Saint Mary's Parish La Crosse, by Father Bernard McGarty. Nathan Myrick opened a Trading Post at Prairie La Crosse in 1841, and shortly became Post Master of a settle­ ment that grew rapidly because of Federal Land Grants and Mississippi River Steam Boats. Sioux and Ho Chunk Native Americans negotiated treaties on the Prairie and played their game, which French missionaries labeled La Crosse. Twelve years later in 1853, the profile of settlers in La Crosse was: "30% born in Europe; 39 in Germany, 29 in Norway and Sweden, 23 in Britain, 19 in Ireland, 7 in Canada, 3 in France,: 70% of settlers were born in the United States; 89 in Vermont and New England, 109 in New York, 30 in Ohio, 20 in Pennsylvania, a lesser num ~ ber from Southern States:' A Wisconsin census in 1855 listed La Crosse population, 1,637. (1.) Native American numbers are ignored. If you were to walk through the village in 1853 this is what you would see: Native Americans, painted and in re­ galia on the streets. "1 04 Dwelling Houses, 8 Fancy and Dry Goods Stores, 4 Groceries, 2 Drugs and Medicines, 2 Boots and Shoes, 2 Hardware, 2 Tin Shops, 2 Tailor Shops, 3 Shoe Shops, 1 Harness Shop, 4 Blacksmith Shops, l Gun Shop, 2 Bakeries, l Cabinet Shop;' Also, "3 Physicians Offices, 4 Law Offices, 1 Justice Office, 5 Taverns, 1 Barber Shop, 1 Printing Office, 4 Joiners Shops, 1 Steam Saw Mill, 1 Wagon Shop, 1 Jeweler and Silver Smith's Shop, 1 Milliner Shop, 1 Office for the Sale of Government Lands, 1 Odd-Fellows Hall, 1 Court House and Jail, 3 Churches." (2.) Father Lucian Galtier was a legendary missionary from France working in the Mississippi Valley under the direc­ tion of the Bishop of Dubuque. In 1841 Galtier built a log Chapel, dedicated to Saint Paul, to serve soldiers and civilians at Fort Snelling, Minnesota Territory. That Chapel eventually became the name of the city, "Saint. Paul:' Minnesota. (3.) In 1848 \ Vi sconsin became a State. By 1853 Father Galtier was a priest of the Diocese of Milwaukee, Pastor of Saint Gabriel Parish in Prairie du Chien, a Vicar Generals of the Diocese of Milwaukee, which included all of Wisconsin. All of \Vestern Wisconsin was deemed part of Father Gal tier's responsibility. In May 1853, a notice on a La Crosse newspaper stated, "There would be services of the Catholic Church on 29 th of that month:' The home of Thomas Gallagher at 10th and Pine was host of the Liturgy and a meeting, conducted by, "The Rev. L Gal tier of Prairie du Chien.:' It was agreed that a Catholic church be built in La Crosse.; $500. was collected, promise .:; of lumber to be donated, and gift of land at 7 r1J and Cameron Avenue. (3 .} The new church \,·as dedicated to; "The Blessed Virgin Mary under the title, The Immaculate Conception:· For centuries the feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 81h, celebrated that Mary, when conceived in her mother Anna's womb, was free from Original Sin. 'Immaculate' meant sinless, in anticipation that Mary would be the mother of Jesus. Di\·inity and humanity are joined in the person of Jes us. No stain of sin can be involved. A theology phrase, "The la\,. of worship, is the law of belief" means, "what we celebrate in Liturgy, indicates what we believe in Faith:' It is noteworthy that this was 1853. One year later in 1854, Pope Pius IX declared the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception. The Catholics in the Gallagher house, totally understood that title, because they and their ancestors had been celebrating the December 8 Feast for centuries. On August 2, 1856 the Church, a 60 x 35 wood frame building was officially dedicated by Father Tappert, their first pastor. The 25 families that gathered for Prayer, began experiencing "community" and called themselves, "members of St. Mary's:' The believers represented all nationalities, who traveled form north, south, east, west, as much as 25 miles in each direction, to attend Mass. ( 4) Father Tappert saw the need for a school, and raised funds for a building adjacent to the church. The small student body were taught by, Sisters of Notre Dame, their Mother House in Mil­ waukee. After five years Father Tappert traveled to France and .• entered a contemplative order; The Carthusian Charter house. ·•~~3"~~~~~~~=~~~~~~~~ As Dom Denis Mary Tappert, he established a charterhouse in ~ Germany, was exiled during the Kulturkampf, 1872-1878, and died at a Charterhouse in Switzerland. (5.) sT. MARY"S FIRST CHURCH The second pastor, The Rev. F.X. Etschmann arrived in 1860. Besides serving St. Mary's, he served six neighboring coun­ ties in Wisconsin and Minnesota. The third pastor, Father Charles Schraudenbach arrived in 1863. La Crosse was growing; The 1860 census 3,860, the 1870 census 7,755. In Father Galtier's grave in 1863 German and Bohemian members of St. Mary's with- front of St. Gabriel's Church. Prairie du Chien drew to form a new parish, St. Joseph's, at 6'h and Main. The English and French remaining at the mother church. In February 1868 Father Lucian Galtier, founding priest of St. Mary's, died at St. Gabriel's Parish in Prairie du Chien at age 56. The premature death resulted from an infection caused while shaving. Devotion to the beloved pastor was so strong that Galtier is buried in a stone sarcophagus in front of the Church. No other such tomb exists in the Diocese of La Crosse. A biography of Lucian Gal tier was pub­ lished in 2013. Father Marco became the fourth pastor of St. Mary's, and served for five years until 1868. In that year Pope Pius IX created two new diocese in Wisconsin, Green Bay and La Crosse, dividing the state into three parts; Mil­ waukee the third part. Michael Heiss, a St. Francis Seminary professor of scripture, became our first bishop. St. Mary's little wood church became the Cathedral.( 6) St. Joseph's was larger, but under construction. Funds ran short and the contractor ceased work. A German Mis­ sionary Society was contacted. The Missionary Society supplied new money. The large brick church, with soaring tower was completed and became our "new" Cathedral. Father Abbelen was transferred from Chippewa Falls to La Crosse and named pastor of St. Mary's. When Father Abbelen's health failed, Father Henry Kampshroer, pastor of St. Joseph, took care of both congregations, and both flourished. James Schwebach at age 21, was a sub-deacon and came to La Crosse as spiritual director of St. Mary's School. The children and parish members were so impressed with James charisma, that they pressured Bishop Heiss to return Schwebach as their pastor. Shewbach's ordination was in 1870. It began a golden age for St. Mary's. A new church and school were needed. (7). B)' 1872 a two story brick school was built, ~taffed by franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, residing at St. Rose Convent. In 1875 a brick church in Romanesque style, seating 600, with twin towers, was dedicated by Bishop Heiss. The cost was $16,000. In the interior were statues of St. Patrick and St. Bridget. A magnificent stained glass window of the Immaculate Conception shone behind the main altar. In 1870 La Crosse population was 7,785, by 1880 it was 14,505. The North Side of La Crosse had been annexed and by 1886 St. James Parish was established. French families from French Island and Irish Railroad workers living on the North Side withdrew from St. Mary's. Father James Schwebach's popular twenty year pastorate at St. Mary's ended when he became the third bishop of La Crosse in 1891. Bishop Schewbach died in 1921, thirty years our leader. A number of"Yankees" from Vermont settled in Wiscon­ sin and one of them was Father William White, pastor of St. Bridget in Ettrick. Bishop Schewbach appointed Father White pastor of his beloved St. Mary's. Other parishes founded by Bohemian, Polish and German residents were established in the city. Nevertheless, St. Mary's doubled in membership during Father White's 16 years as leader. St. Mary's, by Father Bernard McGarty- continued Father White retired in 1908. Bishop Schewbach wanted a priest of special talent to Lead St. Mary's. Robert Condon, born in Chicago, had a distinguish scholastic record and excelled in baseball. After ordination Father Condon was pastor at St. Phillip, Soldiers Grove and associate pastor at St. Gabriel's, Prairie du Chien. In 1905 Bishop Schewbach sent the young priest to Rome for graduate study. At the Gregorian University Condon received triple doctorates; Canon Law, Dogmatic Theology and Philoso­ phy. Dr. Condon lectured to large audiences, and preached at special events in Rome. Returning to the United States, Dr. Condon was a featured preacher at the Eucharistic Congress in Boston. Father Condon addressed college audiences in Washington D.C., New York and Chicago. In 1908 Father Condon became pastor of St. Mary's. Dr. Condon declined an invitation to run for the United States Senate. He accepted an invitation from Senator Robert La Follette Sr., his friend, to settle a coal strike in Washington. Father Condon oversaw the building of a large brick, two story school with a full basement and eight classrooms. I spent eight happy years in that fine building. We listened to World Series broadcasts from a radio in the broad hallway. From 1916 to 1918 boys from St. Mary's fought in World War I, 'To save the world for democracy:' Father Condon exuded patriotism. In 1930, our fourth bishop, Alexander McGavick, petitioned Pope Pius XI to name Robert Condon a domestic prelate, (a member of the Popes household with the title Monsignor.) During the Great Depression Monsignor Condon worked tirelessly to help poor families survive. No one in need was ever turned away from his rectory door. A youthful Auxiliary Bishop, William Griffen, ordained in 1935 promoted CYO (Catholic Youth Organnization) athletics, dances, sodality for the 18 to 25 year old's. St. Mary's in green uniforms, had a basketball team and softball team, cheered on by their pastor. In 1937 St. Mary's congregation lost half its members when the bishop announced a new territorial parish, Blessed Sacrament, at Losey Boulevard and King Streets. The dividing line was 15th Street. Dr. Rob ­ ert Condon did not have complimentary words for the Chancery Office. In 1939 Hitler invaded Po­ land. From the pulpit, Monsignor Condon blasted Hitler for his persecution ofJews and starting war.

