USA > Kansas > Rawlins County > Souvenir commemorating the dedication of St. John's Church, Beardsley, Kansas, May 31st, 1917 > Part 1
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SOUVENIR
Commemorating the Dedication of
ST. JOHN'S CHURCH
Beardsley, Kansas
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MAY 31st, 1917
'VLASTENEC' I'REM, LA CROSSE, VIS.
~ SOUVENIR - Commemorating the Dedication -OF-
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ST. JOHN'S CHURCH Beardsley, Kans.
MAY 31, 1917
"Building, I have built a house for thy dwelling, (o Lord), to be thy most firm throne forever." - 3 Kings 8 -- '13
"Let thy eyes, I beseech thee, be open, and let thy ears be attentive to the prayer, that is made in this place."-2. Par. 6 -- 70
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RT. REV. J. F. CUNNINGHAM, D. D , Bishop of Concordia, Kans.
JEHO MILOST, NEJDŮST. P. J. F. CUNNINGHAM, Biskup diocése Concord. e, Kans.
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Dedication Day.
Our St. John's church is completed. Today it has been so- lemnly dedicated as a house of God, that, hence forward, the Almighty may dwell therein as our kind father, hear our prayers, console and gladden the afflicted, strenghten the weak, and once gather us all into His eternal home.
This is a great feast day for the parishioners; it marks the day, when the beautiful church, which they erected in their midst, has been opened to them, that they may, from now on, visit it often and gladly and offer to God their wor- ship.
This is a great feast day, on which everyone should feel happy, who by generously contributing and 'by labor helped to erect this church. The sacrifices, which were brought, have been transformed into a most beautiful house for Him, to whom every sincere Catholic will give with a joyful heart.
May God Almighty repay a thousandfold all the sacri- fices of the parishioners brought for this church, may He ex- tend to them His bounteous blessing in this world and grant them an eternal reward hereafter.
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VIEWING THE CHURCH FROM SOUTH-WEST
Pohled na kostel se strany jiho-západní.
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INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.
Rawlins County has been improved by a beautiful church structure. On the northeast corner of section 2, town 2, range 35, Burntwood township, 7 miles north and 1 mile east of Beardsley, and 7 miles north and 9 miles west of Atwood on the Burlington Branch a brick church of the Catholic denomi- nation has been erected during the summer and fall of 1916. The building is well located, it is standing on the most eleva- ted spot round about, so that it can be seen from every part of the parish and many miles beyond in every direction. The people, to whom this splendid structure owes its existence, are the Bohemians living in Burntwood township and its imme- ciate vicinity.
The plans for this handsome church were prepared by Mr. C. A. Smith, architekt, of Salina, Kans., and carried out masterly by Mont J. Green, building contractor, of Manhat- tan, Kans. On June 10th 1916 excavations for the basement and the foundation were begun and on July 16th the corner stone could be laid; from that time work continued steadily till late in fall, when the building was ready to be furnished. Since, however, it was too late at this time of the year to de- dicate it, the furnishing was delayed until the following spring 1917.
The new church is 98 feet long and 45 feet wide; its ar- chitectural style is Roman. The foundation walls are built of concrete with a pebble dashed finish, which gives them an at- tractive appearance. The church has a large basement with two Torrid Zone furnaces and two storage rooms. The walls proper are erected of medium colored red pressed brick ve- neer with tile backing. The tower is 85 ft. high and has three harmonious bells of 1900, 1200 and 600 lbs. respectively.
Entering the church the observer's attention is at once at- tracted by the magnificent high altar in the sanctuary. It is of pure white, richly decorated with gold leaf, all pillars be- ing in onyx imitation. For its artistic execution in every de- tail it will be a lasting monument to the skill of Mr. Josef Svoboda of Kewaunee, Wis., who furnished the entire church. There is a side altar at the right and left of the main altar corresponding to it in all details ; also the pulpit and the sanc-
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tuary rail are executed in complete harmony with the main altar.
