The Irish standard., 1918-11-09

NEW 1OIh, 4NOV. O.-OOWu dI AO,
Mans, in the S. o. S.-supplies of the
service area-the knights of Columbus
are conducting one of the very best
equipped soldiers clubs in France. The
building in which the club is located is
the property of widow of a French
army officer who was killed during the
first battle of the Marine. An ardent
Catholic, she offered the use of her
beautiful home to the knights Of Co.
lumbus, and as result the Yankee
fighters who are quartered in half
dozen camps in the vicinity of LeMans
have real home for their amuselnents
and recreation.
One of the interesting features Of the
club is an altar, where at least two
French cardinals have said mass in
bygone days. Here mass is said every
Sunday for the American soldiers. The
house is filled with antique furnish
ings, among the pieces being an elabo-
rately carved bed in which the great
Napoleon once slept. Open ireplaces
give a homelike atmosphere to the
club
A pool room, large and we'll
equipped library and reading room and
a music room are some of the principal
features of the club. Everything is
free to men in uniform, including the
smokes and candy which are passed
out frequently by the secretaries.
The club was obtained through the
efforts of Thomas j. Mcdonald,
knights of Columbus secretary from
Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Assisting Secre-
tary Mcdonald in the management Of
the club is Secretary Charles A. j..
Mclaughlin, veteran fireman Of Brook
Ign.
Near LeMans is the great American
classification camp, where wounded
soldiers released from military hospi-
tails and casuals coming over from the
United States are classified for further
service over here. Thousands of these
soldiers stay in LeMans and vicinity
for several days, and they greatly ap-
preciate the facilities offered by the
: knights of Columbus.
The knights of Columbus also visit
the various camps and military hospi-
tails near LeMans, making their head
! quarters in the city. Secretaries en-
gagged in this work are John T. Sparks
of Dracut, Mass; John e. McAuliffe,
Brooklyn; H. Irwin, Jamestown, N. Y;
William P Mulville, Greenwich, Conn.,.
and r. L. Conroy Of New York.
"If it's God will that should, hope
to find my mother, 80 years old, whom
I have not heard from since Germany
invaded my birthplace, Belgium, more
than four years ago, but something
tells me she's gone-God have mercy
on her SOUL Rev. P. J. Philippi, a Jes-
uit priest, of New Orleans, who went
abroad as Chaplain with the last
party of knights of Columbus overseas
secretaries sailing for France, made
this statement just before boarding the
ship.
II was assigned to this duty by my
Bishop" he continued, "and think that
perhaps will be sent to a field where
can prosecute search for my moth
er and other relatives. The chief thing
that concerns me, however, is the
spiritual welfare of the American SOL
diers, sailors and their allies. There's
where my task lies"
Father Philippi was, until ordered
abroad, Professor of Science and Math-
ematics at st. Charles College, Grand
Coteau, Louisiana.
A party of our soldiers who were
boarding the same vessel that carried
the priest, heard his remarks about
his mother One remarked: "I'n add
that to the score mean to settle with
the Kaiser. My mother is safe here,
thank God, but know she would want
me to avenge Father Philippfs moth
er, and you can just bet I'll do it If
can"
Father Duffy, of the Goth Regiment,
and other Catholic Chaplains with Per-
shing's army are frequently mentioned
in letters from soldiers as having rem
dered heroic service since Foch began
his great offensive, and it is noticeable
that those warmest in their praise of
the soldier priests are nom catholics.
Two Chaplains sent over by the
knights of Columbus were awarded
the Croix de Guerre and others have
been mentioned for valiant service.
That the soldiers are extremely fond
of these Chaplains is evidenced by this
excerpt from a letter sent home by
First Lieutenant Howard w. Arnold
of the 165th Regiment, a none Catholic
in which he said:
every one, living and dead, has