Mrs. Valeria Frawley, Fin. Sec.; Miss Patricia Crowley, Rec. Sec.; Mrs. Katerine Yeisley, Treas.; Mrs. Beatrice Woodhouse, V. Pres.
Father Lynch, Director; Mrs. Mary Mallon, Pres.
_____________________________
In April, 1908, Father J.J. Moriarty, then pastor of St. Mary's, called a meeting of the men and women of the parish in the school hall. This meeting was attended by over two hundred of the parishioners and from this group the Altar and Rosary Society was organized. Miss Mary Burke of 218 Franklin Street was chosen its first president. With her were chosen the following officers: Mrs. Daniel Mulcahy, vice-president; Miss Margaret Newcomb, secretary; Mrs. Anna Mahon, treasurer.
This group of women accepted as their project the financing of all the needs of the altar, such as: the purchase of the altar rail, vestments, vestment case, altar linens, the Missal and the laundering of the altar linens. They appointed promoters or band leaders who solicited funds and dues from groups. They sponsored dances and card parties. Miss Burke states with pride that through the efforts of the officers and promoters that from the day of that first meeting the Altar and Rosary Society was able to pay for all of the purchases made for the altar. Not only were the parties a financial success but a social success as well and with a twinkle in her eyes she says that many a happy romance had its beginning in the St. Mary’s Hall.
Miss Burke held the presidency for twenty-seven years. Mrs. Paul Conklin succeeded Mrs. Anna Bohan who died March 16, 1925 as treasurer and when Mrs. Conklin moved to Long Island she was succeeded by Miss Rebecca Kennedy. Upon the death of Mrs. Margaret Newcomb on October 30, 1928, Mrs. James O’Connor became financial secretary. A vice-president was not chosen to succeed Mrs. Mulcahy who died in 1921. Rebecca Kennedy and Mrs. O’Connor continued to work with Miss Burke until April 1935.
At that time an election was held and Mrs. John Richardson was elected president; Mrs. Joseph Sandore, vice-president, Mrs. James Reilly, secretary; and Mrs. Thomas Malone, treasurer. These officers served one year. During that year the Society purchased an alb, paid for all altar linen laundry and purchased flowers for the altar.
They held the first Communion Breakfast at the Langwell Hotel and arranged for the first annual picnic at Brand Park. They arranged to have a Requiem Mass offered for all deceased members and cards to be sent to sick members. During the year, they became affiliated with the National Council of Catholic Women and have continued this affiliation to the present. At the end of the year the Society had 277 members.
On April 6, 1936 the following officers were elected: Mrs. Margaret Hogg, president; Mrs. Mary Cahill, vice president; Mrs. Katherine Brickwedde, financial secretary and Mrs. Grace Hanrahan, treasurer. During that year, the membership increased from 277 to 383. The outstanding activities included the second annual picnic at Brand Park on August 13, 1936, a musical tea held February 7, 1937 in the school hall and the second annual Communion Breakfast held April 4, 1937 at the Langwell Hotel.
On May 3, 1937 the following officers were elected: Mrs. Loretta McCarthy, president; Miss Frances Fitzgerald, vice-president; Miss Eleanor Donovan, secretary and Miss Anne Sullivan, treasurer. The membership was increased by 21 members. The third annual picnic was held on March 12, 1937 [sic] at Brand Park. The third annual Communion Breakfast was held at the Rathbun Hotel on April 3, 1948 [sic]. Father William Gaynor was the speaker.
On May 2, 1938 the following officers were elected: Mrs. Margaret Hogg, president; Mrs. Alice Frawley, vice president; Mrs. Nora Rourke, treasurer; and Mrs. Frances Fitzgerald, secretary. These officers with the exception of Miss Fitzgerald who was succeeded in April, 1939 by Mrs. Katherine Brickweddle, remained in office until April 3, 1944. They instituted the practice of gathering at the home of a deceased member for the recitation of the Rosary. New bands were formed and the membership grew to 450 at the end of business year April 3, 1944. The Society aided worthy children by the purchase of Communion Dresses. They took part in Civic activities such as: dressing dolls for the Arctic League, made contributions of money to the Community Chest and Artic League. In May, 1939 the Society gave $236.20 towards the purchase of the rubber pads on the kneeling benches in the church. Annual picnics, Communion Breakfasts, and Musical Teas were held each year. A number of women sewed for the Red Cross. Drugs and clothing were solicited for the Missions in Alabama. Social Evenings and picnic supers were enjoyed on meeting nights. They raised money to buy cassocks and surplices for the Altar Boys and a chest to keep Altar Vestments. Study Clubs were formed. Bingo parties were held and the money raised was used to have Masses said for the boys and girls in the armed services of our country.
