8:30.
Second Mass for Holy Name Society, 7 o'clock.
Third Mass, 7 :30.
Fourth Mass, 9 o'clock.
And the last Mass at 10 o'clock.

Women, young and old, are requested not to attend 7 o'clock Mass as it is expected the Holy Name Society members will require all the pews.

SISTER GABRIEL BACK AT SCHOOL

Sister Gabriel, Superioress of the Dominican Convent in St. James Parish, has returned to her class after being over two weeks in St. John's Hospital where for a few days her recovery from a blood poisoned finger trembled in the balance. It appears the blood poisoning originated in a trifling wound on her right hand thumb caused by the scratch of a pin. The first symptoms of inflammation were disregarded and the blood poisoning had fully taken hold of the lower portion of the arm before a doctor was called. Sister apparently hoped to escape giving annoyance to others by informing them of her condition and it was not until Dr. Glennon after examining her hand at the hospital pronounced the alarming condition of her case, that she decided to submit to treatment. Openings. were made on her thumb, little finger and in two or three places in the palm. She was delirious several days and her recovery is almost miraculous.

Since she came from the hospital she has been endeavoring to teach and it is evident that she is very much unfitted for the strain of continuous work.

A CHILD'S FUNERAL

Leo Sharamitaro, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Sharamitaro, Tamm and West Park avenues, whilst convalescing from diphtheria at the City Isolation Hospital contracted pneumonia and died rather suddenly. His parents were expecting to be called to take him home when his critical condition was announced. Death came a few hours later.

He was buried on Wednesday, March 21st from St. James Church. Rarely has so large an attendance been observed at a child's funeral.

A CARD PARTY TO BE GIVEN AT PIGGLY WIGGLY’S

Mrs. George Kletzker, 1041 Fairmont avenue, assisted by a few of her neighbors and the ladies of the Mothers' Club, will give a card party on Thursday, April 19th at 8 p. m. in the Piggly Wiggly Hall, 3688 Chouteau avenue. Prizes will be furnished by the store and will consist of groceries. The proceeds will go into the fund for the completion of the school. Further information can be obtained from Mrs. Kletzker, or Mrs, Bovard, president of the Mothers' Club.

JOHN O'KEEFE, MERCHANT, DIES

John W. O'Keefe, late of 6208 Clayton avenue, an associate manager of the grocery and meat market at Hampton near West Park avenue, was taken to a hospital for what was presumed to be a slight operation, and quite unexpectedly passed away. Mr. O'Keefe, a native of Millwood, Mo., - and more recently a resident of Tower Grove, was a nephew of the late historian and writer of the lives of the Irish Saints, Canon O'Hanlon, for many years a priest of this archdiocese. The family have preserved their Catholic tradition and the late Mr. O'Keefe and all his relatives have been zealous Catholics.

Though advanced in year's, with the added infirmity of an operation at Christmas, he was seen in Church on a Sunday quite recently. He was a kindly disposed man and one who had many endearing qualities. He was the idol of his grandchildren. He was buried from Requiem Mass, March 27th. R. I. P.

FOR SALE AT DOLAN'S

6803 Nashville avenue, 6 room residence, modern, garage, lot 6Ox130 ..... _ .... $6,500.00

6419 Wade avenue, 3 room cottage, bath, furnace. large basement, a bargain at 3,800.00

6718 Mitchell avenue, 4 room, stucco bungalow, bath, furnace, garage, concrete foundation 5,500.00

6502 West Park avenue, 5 room cottage, garage, lot 50x150 , . . . . . . . . . .. 5,500.00

1129 Graham street, 6 room frame cot- tage, hardwood floors, bath, furnace, garage ',.", , ,. 4,500.00

6112 Wilson avenue, 5 rooms, bath, .lot 6Ox135 , .. , , 4,800.00

BUYING AN ORGAN

Mr. Charles Heil and Miss Minnie Carreras know how much trouble it has entailed; to enumerate a few, specifications were requested from five organ builders, these were studied by the committee and a representative of the company, churches where organs similar to the one proposed were visited and an illustration of the merits of the instruments built by the respective companies was made. Owners were consulted, the leading organists in the city were interviewed; the senate committee did not ask less embarrassing questions of its victims. No one has been punished for contempt, but Mr. Heil is ready to flee the country if the investigation is not closed before the first of April.

In all probability the organ that shall be purchased will cost $7,000.00 and the contract will be entered into before this comes from press.

ORDERING PEWS

Another experience of unexpected difficulties; the pew that is right for one kneeling is too low for one sitting; and if the seat is made wide or the back much inclined, more space is required and the seating capacity of the Church is diminished; if the kneeling stool is. wide and sets back a comfortable distance from the pew there is not space for the feet when one stands. The problem is to have the most comfort in the least space; every longitudinal inch given to a pew lessens the seating capacity by twenty-five and the Church is not a bit too big for the congregation that, it may be expected to hold in five years.

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Father Pohl taught the eight grade in the parochial school in the absence of Sister Gabriel, and gave a great deal of satisfaction to the pupils.

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Sister Sacristan requests the ladies of the parish to come on Tuesday to. prepare the Church for the Holy Week Services.

BENEFIT EUCHRE AND LOTTO

The DeSoto Council of the Knights of Columbus have arranged to give a Euchre and Lotto on Sunday evening, April 22nd also April 29th at 8 p. m. at the K. C. Hall, Maplewood, for the benefit of Mr. Stephen Boyer, 6705 Garner avenue.