On Sunday, December 7, 1941 Japanese airplanes bombed Pearl Harbor. The surprise attack stunned the nation. On Monday morning at Aquinas High School, I listened by radio to President Roosevelt; "Yesterday was a day of infamy. I ask the Congress of the United States for a declaration of war on the axis of Japan and Germany:· Monsignor Condon promptly scheduled extra afternoon and evening devotions with Benediction, to pray for soldiers and sailors. During the five years of World War II, Father Condon was an ultimate patriot. Each young woman or man entering service was invited into the rectory, given a rosary, prayer book, counseling and blessing. Mass could only be celebrated in the morning, and a priest was limited to saying one Mass on weekdays. Father Condon was assisted by Father Robert McCarthy from 1938 to 1942. A devastating fire struck St. Mary's School, and Dr. Condon raised funds for full remodeling. Attendance at Church soared, and then the casualties; Pilot Tome Simones shot down over England. Navy Lt. Jim Hackner bombed on a ship in Naples, Petty Officer George Nagle drowned in a ship on the Pacific. Everyone bought war bonds. Then we learned the horror of the Holocaust. Monsignor Condon was right about Hitler. War in Europe and war in the Pacific ended in 1945. The morality of the Atomic bomb was not addressed until the 1960's. In 1947 the interior of the church was painted, new pews with padded kneelers, and the Sistine Madona on the ceiling. Father Claire Cooney was assistant at St. Mary's from 1942 to 1948. In 1944 Auxiliary Bishop Griffen died young, at age 61, Bishop Treacy \Vas named Coadjutor in 1945 and Or­ dinary in 1946. Monsignor Condon and Bishop Treacy were each formidable figures. They met, they clashed, and each man respected the role of the other. A seminary professor remarked, "Only one eagle sits on the tree:' Father J. Kelly Cosgrove was assistant to Dr. Condon in 1948, and called into the Army as Chaplain in 1950. On June 9, 1951 Monsignor Condon suffered a stroke and died. Attendance at the funeral was large, Monsignor Pape and Bishop Treacy spoke about the extra ordinary talents of Robert Condon. The La Crosse Tribune print­ ed a two page editorial on the pastor of St. Mary's, citing his many accomplishments in the city during 41 years. No other churchman of any rank ever received such praise in the secular journal. Father Condon is my ultimate priest hero. Father William Mooney, serving in Cashton, was named pastor of St. Mary's. Everyone took the warm, smiling Irishman to his and her heart. There was new life in the oldest church in town. Attendance at Mass was strong, despite the dwindling numbers living in the neighborhood. St. Mary's celebrated 100 years in 1954 with Bishop Treacy preaching. The parish was closed June 28, 1960. The last large celebration was the the First Mass of Father Tom Smith on May 22, 1960. Father Mooney died in 1962 after a long bout with cancer. It was the end of an era in a city that saw steamboats give way to airplanes. Growth from a few settlers to a city of 50,000. The story of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration as teachers is another essential part of the St. Mary's story, that I shall write later. The number of Sisters, Brothers, and Priests educated at St. Mary's is a tribute to the dedication of the nuns.

