The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-05-10
a ,,nlng Star and Catholic Messenger.
ST, Johns church. Orange, N. J.
Hnw ORLEANS. SUNDAY. MAY 10, 1874.

The Right Rev. Bishop has addressed inc
following letter to the parish priests OF the
diocese
NEWARK, April 2sth. 1-74.
Rcr. Dcar Sr:-By advice, and at tho re-
aucst of several of the clergy, and in conform .
ity with the oft Expressed wishes OF many o,
our Catholic laity, have resolved to DO al
that is possible TO pay off the floating debt on
st. Johns Church, Orange. Though most I'M
Justly and recklessly Incurred, nevertheless
as il stands it is now legal debt and not
only tho honor of tho diocese, but the Go9u
name of Catholics Mt large would dc ser'on Th
<.ompromiscd did we neglect paying IT, Inc
Catholic Church does not accept INC uoo'''ho
of reputation. $500
AS preliminary measure, it has Deeh sus
srsst,d that it would be well to call meeting
of the pastors of the diocese to consult apout
the best means to be employed in this emer,
-r-epcy and to devise somo practical metnou OF
cooperation that shali DC lalr anu eIulta VI
10 all parties; and, as the anniversary OF my
conservation is so near at hand-thc 4th OF
May-that day has been selected for the meet
irg. l will be obliged to you, therefore, If you
OPS House, at noon, on that day, and after
words accept our humble hospitality.
Meanwhile, permit me to present the lol-
lowing data for your consideration .;.
The entire debt on st. Johns church, TINS
time last year, was, say S2to 1000, with interest
accruing from the last months OF the previous
year. During the administration of Rev. Dr.
WigGer, strenuous efforts were made TO diIhin >
;sl this immense burden and thanks to his
zeal and to the generosity of the creditors OF
tho church, tho present financial condftlon Is
as follows:
5 sRndSa d Sast ,s sioS
To meet the floating debt, We have $40, 600
on hand, and We expect to realize from the
sale of such portions of the Church property
rs may be spared, without injury 10 the church,
70 the parocLal residence, the school houses,
,Ls Sisters house, and the cemetery, hrst n
sum sufficient to pay n mortgage, almost ma
tured, amounting to $4,000, and then $1,000 in
addition.
The financial condition of Tie parish will
then be as follows, viz:
Funded debt %ah, '9G"
Besides these principal sums, a largo amount
of interest is due.
j am anxious that this balance OF the float
ing debt be assumed, if possible by the do
cese according to a plan which will explain
in detail at the meeting, SO that the obligation
may be cancelled in two or three years hence
or, in accordance with other plans that ma y
seem to tho Rev. Clergy moro equitable or
slore feasible.
ST. Johns parish Canno., unassisted, carry
moro than the funded debt of $40, 600, and even
this it cannot do without extreme difficulty,
rs, in addition to paying interest on the mort
cages and providing for ordinary expenses, it
will he necessary to keep up the life insurance
policies assigned to the church.
The extrication of st. Johns parish from it's
present difficulties, is not, therefore, n hopeless
IAsk il is practicable, is presumptvely Ger
tain and guaranteed even, but only with the
generous and prompt cooperation of the sister
churches throughout the State.
cannot conclude without again, and most
earnestly, Expressing my heartfelt thanks to
the Rev. Pastors Of the various parishes, and
20 the laity of their charge, for the munilicent
and most generous response to the call of aid
for Orange. 1t was certainly grand boy ond cx-
Gmple.
may be permitted to add finally, that be-
fore ing the appeal to the Clergy, prom
ised before tho altar, that if our Divine Lord
would bless the effort, tho church at Orange,
as circumstances would warrant it,
would be dedicated to His Most Sacred Heart
st. Johns and all ITS shame would be u thing
of the past, and the cdtico would stand only
AS a monument OF the devotion of Clergy and
people to omr Ecdcemcr, under this most Era
ctous and cunSoliug invocation. st. John, the
Beloved Disciple, who first learned the secrets
OF the Sacred Heart, would not object that this
~Nurch, which has hitherto been placed under
ms patronage, should pass to the loving care
of tho Master, on whose bosom ho himself
leaned for solacc and support.
The saving of this church ia the first request
asked for by the diocese from Him to whom it
has been 20 sulcmuly dedicated, and, full of
s;oniidcuc" IN His mercy, may we not all say to
that loving Heart, " IN t., Domino, spcrdri, non
c0EfHHddr in uicrHHm ~
Recommending this matter, last of ALL to
your remembrance in the Holy Sacrifice re-
main, Rev. dear Sir, with sincere esteem, yours
very truly in Christ,
MICHAEL, Bishop Of Newark.
II ~ no trouble to show goods at Levy Bros,