The Savannah bulletin. (Monroe, Ga.) 1958-1958, February 22, 1958, Image 8

Georgia Historic Newspapers

The Savannah bulletin., February 22, 1958, Image 8

About The Savannah bulletin. (Monroe, Ga.) 1958-1958 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 22, 1958)

Page of 8

Prev Issue Next Issue

Text PDF JP2 (3.3 MB) Clip/Print Image

Page of 8

Prev Issue Next Issue

Return to Top

Newspaper Page TextPAGE EIGHT — THE BULLETIN, February 22, 1958. Savannah Valentine Dance Well Attended SAVANNAH — More than 250 attended the Cabaret Valentine Dance of the newly organized Catholic Single Adult Society held Thursday night, February 13 in the Main ballroom of Savannah Council 6V3, Knights of Columbus. The new Catholic Adult Society was organized three months ago by His Excellency, The Most Rev. Thomas J. McDonough, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Savan nah to create a keener interest amongst the single adults of the Savannah Parishes and to train the group in leadership. Dean Hudson, “The Moon Over Miami Man,” and his nationally famous orchestra, featuring Care- lin Darden, vocalist, the Guest Maestro Contest; Hudson Glee Club and the Dixieland Six, were brought to Savannah to play the affair. The dance was under the gen eral chairmanship of Chris E. Hernandez, chairman of the ad visory council, who was assisted by Miss Mary Quarles, Marie Ryan, Mary Sullivan, Anne Ware, Catherine Cetti, Jesse Roland, Dale Fuhrman and Frances Drew on the program. Ticket committee was under Tony Warenzak, Joseph Graham, Pat McGuire, George Ebberwein, Louis Dismer, Tom Latzak, An toinette Saraf, Billy Kilroy, Anne Ware, Margaret Giles, Bill Carr, Bob Sanders, Gloria Newell, Mary Crosby, Phillip Busacca, Bill Gov- ereau, John Broderick, Mary Val enti, Betty Patterson, Jack Can ty and Lillian Knear. Dance hostesses were Mary Quarles, Antoinette Saraf, Lillian Knear, Gloria Newell, Joan Gross, Mary Ann McCarthy, Dale Fuhr man. and Mary Sullivan. The Publicity committee was headed by Pat Grevemberg, Lucy Distefano, Janet Habes, Pat McGuire and Harry McCarthy. Decorations was under the chair manship of Don Fitzgerald, as sisted by Joe Semler, Joe Ebber wein, Edwin Beranc, A1 Kinn, Ed Krieger, Tom Donough, Rita Harper and Sally Caire. The large K. of C. Hall was beautifully decorated for the af fair and featured a Valentine motif. The ceiling was completely covered with an umbrella of crepe paper. An orchestra back drop, featuring large valentine m heart shape, with lighting ef fect was exceptionally attractive to the many dancers. Indirect lighting was installed all around the hall allowing the large gym lasium of the day before to take on the hues and fanfare of a cab met night club. Spots were placed at opportune places and the tables were deco rated with candlelight and crepe paper. Joseph Graham, who headed the properties and stage com mittee, transformed the speakers stand of the K. of C. into double-decker bandstand detailed to the specifications of the Hud ion group. Hudson, is the name of band leader, whose colorful per sonality, showmanship and fine music is sweeping the nation. In addition to their prowess on the bandstand, Hudson’s orchestra de livered a sock packaged show at a fast moving pace. The show opened wtih a clever novelty — Musical Cocktail winding up with five songs played at the same time. Hudson took over the second slot with his “Origin of the Rhumba,” in troducing various instruments with history of each, blending them all together and winding up the production by doing fast solo Sambi and Mambo around the floor. The show closed with a Dixie land band down to the floor with Hot New Orleans Medly. Hudson again becomes a hoofer doing a Charleston while waving a Con federate flag. Band swings into Dixie for a rousing finish. MARDI GRAS —(Photo Robert McDonald) Mardi Gras At Savannah Beach SAVANNAH BEACH — St Michael’s Parish, Savannah Beach, staged its seventh annual Mardi Gras at the Fort Screven Variety Center on Saturday eve ning, the 15th of February. Tra ditionally held on the Saturday immediately preceding Lent, the brilliant Tybee festival drew a capacity crowd from all over Chatham County. This year’s Mardi Gras was under the direction of two Gen eral Chairmen — Edward V. Fahey, Jr., and James H. Powers. Edward M. Patterson, last year’s general chairman, served as their adviser. The Food Committee was headed by Mrs. William Barfield and Mrs. Carl Meyer, Jr. Under them, Mrs. Arnold Seyden was vice chairman in charge