Monsignor Robert B. Condon Father William L. Mooney St. Mary's, by Father Bernard McGarty - continued Photo-engraving of Lucien Galtier toward the end of tl1is life Father Mathias Loras left France for the American Missions in 1829 and 9 years later was named first Bishop of Dubuque, Iowa. The Diocese of Dubuque in­ cluded Iowa,and Minnesota, parts of Wisconsin and parts of Illinois. Bishop Loras promptly returned to France to recruit clergy for the vast territory. "Mathias Loras arrived in New York in 1838 from a trip to France, accompanied by two priests and four subdeacons, all volunteer for his proposed missions." ( 1.) One of the subdeacons was Lucian Galtier, future founder of St. Mary's in La Crosse. Galtier and the other subdeacons were sent to St. Mary's Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland to complete their Theology Degree and learn English. In 1839 Lucian Galtier was ordained by Bishop Loras in Dubuque and assigned to minister to civilians and soldiers at Fort Snelling, Minnesota Territory. The Distance from Dubuque to Fort Snelling was 400 Mississippi River miles. (Distance changed from year to year because the meandering river constantly changed its main channel.) Father Galtier booked passage on a Mississippi River Packet Boat that carried freight and passengers. The trip could last from five to seven days, one way, depending on river and weather conditions. A biography, "Lucian Galtier Pioneer Priest;' by "Marianne Luban copyright 2011, Second Edition, New and Revised," is interesting. Ms. Luban identifies herself; "Being a person who participates but little in organized religion, the present author does not claim to fully understand Lucian Galtier, or anyone like him. In fact, I admit I cannot because of the great differences in our basic philosophies." "On the other hand I have no difficulty in admiring his courage and contributions and believe he deserves a much-de­ layed biography just as he merited a park, street and buildings named after him, a gap that I humbly strive to fill inas­ much as I am able." (2.)

Marianne Luban is a professional historian well trained in research, finding original sources, such as the many letters between Loras and Galtier in Dubuque archives, Bishop Henni and Galtier in Milwaukee archives. Marianne allows the correspondence to speak for itself. Newspaper articles, observations by people who knew the priest, and Father Gal tier's diary entries are included. The biography is history, with no sugary pious accolades as is found in some hagiography. During five years the missionary built a church dedicated to St. Peter at Mendota, and a church dedicated to St. Paul at Pig's Eye Landing, Minnesota Territory. Much of the labor on the log building was done by Father Galtier who learned construction skills on site. The winters were brutally cold. There was not enough money for Lucian's food and housing. Pervasive drunkenness by soldiers and civilians, brutal fights and murder were common. Contentious correspondence between bishop and priest and nostalgia for the culture of France, home and family was experienced by Father Lucian. Bishop Loras promised regular financial help for Father Galtier, but lesser amounts than promised were received. Father Galtier felt the bishop was not living up to his promises. Bishop Loras saying funds from The Propagation of the Faith in France were less than anticipated, and that the missionary should make more efforts with Native Americans. The priest preached in French and English to 454 Catholics in two congregations. The Catholics were too impoverished to offer the priest much financial assistance. Rotating Sunday Mass, Baptisms, Confessions, validation of marriages, First Communions, instructions, burials and glorious Christmas Mass are recorded. (3.) Bishop Loras then transferred Father Galtier to Keokuk Iowa.

On arriving at Keokuck, Father Galtier is described by Virginia Wilcox. "The priest was an elegant name, a native Frenchman, most zealous in his work, preaching in both French and English, and building the church with his own hands. I well remember seeing him on the roof in hot July days with his long coat closely buttoned to the chin." (4.) The church was dedicated to St. John the Evangelist. Father Galtier lived at a hotel, and found cultured friends offering hospitality. But Keokuk was a rough and tumble frontier town, with widespread drunkenness, brawls, fist fights and murders. Father Galtier did not drink alcohol and began a Temperance Society, with little success. Tension between priest and bishop continued. Within a year Father Galtier requested exit from the Diocese of Dubuque and return to France to become Chaplain to a convent of nuns. The mid-life crisis resulted in a reunion with family, friends, classmates and spiritual care of the Sisters. But the waters of the Mississippi were a siren song. Within a year Father Galtier offered his services to Bishop John Martin Henni of the new diocese of Milwaukee, Wisconsin Territory. Bishop Henni, aware of Galtier's revered reputation, immediately named him pastor of St. Gabriel's Parish in Prairie du Chien, and Vicar General of the Mil­ waukee diocese. In 1847 Father Lucian entered the impressive stone church de­ signed and built by Father Samuel Mazzuchelli O.P. in 181 7. The extraordinary Italian Dominican is pictured in stained glass in our Cathedral, and his cause is up for canonization. (Irish lead miners in Mineral Point called Samuel, Matt Kelly.)

In 1848 Wisconsin changed from Territory to state, becoming the 30th State of the Union. For 20 years, until his death in 1866 Father Galtier was the well loved, and happy pastor of St. Gabriels. I will skip details of his tireless work founding five other Western Wisconsin congregations, and list his founding is St. Mary's. There was now peace and appreciation between priest and bishop. There was refined social life. The reason I write biographical information about Father Galtier, is so we, in La Crosse, can understand his very human persona. Like each of us, Lucian was a flawed human being, but he also accomplished a mountain of heroic labor for Above: A more current St. Gabriel's what Jesus called, "The Kingdon:' (5.) Faith comes to us through human's who are error prone and heroic, our parent, our teachers, our religious sisters, our clergy. And that is how Jesus envisioned CHURCH, a mixture of humanity and divinity, just as Jesus was both human and Divine. On May 29, 1853 Father Lucian Galtier traveled 65 plus miles from Prairie du Chien on a Packet Boat to Prairie La Crosse, The priest probably rented a horse at a livery stable, checked in to a Boarding House, and rode to lOti> and Pine, the home of Thomas Gallagher. In his 26'h year of his priesthood, citizen Lucian Galtier drafted a Will, leaving a house to the Bishop of Milwaukee, his books to St. Francis Seminary, vestments and Chalice to his priest nephew "Lucian", in France, money and all house fur­ nishings to his Housekeeper Mary Garvey. Father Galtier leaves money for his funeral, a list of his debts, and the sums owed him, and money to his sister Amelia in France, 365 Mass for, "The repose of his soul." and the residue for the poor in France. ( 6.) In that year Galtier was 'doctoring' with a Physician in McGregor, Iowa and purchasing medicine from a Pharmacy in Prairie du Chien. While shaving on April 20th, 1866, Father Lucian accidentally lanced a carbuncle causing flow of Above: A young Samuele Carlo Mazzuchelli blood and infection. While saying Mass he could not stop the flow of blood, nor Below: Interior ofSt. Gabriel's ca. 1900 during the day. Father died early the next morning, the 27th year of r his priesthood. The Diocese of La Crosse was created two years later in 1868. While doing graduate study in Rome in 1979, a priest friend was working at the Propagation of the Faith Office. I asked Father Peter Clark to search records for names, in a "terna" who might be cho ~ sen bishop in the mid-west in the 1860's. The ·"terna" is a list of three names presented in writing, by an Archbishop, to the Holy Father, to be named a bishop. The Pope selects one of the names. Father Lucian Galtier was one of three names proposed for a new diocese "in Dakota Territory:' (7 .) St. Mary's, by Father Bernard McGarty ~continued The Population of La Crosse in 1900 was 20,895. In 1920 the population grew to 30,421. By 1940 the population increased to 42,707. Seven ethnic parishes saw the birth of the first territorial parish, Blessed Sacrament. The leadership of priests at St. Mary's was important, but I believe the Franciscan Sisters had the most profound impact on the faith of parishioners. Five days a week, seven hours a day, nine months a year, for eight years, I learned the beauty of Catholic doctrine from the F.S.P.A. Sisters. The intellectual content of the Apostles Creed, the Ten Commandments, the Mass and Sacraments were loving~ ly explained to me. The mysticism of prayer was injected into my DNA. The person of Jesus came alive in my youthful mind. The dedication of the Sisters was inspiring. Subjects other than religion were taught so well, that St. Mary's graduates excelled at every level of higher edu· cation. My classmates earned Bachelor, Masters and Doctor's degrees at prestigious Universities in the U.S. and Europe. Sister Susanna, FSPA prepared me so well for First Holy Communion that I decided to study for the priesthood at age 20. Sister Teresita, FSPA explained the passion of Christ so well, that her words linger with me on Good Friday. Sister Viola FSPA explained that the Catholic Church, was established when Christ gave Peter the "keys of the kingdom." Today I believe membership in the Catholic Church gives one the maximum opportunity for salvation.