Mr. Boyer, an ex-treasurer of the St. James Branch No.1, Holy Name Society, has been ill over two years and confined to his bed over a period of seventeen months, undergoing during that time several operations for an abscess on a lung. He was the only wage earner in the home, his savings are all gone, and he is without an income. His brother members of the Knights of Columbus realizing how possible it is for any man to be in a like condition, have determined to come to his assistance and Mr. Pierce, President of St. James Branch, Holy Name Society is. exhorting the members to cooperate with the DeSoto Council in making the Euchre and Lotto a success. Tickets are for sale and can be had by those who are willing to make an effort to dispose of a few at Dolan's Real Estate office and at Mrs. Bovard's, Mrs. McDonnell's and Mr. Frank Walsh's stores.

Mrs. Boyer has made over 100 fancy work prizes.

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Dolan Walsh, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Walsh of Lloyd avenue has been suffering from mastoid; the attending physician thinks an operation may not be necessary.

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Mary Jane Murphy, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Danny Murphy was operated upon at St. John's Hospital recently for a mastoid. . Her grand-mother also had been a patient there and is now home. Mrs. Murphy did not know Mary Jane was ill until she was about to come home.

UNCLE HENRY'S LETTER
April 1st, 1928.

dear Charlie:

wel, Charlie, you certinly miss surnthing by not being hear for the Mothers' Club Minstrel show which they give on St. Patrik's Day, all acount of i reely believe it was the best 1 they every give an if it wus any better they would certinly have to graduate from the "Amechure" class.

they started off with a "dark-town" wedding an for "high-brown" class i aint never seen nuthin like it. i bet they was more style to that wedding than eny of the women wot took part in it had at their own serimoney. mrs. Foley was the buxom bride -plenty buxom- an mrs. Bambric as the groom was a "steppin" brown boy with class all over him. the brides vale was made of enuf lace curtain to decorate the rectory.

in another seen they was a very interesting crap game an just as Adele Conroy made her 4th straight pass an wuz about to "pinch down" her "profit" on acount of she culdn't get nobody to "fade" her, in walks "Plengemeyer -- the hansornest man in st. James parish (outside of Sterling Rose an Jonnie Moore) an "Plengy" busted up the crap game by hiring the "shooters" for her show. the seen was on the levee and "Plengy" looked aroun like she wus thinkin of buying the place and Conroy acts. like she didin care to sell it.

Conroy and Gittins had a funny sketch all there harmony wus as good as ever. Adele wore a dress that would of made 8 wrappers for enybody else. they had a lot of good jokes but fergot most of them and had to make up others as they went along. I unclerstan they didnt have much chanct to practice on acount of mrs. Gittis was busy with the baby and besides she is worried on acount of all her dresses has bottons "down the back."

the Moran sisters- Cathern and Theresa had a pretty Irish sketch an sang several songs with lots of harmoney only i don't think Cath should play a "old women" an acount of she makes a better "colleen."

Corine clark is a clever "jazz" singer and she can certinly nock harmoney out of a ukalaley. "Allie" La Garce can still handle a harp like nobody's buziness and her an Carine put on sum reel harmoney.

Biz Kenney has got his dues in the Mothers' Club paid up an so he is still a member in good standin an he wound up the show with several irish songs.

they give a good show an i have to admit it but i dent like the idear of everybody tellin me that it was better than the 1 the men give, like Frances Campbell throwed up to me an i have maid up my mine that if the men are goin to keep there supreemecy over the wimin they will have to try a little harder and so if you - want to see a reel show come to our next 1.

dan Murphy must be drinkin heavy again, on acount of i herd his wife saying that the other evening she herd a noise an went downstairs an found Dan going out of the front door in his perjammers, an a feller dont usually pull them kind of stunts except he is under the infloonce. Mary says he was walking in his sleep, an it is natchel for a woman to try to hide her husband's faults, but i got a right to my own opinion, aint i, Charlie?

Sister Gabriel has been in the hospitle for sum time on acount of blood poisoning in her hand an father Pohl has been teaching the 8th grade, an i dont no if he was teaching them or if they was learning him his rithmetic over again. i dont no how he got along with the kids, but i got a idear he was pretty strick on acount of i pass him on the street 1 day an for fun i said, "teacher, can i go out," an without looin aroun to see if it was sumnbody importent he yelled, "No," an acordin to that he must of been tough to get along with.

Charlie Kirk, of Crescent ave. has sold his studebaker an bought a Chevroley, an Ed ryan is soar as a boil about it, an has been tryin to cause trouble by tellin mrs. Kirk that she ought to make Charlie get a big car, an it is easy to see that Ryan is soar because the little car don't use as much gas as the big 1 did.

The new church is got most of the winders in now, an it is certinly goin to be a knock-out wen it is finished. an everybody is raving about it. they has been so many peeple standin aroun admiring it that the pastor is thinkin about putting' a sign in front of it, "No For Sale."

Your pertickler friend an uncle,
HENRY

SICK CALLS BEFORE GOING TO HOSPITAL

It would be to the convenience of the priest, the benefit of the patient and the becomingness of the occasion to have the priest called to the home before a patient is taken to a hospital to undergo an operation. Occasionally a call comes for a priest to go six or seven miles to a hospital to see a patient who might just as easily have been attended a few hours before in the home. Hospitals especially the ones that are not Catholic are not suitably equipped for the administration of the Sacrament and in one instance that we know of the patient died before a priest could be had or the familv circle informed of the urgency of the need.

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BACK TO LET'S GO, 1925-1932


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Bob Corbett corbetre@webster.edu