of Food and Service, and Mrs. Patrick Roads, t h e vice-chairman in charge of cleaning up. The Ticket Committee was headed by Joseph J. Hutton, Mrs. Mary Pelli Fahey, and Mrs. Lawrence McDonough. The entertainment was arranged by Mrs. George Chandler. The publicity was organized by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Morrissey. The program was published under Mrs. Thomas Reed and Mrs. Andrew Shaw, Jr. Mr. Guy Burke directed the Hall Prep aration Committee. Every mem ber of the parish and many of their non-Catholic neigh bors cooperated wholeheartedly to make the affair an overw helm ing success. The delicious smorgasbord menu consisted of baked ham, fried chicken, Swedish meat balls, imported sardines, potato salad, baked beans, assorted cheeses, celery hearts, relishes, olives, pickles, peach halves, cranber ry sauce, pickled beets, hot rolls, assorted cakes and cookies, and coffee. The delightful entertainment featured Joseph H. Hutton as mas ter of ceremonies. Richard Bar ry, a native of Limerick, stole everyone’s heart with his lilting Irish melodies. He also sang sev eral A1 Jolson numbers. Marilyn Elmore Wood rendered her songs beautifully, both as a vocalist and with her husband Cy in a duet. Sandra Williams presented a fine specialty tap number; the Arthur Murry Dancers presented a Latin American dance; and the Sanders and Mock partners closed with an entertaining pantomine and comedy act. Mrs. J. O. Teger- son, Jr., was the pianist. From nine o'clock on, the guests danced to the music of Rudolj)h .Jacob son and his orchestra. When asked to comment, Fa ther John Cuddy, the Admini strator of St. Michael’s Parish, expressed his deep gratitude to the members of the parish and to all the good friends of St. Mich ael’s, Catholic and non-Catholic alike, whose generosity in time and money made the 1958 Mardi Gras such an inspiring success. He pointed out that this affair is the CATHOLIC SINGLE ADULTS PARTY—A scene from the Valentine Cabaret Dance of the Catholic Single Adults Society’s dance held Thursday night, February 13, at the Knights of Columbus Hall. The affair was attended by more than 250 people. 'Convent To Let ★ ★ ‘Help Wanted - By Rev. Gerard A. Moran, O.M.I. DOUGLAS — Recently in a Catholic magazine there appeared an article entitled “THE STOP GAP SCHOOL.” It was the story of five Churches under the care of the OBLATES OF MARY IM MACULATE in South Georgia, and their Summer Catechetical School. Also, it told how they hoped and prayed for the day when Sisters would come to stay permanently. Since the writing of that arti cle, a step forward has been tak en. The Bishop has purchased for the parish a future Convent. Its location is ideally situated across the street from the Rectory. The rooms are adequate for a Convent and there is ample space on all sides of the building. What is the next step? Find the necessary Sisters to come and live in the Convent . . . Sisters who will teach Catechism to the chil dren and visit the homes of the distant Catholic families. At the writing of this article there have been no Sisters avail able, and the sign on the front lawn reads: “CONVENT TO LET.’ While industrial America finds herself with a larger labor force than she needs to man the fac tories, the Church has a problem in reverse. There is plenty of work, but a shortage of laborers. The establishment of new parish es, schools and catechetical cen ters is evidence of Her growth. The growth is encouraging es pecially in parts of the country which, twenty years ago, hardly ever saw a priest. The vast mis sion territories in our own coun try have been so aptly called “NO PRIESTS' LAND” -— such a place was Douglas, and the surrounding counties! Like other mission ter ritories it has slowly grown into a small active parish, until today another advancing step is ready to be made. These mission territories are not large enough for a school, but too large to give the children the proper religious instruction with out the aid of Sisters who will travel from Church to Church teaching Catechism, visiting the homes of Catholics in rural areas, and in general helping the priests bring the teaching of Christ more frequently to the people. Un fortunately, many such missions have been unable to obtain this needed assistance of Catechetical Sisters. Along with this encouraging growth, there is a disheartening note. Vocations to the Sisterhood have not been able to stay abreast of the needs of the Church. Va rious communities of Sisters who have