The Franciscan Sisters were the absolute heart of St. Mary's Congregation.

Membership in St. Mary's gave me a sense of identity. As I learned the names of adults, I looked forward to seeing them Sunday after Sunday at Mass. Some prayed loudly some silently. Some genuflected piously, others quickly. In the lower grades, the seventh and eighth graders were role models. High School youth attending Eve · ning Devotions, were my heroes. I felt there was no class distinction in the parish. We were all proud to tell anyone in town, "I belong to St. Mary's:' There was a bond between all ages. The perspiring ladies in the kitchen, cooking a fund raising dinner, were team mates. The Janitor was a character who fit the profile of our unique assembly. When Theology profes­ sors explain the Greek word "xonina" Community, I say we had it as St. Mary's. Vocations to religious life were numerous: Sister Mary Lawrence Riley O.P., Sister Mary Angelina Coleman O.P., Sister Mary Ita McNamara O.P., Sister Mary Sadoc Finn O.P., Sister Catherine Agnes Murphy B.V.M., Sister VinA cenia Riley FSPA, Sister Joan Bantle FSPA. Priest ordained for the Diocese of La Crosse: Father James Barney, Father William O'Connor, Father Robert Hansen, Father Richard Rossiter, Father Bernard McGarty, Father John Rossiter, Father Robert McKillip, Father Tom Smith, Father Dennis Lynch, Father Michael Lynch. Ordained for religious orders: Father Gregory Keegan M.M., Father Dennis McNamara O.P., Father Donald Bra· dy OFM cap., Father Michael Bigley S.O.S. I know of no other faith community in the Diocese of La Crosse, that in 100 years gave as many daughters and sons to religious life.

Sister Susanna FSPA Sister Teresita FSPA Sister Mercita FSPA 1935·1938 1932-1938 1951·1954 CLASS OF 1950

1. Sister M. Ignatia Steffes 10. Sister Mary Gabriel Soong..;- 19. Sister Mary Joachim Eberherhardy w 2. Sister M. Bernadette Felker w 11. Sister M. Romula Carrier . j, 20. Sister M. Elreda Weber 3. Sister Mary Quentin Sheridan w 12. Sister M. Henrietta Stoeffier w 21. Sister Mary Ambrose Bauer 4. Sister M. Laura Kenkel · 13. Sister M. Miranda Schermann w 22. Sister Mary Noel Luby -r- 5. Sister Mary Medard Pollpeter-il 14. Sister M. Ann Clare Kaiser- 23. Sister M. Leonissa Russel w 6. Sister Mary Damian Weigel 15. Sister Mary Clement Wolfw 24. Sister Mary Emmanuel Bates 7. Sister M. Cyrilla Barr w 16. Sister M. Ethelrede Murray + 25. Sister M. Lynette Youngman w The Earliest Baptisms and Marriages Interior of St. Mary's "When Father Galtier came to La Crosse on May 29, 1853, he very prob­ ably heard the confessions of those who had assembled at Mr. Galla­ second gher's home before he offered the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The third church sacrament to be conferred was baptism, and Father Galtier baptized two 1874 to children that day:' 1963 "At yearly visits the procedure was· probably very much the same, except that on his second and third visits Father Galtier witnessed the confer­ ring of the sacrament of matrimony, once in 1854 and twice in 1855. The records of the baptisms and marriages he filed in his parish church, St. Gabriel's in Prairie du Chien:' Mary Frances Rossiter

Ba tisms May 29,1853 Name Birthday Parents Godparents

I John Baker 1 May 23, 1852 Francis Baker Joseph Epha I Frances Epha ! Mary Franc Michel April18, 1853 Anthony and Frank Gutgesell Jane Michel Catherine Sharp May 7, 1854 j Elizabeth Esther April 22, 1853 Alexis and Louise Faribault Faribault Elizabeth Faribault ! Peter Cartier February 19, 1853 Edward and Moses Jolivette Caroline Carier

Francis Xavier Jolivette June 10, 1853 1 Moses Jolivette l Edward Cartier ! Ellenoria Vaine I Adelaide St. Cyr j January 17, 1854 Joseph St. Cyr Zoa Plourde Marguerite Gayet George Deininger April 23, 1853 Valentine and George and Christina Deininger Elizabeth Dickman , Daniel Scally February 2, 1853 William and Elizabeth Frederic C. Doyle I Scally Ann Dolle Frederick Edner December 1 , 1853 Joseph Edner and Francis Guten Mary, his wife . Christina Deiniger John Doyle 1 January 26, 1854 1 Symon and Ann Doyle Alworth, Robert Bridget, his wife June 7, 1855

Frances Tairflinger About one year old , Joseph Tairflnger I, Charles Nagly Mother's name not given Peter Lambert Jolivette May, 1855 Moses Jolivette · Lamber Robillard Elenore Vaine Mary Cartier Christopher Burns Oliver and Hugh Hogan 1 ! Margaret Burns Margaret McConville Henry Wartz John Joseph Wartz Joseph Keeder Elizabeth Wartz Mary Ann Keeder

