Showing 12 results

Formal financial report and farewell letter sent by the Capuchin friars to the parishioners of Sacred Heart Parish in Lincoln, Nebraska, tracking the parish’s financial history from January 1926 to October 1937. Father Ephrem O'Sullivan OFM Cap. writes a note explaining that after the Capuchins decided to relinquish administration of the parish, a mutual agreement was reached with Bishop Louis B. Kucera to transition the parish records and management over to a diocesan priest, Rev. Thomas Kealy. The centre panels outline the severe financial crisis (‘acute state of affairs’) and details yearly cash receipts and disbursements alongside an accumulated indebtedness statement as of 1 October 1937. The records reveal a compounding financial strain, highlighted by $47,000.00 in secured bank notes and bonds, an additional list of outstanding vendor debts, and unpaid interest dating back to June 1936.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

(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.

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