In last year’s report a full account was given of the purchase and
opening of a church for colored Catholics in Philadelphia. “From the
results attained since then” writes the Rev. Jas. Nolan, “there is
every reason to believe that the colored Mission in Philadelphia will
eventually prove a success. Nothing could be more encouraging than
the large number of young men and women who have, within the last
year returned to the practice of their religion. For years they had
strayed away; they had but rarely attended church and were never known
to approach the sacraments. Now they approach the sacraments and are
ardently attached to their church. I have no doubt that each succeeding
year may bring many more to follow their example.
“Lack of funds, unfortunately is a great drawback to the mission,
there is still a debt of $10,000 on the church, the interest payable
half-yearly. Moreover, we have other heavy expenses for schools, light,
heat, water, etc. These matters often prevent us from paying as much
attention to the spiritual side of the work as is really necessary. The
schools are well attended and through them we hope to reap in due time an
abundant harvest. I earnestly hope your venerable Commission will give me
this year a substantial subsidy to enable me to realize at least some of
the great good that can be done among so large a population of colored
people.”
Sister Agnes Mary, superioress of the Convent of Notre Dame, writes of
the colored school for girls, as follows:
“In sending in our claim for a share in the annual distribution in favor
of colored schools, we present the Committee with a report of the Girl’s
colored school under our care at Ninth and Pine Sts. The school opened in
September last with an attendance of 68; but owing to sickness and other
causes, the number was decreased by 10 or 12, so that at the close of the
school, June 23, there were about 56 present. One-half are Catholics. We
have had the consolation of seeing many who had been negligent in the
discharge of their religious duties, resume their former fervor, and
become monthly communicants. The pupils have given general satisfaction.
One convert has been received into the church. As many Catholic children
are drawn to public schools by the inducement of books free of charge, we
are obliged to use the same bait, and furnish them with sewing material,
books and other school requisites.” The boy’s school is conducted in the
basement of the church, (St. Peter Claver’s) by Brothers of the Society
of the Holy Ghost. This school has an average attendance of 80 pupils.