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A photograph of (left) Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. arriving at Mission Santa Inés in California. In the centre is Br. Colmcille Cregan OFM Cap. The friar on the right is most likely Fr. Reginald O’Hanlon OFM Cap.

Clipping from an article in the ‘Irish Independent’ reporting on the assignment of Irish Capuchin friars to the historic Santa Inés Mission in Solvang, California. Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. was appointed pastor, assisted by Fr. Reginald O’Hanlon OFM Cap. and Br. Columcille Cregan OFM Cap. Father Albert and Brother Columcille came from Church Street, Dublin, and Father Reginald from the Friary at Kilkenny.

Fr. Reginald O’Hanlon OFM Cap. conducting a tour of Mission Santa Inés in California.

Fr. Reginald O’Hanlon OFM Cap. at Mission Santa Inés in California.

Clipping from the ‘Watts Review’ detailing the formal ‘Grand Opening’ and installation ceremony of the Irish Capuchin Fathers at Old Mission Santa Inés in Santa Barbara County. The article emphasizes the emotional significance of the event, noting that ‘brown-robed and sandaled’ friars had not been seen at the mission for over seventy-four years. The new mission staff included Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. (Rector), Father Reginald O’Hanlon OFM Cap. (Assistant), and Brother Columcille Cregan OFM Cap. They were accompanied by Fr. Joseph Fenelon OFM Cap., the Mission Superior in America.

A typescript copy of a document titled ‘The Irish Capuchins in America: Grand Opening of Santa Ynez Old Mission’ reproducing a November 1924 article from the ‘Watts Review’ documenting the Capuchin Order’s official takeover of the California mission. It details how, following a request from Bishop Cantwell and approval from Rome, the Capuchin Fathers arrived at the old mission on Thursday, 20 November 1924, marking the return of brown-robed friars to the site after a 74-year absence. The text lists the newly appointed community members – Father Albert Bibby (Rector), Father Reginald O’Hanlon (Assistant), and Brother Columcille Cregan – who were accompanied by the Superior of the Irish Capuchins in America, Fr. Joseph Fenelon. It describes an installation ceremony on Sunday, 23 November, featuring a Solemn High Mass sung by Father Joseph, an inaugural sermon tracing the mission’s history from its 1804 founding to the 1850 departure of the Franciscans, and musical accompaniment directed by Mrs. H. Labarare. It also highlights the order’s expanding educational ventures, specifically mentioning the opening of a college under the patronage of St. Anthony in Mendocino, California, which was endorsed by Archbishop Edward J. Hanna of San Francisco to train efficient workers for church service.

Group photograph of Capuchin friars at Holy Trinity Friary in Cork, marking the golden jubilee of Fr. John Butler OFM Cap. The group includes Fr. Kevin Moynihan OFM Cap., guardian of Rochestown Capuchin Friary, Fr. Colman Griffin OFM Cap., Provincial Minister, Fr. Flannan Downing OFM Cap., Fr. Stanislaus Kavanagh OFM Cap., Fr. Reginald O’Hanlon OFM Cap., Fr. Eunan Buckley OFM Cap., Fr. Brendan O’Callaghan OFM Cap., Fr. Thaddeus Field OFM Cap., Fr. Clement Connolly OFM Cap., Fr. Malachy Hynes OFM Cap., Fr. Edward Walsh OFM Cap., Br. Bernard Perry OFM Cap., Br. Crispin Brennan OFM Cap., Fr. Anslem Griffin OFM Cap. One of the prints is mounted on card and has a newspaper clipping identifying the friars present in the photograph. Photographer/Studio: 'Cork Examiner'.

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’.