The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-01-25
LETTER FROM MONTGOMERY.

MONTGOMERY, ALA, Jan. 19, 1874.
To the Editor of the MORNING STAH:
Encouraged by your kindly exprsssed desire
to hear occasionally from US here, 1 venture to
comply and give you some items, perhaps Of
some interest to your many readers, regarding |
our church and church matters here. Our
church building itself, though probably in
architecture not SO hne o one rs we would
like, is o very good, substantial brick building,
with wooden bell-tower. Adjoining it is o
two-story brick dwelling-the priests resi-
denoe, and a two-story brick schoolhouse, in
which q good paroohial school fer boys is
taught by young gentleman, formerly Of tho
Cathedral school of Mobile. Though we can
not boast of very large number of scholars,
we hold ourselves fortunate in having our
boys receive good moral training in addition
to all the various branches of good English
education. But our pride, the pride of our
congregation regarding Schools is the Convent
of st. Mary, by Sisters of Loretto from Ken
lucky, which those good souls opened here for
our girls on the LIST of last October. Owing to
varons adverse circumstances existing here ut
the time, such as hard times, Yellow jack"
a small congregation ETC., the number of chill
dren put down q start was only from thirty
five to forty; but am very happy to tell you
that this number has increased already to over
100. This number includes many nom Catholics,
to whom, thank God, it is givon to know the
difference between schools where religion and
morality taught and what are now known
aud commonly spoken of as Goddess schools
that is, schools in which it is not fashionable
to speak of religion. The building which we
bought for their occupation and use stands
prominently on q small eminenoe, beautifully
located, Immediately opposite our (St. Peters,
church is q good, substantial three-story
brick, with all requisite brick out-houses
large grounds, beautifully laid out, and
is quite an ornament to its neighborhood
You can certainly forgive for feeling
just "leetle" fondness for this splen
did addition to our church property, when
we take into consideration that st. Peter
congregation is anything but rich one. Their
we have also q fine vacant lot in the ne ghbor
hood of the church, on which, maybe, on som,
fine day. we will, with the help of God, built
us o fine Brothers school,"
The chief credit of all this 1 am ready t.
bestow to whom it rightly belongs-our goo,
and worthy pastor, Very Rev. Father Manuoy
whom to know means to respect aud to love
and without whose kind and hearty oo.opera
ton, wise guidance and substantial aid W
could not have succeeded.
emit very feeble, he leaves us this week for
trip of recreation sud recuperation, of whio
he is sorely in need, and should he visit you
city aud favor you with a lecture while there
you would certainly enjoy rich and rare trea
Small as the st. Peter congregation is her
in nambors especially the male part, still W
are not without orr est. Patrick Beneyolen
Society,"" presided over by one of our best an
most influential Catholic citizens, that abb
and efficient lawyer, Major Henry c. SemplC
under whose fostering care the society wi
soon be an ornament of which and it's work
trust no congregation need be ashamed.
Now, my friend, End that am going be
You'd prescribed limits of letter writers for
newspaper, but seeing my unfitness for sue
calling, you must not put me down among ths
class, but merely forgive me. as your wish 70
this was the creation thereof-hence max
no apology for anything amiss
am yours very truly, ST. PATRICK.
"In time of peace prepare for war "is wis