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A photograph of Fr. Dominic O’Connor OFM Cap. and Sarah Mellows standing at the graveside of Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. in Mission Santa Inés in California. Other individuals in the group include Fr. Stephen Murtagh OFM Cap., Rev. Paul Dillon, and Mary McWhorter.

A copy of a humorous poem written by Fr. Brendan O’Callaghan OFM Cap. reflecting on an excursion to Cuba undertaken by Irish Capuchin missionaries working in the United States.

Photographic album of Fr. Urban Riordan OFM Cap. The album contains many black and white photographic prints (on card) of views of the Capuchin Mission at Santa Inez, California. First leaf contains a memorial card for Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. who ‘died in exile for the Republic of Ireland at Santa Barbara, USA, 14 Feb. 1925’. The album contains:
Photograph of Fr. Urban Riordan OFM Cap. and Fr. Leo Sheehan OFM Cap. outside a house in Ukiah, California.
Photograph of Most Rev. Edward Joseph Hanna, Archbishop of San Francisco, with a confirmation group of Native American children.
Photographs of the mourners at the funeral of Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. (Feb. 1925). The photograph is captioned: ‘Fr. Urban [Riordan OFM Cap.], Peter Murray, Fr. Stephen [Murtagh OFM Cap.], Rev. Paul Dillon, Eamon Martin, Mrs [Mary] McWhorter, Fr. Dominic [O'Connor OFM Cap.], Mrs [Sara] Mellows, Fr Leo … Funeral, Fr. Albert, Feb. 1925’.
Portrait photograph of an ‘Indian Girl’, Ukiah, California.
Photograph of Br. Conrad standing in front of the portico of Santa Inez Mission.
Photograph of a group of ‘Californian Indians (Pomo), Ukiah, 1925’.
Photograph of a group of ‘Pomo Indian Boys, 4.1.25’.

Letter from Fr. Joseph Fenelon OFM Cap. to Fr. Peter Bowe OFM Cap., Provincial Minister, giving a detailed account of the various problems and issues at the funeral of Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. in Mission Santa Inés in California. The majority of the letter is taken up with expressions of Father Fenelon’s intense dissatisfaction with how Fr. Albert’s burial was handled. Against his specific instructions for a simple burial, a metallic/steel casket was placed over the coffin. This was requested by a Mr. Murray on behalf of the Irish Society in Los Angeles. Fr. Joseph attempted to countermand this order, but upon arriving at the undertaking parlor, he found the body already sealed in the steel casket, which the undertaker claimed could not be removed without ‘blowing the seal’.

Fr. Joseph had instructed that the grave be dug behind the Sacristy at the Santa Inés Mission. However, he arrived to find the grave already started in a different location, near the old Tower. The justification given was that the original site was part of an old burial ground containing ‘a number of Indians’. He affirms that Fr. Dominic O’Connor OFM Cap. was master of ceremonies at the funeral service and that Fr. Gabriel Harrington OFM Cap. sang the Mass. The Watts Choir travelled to provide music and Father Fenelon said a few words at the conclusion of the service.

Letter from Fr. Joseph Fenelon OFM Cap. to Fr. Peter Bowe OFM Cap., Provincial Minister, confirming that he has sent Fr. Stephen Murtagh OFM Cap. to Santa Inés to cover for Fr. Albert, who remains ill. He plans to call on Fr. Reginald to help cover local Masses while other friars are away on missions. Father Fenelon also refers to upcoming missionary travel for various friars, and improvements to the parish infrastructure in Watts.

A photograph of (left) Fr. Stephen Murtagh OFM Cap. with (centre) an Observant Franciscan and another Capuchin friar most likely in California in the United States.

A photograph of Fr. Peter Bowe OFM Cap., Provincial Minister, with the community of friars in Abbottstown, Pennsylvania, in the United States. Fr. Peter is seated (middle). Fr. Brendan O’Callaghan OFM Cap. is seated (first on the left). Fr. Stephen Murtagh OFM Cap. is seated (first on the right). Br. Didacus Kelleher OFM Cap. is standing (first on the right). Fr. Aidan O’Reilly OFM Cap. is standing (first on the left). Fr. Peter Bowe OFM Cap. was on visitation to the Irish Capuchin missions in the United States in 1924.