The spiritual interests of the colored Catholics of Pittsburgh are looked
after by the Rev. John Griffin, C. S. Sp., who resides at Holy Ghost
College in that city. A church was erected last year, in the basement
of which a school has been opened, conducted by two Sisters of Mercy.
Its average attendance is about fifty pupils. “We greatly need pecuniary
support” writes Father Griffin “in order to pay off the debt still
due on our parochial property. There is no pastoral residence near the
church, and this for want of means to purchase one. The priest attending
the colored church, has to reside at a considerable distance from it.
The good effected, though perhaps not so rapid and consoling as might
be found in other kinds of charitable enterprises, is still real and
substantial. We hope that those who have power, influence and means, will
extend a kindly, helping hand to the poor priest, to whose lot it has
fallen to take upon his weak shoulders this difficult, uphill work.”