According to the late census there are 706,243 colored people in the
diocese of Mobile. About 2,500 of this vast number are Catholics. The
total Catholic population, negroes and whites included, is scarcely
17,000 souls. These figures will give us some slight idea of the
difficulty to be met with on every side in the work of propagating
the faith. Priests, money and moral support are absolutely necessary
to achieve any missionary success. Bishop O’Sullivan has five colored
schools directed by the Sisters of Mercy and by lay teachers. Two hundred
and thirty-five pupils attended them. “These schools do much good. The
attendance would be larger if they were entirely free. In our present
circumstances I think it advisable to exact a small fee for tuition.
People do not always appreciate what they get for nothing. The children
are well instructed in the catechism and make good progress in their
studies. Through the children we hope to lead the parents to the church.
We have at last opened the mission for colored people in Pensacola.
Father Fullerton generously took charge of the work. We have a church
and school combined. It is a frame building, two stories high, 75 feet
by 32 feet. The first story is used for school purposes and the second
as a church. The Sisters of Mercy teach the school. The building was
blessed December 4th, there being large congregations present at the
three services. The church is under the patronage of St. Joseph. I am
more than hopeful for the success of this mission. We need a house for
the Pastor and as the church is yet to be built we have secured a lot
in a fine situation. We receive very few adult converts from among the
colored people. However, the proportion of colored converts is equal
to the number of white converts. Hence, there is no good reason why we
should look on the conversion of the colored people as hopeless; on the
contrary, the outlook is encouraging. If we plant the good seed, our
successors will reap a rich harvest. We must work and wait and pray until
the Lord sends the harvest. The Catholics in the South are so few, that
it is impossible for them to supply missionaries and means to carry on
the work. Help must come from outside. May God bless all who help in this
mission.”