dedicated themselves to this work in the Church, are already taxing their personnel in order to meet the demand. Now, the Cath olics of South Georgia Missions have become one of those begging for Sisters, thus adding to their burden of work. A few months ago, I personally came in contact with the problem when trying to obtain Sisters. Everywhere, I met Sisters filled ★ ★ - Four Sisters’ In the face of this discouraging situation, I am asking the readers of this article to join with us in praying that we will eventually find Sisters. Pray that some place in this land of ours there are four Sisters who will come to Douglas. Pray that the silent empty rooms of our Convent will soon be oc cupied. The sole promise offered to our future Sisters is plenty of work— so varied and vast—their enthus iasm will be boundless. The pa rish takes in 11 counties (1,000 sq. miles) with five Churches. Two of them have country-folk for parishoners. Three are in small towns. All have one outstanding quality. The people have a simple goodness that is praiseworthy. Whether .the parish-visits bring the Sisters to a share-cropper’s cabin, or a modest city home, they will find a welcome and work to be done. The growth of the Church in the South is certain. The only unanswerable question is how long will it take. Only prayers and time will give the answer. Will you help us with your prayers? In the next article from us, I hope it can be reported that the “TO LET” sign has been removed from the front lawn of St. Paul’s Convent, and that the population of the South Georgia Missions will have been increased by four . . . FOUR SISTERS! JAMES lEIZES holy mm SAVANNAH — The St. James Holy Name Society held its first reception ceremony on Sunday, Feb. 9. at the 9:15 a. m. Mass. The Most Reverend Thomas J. McDonough, D.D., J.C.D., Auxili ary Bishop of Savannah, was the celebrant of the Mass and the speaker at a breakfast in the parish hall. The breakfast was sponsored by the St. James Parish Council of Catholic Women. Forty-seven men of the parish were received as charter members of the Holy Name Society. The Very Reverend John D. Toomey, pastor and dio*esan director of the Holy Name Society, conduct ed the reception ceremony. Of ficers in the Society are: John W. Stephens, Jr., president; John Rourke, vice president; Frank De- Meuse, secretary; Frank Mac- Cauley, treasurer; Robert J. Bil- ger, marshall. Bishop McDonough in Ips ad dress encouraged the men in their devotion to Christ in the Blessed Sacrament and stated that this will inspire a greater love for God — the basis of all Catholic life. He congratulated them on their splendid efforts, both spirit ually and materially, in the rapid development of the new parish of St. James. Plans were made for the for mation of a Junior Holy Name with zeal for the Missions, espe- ! Society foi the teen-age boys of cially in the South. Everywhere I j ** ie par * stl * n March, heard “Father, if only we had j ‘ ’ — more vocations, I would give you j ”omen get credit for intuition Sisters today ” jwhen in reality it’s nothing more parish’s project. principal Last year fund-raising it produced that man’s transparency Catholics Among First Settlers (Continued from Page 1) vent on Liberty street that Father O’Neil had built for them, large ly at his own expense. St. Vin cent’s Academy, which they op ened that same year, has had an uninterrupted record of service down to the present time. DIOCESE ERECTED So flourishing was the condi tion of Catholicism in Savannah by 1850 that the Pope, Pius IX decided to make the city an in dependent see. Bishop Gartland, the first bishop of Savannah, showed himself an able admini strator, but after only four years in Savannah he died a martyr to duty during the yellow fever epi demic of 1854. His friend, Bishop Barron, and several Sisters of Mercy, also died heroically dur ing this epidemic, as did hundreds of the laity. Father John Barry, the saintly pastor of Augusta, was consecrated second Bishop of Savannah in 1857. His contribu tions to the progress of the church in Savannah were the orphanage for boys and the parochial school, both of which he founded. But his health failed and he died in Paris on his way to Rome two years after his consecration. The disturbed condition of the country, then on the threshold of the civil war, prevented the im mediate appointment of his suc cessor to Bishop Barry. In the meanwhile, Father O’Neill, af fectionately called “the Nestor of Savannah,” looked after the af fairs of