J Francis Baker Francis Baker Joseph Ebner

1 Ferdinandier Baker Mary Pfifer IMary Ann Kerrigan j February 11, 1855 I Martin and Thomas McCauley IAnn Kerrigan Catherine Cunningham Baptisms continued June 7, 1855 · Name Birthday Parents Godparents 1 Thomas Igo August 9, 1854 Bernard and Bernard Brady Bridget lgo Mary Gallagher Martin Atworth February 29 Robert Atworth John Cady I Bridget Atworth Ellen Atworth Margaret Lane December 4, 1854 James Lane Patrick Griffin Margaret Lane 1-- Honora Lane February 14, 1852 James and James McCauley Margaret Lane Bridget McCauley j Hugh Francis Pierce February 10, 1853 Joseph and Sarah Pierce James Gallagher Jane Hogan L- John Reilly January 19, 1855 Patrick Reilly Martin Kerrigan Catherine Reilly Ann Ward William McCaughlin I February 28, 1855 Martin and Bridget Catherine Griffin Mclaughlin John Griffin February 1, 1855 Patrick Griffin Martin Mclaughlin Catherine Griffin Bridget Mclaughlin I r Peter Pifer Peter and Mary Pifer John Ebner Frances Baker • Leopold Ebner Joseph and Frank Baker Mary Ebner C~ristina Deiniger - . - - Cornelia Ann La Pointe ' January 26, 1855 Charles and Loanna Frank Gutgesell La Pointe Ellen, his wife John Richman John and Mary John Richman Richman Euphrosine Richman - - ~ - LVictoria Corneila Gand - October 22, 1854 Pelage and Agatha Gand Joseph Young - Louise Vertifuille Victoria Mary Leuneville May 12, 1854 Elenora Leuneville and Joseph Young Victoria, his wife IMarie Louise Gagnon -- ' - IMa:y Orelia Riehm:__ "t'February 4, 1855 John Richman John Richmand Zoa Richman Euphrosine Boisvert LJohn Shannon March 25, 1855 IMartin and Mary Shannon James Lane Nancy McCauley

Marriages I I June 7, 1855 Contracting Parties ' Date of Marriage 1Witnesses Robert Alworth May 7, 1854 James Gallagher Bridget Coady (Remark added: both Mr. Hogan living in La Crosse) IJames Halligan June 7, 1855 Thomas McCaulley Catherine McCaulley (At La ~ rosse) F ranees Blake 1 Dosiheus Auge from Minnesota June 7, 1855 Augustus Gaillard IMary Virginia Bernard of Prairie du Chien Joseph F. Bernard ; "-- -- The Centennial Book for St. Mary's Parish includes the observation by Mary Frances Rossiter, Editor. Once St. Mary's had a pastor and church, it had it's own book for recording sacraments. The list of names, on the front page, of "The people of God': (Vatican II) St. Mary's, by Father Bernard McGarty- continued 7 +r Father (Doctor) Robert B. Condon, Pastor of St. Mary's parish from, 1909 to 1951 was a fig­ ure larger than life. I estimate his height at 5 foot 10 or 11, 215 pounds, large chest, muscular, thin white hair, balding, large head, broad smile, pince-nez glasses on patrician nose, his body softening with age. For more than 41 years "Bob" Codon dominated St. Mary's Congregation and was a lead­ ing personality in La Crosse County, and in the life of our family. My Grandparents, Janie and Bernard O'Connell were his parish members for more than 10 years. My mother, Mary O'Connell McGarty attended St. Mary's Grade School. Father Condon witnessed Mary's mar­ riage vows and Baptized her three children. The four marks of the Church are One, Holy Catholic and Apostolic. A fifth mark at St. Mary's was 'Sense of Humor: My dad joked about fire and brimstone preaching at another La Crosse parish. My mother and her aunt, Agnes O'Connell Kinder, snickered at funny things at services. My cousins, the Brody's, told humorous Church anecdotes. The Rossiter's, the wittiest family ever, entertained us with double entendre. Our parish mood was never grim. My St. Mary's memories begin in 1932, the year of my First Communion. I do not know if I attended Kindergarten. First grade at St. Mary's is a blur. The Franciscan sisters who taught at St. Mary's were a powerful presence who harmonized in religious attitude with the pastor. I believe Doc Condon had enough clout at the mother house to have sisters assigned to our school who were comfortable with his personality. There was never a Convent at St. Mary's. The Sister's walked from St. Rose Convent at 91h and Market, to 71h and Cameron Avenue, our school. During heavy winter snows, parish members often provided automobile rides to the FSPA Sisters. In 1932 Franklin Roosevelt defeated President Herbert Hoover. That election is vivid in my memory. At age seven, in the 2"d Grade, Sister Susanna was a warm and loving teacher. Sister explained the wonderful mystery of the real presence of Jesus in Holy Communion. Pope Pious X had lowered the age for receiving Holy Communion from 14 to 7 in 1910. In 1932 I comprehended the disaster of the Stock Market Crash of 1929 and the resulting "Great Depression:' Unemploy­ ment soared above 20%, bread lines were long, "Hoovervills" were encampments for the homeless under bridges, World War 1 Veterans marched on Washington for their promised "bonus;' (It was never paid.) Unemployed men "riding the rails" were fed regularly at St. Mary's Rectory by Mary Dolan, housekeeper for Monsignor Condon. St. Mary's School with full basement had four classrooms on the first floor, four classrooms on the second floor, a very large hall-way and stairwell. Half way between floors, a Victrola played music as we marched to class. The music set a pos­ itive mood for the discipline of learning. On March 17tn, St. Patrick's day was a "free school day;' by decree of Msgr. Condon. All other schools in town, public and private, had to attend class. That was our day to wander down town, or as we got older to hike to the top of Grandad Bluff. We checked the melting snows of winter on the Bluff, to see how soon we could play spring softbalL Serving Mass and Devotions for Msgr. Condon was an introduction into the adult world. You began serving in the 6'" Grade. Vesting in the Sacristy were High School Seniors, and every age in between. At Midnight Mass there were 24 Servers in the Sanctuary. At Sunday High Mass 6 or 12 servers. At Evening Devotions with Benediction, a minimum of 6 servers. For funerals always 6 servers. I do not believe that we were "trained'' by the nuns, rather we