The pews and all other wood finishings outside the sanc- tuary are of medium stained oak. On the balcony a Hinne's Grand Chapel Organ is placed, which is well known to orga- nists for its beauty and richness in tone. The decoration is carried out in delicate and harmonious colors, which effect a most pleasing and mild light throughout the church. By its architectural construction the ceiling is divided into panels, each of which shows a picture or emblem bearing upon a reli- gious subject ; these paintings shall be briefly explained in the course of these pages. The windows throughout the church are ' made of art glass; the twelve large windows in the main au- ditorium represent full figures of saints, to whom some space will also be devoted in this booklet; the small windows show busts of saints, religious emblems and artistic designs. The windows were furnished by the St. Josef Art Glass Co. of St. Josef, Mo., and they exhibit indeed great talent on the part of the designers. The walls in the auditorium are impressively decorated by the Stations of the Cross. These are finished in stone and gold, the figures appearing in relief and painted in natural colors.
Considering this church as it is now standing and the fact that the material for its erection had to be hauled eight miles and also that in spite of the busy harvest time the working men were always kept supplied with material, this building proves assuredly deep religious conviction, perserving enthu- siasm and great generosity on the part of the parishioners.
The contract for this church called for $12,050.00. The complete furnishing including the two furnaces in the base- ment cost $6,600.00. The work which was done by the pari- shioners themselves represents a value of $3,900.00, so that this church complete is worth over $22,500.00.
However, to us it represents a far greater value than this amount of money. This church has been built for divine wor- ship ; we will assemble therein on Sundays and feast days to communicate with God as familiarly as it is possible in this world. For this reason this church is to us the most sacred spot during our life and our hearts beat with joy whenever we catch a glimpse of the golden cross which surmounts its stately dome.
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REV. FR. PLACIDE, O. M. CAP., Pastor of St. John's Church.
Důst. p. Placid, z řádu Kapucínů, Farář kostela sv. Jana Nep.
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THE INTERIOR OF A CATHOLIC CHURCH.
A Catholic Church consists of two principal parts; the front section is called the sanctuary; it is divided off by a railing and serves for the use of the clergy ; the rear section is known as the nave; it is the main body of the church, where the people assemble for religious exercises. In the sanctuary there is at least one altar; altars in general are as old as man- kind; in the earliest history altars are already mentioned, up- on which sacrifices were offered to God. Upon our altars we likewise offer to God a sacrifice according to His own direc- tion and example; it is the sublime sacrifice of Mass, which was for the first time celebrated by Jesus Christ at the Last Supper. Frequently a picture of this memorable Last Supper appears on the front side of the altar table, which serves to re- mind us of the meaning of Holy Mass. In the middle of the al- tar table, near the front edge, a stone containing relics of ho- ly martyrs is inserted and upon this stone, neatly covered with linen, the host and the chalice with the consecrated wine rest during Mass. Joined to the table the altar frame is built up in artistic formations, frequently containing niches with sta- tues of saints or the crucifixion group. In the center of the altar frame, close to the table a small case is seen, called the tabernacle; in it consecrated hosts are kept as long as the priest in charge of the church is present or close by, so that the faithful have occasion to adore and receive Jesus Christ, who is truly present in these hosts. As an act of adoration the faithful bow their knee when entering and leaving such a church. The altar and especially the tabernacle is usually de- corated very tastefully, so as to present a worthy dwelling place for Him, whom all the earth should delight to honor.
In the sanctuary of larger churches a pulpit is erected, which enables the priest to speak to the people with less exer- tion, and the people to understand the priest more easily. On the pulpit the gospel is read and explained to the people, hence it can fittingly be compared to the mountain from which our Lord spoke to the multitudes.
The statues or pictures of our Lord, of saints and angels, , frequently seen upon our altars and at various other places in the church, teach us that the church is a house of divine wor-
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ship, an humble image of heaven, where the angels and saints continually praise and bless God; besides this the representa- tions of the saints and angels remind us also by their very pre- sence, by the devotional expression in their face and by their noble bearing in general, how we can attain to the blessed a- bodes where they are.
The windows of larger churches are made of special art glass and represent likewise figures of saints painted and burnt into the glass. Such windows have a deep religious sig- nificance aside from their artistic value; they admit the light softened and beautified by the radiance which it gathers from the glowing figures of the saints represented in the glass. It was through the saints that God enlightened His Church and by their representations in the windows, they continue, as it were, to enlighten us, that we may clearly see in their exam- ple, how to lead a life similar to their past life. The soft light of the painted windows tends furthermore, to exclude the dis- tractions of the outer world, to quiet man's restless heart, so that he will almost naturally raise his thoughts above things worldly and unite himself with God in devout prayer.