the church while attend ing to his duties at the Cathedral. In 1861, Bishop Augustus Verot, Vicar-Apostolic of Florida, was transferred to the See of Savan nah. The War Between the States brought a halt to the expansion of the church in Georgia. In 1870 Bishop Verot was made Bishop of St.. Augustine, and an Italian missionary, Ignatius Perisco, was installed as the fourth Bishop of Savannah. Ill health caused Bish op Perisco to resign. In 1873 Fa ther William H. Gross, a priest of the Redemptionist Order, suc ceeded him in Savannah. ST. JOSEPH'S ESTABLISHED Bishop Gross, whose rule lasted until 1885, was a great mission ary and an indefatigable build er. Churches and schools were built in all parts of the state. In Savannah he completed a new Cathedral, the present structure which, with its Gothic arches: and soaring spires, has been there generations of Savannah Catho lics a cherished symbol of their faith. A handsome parish church, St. Patrick’s w r as built in 1879-82 on West Broad street, and the Benedictine Fathers, brought into the diocese to work among the Negroes, established a church and school in the eastern section of Savannah and a trade school on Skidaway Island. Nor in his eag erness to strike out along new paths did Bishop Gross forget the Sisters of Mercy. With his en couragement, this order establish ed a hospital, St. Joseph’s, and an orphanage for girls, located first at White Bluff, later on a tract of land on the southern outskirts of the city, the gift of Capt. Henry Blun. With the transfer of Bishop Gross to the See of Oregon City, the Catholics of Savannah settled down to support the institutions he had provided. The new bishop, Thomas A. Becker, formerly Bishop of Wilmington, was a re nowned scholar, who had helped to found the Catholic University of America. Under his conserva tive leadership gains were con solidated and a stability given to A bore keeps you from being j the church in Savannah. He is $3,300 to help renovate the par-j lonely, but makes you wish you best remembered for bringing the ish convent. -were. ! Little Sisters of the Poor to ALBANY SOCIETY HEARS REPORTS ALBANY — The February meeting of St. Teresa’s Altar So ciety and PCCW was held in the CYO Hall. Mrs. Franklin Rhodes, chair man for the barbecue dinner, Stated that all of the sub-com mittee chairmen had been ap pointed. Mrs. M. B. Harrison, Parish Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relief, announced that 789 pounds of used clothing had recently been packed and that these boxes of clothing had been hauled, free of charge, by Great Southern Trucking Co., to the NCCW Warehouse in New York for shipment overseas. The vice president, Mrs. J. L Lindsey, asked for volunteers to assist her in telephoning the members each month to remind them of the Altar Society meet ing, and also of the Ladies’ Com munion Sunday. A letter was read from the NCCW Headquarters, thanking all who had participated in the Feed-a-Family program. As this meeting was held on St. Blase’s Day, Father Thomas blessed the throats of all those who desired this blessing. Knights Of The Altar Invested — (Continued from Page 1) and what an honor they consid ered it. But how infinitely su perior is the sacrifice of the new Testament, the sacrifice of the mass. Consequently your honor is vastly higher than the Levite.” “Today’s ceremony has one purpose in mind. Not just for nov elty. Not just for show. But to impress upon you and all here present, what an honor is yours —what a responsibility it places upon you. People say “He is an altar boy.” Let them say in the future “He is a Knight of the Altar.” Prove yourself worthy of this title. Let it be reflected in your faithfulness to appointments, your reverence and respectful ness about the altar, and in your daily living. Be loyal—be true Be dedicated to the service of Christ your King. You are his knights.” Savannah. In 1890, in the former residence of the bishop on Perry street, a band of these self-sac rificing women opened a home for aged persons. Four years later, they moved to their present spa cious home on Thirty-seventh street. Bishop Becker died in 1899. Notable during the rules of Bishop Gross and Bishop Becker was the part played by the Catho lic laity, both in the affairs of the church and in the life of the city. Capt. John Flannery, mili tary leader, banker, and cotton merchant, was a great benefactor to the church. Other prominent laymen of this era were Capt. Henry Blun, merchant and bank er; Domonick O’Bryne, a