learned on the job. We observed what the senior servers did; when to ring the bell, when to change the book, when to wash the hands.. As we advanced in rank we repeated what we had observed. Before the service and after the service the mood was light between priest and servers. In Church the mood was solemn. On Friday's in Lent, Monsignor and 6 servers went into the Nave of the Church to meditate on the 14 Stations. From sta­ 1 tion to station our pastors voice was filled with emotion. At the 12 b Station, on both knees, Father Condon came dose to tears as he recounted the Crucifixion. That scene taught me the meaning of"Redemption." On Wednesday nights, at 7:30, throughout the year, there was a long sermon, followed by Benediction, with a lot of incense. The sermon was Church History, recounting the glories and sins of the Church, then with emphasis, "But the Church Is Divine and exists for our salvation." At the end of the 8 AM weekday and Sunday Mass, the senior server was given $5, the title "Colonel;' and told, "buy the Chicago Tribune downtown:· When the "Colonel" brought the newspaper to the rectory, Msgr. said, "keep the change:' We all wanted that job. Msgr. Condon did not own an automobile and in the afternoon took a leisurely if\ walk downtown. In the pockets of his vest were dimes and quarters. When meeting children Father Con- U__) don would ask their names, then give a dime or quarter to eager hands. That was a lot of money in the ~ ""J depression. CA._] During Morning Mass at the consecration, Monsignor said the Latin, "hoc est Corpus meum" with such Q intensity, we understood the meaning of"tran-substan-tiation:' The changing of the host into the body of c:J Christ, the real presence. 0 c::::::::J The Boiler Room, for heating Church and School, was in the basement of St. Mary's School. Steam and hot ~ water filled radiators in both buildings. Pipes ran under Cameron Avenue from the School to Church. In .._____, the Church, as new hot water rushed into cold radiators, there was LOUD CLANKING, MORE CLANK- ING, THEN LOUDER CLINKING. Members would say, "Charlie is shoveling more coal, keep shoveling Charlie:· Charlie was our version of the "Hunchback of Notre Dame" from a novel by Victor Hugo, Paris 1831. Charlie, not a hunch back, not our bell ringer, lived in his own cubicle and bed, adjacent to the boiler. Coal dust covered Charlie's clothes and skin. Did Charlie ever bathe? We did not know? There was no bathtub in Charlie's cubicle. No student dared enter Charlie's space. With the nun's and pastor, Charlie had rapport. I think Charlie enjoyed intimidating we students. At the time of the World Series in Late September, a radio was placed next to the Victrola to broadcast the game, during noon hour, and at recess, by decree of Msgr. Condon. The September and March perks gave St. Mary's students bragging rights. We claimed we were the best school, better than the other "- Catholic Schools, because of our enlightened pastor, with three doctorates. During the depression, Msgr's rectory door was open to an unending number of visitors; Many asking for financial help, or help in obtaining a job. Others were prominent individuals seeking advice, and always a host old friends.. Snowball Jackson was a black man, in and out of trouble. Msgr. Condon made several trips to the police station representing Jackson, and told us racism was a sin. Mass was celebrated only in the morning. Strict fast from food and drink, beginning at midnight until the time of Mass, was required if you were to receive Communion. Attending Mass and receiving the Communion on the First Friday of the month was strongly encouraged. On First Friday's parents brought us to 8 AM Mass on their way to work. After Mass we were free to go to a nearby Lunch Counter to buy a cup of hot chocolate and a sweet roll. School was to start at 9 AM, but we could stretch our breakfast until 10 or 10:30 AM, and the Sisters smiled at our tardiness. That was another St. Mary's perk. not practiced at other Catholic schools. At a Wednesday night devotion Msgr. Condon condemned the Antisemitism of Adolph Hitler. Jake Padesky, in the second row, side Aisle, jumped to his feet and declared, "You're damn right Monsignor:' That was our parish and our lore. Native Americans from Black River Falls sold colorful hand woven baskets, sitting on the sidewalk outside Doerflingers Department store at 4th and Main. No one talked about the grave injustice to the Winnebago, now called Ho Chunk, re­ moved from their land by government decree. On Friday Afternoon at about 2 PM, Msgr. Condon visited the upper grade classrooms. His subject matter was seldom about religion, often about baseball and boxing. Taking the posture of a pitcher on the mound, he let us know he could still throw a fastball. John L. Sullivan, a former Heavy weight champion of the World, was Msgr's. Hero. Holding fists upright at eye level, and knees slightly bent, our pastor demonstrated the stance of the great John L. Was our pastor 50 or 60 years old in the 1930's, when we were 11, 12, 13 or 14? We did not know or care? Every girl and boy in the classroom, and the smiling sister, loved and looked forward to the pastor's visit. Robert Condon was our Shepherd, we were his Sheep. We did not want it any other way. During our 7tn Grade year Sister Imeldis taught us American History. We learned of the 13 Colo­ nies, The Continental Congress and the women and men who were instrumental in the Declara­ tion of Independence, the eight years of war, the Peace Treaty, The Constitutional Congress, the early Presidents, their wives, and political foes in Congress. When the Broadway Musical "Hamilton" was a hit three years ago I knew a lot about Alexander Hamilton, V.P. Aaron Burr, the duel, and why Hamilton was on the $20 bill, because of Sister Imeldis. After conversations with friends who knew little of the Hamilton story, I believe I re­ ceived a superior education in American History in the 71h grade at St. Mary's. St. Mary's, by Father Bernard McGarty - continued 8