In practically every church we see also the Way of the Cross represented on the walls. It consists of 14 pictures show- ing the sorrowful journey of our blessed Saviour from Pilate's hall to the hill of Calvary, where He was crucified. Being con- tinually before the eyes of the faithful, these station pictures are assuredly apt to produce in their hearts the emotions of piety and pity, and to actuate them, that they draw for their life in general the earnest lessons, which these pictures con- tain. ,
At some convenient place in the church one or more con- fessionals are found, in which the sacrament of Penance is ad- ministered; a regular confessional consists of three depart- ments, completely divided off by partitions; the middle de- partment is intended for the priest who hears confessions, the department at the right and left respectively are used by the people who wish to go to confession; each of the two parti- tions is provided with a small screen window, through which the confessions are heard. Whatever is confessed, will never be revealed by the priest, neither of the living nor of the dead.
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, SVATY, SVATÝ
HOSPODIN BUH
ZA
SANCTUARY OF THE CHURCH
Pohled do Sanktuaria Kostela.
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CHURCH BELLS.
Every larger church has one or more bells. The original purpose of bells is expressed by the instruction of God to Mo- ses, the leader of the Israelites, that he should make two trumpets and blow them at the hour of divine services. The trumpets were made and henceforth indicated to the people the time when they were to assemble before God.
In the New Law these trumpets have been replaced by our bells; they are also used to call the faithful to the wor- ship of God. It is true, that we pray to God also in our heart and in our private chambers; but every Catholic considers it a duty of religion to praise God also publicly, in union with his fellow brethren; these public assemblies take place in the churches and the bells are used, as were those trumpets in the Old Law, that the faithful may in an appropriate and audible manner be called for this public worship of God.
The church bells are to a Catholic, voices from heaven, that call unto him: "Publicly God has given you rich bene- fits, hence come and thank Him publicly for them; publicly you have perhaps offended Him, come and ask publicly for His pardon ; publicly heaven and earth proclaim the glory of God, come and join them publicly in their praises."
The church bell is furthermore rung at the death of a pa- rishioner; once the bell may announce the death of a child ; God has called it away from the earth and transformed it into an angel, who henceforth, adorns heaven by his brightness and will be a guardian for the parents, brothers and sisters left on earth, that they may once be happily united with him in hea- ven.
Earnestly and solemnly the bell announces, that a grown member of the community has died; and the fellow brethren are admonished to say the first prayer for their deceased friend. At the same time this earnest ringing calls upon all to consider their own past life. The bell, as it were, speaks to their hearts: "Today I am announcing the death of a pious Christian, who practiced true love of God and gladly helped his neighbor whenever he could, tomorrow my ringing may be for you ; what would I announce of your past life, if you had died today? Hence if until now you have done little, for which I could praise you, let this present ringing be an ear- nest admonishment for you, to lead a pious life ; then I will be able to announce of you, that a true Christian has again pas- sed out of this life, worthy to be admitted to the eternal joy in heaven."
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ST. JOHN NEPOMUCENE.
Our main altar is decorated with three art statues; in the centre St. John Nepomucene, patron saint of the church, is shown, at his right and left respectively Sts. Peter and Paul are represented. The following lines are to treat of St. John. This saint was born in the year 1340 in the city of Nepomuck in Bohemia. He received his early education in a monastery school in his home city. Little John was highly gifted, and since he showed great liking for holy priesthood, he was, after the ordinary school course, sent to Prague, there to prepare himself for the state of his choice. His bright mind mastered easily the studies in which a priest must be versed and about the year 1379 he was duly ordained.
For his great learning the archbishop chose him as his se- cretary, but at the same time he was also active on the pulpit, where he achieved very much for the spiritual welfare of his countrymen. In 1389 he was raised to the office of Vicar Ge- neral, in which capacity most of the cares of the spiritual go- vernment in Bohemia were laid upon his shoulders; however, he discharged them with great conscientiousness and ability. For his great prudence and piety the saintly queen Sofia, wife of king Wenceslaus IV., chose him for her confessor. Alas, Wenceslaus was the very opposite of his wife, he led a bad life, so much so, that in the course of time he lost all respect for things holy and intended even to seduce St. John to vio- late the most sacred institution of Confession.