brilliant attorney, for many years judge of the Court of Ordinary of Chat ham county; Gen. Henry Wayne, an army officer and a convert to the Catholic faith, and Dr. James Bond Read, physician and rice planter, also a convert. FATHER MITCHELL, SCHOLAR With the consecration of Ben jamin Joseph Keiley in 1900 as seventh bishop of Savannah, Catholicism in this city may be said to have entered into its pres ent phase. Of distinguished ap pearance and with decided politi cal convictions, which stemmed from his strong loyalty to the ideals of the Confederacy, Bishop Keiley soon became a force in the community. He was ably assisted in his ecclesiastical policies by Father Joseph D. Mitchell, the much beloved priest who came to Savannah in 1908 shortly after his ordination and whose career as rector of the Cathedral, vicar general and finally as a monsig nor and domestic prelate of His Holiness, the Pope, has been fol lowed with affection by Savan- nahians of all creeds. Father Mitchell’s historical sketches of the Catholic Church in Georgia have been praised by professional historians for their accuracy and literary style. Under Bishop Keiley new churches were built (notably that of the Sacred Heart). The Society of African Missions was encou raged to work among the Ne groes, the Benedictine Order op ened a military school that has played a notable role in the life of Savannah, and parochial schools were established in sev eral parishes. Resigning because of his loss of sight, Bishop Keiley was succeeded in 1922 by Bishop Michael Keyes, who ably admin istered the affairs of the church until his resignation in 1935. Bish op Gerald P. O’Hara, ninth Bish op of Savannah, was formerly auxiliary bishop of Philadelphia. His translation to Savannah re vived memories of an earlier connection between the diocese of Philadelphia and Savannah, PRIESTS OF THE DIOCESE Father Ralph E. Seikel is well known throughout the Diocese. He has been assistant pastor at parishes in Savannah and Co lumbus, before being assigned to St. Mary’s on the Hill, Augusta, as assistant pastor and moderator of the new Diocesan High School, St. Thomas Aquinas. Father Sei kel has always been most inter ested and active in youth affairs and enjoys the affection and con fidence of Catholic youth where- ever he has been stationed. Father Seikel was born October 23, 1928. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Seikel of Canton, Ohio. He attended grammar school at St. John’s, Canton and spent two years at Central Cath olic High School of the same city before entering St. Charles Col lege in Cantonsville, Md. He was graduated from St. Charles in 1949 and entered St. Mary’s Sem inary, Baltimore, receiving his A. B. degree, and his S.T.B. in 1954. Father was ordained May 28, 1955 at St. John the Baptist FATHER SEIKEL Church in Canton, Ohio, with the Most Rev. Emmet M. Walsh the ordaining prelate. Saint Francis Xavier School, Brunswick. Dedicated Feb. 9th BRUNSWICK — The new St. Francis Xavier School in Bruns wick was dedicated on Sun day, February 9th at four in the afternoon by the Most Rev. Thomas J. McDonough, D.D., J. C.D., Auxiliary Bishop of Savan nah. The very Rev. Andrew J. McDonald was master of cere monies. Chaplains to Bishop Mc Donough were the Very Rev. D. C. O’Mear, S.M., Provincial of the Washington Province of the Marist Fathers and the Rev. P. A. Hasson, S.M., a former pastor in Brunswick, now in Marietta. In attendance were the Most Rev. James J. McNulty, D.D., Bish op of Paterson, N. J., and his brother, the Right Rev. John J. McNulty, Rector of Seton Hall University, South Orange, N. J. Chaplains to Bishop McNulty were the Rev. J. D. Toomey of Savannah and the Rev. G. Dillon of Providence, R. I. Also present were the Right Rev. T. James McNamara, V.F. of Savannah; and the Revs. John Cuddy, superintendent of schools, Savannah Beach; Felix Donnelly, Thunderbolt; John O’Shea, At lanta; Dennis McGranary, Fort Stewart; William Clifford. Glyn- co, Mass.; Francis Jordan, Hunter AFB; Eugene MaleR, Moody AFB; Finian Kerwin, O.F.M., Thomasville; Gerard Moran, O. M.I., Douglas; Eugene Card, O. M.I., Douglas; Paul McCartin, O. M. I., Lakeland; Lawrence Schmuhl, S.M., Bedford, Ohio; Matthew Faschan, S.M., Atlanta; George Meiluta, S.M., Wgycross; James Cummings, S.M., Joseph Kane, S.M., and Albert Hebert, S.M. of Brunswick. Following the dedicatory cere monies Bishop McDonough con firmed a class of seventy-seven children and twenty adults in St. Francis Xavier Church. In the evening