The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1918-01-19

!, Debt Proposed.
have been made and paid for since the
beginning of my incumbency april 2,
/ 1870:
l. Seven church windows damaged
by the hurricane have been refitted
with stained glass at cost of 1855.
2. The large bay above the organ
loft has been also reglazed and
strengthened with steel bars at cost
Of $3.50.
8. The organ has been put under
cover, partly rebuilt and placed in
working condition at cost of $210.
4. Twenty new pews have been
added to the seating capacity of the
church at cost of $194.
5. The old kneeling benches have
been replaced by upholstered and mo-
vable benches at cost of $345.
6. Statues and stations of the cross
have been redecorated at cost of
1856.
z. Saefed vessels have been re-
gilded at cost Of $65.
8. A fre-proof steel safe has been
bought for the parish records at cost
Of $685..
9. A small cottage has been rolled
to new site, added to considerably
and in many ways improved and fur
nished so as to afford a comfortable
residence for the priest.
A similar cottage has been moved
to a location near the new presbytery,
| heightened and converted into a par
ish church hall.
The barn and stable have been
rolled onto the presbytery grounds
and turned into a garage and living
quarters for servants.
These three items covering the
| erection of the new rectory with it's
dependencies represent an outlay of
! $4061 .04, of which $2172.10 was paid
for home labor and $1886.94 for ma
terial bought from local firms.
10. Various improvements have
| been added to St. Vincent's Institute
to the amount of $400. "a
Il. Similar expenses in behalf of
St. Augustine's School and Convent
aggregate $3.50.
~. The old college buildings have
been rolled nsar the Brothers resi-
dence and the whole institute i'm
| proved to the extent of $1,000.
13. Besides this, fences have been
removed and built, cisterns erected,
waterworks installed, grounds clear
ed and levelled, at an approximate
cost of $500.
ID. Lastly, substantial sidewalks
have been constructed to lead from
/ the church to the hall and presbytery,
at cost of $3.50. i.
All these various SimprovementS to
the church properties are paid for.
The old standing debt has been re-
duced by $500 to $4,000, secured
by note held by the Hibernia Bank
of New Orleans, and two years in
terest amounting to $1,000 has been
liquidated.
The total of these different items
has been made up of various amounts
derived from donations, fairs, enter
tainments and subscriptions. wish
to mention particularly the $1185 !
received from the college fund, and
the $4,000 left by Father Massardier
i for the Catholic schools. 1t is due to
this legacy that I was able to build a
! new priests residence and turn the
large brick rectory into college.
! Presently 400 boys and girls at
tend the Catholic schools Of Donald
sonville. At the monthly average Of
$3.50 per pupil that the children OF
the public schools cost the taxpayers,
this means that the Catholics Of this
church save to the parish and state no
/ less than $4,000 each session.
To sum up, $10,440 has been spent
in improvements or payment Of debt
since / took charge Of the parish. GThe
most urgent needs have been attended
to and we have now but one moment
Gus problem to solve: the payment
of our long standing debt with the
least possible delay. No debt means
no interest to pay, and the congrega-
ton once free Of this heavy obligation
will be able to add every year to its
schools and church, and give back to
them both their ancient splendor.
This is the reason why, this year,
shall ask fronAevery family a volun-
tary tax SO as to be able not only to
pay the yearly interest charges, but
also decrease the, capital by big
amount. :.
This may entail sacrifice, 1but it
has to be done and do not doubt
that all the families of my parish will
cooperate together and hasten the
!! day when our church, free of debt,
will be consecrated and dedicated for
ever to the service and glory of God.
/ REV. C. M. CHAMPION,
Pastor.
January IS, 1918.
i N. B. Contributors to the st.
Anthony's Box may be interested to
know that since May, 1916, the sum OF
! s209. 26 has been collected and $685.
/ 66 of that amount was used to buy
bread, groceries and clothing which
were distributed among the poor OF
the parish by the Sisters of St. Vim
n cents Institute. Cash in hand, $3.50
~ ~ IN