The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-07-14
MOTHER DE cHASrAI's DEPARTURE

MOTHER DE CHANTAL's DEPARTURE
FROM misunderstanding the de-
parture Of Mother do ChRntal, late su.
perior Of the Sisters Of st. Joseph, Of
this city, to Brooklyn, N. Y, the
New York FFeemuH'S Journal and 'CdtAoIie
RsgiGter publishes the following interest.
ing correspondence:
Ten or twelveyears ago, the late Bishop
Of Wheeling obtained leave to have
Sister do Chantal, and six Of her as
sociates Of the Society Of Sisters Of ST.
Joseph, 60 from Brooklyn to Wheeling
to establish in that Diocese this benef'
cent congregation.
The new community in Wheeling Dio.
cese, that was but seven, has grown TO
number over q hundred Sisters, mostly
occupied in the teaching Of parish schools,
not only in cities, but in smaller towns.
The good that has been thus accomplish
ed has been acknowledged by non.
Catholics, and evenly Protestants, Of our
acquaintance.
1t seems that Mother de Chantal, who
has done so much good in West Virginia,
Is to be called to yet another field Of self
sacrifice and Of labor, this time in Ten
nessee. The gratitude and the prayers Of
very many willaccompany her. re-
The following correspondence has been
forwarded to. us by one Of the gentlemen
signing II, with request for its publi-
cation:
Reu. Mother de Chantal, late Superior Of he
SiSiTS ofS. Joseph, Wheeling, W. Hd.'
DEAR LADY:-In acQuiescing in the
misfortune which causes aseparatioh be.
tween yourself and us, We cannot permit
your departure, after so many years Of
earnest and incessant toll, so many years
devoted 10 the cause OF Catholic culture,
and the alienation OF sulIering humanity,
without an expression OF our feelings.
We wish TO remind you that we have
been witness TO the. almost ,insuperable
disadvantages with which. you had 10
contend, and the inadequate means at
your disposal for the contamination oil
The great work you have been promoting.
We have been witness to the almost
single.handed struggle you have main.
tanned in intoxicating sound principles Of
morality and Catholic truth, In the minds
Of thousands OF children-many Of whom
are now ornaments OF society. But above
all We have been witness to tho goodness
OF heart which has rescued 80 many ui,-
fortunate and orphan children from life
Of shame and misery.
We have been witness, too, OF the gil
gantic efforts you have made, and the
many devices 10 which you have had to
resort, to honorably obtain the scanty
means nsed in carrying on this great
work. It is true your extraordinary
abilities, exerted so freely during the best
part Of your life, might have been more
alvautageously used in wider field, but
everywhere the result OF your labor IS SO
vast and manifest, that you may well feel
satisfied with your achievements in the
cause OF our Saviour.
In parting with you, we have n pleas
ant duty to perform, that Of presenting u
small, substantial testimonial Of the
friendship and esteem OF the Catholics Of
Wheeling. This trilling gift is offered
with the full and complete sanction Of the
RI. Rev. Bishop Kahn, and although we
say it with the greatest reluctance, we
hope it will convey you and your worthy
associates in safety to your new home,
and that what we lose in parting with
yourself and pious companions may be
the gain Of others, whose responsive APP
probation will make them active co.
operators with you. ...
Wn. C. Handlan, NJ. Reilly, Thomas
o'Bricn, John G. Hoffman, John Fitz-
simons, c. Hess, P. Kennedy, Arthur
Brown, Committee, ~. o..
IRheeIing July 3, 1876.
MesHs. HandIan, Reilly, 0Briea, Holman,
FGt:simoas, Hess, Kennedy and BrOWn'
GENTLEMEN AND DEAR FRIENDS:
Words fail me to express my deep sense
Of great consideration in the manner Of
presenting the very handsome gift which
accompanied your address. Lind on the
list the names OF those who have been at
hand on every occasion, when the calls OF
charity were 10 be met, and who now
come forward 10 offer this testimonial Of
their liberality.
To the extent Of possessing unlimited
good will, l may admit your very latter.
Ing testimony 10 my poor efforts in the
cause Of charity and education among
you. For the rest, you gave ME the
means, and Almighty God was pleased to
call to his service here number Of re-
ligious-active, generous and devoted,
who gave themselves wholly 10 the work.
To these, far more than 10 me, is the
merit Of successful effort due; OF these,
by far the greater number yet remain to
sustain and advance these works. on
their behalf / bespeak continuance at
your hands OF the generous and active
cooperation which, in the first place,
rendered their establishment possible.
The remembrance Of the hearty support
you always extended to me, will accom-
pany me through life, and my poor pray
era will be daily offered for you and yours.
Wishing you every blessing in time
and eternity, l remain yours in Christi
SISTER MARY DE CH1HTAL.
s.. JOSephs Conrent, lKheeling, W. Va,
JAyS, 1876.