The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1922-05-08
VOICE OF
THE
? Q p L E
REPORT ANENT
FATHER BENEDICT

Editor OF the Times:-
Charges which were made by the
recacitrant element. headed by Mike
Kozacik, who were bent upon the
removal OF Father Benedict from
the pastorship of St. John the Bap-
lists Chuch at Whiting. rgardins
financial affairs OF he parish are
proved baseless by a report prepar-
ed by the trustees and issued by
Father Benedict under date of April
6. 1922 From an examination OF
the parish books kept by Father
Benedict the trustees could find
nothing irregular in the accounts.
on the contrary, the books were
found to contain all the financial
transactions connected with the
parish since It's establishment on
April is. 1897, to the close of the
year 1921.
he published report discloses in
teresting historical data attending
the early years OF the parish and
brings to light sacrifices Of Father
Benedict in his endeavor to meet
the expenditures of the parish. Dur
ing the years from 1897 to 1904 in
elusive. and in 1911 and 1912. Faith
er Benedict received no compensa-
tion from the parish, living only
from stipends received during this
period. 1t is interesting to note
that his entire compensation for the
25 vars was SIS, 900 which amounts
to $500 per year. The report fur
Their discloses that only so7.65 was
charged TO the parish for printing
and stationary and s72.41 for tele-
phone during the % years. Other
items IN the report revealing Father
Benedicts beneficence to the parish
disclose that in 1907 he donated
10 the parish. Judicionus invest
nent and management OF the par
ism cemetery by Father Benedict
under his sole responsibility added
s560e5 to the income OF the parish
for 1919 Another striking exam
pie OF the Little Pastors business
acunen is illustrated in the pur-
chase Of lots which We're subse-
quently sold together with the old
church and convent at price
equivalent TO the cost of al the
parish lots. upon which stand the
present parish buildings.
The fact as to the rendition Of
financial report OF the parish is
well known to the majority of the
parishioners to be that Father
Benedict rendered a report for each
year from the pulpit and the con-
gregation was informed that the
parish books were open for inspec-
ton at the rectory TO every mem
Der
It Is to be noted that an over
whelming majority Of the parish
have been at all times and now are
perfectly satisfied with the work Of
Father Benedict The increase in
the monthly offering and Sunday
versy is unmistaakabfe proof that
the parishioners as a whole are be-
hind Father Benedict. The fact is
that there never was any serious
dissension in the parish. unless
such may have been considered the
futile attempt OF the recalcitrants
10 GUST Father Benedict for purely
selfish and personal reasons. When
the majority Of the Pensioners
saw through the plot and rallied in
defense OF their beloved pastor. a
committee was elected to interview
Bishop Alerdiag at Fort Wayne
where to their anna cement the
bishop was already fully informed
a to the situation and who stated
that 1.-THE so-caHed irreconcila bles
could secure no relief for their
purpoted cause even If they went to
Rone The attitude OF the Bishop