The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-02-06
SESSION OF The CIRCLES,
Some Able Essays Read Before
the Catholic Educational
Union.
A Large Audience Present in Metro
politan Hall at the Second
Open Meeting.

The second opening session of the read
ing circles comprising the Catholic Edu-
cational Union was held last evening in
Metropolitan Hall. As on the previous
evenings the large hall was crowded with
an intellectual audience. The various es-
says read by members of the circles were
well received, while the musical part OF
the programme was an artistic success.
In calling the meeting to order, Rev. J.
Byrne of st. Mary's Cathedral announced
that this was the second open session and
expressed a wish that the people who had
attended the first one would bear IN mind
the work done by the Catholic reading
circles.
The session was opened with a piano
solo by Miss M. E. Coonan, who was cor
daily applauded.
Miss NJ. Driscoll of Cathedral Circle read
an essay on 1.-THE Dolores Mission" She
gave pleasing history of the mission.
The benign influence of the Franciscans
and their church upon the natives was
told in glowing language, and by way OF
antithesis the essayist drew dark picture
of ruin and desolation that fell upon the
scene when politicians ''secularized'' the
missions of California. The Franciscan
padres, she said, were the true pioneers OF
San Francisco.
A vocal solo by Miss Theresa de Ber-
nardl of Faber Circle was gwen in voice
that called out enthusiastic applause Miss
de Bernardo sang for an encore, Because
| Love You, Dear" with considerable art.
"Dion and the Sibyls," an essay by Miss
Mary 7. Lorigan Of Thomas Aquinas Cir
Gle, was heard with much interest, for it
was thoughtful literary criticism.
Frank McGlynn of Montgomery Circle
recited 'Thanatopsis," and the audience
compelled him to come out twice again,
when he gave two of Eugene Fields char
acter sketches that made deep impress
sion.
Miss Nj. Kennedy of Archbishop Rior-
dan Circle read a very deep and gracefully
written essay on DEVELOPMENT of English
Language"
Miss Daisy Keane contributed pretty
ballad. She was well received and gave
an encore that received applause.
An essay on .St. Catherine of Sienna"
Montgomery Circle.
A vocal solo, 81 Fear No Foe" by S. J.
Sandy of the cathedral choir, captured the
audience.
Miss Julia C. Coffey of Cathedral Circle
read clever essay on 'Idealism and Re-
alism in Literature"
The essay went into an analysis of the
1uOd1loI anu OuG iAdISIldllSI anu Iu6lT WOTH
and continuing the speaker said:
Catholic women should not be turned
hither and thither by the thoughts of this
day. They have no reason to follow the
fieeting standards of the hour. We have
the grandest model the world has evel
produced. For us the Madonna is thu
ideal of perfection. How beautifully she
has been honored by the painter, the
musician and the writer. We should ap
preciate the true value of the inheritance
of noble art, literature and music, which
is especially ours. Let US cherish oul
noble literature.
The conclusion was that the ideals
who embodies the high principles of faith
hope and charity is ever reaching outward
along the highways of progress, growth
and expansion, ever tending the thought
and inspirations of the human race toward
higher, nobler and grander existence.
| Father Organ will deliver lecture a
to-night's meeting on 1.-THE Church ant
| Civilization"