Letter from Fr. Joseph Fenelon OFM Cap. to Fr. Edwin Fitzgibbon OFM Cap., Provincial Minister, regarding the order’s activities in Oregon and Delaware. Father Fenelon reports declining a request from the Archbishop of Portland for priests to work with the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). He cites a lack of ‘quasi trained priests’ available in the States but agrees to forward the matter to the Father Provincial for a final decision. He also notes that despite communications sent to the various Houses, there has been no change regarding the wearing of beards. He suggests that the five friars due to return to Ireland this year should be delayed for at least a year to ensure a lasting ‘impression may be made on all who shave’.
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.
Copy of the decrees and resolutions of the Custos Provincial (Fr. Stephen Murtagh OFM Cap.) and Consultors. The document outlines the critical administrative, financial, and personnel changes for the Capuchin Franciscan friars in California and Oregon.
Administrative & Financial Decisions:
New Friary at Burlingame: Plans are to be drawn for a new friary. A petition will be sent to Archbishop Mitty requesting that the parish cover the cost of its erection.
Roseburg School Project: Father Berchmans is tasked with investigating the financial viability of building a school at the Roseburg parish.
Establishment of a Custos Provincial Fund: A new fund is created to cover local expenses, assist friars traveling from Ireland, and save for a future ‘Seraphic School’.
Banking Protocols: All money must now be banked in the name of the Order (not individuals), ideally requiring two friars’ names for registration.
The document lists several reassignments of friars across various the California and Oregon missions:
Fr. Alban: Appointed Superior of Old Mission Santa Inez and Pastor of the Parish.
Fr. Anthony: Moved from Fort Bragg to Burlingame.
Fr. Fergus: Moved from Burlingame to St. Lawrence, Los Angeles.
Fr. Victor: Moved from St. Lawrence to the Novitiate at Wilmington.
Fr. Richard: Moved from St. Lawrence to Ukiah.
Fr. Irenaeus: Moved from Ukiah to Wilmington.
Fr. Leopold: Appointed to St. Lawrence, Los Angeles.
Fr. Roger: Appointed to Fort Bragg.
Copy of the decrees and resolutions of the Custos Provincial (Fr. Stephen Murtagh OFM Cap.) and Consultors. The document lists new appointments for the Capuchin Franciscan Fathers across California and Oregon. The letter lists the leadership teams for several key missions and friaries:
Hermiston, OR (Our Lady of Angels): Fr. Alban (Superior/Pastor) and Fr. Fabian.
Bend, OR (St. Francis of Assisi): Fr. Edmund (Superior/Pastor), Fr. Vincent, and Fr. Victor.
Roseburg, OR (St. Joseph’s): Fr. William (Superior/Pastor), Fr. Bernard, and Fr. Leo.
Ukiah, CA (St. Mary’s): Fr. Adrian (Superior/Pastor), Fr. Valerian, and Fr. Roger.
Burlingame, CA (Our Lady of Angels): Fr. Sylvan (Superior/Pastor), Fr. Anthony, Fr. Isidore, and Fr. Daniel.
Los Angeles, CA (St. Lawrence of Brindisi): Fr. Thomas (Superior/Pastor), Fr. Fergus, and Fr. Leopold.
Solvang, CA (Old Mission Santa Ines): Fr. Urban (Superior/Pastor) and Brother Conrad.
Wilmington, CA (St. Patrick’s Monastery): Fr. Joseph (Vicar), with a significant number of additional friars including Fathers Benignus, Aidan, Conleth, Irenaeus, and Norbert.