I do not recall Msgr. Condon taking a two week or month vacation. Several times a year our pastor boarded the Burlington Zephyr for a trip to Dubuque, Iowa or Chicago, Illinois. At Dubuque Dr. Condon visited the residence of Archbishop Beckman, his classmate and special friend from three years of graduate study in Rome. (Why our pastor was not named bishop, we did not know? People speculated; "He had a tem­ per:· "he was not diplomatic:' "he did make enemies:· "there was the ethnic thing, too many Irish in the hierarchy:' We were glad to keep 'Bob' as our leader.) In Chicago, Condon's home town, he attended a White Sox or Cub's game, visited with family, friends, and attended the Lyric Opera. Outbound on Monday, home on Thursday or Friday. Following the train ride, Msgr's Sunday sermon began like this; "I met a man on the train:' What followed was a dissertation on Catholic Apologetics. There were wonderful conversion stories from England; Cardinal Newman, historian Hillare Belloch, writer G.K. Chesterton, Father Ronald Knox. Msgr. explained their conversions and why the Catholic Church was the institution founded by Christ for our salvation. We wondered if any of the passenger's Condon met on the train, ever converted to the Catholic faith? My Grade School graduation was in June of 1938. Classmate Paul Peterson's father was manager of a Third I j_ Street nightclub, who offered the night club as a place for a 9 AM graduation breakfast. Sister Teresita and I Jrt.:L- , Msgr. Condon gave the green light for our adventure. Thirty-one of us received our diploma at an 8 AM Mass, then walked downtown to the nightclub. The inte­ 0VJJ CLub · rior of the club was exactly as in the black and white movies, with dance floor, band stand, bar and tables. We imagined stylish, smooth George Raft dancing with blonde Jean Harllow. This was our introduction into the adult world. None of the other Grade Schools had our glamorous experience. That was another perk that convinced us that St. Mary's was the best parish in La Crosse. At St. Mary's we had a series of well liked assistants, each an exact opposite of Dr. Condon. Father Robert McCarthy arrived in 1938 and got his own parish in 1942. Youthful, boyish, fair skinned, blushing Fr. McCarthy was similar to Nathania! whom Jesus said was, "without guile." Father Claire Cooney was associate from 1942 untill948. IfMsgr. had 1,000 books in his library, Claire had four. One for Dogma, one for Moral Theology, one for Ceremonies, one for Canon Law. Claire smoked cigarettes or a cigar. Msgr. did not smoke. Fr. Coney drove a car. Msgr. did not own or drive a car. Bob and Claire were combatible. Father J. Kelly Cosgrove, was assigned in 1948, to St. Mary's and Aquinas, and called to be a Chaplain in the U.S. Army in 1950. Skinny, short, outspoken, literate, Fr. Cosgrove loved to debate you on any topic. The dinner table at St. Mary's was electric. J. Kelly, with affection, referred to his boss, as "The old man." The two priests were separated in age by 50 years. Finances at St. Mary's evolved from Pew Rent, to "The Coal Bill:' to Envelopes in the pastorate of Msgr. Condon, to a financial drive in the pastorate of FatherMooney. A tradition in many parishes in the 1900's, until the 1929 Stock Market crash, was the practice for a family, or individual to rent a pew. On the First Sunday of Advent, at 2 P.M. or after the 10 A.M. High Mass, all members were invited to assemble in Church. A lay leader, perhaps a Trustee, invited congregants to "Bid" on renting a particular pew for the Church year. As the trustee walked down the aisle and pointed to a pew, a member called out a dollar figure to reserve that space at services. Families of five children and two adults filled a pew on either side of the center aisle. Single individuals or a couple might choose a small pew on one of the side aisles. Years after the practice of renting a pew ceased, people in the 1930's and 40's and SO's, still used the vestigial language "pew rent" to indicate Church support. Out of habit, old time members, automatically worshiped in their old pew, even though every pew was then open to whoever occupied that pew, in any part of St. Mary's. At St. Mary's, when identifying the interior we did not say left side or right side. We said "Epistle side" or "Gospel side;' or "Bell side." That language evolved from serving Mass. The Missal from which the priest read, was first on the Epistle side, then changed to the Gospel side by the server. The Gospel side was also the Bell side. The server rang the Bell at the Offertory and Consecration. The Bill Rossiter family and the Jake Padesky family always sat on the Epistle side ofSt. Mary's. Our family, the Lawrence Brody family, and Agnes Breen, always sat on the Gospel side of St. Mary's. Tom Bailey was an usher who was at every Mass and every Devotion. Tom rang the large bell hanging in the Bell Tower, with a long rope, from inside the Vestibule. There was one bell rhythm inviting people to Mass or Devotions, and a different "toll" rhythm announcing a funeral. Msgr. Condon was not a great financial manager. Three or four times a year our parish experienced a cash flow crisis. That is when our pastor launched his plea; to, "Pay the Coal Bill:' In January we needed to , "Pay The Coal Bill" or freeze during Lent. Summer was the time to, "Pay the Coal Bill" because the price was cheapest. October was the time to; "Pay The Coal Bill" or the coal company might cut us off, in Advent or Christmas. Our Cousin Catherine Brody who taught both French and Spanish at Central High School was a witty raconteur, who did a riff on the, "Coal Bill" that we all enjoyed. Catherine caught the human side of our leader whom we loved for both his imperfections and brilliance. This was no disrespect, because Doc Condon appreciated humor and laughed with us. World War II was the end ofThe Great Depression and the beginning of prosperity. The system of a box of envelopes, with a single envelope for every week ofthe year and every Holy Day was introduced at St. Mary's by Msgr. Envelope boxes were on tables in the vestibule during January. If your neighbor's box did not disappear in three weeks, you took it for them, so an uncharitable judgment about their religious regularity not be made. The playground at St. Mary's School was the place for "Red Rover Red Rover, Red Rover come over;• in Autumn. (A form of tackle, not sanctioned.) In Winter the playground was the place to build a snow fort, and throw snowballs. (The later not sanctioned by the Sisters.) {) In Spring the playground was the place for fast pitch softball. The rear of the school building was our Right Field and Center Field wall. Left Field was any alley with a waist high fence protecting a vegetable garden. / On the rare time when a base hit broke a school window, or a foul ball broke a neighbors window, the Sisters sent " the batter and pitcher to the Rectory. Msgr. invited the batter and pitcher into his book lined Sitting Room and asked, "Was it a good hit?" Then the conversation turned to Condon's college baseball days. After 20 minutes Father Condon always said, ''I'll pay for the window. Don't break more windows. Go back to school." A home run at St. Mary's diamond was a smash to Left Field that cleared the alley and wood fence. The Left Fielder jumped the fence to retrieve the ball. More often than not, the retriever snatched fresh rhubarb from the garden. That theft was quickly reported by telephone to Sister Teresita and Father Condon by the garden owner; "Teach Your Catholic kids not to steal:' The rhubarb thief was made to stay after school for a week. The culprit was told to write the 10 commandments from the Book of Exodus 100 times. Compensation was given the garden owner by Sister Teresita from her petty cash drawer. Mgsr. Robert Condon never spoke of retirement and died at 79 years from a stroke on June 9, 1951. Father Bill Mooney was a popular re­ placement for "a legend." The Rectory needed repair, the Church needed new paint and much fixing. Father Mooney introduced the fund raising technique where a number of volunteers made personal calls on other members for a pledge. The system worked and St. Mary's experienced a second spring, attracting many new members. Auxiliary Bishop William Griffen arrived in La Crosse in 1935 and died in 1944. In 1935 every parish in the diocese of La Crosse was told to organize a CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) team for basketball in Winter and fast pitch softball in the Summer. Participants were to be male, age 18 to 25. CYO Spiritual Sodalities and dances were sched­ uled for both sexes. Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941 ended CYO as young men and women went to war. On the Grade School level (k to 8) in La Crosse, each of the seven Catholic School was to have a boy's basketball team to play each other on Saturday morning at Aquinas. The adolescent and adult CYO enlightened us about the ethnic identity of other congregations. St. Joseph Cathedral was a German Parish, with a German pastor, and wore brown and white uniforms. Holy Cross Parish at 13th and Ferry was a Polish Parish with a Polish Pastor and wore red and white uniforms. St. Wenceslaus • (11"-:>(\ 1 ' .·.c~.\ Parish at l0 h and Division was a Bohemian Parish with a Bohemian Pastor and wore purple and white uniforms. Auxiliary Bishop William Grifftn H l T . . p . h 00 S h 1h G p · h · h G p d v 11 d Bl k · t: o y nmty ans at 13 out 13 , was a erman ans wtt erman astor an wore ~e ow an ac unuorms. On the North Side of La Crosse, St. James Parish was a French- Irish Parish on Caledonia Street with an Irish Pastor, who Studied Theology at French speaking Louvain University in Belgium, wore blue and white uniforms. St. John's Parish at 700 Avon was a German Parish with a German Pastor who wore yellow wand white uniforms. St. Mary's was an Irish Parish with an Irish Pastor and we wore green and white uniforms. Despite their ethnic label, every Parish had a mix of Yankee and every European nationality. In 1937 Bishop McGavick established Blessed Sacrament as a territorial Parish at Losey Boulevard and King Streets. The new congregation drew members from every South Side parish. But St. Mary's was hit particularly hard, with a loss of half it's members and three fourths of its income. Msgr. Condon did not feel kindly toward Bishops McGavick and Griffin after the loss. Bishop John P. Treacy became our Ordinary in 1945, and began building projects in our 19 counties. Our new bishop assigned German priests to Irish parishes, Polish priests to German parishes. The ethnic designation evaporated in our diocese. Msgr. Condon attended bishop Treacy's consecration in Cleveland, Ohio and there is a photograph of the two Levites sitting side by side on the railroad trip back to La Crosse. A year later when the new bishop spoke about Fast and Abstain rules during Lent, at a public dinner at the Stoddard Hotel, Msgr. Condon, doctor of Canon Law, corrected Bishop Treacy, who did not hold a similar degree. The relationship cooled. Bishop Treacy did not enjoy being corrected. Msgr. Condon could not resist the temptation. Father Tom Smith, now retired and a proud son of St. Mary's, wrote a College dissertation on his home parish. I quote from Tom's excellent report on the last days of St. Mary's. "On June 28, 1960 the parish was closed and incorporated into the new Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman. While the Cathedral was being built, St. Mary's Church was being used as the Pro-Cathedral. The last big Liturgy at the Church was the funeral of Father Mooney who died on February 23, 1962. The new Cathedral was opened for Holy Week that year and St. Mary's was razed to make room for a high rise housing for the elderly. St. Mary's school continued to be used by St. Joseph's parish until their new school opened in 1969, and then the school was razed and replaced by housing for the elderly. So even at it's closing and razing, St. Mary's was used for the charitable work of mercy-housing for the poor and elderly. We are reminded of the words of Jesus; 'Whatever you do for the least of my people you do for me:• Holy Cross, St. Wenceslaus, and St. Mary's were closed simultaneously, to join in building of the new large congregation for the new Cathe­ dral. The end. St. Mary's by Father Bernard McGarty, Post Script or After Thought