On April 3, 1944 at the annual election, the following officers were chosen: Mrs. Jeanne Stevens, president; Mrs. Loretta Collins, vice president; Mrs. Mary Murphy, financial secretary and Miss Marguerite Richardson, treasurer. These officers were reelected in April, 1945 and served to April, 1946. They were installed May 1, 1944 at a picnic supper held in the school hall to honor the retiring officers. The Holy Name Society entertained the members at the July Meeting and a very enjoyable time was had. The society held a Christmas Party for the first grade children. During the year new vestments were purchased. On thousand dollars was raised toward the redecoration of the convent. Business meetings were held each month followed by a social meeting in which refreshments were served. On hundred twenty-five members volunteered to spend an hour before the Blessed Sacrament. Dishes and table cloths were purchased for use in the hall. The Immaculate Conception Sodality disbanded and became affiliated with the Altar and Rosary Society. Clothing and money were collected and given to the destitute infants and nuns in Europe. The annual Communion Breakfasts were held. A Christmas Party was also held and gifts were given to the nuns of St. Mary’s Convent. A doll show was sponsored and prizes were given to the school children dressing the prettiest dolls. The membership increased by 100 members.
On April 1, 1946 the following officers were elected: Mrs. Mary Mallon, president; Mrs. Grace Rouse, vice president; Mrs. Bertha Smith, financial secretary; Miss Edna Rosno, corresponding secretary, and Miss Marguerite Richardson, treasurer. Father Lynch was appointed Spiritual Adviser. In October, 1946 the Society became affiliated with the Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary and became known as the Rosary Altar Society. On March 1, 1947 a charter from the Master General of the Dominicans was received and the ceremony of erection took place on St. Mary’s Church whereby the Rosary Altar was canonically established with all the rights and privileges of the confraternity. Over 500 women received Holy Communion on that day and were present for the erection. A reorganization of the Society also took place in that the band system of contacting members was abolished and the parish was divided into four zones then into sections and finally into blocks with leaders for each zone, section, and block.
During the year members formed an honor guard to be present al all times when the Blessed Sacrament is exposed. They continued the practice of visiting homes of deceased members for the recitation of the Rosary and established the practice of attending funerals in a body and having the seventh day Mass offered for the deceased member. The Society participated in a clothes drive for suffering Europeans and over 2500 pounds of clothing was collected. They aided St. Joseph’s Hospital during the flood emergency, helped distribute milk and ice cream during the noon hour to the children in St. Mary’s school, sponsored Hallowe’en and Day campers picnics for the school children, assisted the Holy Name Society in sponsoring the Annual Circus, and the dances in the hall. The Musical Tea was held and a Christmas party was given for the nuns. The membership increased to 839 with 273 new members.
On April 8, 1947 Mrs. Mallon was reelected president; Mrs. Beatrice Woodhouse, vice president; Miss Patricia Crowley, recording secretary; Mrs. Valeria Frawley, financial secretary and Mrs. Katherine Yeisley, treasurer. During this year the Musical Tea was held, the annual picnic was at Eldridge Park, the Communion Breakfast at the Mark Twain Hotel on Rosary Sunday, October 5, 1947. A reception of new members was held in the church December 7, 1947. A Hallowe’en card party was given in the school. At the present time old gold is being collected to be used in making a new chalice. Clothing was again collected for the people in Europe.
All meetings are held on the first Tuesday of the month, with communion Sunday being set on the first Sunday of the month. All meeting begin with rosary, sermon, benediction and a reception ceremony for new members in the church followed by a business meeting in the school hall after which a social hour is enjoyed with refreshments being served. The Society has a membership of 944 with a goal that every woman in the parish will become affiliated with the Society and share in the privileges and indulgences to be gained by being a member as well as to give due honor to Mary, Our Queen of the Most Holy Rosary.
No comments:
Post a Comment