Mostrando 6 resultados

Letter from Fr. Joseph Fenelon OFM Cap. to Fr. Edwin Fitzgibbon OFM Cap., Provincial Minister, referring to the issue of missionary friars wearing bears in the United States. He clarifies that while none of the friars are completely ‘clean shaven’, they have all adopted the style of ‘small beards’ (likely short-trimmed) and are shaving their side faces. Father Fenelon also mentions various personnel changes. Father Fenelon noes that he and Fr. Brendan O’Callaghan will be at St. Anselm’s in Brooklyn from May 5th to the 16th for missionary work.

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.

Canoncial visitation report compiled by Fr. Stephen Murtagh OFM Cap. for the Irish Capuchin custody in the United States. The report includes extensive commentary on the spiritual, physical and financial condition of various churches and friaries in Oregon, California, and Delaware. Father Murtagh expresses deep gratitude for a letter from Fr. James O’Mahony OFM Cap., Provincial Minister, who pledged the home province’s duty to nurture the American Custody toward maturity and successfully called for two Irish volunteers to reinforce the depleted American staff – a crucial intervention given that one-third of the custody’s priests were incapacitated. Despite these ongoing personnel shortages, the report records excellent spiritual observance and notes high praise from Archbishop Cantwell of Los Angeles and Archbishop Howard of Portland. Most notably, it records a major reconciliation in San Francisco, where Auxiliary Bishop Connally confirmed that previous administrative tensions had been completely resolved. The document also notes various personnel matters detailing the wartime reappointments of Father Cornelius to Hermiston, Father Celestine to Old Mission Santa Inés, Father Finnian to Elk, and Father Donatus to Willits.

Photograph of Fr. Sylvan Murphy OFM Cap. and Fr. Finnian Carroll OFM Cap. in California.

Letter from Fr. Stephen Murtagh OFM Cap. to Fr. Colman Griffin OFM Cap., Provincial Minister, addressing the ‘dearth of men’, internal conflict regarding leadership roles, and financial negotiations for a new school. He highlights a severe shortage of personnel. Father Stephen suggests that unless a man is sent from Ireland, they may need a special dispensation from Rome to allow Fr. Cyprian to hold both offices, despite the difficulties. He explicitly states they cannot recommend Fr. Urban Riordan for re-appointment due to his ‘frank and foolish administration of funds’. He also refers to a meeting with Bishop William David O’Brien in Chicago regarding a loan for the purchase of property for a Seraphic School.

Visitation report from St. Mary of the Angels in Ukiah, California, outlining the administrative, financial, and demographic landscape of an expansive ‘foundation Parish’. The parish network encompasses three parish churches (Ukiah, Hopland, and Calpella), three Indian reservation churches (St. Dominic’s, St. Patrick’s, and St. Francis), the Albertinum Convent, and the State Hospital, serving an estimated Catholic population of 1,365. Financially, the parish successfully managed its October 1932 debt of $8,625 by reducing it to $7,000, with the Archbishop's Office assuming $5,000 of the liability at a lower interest rate, leaving a $2,000 balance with the Bank of America. While regular Sunday revenue averages a modest $27.00 against quarterly interest costs of $100, the parish successfully funded the installation of $2,200 in new pews through individual and Ladies League donations. Led by Superior Father Berchmans Cantillon OFM Cap., along with two assistants and a lay brother, the community strictly observes its regular spiritual horarium. Notably, a handwritten note by Fr. Edwin Fitzgibbon OFM Cap. adds that the nearby outposts Willits and Elk each have one priest and carry no financial debt.