During our years in the upper grades at St. Mary's, as November days and nights grew colder, and during Thanksgiving vacation, we observed the back waters of the Mississippi. There was little or no current in the 'Slough's' and thin ice formed. The neighborhood ice skating rinks were not flooded by the Park depart­ ment until December. After school and on Saturdays we laced on our ice skates and tested the ice on the 'slough's'. Skating was an adventure, particularly if snow had not yet covered the smooth sheets of cracking ice. On the ice, adjacent to the shore we played a game called "Shinney:' The game consisted of finding a tree branch about shoulder height, as your "Hockey stick:' Selecting a rock as a "Puck" and setting up "Goals" and "Boundaries" with tree branches and stones. (There were no Hockey rinks in La Crosse, only free skating on neighborhood rinks, and "Speed skate racing" on the "Lagoon:') During one game of "Shinney" a "Puck" went out beyond the boundaries and one of the Schlict twins chased it. The cracking ice broke open. The Schlict twin fell in and drowned. The tragedy was beyond any­ thing we ever could have imagined. The victim was a grade below us at St. Mary's. The drowning tragedy was after school on a weekday. The funeral at St. Mary's was on the following Tues­ day. Students from all eight grades attended the funeral, and the Church was packed with many mourners and friends of the Schlict family. (Mother, Father, four children.) Our grief for the terrible loss was enormous. Msgr. Condon was masterful in aiding our healing. With words I shall always treasure, our pastor reminded the parents of the twin, what a great dignity it was to be, "Co authors of the immortal soul of their son." Their son is now eligible, "To take the place of a fallen angel in heaven:· If the parents had achieved worldly fame or riches as great as Rockefeller, that would be forgotten in 1,000 years, but their twin will live forever and ever in the sight of God. I know Msgr. elaborated on the beauty and joys of the Communion of Saints and the Beatific Vision. I believe there was a quote from Shakespeare on the dignity of mankind. Dr. Condon ended with the quo ~ tation from First Corinthians chapter two; "Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man, what God has prepared for those who love him:' There are Psychologist's who believe young children should not attend funerals. I disagree. I believe the funeral of the Schlict twin was the best religion class, and best meaning of life class, I ever experienced. As I look back at life through the prism of that funeral; I thank the Franciscan Sisters for teaching me from the Baltimore Catechism: "Why did God make me?" Answer, "God made me to know Him, and love Him and serve Him in this life, and to be happy with Him in eternity." I thank Msgr. Condon, and his Assistant, Father McCarthy for teaching me the wonder of "sanctifying grace:' a vision of eternity, and conviction that membership in the Catholic Church gives me the maximum opportunity for salvation. The end of the end. t Region Mourns Church Leader This was printed in the La Crosse Tribune after Grief penetrates the community to­ in Rome where he received doctorates Colldom death. No oth, day with the death of a noble Chris­ in canon law, theology and philosophy. clergy person was so ho tian, a gifted scholar and a kindly But he wore his academic honors with ored by the secular pap, citizen-the Rt. Rev. Msgr. Robert B. the same casual dignity that he wore Condon, beloved pastor of St. Mary's his pince-nez glasses. Catholic church for more than 41 Extensive travel and a keen obser­ years. vation of the religious, economic and One of the senior priests in the dio­ political needs of Europeans during cese, both in point of years and serv­ his tenure abroad added remarkably ice, Msgr. Condon was held in the to his fund of information and knowl­ highest esteem and affection. edge which was to qualify him as one The white~haired priest earned a of the oustanding students of his time. reputation the nation over as a mod­ Msgr. Condon possessed an almost ern Demosthenes with his gifted ora­ limitless range of interests in addition torial powers. His sermons were clas­ to his religious pursuits which he al­ sics, powerful exposition of doctrine ways kept foremost. His skill in ath­ and tributes to his educational train­ letics showed promise of a baseball Ing, his massive intellect and his ex­ career. Because of his ability and his ceptional speaking ability. interests in the people, his friends at But he was gifted, too, as a con­ one time attempted to interest him in versationalist, one who could speak seeking a position in the U. S. sen­ St. Peter's Dome in authoritatively on multitudinous sub­ ate, but he declined this also. He did Rome, Italy ~~cts. His dialect stories were gems. serve on several national citizens' For 41 years Msgr. Condon, or Dr. committees, including a special coal Condon as he was called by many, strike settlement board in Washington, zealously guarded the spirutual wel­ D. C., to which he was appointed by fare of his parish of St. Mary's, his his friend, Robert M. LaFollette, Sr., God~given devotion making him dili­ former senator and governor of Wis­ gent and considerate in care of the consin. sick and sympathetic and understand­ A solemn mass of requiem will be Ing to the needs of others. celebrated Wednesday in historic St. He was especially beloved by chil­ Mary's, the oldest and once-largest dren of whom he was fond. Surely, church in western Wisconsin, and fit· many youngsters today must treasure ting tribute will be paid to Msgr. Con­ in memory the kind words, the dimes don by the Rt. Rev. Msgr. Peter and the pats on the heads he gave so Pape, one of the senior priests in the generously-characteristic gestures of diocese. fond attentiveness to youth with which The community will long remember his life was so richly endowed. the contributions of the church leader it mourns today, a kindly, richly-tal­ His career was exemplified by the United States Capit e. highest type of service. As a citizen he ented priest who raised his ambitions was ever interested and quietly active above the transitory and evanescent in anything that he was convinced worlds and labored for the spiritual would make for betterment of the welfare. community welfare. A native of Chicago, he pursued his What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the under­ educational preparation through far­ standing also: I will sing with the spirit, flung colleges and universities both and I will sing with the understandin~t also.