One day he called the Vicar General and demanded to know, what his wife was confessing to him in the holy sacra- ment of Penance. No one has the right to ask a priest in re- gard to what has been told to him in confession and a priest must rather give up his life than break the seal of confession. Hence. St. John answered quitely but resolutely, that he could never reveal anything that was confided to him in confession. In vain the king tried to achieve his criminal purpose by pro- mises and by threats of punishment. St. John remained faith- ful to his duty. From this time the king hated the priest, and one day, on March 19th 1393, he had him taken prisoner, and tortured in a way, as the ancient pagan emperors tortured the first Christians ; on the following day the executioners drag- ged their victim out of the city to the river Moldavia, where they drowned it.
St. John Nepomucene died a victim to the seal of confes- sion ; for this reason he is highly venerated by all Catholics,
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but especially is he honored by the Catholic priesthood as a model of conscientiousness and faithfulness in his sacred call- ing.
STS. PETER AND PAUL.
The statue at the right of St. John Nepomucene repre- sents St. Peter, at the left St. Paul is shown. These two apo- stles are always commemorated together, because they extin- guished themselves above all others in the cause of the newly established Church. St. Peter was by our Lord made the head of the Apostles and of the Church in general. He was the foun- dation upon which the entire structure was to be erected and from which it was to have unshakable strength and stability. St. Peter was the representative and vicar of Christ on earth, endowed with the fulness of spiritual power to guide the en- tire flock of his divine Master.
By examining Holy Scripture anyone can learn what St. Peter did for the cause of holy faith. At his first address to the people of Jerusalem 3000 Jews and pagans adopted the faith of Christ, and they were shortly afterwards joined by 5000 more. Later on the apostle preached the gospel in Anti- och, in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocin, Asia and Bythinia; the last 25 years he spent as bishop of Rome, governing the ever increasing number of faithful. Considering this we will be able to form at least a moderate idea, how much St. Peter did for the honor of God, how many thousands of souls he gained for the new faith by the help of God's grace.
St. Paul was at first a persecutor of the early Christians, as Holy Scripture tells us; but later he was miraculously con- verted, and from a persecutor of the Church he became the most zealous Apostle. Of his Apostolic labors he writes to the Romans not in vain selfpraise but at the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, that from Jerusalem round about as far as unto Illirium he has spread the gospel of Christ. One writer of the Church says in regard to the life of St. Paul, that he has visi- ted all countries of the heathens, everywhere rooting out the thorns of sin and sowing the seed of the gospel, everywhere dispelling darkness and error and spreading the light of truth, everywhere changing sinful men into angels.
Both Apostles, St. Peter as well as St. Paul, suffered a violent death for their holy faith under the emperor Nero, who cruelly persecuted the Christians. Both were put to death in Rome on the same day; St. Peter was crucified and St. Paul beheaded; indeed a glorious death for the disciples of the cru- cified Jesus !
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If the world celebrates the memory of such who died for their country, it is assuredly appropriate that the Church keep sacred the memory of these two heroes, who spent their entire strength and life for the spread of holy faith and even shed their very blood in the noble cause.
OUR LADY OF LOURDES.
Lourdes is a small town in France; formerly little known, it attained since 1858 world wide fame as a place of special de- votion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. In that year the Blessed Virgin appeared repeatedly to the peasant girl Bernadette Soubiroux from Lourdes in the hollow of the rock called Mas- sabielle. The apparition was clothed entirely in white with a blue girdle, holding in her folded hands a rosary ; rays of light shone about her and a golden rose gleamed on each foot. The figure frequently spoke to the little maiden, revealing to her also who she was, saying: "I am the Immaculate Conception", i. e. the Blessed Virgin Mary, who from the first moment of her life was pure and immaculate from every sin, even from the stain of original sin. One day she told the girl to drink of a fountain in the grotto, which had so far been completely un- known; at another occasion the Blessed Virgin directed Ber- nadette to go and tell the priest of what she had seen and ask him to have a chapel in honor of her singular priviledge of the Immaculate Conception built at the grotto and arrange processions to it.
The extraordinary occurences were carefully examined and found to be true, accordingly a beautiful church was built at the grotto and multitudes of people began to visit the place and venerate the Blessed Virgin, who had favored it in such extraordinary manner. And she repaid their sincere proofs of love and veneration most generously ; marvellous miracles of every discription began to take place at the grotto, especially, at the use of the water from the fountain. In 1883 a second large church was built near the first, to accomodate the great throngs of pilgrims who from all parts of France and other countries came to Lourdes to visit the grotto, satisfy their de- votion to the Immaculate Virgin and implore her help in their afflictions of soul and body.
