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Clipping from the ‘Watts Review’ detailing several significant events for the St. Lawrence Parish. A successful week-long religious mission led by Fr. Reginald O’Hanlon OFM Cap. concluded on 22 February. The event drew capacity crowds and featured the renewal of baptismal vows and a papal blessing. Many new members were also added to the Third Order of St. Francis. Reference is also made to the death of Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. who passed away on 14 February 1925 at St. Francis Hospital in Santa Barbara. He was the former rector of the Old Mission Santa Inés and was buried there following a solemn Requiem Mass. A separate report mentions Father Joseph Fenelon participating in a mission at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament.
 

A clipping of an article outlining the history of Mission Santa Inés (sometimes spelled Santa Inez or Santa Ynez) in California. The article refers to the role played by the Irish Capuchin friars in mission’s restoration from 1924 onward. The clipping is taken from ‘The Tidings’ (18 February 1927).

The long-arched colonnade (arcaded porches) at Mission Santa Inés near Solvang in California. The friar in the image is possibly Fr. Reginald O’Hanlon OFM Cap.

Letter from Fr. Joseph Fenelon OFM Cap. to Fr. Peter Bowe OFM Cap., Provincial Minister, discussing the significant debt or assessment of $3,000 sent by the Definitory" (governing council). Father Fenelon expresses concern about how the various American houses will afford their share, noting that some friaries have very low income. He mentions meeting with the archbishop in San Francisco regarding a promise for a new foundation He expresses confidence that a permanent location in ‘the Bay City’ will be secured within the coming year. He also advises the Provincial on the minimum clothing and supplies (‘a simple suit of clothes and underwear’) needed for those coming to the warm California climate. He also mentions Fathers Reginald, Thomas, and Brendan, and their specific missionary roles.

Letter from Fr. Joseph Fenelon OFM Cap. to Fr. Edwin Fitzgibbon OFM Cap., Provincial Minister, about which friars in the Western United States mission wish to return home to Ireland in 1932.
Friars Requesting Return:
Fr. Sebastian: Notable for having been away from home for 30 years.
Fr. Reginald, Fr. Leo, Fr. Ambrose, Fr. Sylvan: All last visited Ireland in 1925.
Fr. Pacificus: Last home in 1923.
Fr. Enda: Last home in 1926.
Bro. Didacus and Bro. Conrad: Both will have been away for six years by this summer.
Bro. Brendan: Last home in 1926.
Father Fenlon notes that Fr. Luke Sheehan has not yet decided if he will return this year.

Letter from Fr. Joseph Fenelon OFM Cap. to Fr. Peter Bowe OFM Cap., Provincial Minister, giving news of missionary and parish work in California.
He writes ‘A school [in Watts, Los Angeles] is the first consideration here. I have seen two architects already about the matter, and I have received a conditional promise of a very substantial bequest towards the school.
The people though not exceptionally well-to-do, are very kind, and appreciative, and ever thank God for the blessing of a Religious Order in the Parish. At present the Mexican portion of the Parish is very hard to define, they do not come very generously to Mass or the Sacraments, with of course some exceptions but as for Baptisms and sick-calls, they keep us on the constant go. We have not many Italians in the Parish, and I am not sorry for that, as they are no good wherever they are found; but to these also there are good exceptions, v. g. in Ukiah Fr. Herb. [Fr. Reginald O’Hanlon OFM Cap.] has a few splendid families who are doing nearly all the working of the new Church for him. I should say that there are about 150 pretty good families here, who help well by the duplex-envelope collection system on the Sundays. Our receipts all told on the Sundays, including collection, seat collection of ten cents each, Baptisms, Shrines, Papers, are about $100. Expenses go to the House account. They don’t amount to much. Since we came, I put in a Shrine to St. Anthony, and got some Catholic Papers, and the doing away of Pew-rent, and substituting the 10¢ seat our collections have gone up considerably. All disbursements are made out of the Church collections, and we only provide ourselves with clothes. The Pastor's salary is $1000. per annum, and the Assistant’s is $500. We don’t take this. I think I have given you a detailed account of the Capuchin Parish of Watts’.

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.

Letter from Fr. Joseph Fenelon OFM Cap. to Fr. Sylvester Mulligan OFM Cap., Provincial Minister, detailing several administrative changes, the movement of various friars, and the successful opening of an orphanage. Fr. Gabriel Harrington OFM Cap. is notably active, giving missions in Santa Inés, Santa Cruz, and later Alameda. There is also a mention of upcoming Confirmation services on the coast.

Letter from Fr. Joseph Fenelon OFM Cap. to Fr. Sylvester Mulligan OFM Cap., Provincial Minister, confirming new clerical assignments in California to align with new instructions. Father Pacificus McCafferty and Father Anthony Holmes have agreed to exchange places. Pacificus will now go to Fort Bragg, while Anthony is assigned to Mendocino. Fr. Casimir Butler OFM Cap. will remain at Santa Ynez for the time being. Father Fenelon provides a blunt assessment of Fr. Reginald O’Hanlon OFM Cap., describing him as ‘half simple, and sometimes half crazy’ and noting that he struggles to ‘pull with the people at the Old Mission’ or adapt to American customs.

Letter from Fr. Joseph Fenelon OFM Cap. to Fr. Peter Bowe OFM Cap., Provincial Minister, providing updates on the expansion of the Capuchin missions, specifically the successful takeover of Mission Santa Inés and the ongoing developments in Mendocino in California. He confirms that the Capuchin community was formally installed at Mission Santa Inés on the previous Sunday. He describes a grand celebration with a procession and High Mass, noting that the local parishioners rang the mission bells in delight to welcome the friars. He expresses concern over the neglected state of the Santa Inés mission but is sending an experienced brother to help ‘restore’ it, hoping to make it a success similar to their work in Watts. Father Fenelon affirms that Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. arrived in poor health but is recovering at Santa Inés under the care of a specialist and the local community. Fr. Reginald O’Hanlon OFM Cap. and Br. Colman have arrived in Watts. He also refers to significant financial burdens, including a $2,842 tax for street paving and $5,000 in bills for school furnishings, which accrue $300 monthly interest.