Petition to Fr. Joseph Fenelon from the parishioners of Mendocino, California

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Mendocino, California May 6, 1931 Very Rev. Joseph Fenlon O. M. Cap. Superior Order Minor Capucius, 1541 Golden Gate Ave. Los Angeles, California Very Rev. and Dear Father: We, the undersigned Parishioners, representing the Parish of Mendocino humbly petition you to keep a resident Priest in Mendocino. Although the Parishioners in Mendocino Parish composed mostly of saw mill workers earning only $2.25 per day with large families to support, and at present only working five days a week find it very difficult to support, as they would wish to support the parish Priest. Since the building of the new Church a much greater interest in religion prevails, many new faces are seen in the congregation each Sunday. The Catholic children here in Mendocino and the outlying districts of this Parish, attending the Grammar and High School are composed mostly of Second generation Portugese and Italian, and without daily contact with their church and Priest would be lost to the Church, and the vast majority of the school children here attending grammar and high school are of the above races. The Catholic children of the High School have recently organized a Catholic Club, called the twentieth Century Crusaders, some of their club members have joined the choir, while others have taken charge of the altar and altar linens. These young people who are our Catholic's of tomorrow really and truly heed the guidance and daily Supervision of a Priest in their midst. We, the older Parishioners of Mendocino Dear Father, are most grateful to the Priests who have administered to us here in the past, and who have kept the Faith alive in this community, so now Dear Father, when the future looks brighter than before, we humbly ask you to give us the opportunity to show our appreciation for God's gifts to keep a resident Priest in Mendocino. His Grace the most Reverend Archbishop Hanna was here last week and he confirmed a class of 41 children and adults, a list from the local paper is inclosed. A committee of us met his Grace while here and placed our need before him, and he promised us his utmost support, but said, "the matter of keeping a resident Priest in Mendocino was in your hands". Most respectfully, Copy to Archbishop Hanna Antonio B. Lemos Mrs A. B. Lemos. Elizabeth Boyle Mrs Annie Bournan Mrs Charles Boyle Mrs. A. P. Kundert A. P. Kundert Mr & Mrs John A. Gomes. Elizabeth Lances Mr & Mrs Antonio Gomes. Joseph Hessel Mr & Mrs Jose Lomes. Joseph Loffe Mr and Mrs Manuel Mathewsgrayme Joy Mr & Mrs Antony Andre. Edith Boyne Mrs. & Mrs. Joseph Scaill. Cletus Byrnes Mrs Isabel J. Almeida Mrs Frank J. Almeida