a reception was held for the Bishop in the audi torium of the new school. The new school replaces the building which has been in use for more than fifty years. It has eight classrooms, a kindergarten and a library as well as a com bination auditorium and lunch room, a teachers’ lounge, princi pal’s office and liqalth room. Cafeteria! service is planned for the 1958-59 school year. Present enrollment is 260, but the new building has a capacity of 500. The new St. Francis School was designed by Mr. Cormac McGar- vey in the widely used contempo rary-style and built around ». courtyard which will be grassed and the energy with which he has exercised the duties of his office recalls the rules of Gartland and Gross. Churches have been multiplied through the state, schools and orphanages erected, and great progress has been made along many lines. CATHEDRAL IS CENTER But, in spite of the marked growth of other parishes, the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist has retained a unique place in the affection of Savannah Catholics. Its traditions link them with the beginning of their faith in this city. Its great bell calls them to worship. And in its rector, the Rt. Rev. Msgr. T. James McNa mara, they have an eloquent spokesman, who, combining cha rity with liberality of thought, has made the name of the church in Savannah synonymous with enlightened progress, especially in matters of social and racial justice. When you need it most, the in fluence you though you had is very apt to vanish. and landscaped. Father Cum mings announced that a shrine is also planned for the courtyard. The R. F. Higginbotham Company was in charge of construction of the building. Bail For Prayer Is Yibrant Echo (Continued from Page 1) torchlight procession, for which Lourdes is celebrated, and the singing of Handel’s oratorio, The Messiah, by a great choir. The feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, while opening the cen tenary year, came as the climax of the intense spiritual prepara tions made by this Marian City. For three days immediately preceding the opening celebra tions there was a triduum which included daily Mass, Benediction, recitation of the Rosary and. on the eve of the feast, the first Ves pers of the feast and later solemn Matins and Lauds. Prior to this there had been perpetual adora tion of the Blessed Sacrament in the parish church. The observance at the great shrine actually got under way several days earlier with the un heralded arrival at the grotto of Bishop Theas, who introduced the diocese’s newly appointed Coad jutor Bishop Jean Maury to a crowd of several hundred people praying there. The introduction was followed by recitation of the rosary and the singing of the Magnificat and the traditional Lourdes hymn. Bishops Theas and Maury had a prominent role in subsequent cer emonies. Among other prelates taking part in the feast day ob servance were Bishop Christopher Weldon of Springfield, Mass., and Auxiliary Bishop Leo R. Smith of Buffalo, who led sizeable Ameri can pilgrimages. The pilgrims were thus among the first Americans to see the grotto since its restoration by Bishop Theas was completed. In the course of a century the grotto had come to encompass an ornate altar, an iron fence, baths and other objects. The Bishop de cided several years ago to restore the grotto’s original simplicity and first of all built new, larger baths farther away. More recently the grillwork was all taken down. Finally the old white Gothic altar was removed and replaced by a new, almost starkly plain one—a simple table of dark polished marble on an open base. Thus the grotto today looks more like it did when Our Lady appeared to St. Bernadette 100 years ago. As centennial year ceremonies opened, work on the huge new underground church here contin ued. Dedicated to St. Pius X, it will hold 20,000 persons. Its in auguration on March 25, at which His Eminence Angelo Cardinal Roncalli, Patriarch of Venice and former Apostolic Nuncio to France, will officiate, will be one of the year’s main events. Workmen are now completing the church’s roof, which will be sodded over - . While the new five-million- dollar church is being completed, Lourdes has been busy in a major clean-up and fix-up campaign since last fall. A new airport, is being completed, streets are be ing repaired and hotels are being enlarged. Later in March, when the first giant waves of pilgrims start to arrive—six to 10 million are expected during the year— Lourdes plans to be ready.