Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-08-22
A NEW CHAUTAUQUA.
Rev. Father Sheedy Returns From
the Catholic Summer School.
PITTSBURG TO HAVE AN ASSEMBLY
Dedication of st. Stephens Parochial
School at Hazelwood.
TOPICS TOUCHED UPON BY PASTORS

Rev. Morgan NJ. Sheedy returned to his
nastorate at the Church of the Holy Name
in the First ward yesterday. He has just
concluded an extended tour of the Catholic
educational centers in the country. 1t has
been but recently tnat the promoters of ed
ucation in the Catholic Church conceived
plan of extending Catholic education in this
country. This plan has met with success in
what is known as the Catholic Summer
School. This school closed its first session
on Friday last, and the honor of President
was conferred on Rev. Father Sheedy.
In speaking yesterday afternoon Of the
future of this great school, Father Sheedy
said: 81 have no hesitancy in saying that it
is the most gigantic and extensive move
ment that was ever started among the Cath
olic educational institutions of this country.
Upon its floor, meeting upon common
level, we are to have the clergy, secular and
religious orders, teachers of the public and
parochial schools, and the laity in general.
We have located it in New England, just at
present. district that is alive with an in
tensely religious spirit. The city of New
London is a lovely place, famous for its
historic memories and literary associations.
The summer school may be termed plaa of
university extension.
Three Phases of School Life.
s'There are three phases to this school
life of which we are certainly very consid-
crate. There is the intellectual, recreative
and social phases.
The people of New London are of the best
possible class to mingle with in the world.
,.Ao,..N - 81. in hair ait
could not be accommodated other than by
taking US into their homes and showing us
the utmost hospitality. We were among the
old Puritan stock in New London, and they
welcomed US as if we were brothers in re-
lirfon. You may know how old they are in
their customs when l tell you they still pre-
serve the ringing of the curiew. There was
in attendance among us many very prnmi-
nenr writer's. Mayor Wheeler, of New Lon
don. in the name of the people of the city,
greeted US in a very strong and interesting
"As to the permanent site for the summer
school. we have not yet agreed upon :t.
There have been perhaps so proposals, but
only four places met with favor by the
board. From among them a permanent site
will be chosen. They are the Thousand
Islands on the st. Lawrence, Lake Cham
plain, Point Pleasant, n. j., and New Lon
don. The New York Central Railroad has
offered to purchase any site Tor us in the
Thousand Islands or Lake Champlain if we
The Board OF Trade of New London, will
purchase us a site in that city if we want it.
But atsthis time we have not agreed
The course of lectures is perhaps the
best can have for the present until our
facilities are extended. Last terms course
embraced 10 lectures on ethics, 10 on English
literature, 10 on general history, on science
and revealed religion, and 10 on miscelan-
eous topics. The lectures were given in the
Iyceu-n Theater, New London. Three lect-
ures were delivered each week uay and Sat
nrQpV reserved for rest and recreation.
Will Establish an Assembly in Pittsburs
'It is the intention of the summer school
60 establish assemblies all over the country,
and the possibility is that there will soon be
one in Pittsbur5. The school is intended to
have national scope. The spontaneous de-
mand for a school of this kind met with
hearty approval from the dignitaries of the
Catholic Church of the United States. This
led to a meeting of clerfcs and lay1en in the
Catholic Club, New York, last May. Rev.
Father Sheedy was elected President at this |
meeting and Mr.. Warren E. Mooiker. editor |
OF the Cdtho-ic Reading Circle f1eUielU of
Youngstown, o., Secretary and Treasurer.
The organization has been completed at the
last meeting, and another term will have
thfs:Catholic Chautauqua in thorough work.
"The idea of choosing Pittsburg as the loca.
tion of one of the assemblies of this new
school is considered by many as Il profitable
project for many of the young Catholic STU
dents in the many Catholic schools and col
leges OF this State and Ohio. In Pittsburg, it
is held may be found means of recreation
and knowledge offered by no other district.
Means OF practical information are to be
found on every hand in Pittsburg. From
the immense iron industries. and the turn
ing of their mighty wheels, the scientific
student may CLEAN knowledge. During the
time the summer school would be in session
the parks and drives would look the pleas
ATTEST. Then to the pnilosophic layman
there would be opportunity to feel the pulse
OF great city, with its variety of interests,
its intellectual and physical progress. The
rate OF fees for the great summer school is
very low. When a permanent site is chosen
the local assemblies will be formed"