Health has been restored time and again, where the most skilfull physicians were unable to help. The records at the grotto, containing the particulars of hundreds of miraculous cures, have been examined many times by renowned physi- cians Catholic and non-Catholic, and some of the most learned
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among them gave as their statement; that "on reading these accounts unprejudiced minds cannot but be convinced, that the facts stated are authentic"; and since the water in the grotto has no extraordinary healing powers, and since mor- over, many cures are affected without its use, at the mere pra- yer to our blessed Lady, it is evident, that these cures are di- rect miracles. And they are occuring to our own times, and people from every part of the world are visiting Lourdes, and are witnessing or experiencing the extraordinary graces at the grotto.
It is true, that in spite of the plainest evidence there have been infidels, who have doubted the miraculous occurrences of Lourdes and even ridiculed them, and they are having follow- ers to this day ; however, the facts stand unshaken, they need lla defense; as regards any doubts or ridiculing remarks against them, we need only bear in mind, that even at the rais- ing Lazarus from the dead by our Lord some walked away unbelieving.
For the true believers in God Lourdes is remaining most sacred; in the course of time there have been erected all over the Catholic world statues and grottos representing the appa- rition at Lourdes; there the pious faithful assemble and vene- rate the Blessed Virgin. Also in our church such a statue of Our Blessed Lady of Lourdes is erected, it is seen upon the south side altar. This fact is a constant expression of our faith in the miracles wrought at Lourdes and a prayer, that Mary Immaculate, who is granting so many favors at that sacred shrine, may also extend to us her special protection and help.
ST. JOSEPH.
Our north side altar is dedicated to St. Joseph; for this reason a beautiful statue appears upon it. This saint is near and dear to all, who love Jesus, the Saviour of the world, be- cause he is inseparably connected with Him or His foster- father and the pure spouse of His virginal mother Mary.
St. Joseph belonged to the noble family of David ; however this family had in the course of time become quite poor, so that the later descendants earned their livelihood by common labor. Such was also the case with St. Joseph ; he is known as a carpenter living in Nazareth and the Evangelist tells us, that he was a just man, i. e. a holy man.
He was to have a most important part when the redemp- tion of the world was prepared. The time had come, when the long expected Messiah of the world was to appear; the Imma-
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culate Virgin Mary, who, like St. Joseph, came from the house of David, was to become His mother by the miraculous work- ing of God. In order to protect her honor before the world, which was to learn this mystery only later, Divine Providence disposed that Mary was esposed to a relative, St. Joseph, who was publicly considered her lawful husband, in reality, how- ever, the protector, and witness of her purity and the maintai- ner of her and her divine child.
After their espousals it came to pass that the Roman em- peror Augustus, to whom the Jewish people was then subject, issued a law, that a census be taken of all his subjects. The Jews in Palestine were to go to the original home of their re- spective families, where their names were entered into the offi- cial records. St. Joseph and Mary had to go to Bethlehem, which was the home of their great ancestor David. Arriving in the town they could no longer procure a lodging for the night, the town being already crowded with strangers, whom the empe- ror's law had brought hither and the holy couple was obliged to take shelter in a stable outside the town.
In the following night Jesus Christ came into this world as the child of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and St. Joseph was the first after His mother to behold the divine face of his Lord and God, press Him unto his heart and offer his adoration.
From this time on he also began to fulfill his duties as the protector of the holy family; necessity presented itself very soon. Through the three Magi king Herod of Jerusalem lear- ned, that a new king was born to the Jewish people; at once the jealous ruler feared for his throne ; not knowing, however, who the new-born king was, he commanded, that in Bethlehem, which was pointed out as his birth-place, all children under two years of age should be killed. St. Joseph, as the gospel tells us, was by an angel informed of the danger threatening his foster-child and directed to flee to Egypt until all danger had passed. St. Joseph obeyed and spent about seven years in Egypt with the Blessed Virgin and the child Jesus; then at the bid- ing of God they returned to Nazareth, which became from now on their home. In this humble home the Savior of the world became 30 yrs. old, when He was to begin His public mission as teacher of mankind. But St. Joseph did not live to see His public activity, still he had fulfilled the important office which was marked out for him, he had protected and main- tained the holy family, where the redemption of the world was founded and prepared. Hence it is indeed but just that he is highly honored and venerated by all belonging to the Church which was founded by his foster son Jesus Christ.
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