The diocese of Covington has but few colored Catholics, yet the schools
and charitable institutions founded by Bishop Maes, promise in time
to bear rich fruitage. St. Peter Claver’s school in Lexington has a
membership of 219 pupils; of this number 202 are protestants. The
salutary influence of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, as exerted
over the children intrusted to their keeping, will necessarily tend to
turn the eyes of the parents towards the Church. Besides this school,
there is in the same city, a hospital for colored people under the charge
of the Sisters of Charity. Last year it admitted 142 patients. Another
hospital in Covington cared for 42 patients last year, five of whom were
received into the Church. “Your committee will notice that we have kept
our own,” writes the Bishop of Covington. “Solid results already attained
are the only claims we bring forward to support our application for the
same amount of help as has been given us in the past, and if possible a
greater amount. You will kindly notice, that so far, I have been unable
to contribute a single cent towards the maintenance of the 184 feeble and
sick colored people in our hospitals; and that the same lack of funds
prevents me from taxing the charity of our orphan asylums to a greater
extent than is already done. The prospects for permanent good done to
souls at Lexington, are as bright as ever, as is proved by results, and
will in my opinion assume a brighter aspect every year. I would like to
begin, in Covington itself, to enlarge the sphere of negro work, but
property being expensive and the resources small, I forebear, of least
for this year. The following record of receipts and expenditures will
give some insight into our work and its needs.”
_Accounts from January 1st, 1890, to December 31st, 1891._
1891.
Jan. 1. Balance debt of last account $1,305 06
Sisters’ School, salary 500 00
Janitor—coal 138 20
Repairs to school house 56 93
Salary of Priest 200 00
Chapel supplies 89 04
25 copies of Catholic Tribune 25 00
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$2,314 23
Cr. Oct. 13th. By allowance of Committee 2,000 00
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Dec. 31st. Balance debt 314 23
1892.
May 1st. Debt to date:
Salary of Teachers, 91 and 92 500 00
Salary of Priest 75 00
Salary of Janitor 60 00
Repairs to School 4 65
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May 20th. Debt to date $ 953 88
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Estimate of expenses for 1892-93:
Balance Debt $ 953 88
School expenses 760 00
Church expenses and Priest’s salary 450 00
Help for Hospitals and Orphanage 500 00
Paris, Lot and New School 1,510 00
Salary of Teachers 300 00
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$4,463 88