Putnam patriot., 1924-01-18
REPORTS FOR YEAR
 GIVEN IN CHURCHES,
Father Bedard States That New School Is Nearly Paid
 For
Fr. Ely and E.. Dennslly Aise Read
 Their Annual Reports

Congregations attending masses in the four Catholic churches in this sec ton of the county had the pleasure on Sunday of listening to the annual f. naneial reports of their respective pas tors. In each case the pastor had some most satisfying news to give, for the reports showed that the year 1923 had not only brought needed and therefore welcome dollars into the treasuries of the churches, but the twelve months had marked a decisive step forward Tn the spiritual well being of the mem bers of each parish.
 Father Bedard Reports
 Rev. Charles F. Bedard. pastor of St. Marys church, presented to his people a report of such excellent char acter that everyone of them shared with him the joy that came with the knowledge of busy year during which great things for the parish had been accomplished. Many notable improvements have been made in the church property in the past year, tho completion of the beautiful twelve room sehoolhouse on Marshall street standing head and shoulders above tht others. This Is one of the brides Of the parish and one of the finest school structures in all New England. Il was erected and equipped at cost oi more than S100,0O0. But despite its great cost. it is almost paid for. Thi: fact was disclosed by Father Bedard ] report, in which 1t was made known that but Sl 500 remains to be paid on the school. This Is most certainly . remarkable achievement and is con elusive proof of two things: the busi. ness and administrative ability of Fla. ther Bedard, and the liberal giving by the people of the church.
 Values Church Property at $So0,ooo
 Father Bedard places the value of all church property at between $TOO,- 900 and $500 900. During the coming year he hopes to complete the grading and general adornment of the land about the new school and the church, on the westerly side. He plans also to erect q durable and ornamental iron fence all about the church property, enclosing the whole and enhancing it's beauty. Father Bedard also hopes that some day there will be installed III Aflt NHAIti AfAAA a AAN FA N'AftfAe-if and within the church new echo pipe organ.
 During the year, Father Bedard re ported, there had been total of iDZ baptisms, 56 marriages, and lsO bod ies were laid at rest in St. Mary's cemetery. These burials, however, do not represent the number of deaths in St. Mary's parish. as the remains of many people in other parishes were brought to Putnam and inferred in the ehurch's s cemetery.
 Tn Holy Trinity and Sacred Heart parishes, in Pomfret and West Thomp- son. respectively, and ministered to by Rev. J. J. Elty of Pomfret, total cash receipts of about S7 500 were reported by Father Elty at masses on Sunday. Expenses were rather heavy, due to improvements made in both parishes, but there was substantial cash bal ance on hand at the end Of the fiscal year.
 Improve Church Property
 Improvements that added to the ap- pearance of Sacred Heart church at West Thompson were made at Father Elty's direction and included the build ing of sidewalks and steps. Father