Copy letter from Fr. Stephen Murtagh

Copy letter from Fr. Stephen Murtagh OFM Cap. to the Most Rev. Fr. Benno OFM Cap., New York, regarding significant expansion opportunities for the Capuchin Order on the West Coast. Father Stephen notes that the Order is taking possession of the Flintridge property on October 1st. The Archbishop of Los Angeles offered the surrounding district as a new parish, which Father Stephen believes will be a vital financial support. There is a proposal to establish a high school for boys at Flintridge, mod

Details

Level of description: Item
Date: 12 Sept. 1945
Reference: 30
Extent and medium: 2 pp; typescript
Scope and content: Copy letter from Fr. Stephen Murtagh OFM Cap. to the Most Rev. Fr. Benno OFM Cap., New York, regarding significant expansion opportunities for the Capuchin Order on the West Coast. Father Stephen notes that the Order is taking possession of the Flintridge property on October 1st. The Archbishop of Los Angeles offered the surrounding district as a new parish, which Father Stephen believes will be a vital financial support. There is a proposal to establish a high school for boys at Flintridge, modelled after the success of Jesuit schools in fostering vocations. He also reports that the Capuchins received an offer of land for a monastery at McKenzie Bridge, Oregon, located between their houses in Bend and Roseburg. He describes it as ‘one of the beauty spots of America’, ideally situated for a house of studies and helping friars maintain ‘regular observance’ in a peaceful, isolated setting.
Repository: Irish Capuchin Archives
Context: Irish Capuchin Archives > Papers of the Irish Capuchin Mission in the United States > Missionary Correspondence > Correspondence of Fr. Stephen Murtagh

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Extracted Mentions

People, places, and terms identified via handwriting recognition and named entity recognition.

People

Bishop(2)
May(1)
Francis(1)
Bridge(1)
Howard(1)

Places

Abbeylara(1)

Terms

Sample passages

Father Apollinaris' appointment as Bishop of Guam. I am
for $100.00 for the new Bishop. Please ask him to ex-
Parish. I feel that it would help us financially. May I

Full Transcript (OCR, 1 pages)

Machine-generated OCR transcript. Handwritten material may contain recognition errors.

Page 1

Copy September 12, 1945. Most Rev. Fr. Benno, C.F.M.Cap., Capuchin Franciscan Fathers, 210 West 31st St., New York City, N.Y. Most Rev. and Dear Fr. Benno: Your letter of Sept. 4th was here when I re- turned from making the visitation of the houses in Oregon. I am glad to know that the Canadian provincial gave his consent for the loan to purchase Flintridge. I was very grateful for your prompt telegram. We have been in escrow for several weeks and will come into possession of the property October 1st. The Archbishop of Los Angeles invited me for lunch before I went on the visitation. He offered us the district surrounding Flintridge as the beginning of a new Parish. I feel that it would help us financially. May I have your permission to accept it for the order. The Archbishop also suggested, and the Auxiliary Bishop urged - that we teach high school at Flintridge for the catholic boys of the district for a time at least. I think it would be a good idea. The Jesuit Fathers tell me their high schools are by far their best source of vocations. Please le me know your attitude on the matter. In case you approve will you please make it official while you are still Commissary General. I doubt if others would have your understanding of conditions in the States. Now there is another matter. I enclose copies of correspondence that has passed in regard to the offer of land and a monastery at McKenzie Bridge, Oregon. I think the letters explain the proposition. The place is on the highway between two of our houses - Bend and Roseburg. It is one of the beauty spots of America. It is somewhat lonely, but ideally situated for a house of studies. The friars can hardly believe our good fortune. It will help solve the problem of regular observance. The men in the Oregon parishes will be in touch with Capuchin life from now on. I trust you will grant me permission to proceed with the negotiations in case Archbishop Howard approves. I saw on a catholic paper the announcement of Father Apollinaris' appointment as Bishop of Guam. I am sorry that I cannot be there for the consecration. I will ask Fr. Cyprian, Guardian of Delaware, to represent the Custody. I just could not go East now when I have to take over Flintridge and be on hand in regard to the negotiations for the place in Oregon. I enclose check for $100.00 for the new Bishop. Please ask him to ex- cuse my absence. Finally again my most sincere thanks. Obediently yours in St. Francis. Fr. Stephen of Abbeylara Custos Provincial.