The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-12-05
THE FAR FOB ST JOHNS CHURCH At
ST PITRICK'S HALL.

sympdAy bat also their support to Work OF as
muck importance as that for which the Fair at
| St Pasrick's Hall is now being held. Never
have the personal interest and pride of each in
divdual Catholic in the welfare and honor of
his Church in this section of the country, been
so completely bound upin . single issue as they
are in the redemption of the Church ofSt. John
the B lptist from the Immense debt which is
nov weighing it down.
| Looking back few months we see splen-
did congregation scattered, their church,
schoolhouse, and convent heavily mortgaged
and about to be sold by the sheriff, and thou
sands of dollars due to scores of people, many
of them poor laborers who, while struggling
even for what Others might consider the neces-
saries of life, had managed TO lay aside few
dollars for possibly darker days in the futore.
Whatever may have been tie cause, tie
fact remains that such was the condition of
/ the parish in October 1S7I. To rescue its
N aterial interests from utter destruction, to
reorganizs the congregation ald inspire it
with life and bope man in whom were uni
ted administrative ability, prudence, zeal and
courage, was required Such man was found
in Father Kenny whose administration of the
affairs of ST. Theresa's parish for a long series
of years had been crowned with marked
! Success. To him was given, as an assistant.
one of the mos. devoted AID learned young
priests of the Diocese, Rev. j. G. Footte. till
, then curate at 81. PAtsick's.
Under the most adverse circumstances ina
ginable they went to work. In spiritual m at
tiers the success that all who knew them had
prophesied, Gro wned their efforts. In financial
! affairs, assisted by committee of laymen
they made great progress. In one short year
! So, 900 of the debt was paid; the church,
school and convent were reporchased for the
parish, and matters arranged that it
was known how much money would have to
be paid and in what space of time. Tee
amounts aud time are as folio VS.: 1st year,
$4,000 principal and $500 interest; , year,
| Sls 600 principal and $3.50 interest; 8 year,
sl5 900 principal and Sl44o interest.
To meet the first years paymen. Fair was
necessary. Everyone promised assistance
Some would give their time, others would give
valuable presents, all would visit the Hall, and
each would give his mite. Yes, every Catholic
in town, wherever his residence might be, was
interested in assisting, for was it not Catho-
lie church that was in danger had not people,
in loaning money, placed their faith in, not one
church parish, but 10 all the parishes and
in all the Catholics of the Diocese as a unit.
was secured. All that the exquisite taste OF
the most experienced ladies and the generosity
of the most liberal could suggest, was done to
decorate it and make it attractive. Tables
were fairly loaded down with beautiful and
valuable articles for rattle, sale or contest,
delicious viands and drinks were provided, and
fair young girls were in attendance, with bright
eyes and smiles, aud cheerful words to make
fol a pastime as one could desire.
But, to great extent, all this has been in
vain, SO far. OF sympathy outside tie hall, there
is much, but the visitors to the Fair have not
been numerous. We sincerely hope aud believe
that the sympathy is genuine, and therefore
trust that between now aud the close of the
Fair, Wednesday night next, each one of our
city readers who can afford to spend even so
little as dollar, will visit st. Patrcks Hall
Entering the Hall by the central door, aud
commencing at the left, the tables with the
priacipal articles at each, will be found as
follows:
Washington -4riUcry.-Beautifulp pastel paint.
ing of Our Saviour, with His Most Sacred
Heart exposed painted by lady of this city
and donated by Father Abbot, c. n rattle, 50
rattle, at 81 cents. Mocking bird rattle, at SO
cents Sewing machine; contest, Miss C. c.
Jardet and
Gypsy Tent.-Fortunes told for 25 cents.
Branch No. 1.-Centre table made of 5000
pieces of different kinds of wood, and splendid
book case; rattle, so cents a chance each.
Doll contest between Alice Leonard and Flor
ence Salter. Card receiver; contest between
the two Misses Conway.
st. Tincents.-Gold watch contest between
Mrs. n. A. Quirk, Miss 81. Altasn, neice of our
respected fellow-citizen John Adams, ESQ, and
Miss Emily Horn, the talented soprano of St.
Johns choir. Pearl earrings and pin rattle, at
80 cents.
81. Tlercsa8.-Cbna set; ranle, at 50 cents.
Penty of good lemonade, ETC., at 10 cents and,
as one of the ladies in charge SAID, many
pretty girls to entertain the gentlemen"
! ST. join School Girls Brussels lace founce
and silver water set, for raffs at so cents a
chance each. Gold bracelets contest between
Misses Mary Craig and N E. McGrath.
Posto6tce.-Letters, at 10 cents only, postage.
U-IGKe-Great contest for a watch, between
Fathers Massardier and Kenny. Tapestry work,
David playing on the harp" and two silver
hail etc. p.;l