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Copy letter from Bishop Louis B. Kucera to Fr. Stephen Murtagh OFM Cap. confirming receipt of the Vatican rescript required for the order’s withdrawal from Lincoln, Nebraska. Writing with a touch of humour by referencing the King of England’s recent abdication speech (‘At long last’), the Bishop expresses his deep gratitude for the sacrifices and service the Capuchin friars extended to the Diocese of Lincoln. He highly commends the departing pastor, Father Ephrem O’Sullivan, praising his maturity, priestly attitude, and total prudence when dealing with local gossipers and critics during this difficult transitional period. Finally, the Bishop notes that he has provided Father O’Sullivan with a copy of the formal rescript for his records and officially grants him permission to take his leave from the diocese.

Copy letter from Bishop Louis B. Kucera of Lincoln, Nebraska, to Fr. Stephen Murtagh OFM Cap. The Bishop confirms that the necessary legal documents (‘rescript’) have arrived to finalize the agreement for the Capuchins to leave the Diocese of Lincoln. He expresses "sincere regret" that the city will be without the Capuchin Fathers. He specifically praises Fr. Ephrem O’Sullivan OFM Cap. for his ‘prudent and judicious’ handling of ‘gossipers, fault finders and false prophets’ who were critical of the transition. The Irish Capuchins had taken over the Sacred Heart Parish in Lincoln in the late 1920s. However, by 1937, the Order decided to withdraw from the diocese to consolidate their resources in other missions, such as those in California and Delaware.

A photograph of Fr. Ephrem O’Sullivan OFM Cap.

(Left) Fr. James O'Mahony OFM Cap. (1897-1962) and (right) Fr. Ephrem O’Sullivan OFM Cap. (1904-1958) in the garden of the Church Street Friary in Dublin.

Photographic prints of Fr. David Kelleher OFM Cap. (1912-1995) and Fr. Ephrem O’Sullivan OFM Cap. (1904-1958) blessing a Holy Year Cross atop Muckish Mountain (Derryveagh Mountain Range, County Donegal) on the Feast of the Assumption (15 August) in 1951. The file includes a note written by Fr. David giving information on some of the people in one of the photographic prints. See also CA DL/6/10.

Letter from Bishop Louis B. Kucera to Fr. Ephrem O’Sullivan OFM Cap. expressing gratitude for his kind reflections on his time in Nebraska and reaffirms their mutual respect, highlighting the priest’s prudent handling of his duties under highly adverse parish circumstances. He also thanks Father O'Sullivan for sending mementos of two Irish saints – Blessed Oliver Plunkett and Blessed Thaddeus MacCarthy – while acknowledging newspaper reports regarding the stormy Atlantic weather the priest endured during his winter voyage home.

Letter from Bishop Louis B. Kucera to Fr. Ephrem O’Sullivan OFM Cap. addressing the withdrawal of Capuchin friars from Lincoln, Nebraska.

Letter from Fr. Joseph Fenelon OFM Cap. to Fr. Edwin Fitzgibbon OFM Cap., Provincial Minister, referring to the aftermath of the sudden death of Fr. Dominic O’Connor OFM Cap. and the resulting administrative reshuffling of the Oregon mission. Father Fenelon plans to drive back to Bend with Fr. Ephrem for the funeral on Wednesday. He also mentions a concern regarding potential trouble with the ‘Republican Brotherhood’ during the funeral, promising to update the Provincial after the burial. He recommends leaving Fr. Finnian with Fr. Luke, returning to the arrangement they had during Fr. Leo’s previous illness.

Letter from Fr. Stephen Murtagh OFM Cap. to Fr. Ephrem O’Sullivan OFM Cap. announcing that the official rescript (formal permission) from Rome has finally arrived, granting Father Ephrem legal clearance to leave his post at Sacred Heart and return home to Ireland. He suggests scheduling the departure around 11 December to ensure a comfortable arrival home before Christmas. The letter also includes practical instructions regarding the parish housekeeper’s travel arrangements to Watts, Los Angeles, and notes that a formal notification regarding the departure has just been sent to the bishop.

Clippings (from the 'Derry Journal') re the installation of a Holy Year Cross atop Muckish Mountain (Derryveagh Mountain Range, County Donegal) on the Feast of the Assumption. Includes a photographic print showing Fr. David Kelleher OFM Cap. and Fr. Ephrem O’Sullivan OFM Cap. (1904-1958) who blessed the Cross. In 2000, a large metal cross was placed on the summit, replacing the wooden one (erected in 1951) which had been destroyed in a storm. See also CA DL/5/24.