The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1900-01-06

was appointed to st. Patrick's in his
stead.
In 1887 Father Van de Ven laid the
cornerstone of St. Patrick's parochial
school. The building was ready for oc-
cupancy by the Sisters of Charity in
September 6, 1889. This institution cost
Sos, Goa balance of $4,000 remaining
unpaid. This debt was destined to
weigh heavily on the future pastor OF
the parish.
In My, 1893, Father Van de Ven
journeyed to Europe, and Rev. Father
De Seire, then pastor of st. PauPs
Church, Anaconda, was sent to Butte
to assume charge of St Patricks. In
July of the same year he was Joined
by Rev. Father Batens, the present
pastor Of st. LauTences Church, Wal
kerville, as assistant. In February Of
1894 Rev. Father Aarts now of st. Pet
er's Mission, was appointed second as
sistant to Father De Seire.
To say that these three reverend
gentlemen had a difficult task before
them is putting the case very mildly
Through possible bad management of
some sort, the confidence of the people
had waned, the parish was under the
heavy parochial school debt, the ever
hungry interest of which completely
swallowed the annual contributions of
the people. Twas a time such as tries
the souls of men" jealousy did Rev.
Father De Seire and his able assistants
labor to restore an equilibrium of feel
ing
With scarcely a rift in the cloud,
matters went on thus until the A. P. A.
movement of 1895: that organization.
seeing the Strengthened condition of st.
Patricks parish offered to buy the pa
rochial school and thus deal a death
blow, as they supposed, to Cathollc
education in Butte.
Such a proposition reused the Celtic
blood from that Saint-hallOwed Isle of
the sea" The iron reached white heat,
and Father De Seire dealt the telling
blow by making special appeal to
the people The Anaconda company
agreed to pay half of the immense debt
if the people would raise the other half.
Committees were appointed, and the
citizens sum, with a surplus Of $2.1OO,
was paid over in less than three
months. The patriotism and religious
sentiment of the people had been arouS-
ed by the A. P A effort to deprive
them of their school. This feeling,
with the immOvable confidence
of Father De Seire in his parishloners
was the handspring to enthusiasm ana
final success in raising a debt that haQ
settled so darkly over a discouraged
fold. but an ever hopeful and jealous
The general rejoicing that
followed can be better imagined imam
described. The festival of felicitatlon
reached its height on June l, 1880.
Rt Rev Bishop BrOndel of Helena
officiated at Pontifcial High Mass anu
concluded his happy remarks on Ine
occasion by naming Rev. Father De
Seire as permanent and irremoVaple
pastor Of St. PatTick's.
In September, 1886, Father De Selre
was unanimously commissioned by ms
people to enlarge the Church. The ed
fee erected by Father Dolls had long
since. ceased to accommodate the sun
day worshipers Two wings were ad-
ded at cost of $4,000. and recently
81 600 has been expended in decorating
the interior.
The present. St. Patrick's has a seat
ing capacity of 1.200. and is "a credit
to the energy and untiring labors thaI
promoted it On Dec ). 1896, tatner
BatenS paid a visit to his Belgian home
and on his return, March II, 1884, was
appointed pastor of st. Laurence
Tbi,,.cb WaikerviIle Rev. Father Gal
Iagher. now pastor at Kalispel, filled
the vacancy during his absence. The
present clerical staff includes Rev.
Father De Seire, pastor; Rev. Father
E2Iaere 81. Belgium, who came to Butte
IN August. 1897; Rev. j. ]. Callahan Of
Omaha. who arrived in September, 1898,
and Rev. Fathers English and Harrlng-
ton both of Ireland. and ordained
within the present year
During Father De Series absence IN
I111rope Rev Father Callahan is act
Assisted by able Fandt generous CO.
workers. matters are proceeding in a |
healthy and encouraging groove. There |
are about Is. 900 souls in the parish.
The following societies are all in a |
condition:
Sunday school-3.O00 children.
Altar society,", 200 members.
r ". Sodalitv-700 members.
League Of the Sacred Heart-4,500 |
members
ST. Jonn Berchmaa s Acolythical So
,ietv-Seventy-f five members.
long may Heavens choicest blessings
.es+ on St Patrick's of Butte. May each |
succeeding year beam with more Sc
enc smile of bright prosperity. To |
he acting and absent pastor and as
fstants and TO all Darishioners The In
ermountain Catholic extends best
wishes for a Happy Christmas and
Bright New Year II. Il. X.
--S-dzD- -
After FIVE years of enforced exile,
Ionsignor Emmanuel Valez, Bishop of
he Guatemalam diocese of Comaygua,