O'Donahue writes McMaster concerning a petition, signed by himself and the Catholic Clergy and some of the laity of St. John's Parish, to incorporate St. Johns parish school in the common school system of Indianapolis. The petition provided that the same teachers, Brothers of the Sacred Heart, were to continue in charge of the school and that the parish would still retain the building as its own property. It was also agreed that during school hours, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. no religious exercises would take place. However, the children may attend Mass in the morning and be taught Catechism before or after school hours. O'Donahue says in the petition there is a paragraph which would seem to be objectionable unless the surrounding circumstances are known, that now, some of the Catholics of the parish are criticizing the pastor for signing the petition and maintaining that he is condemned by the Syllabus of Errors. This is not true in reality. O'Donahue says that even though the pastor did no wrong, it is not the kind of thing he likes and his signature is affixed only because he thought it improper to disapprove, publicly, the action of his superior. He tells McMaster that if he receives an account of this petition this letter is an explanation and apology of his actions. :: I-2-a A.L.S. 3pp. 12mo.