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He arrived from Thibodaux this evening to try to get a priest from the seminary to replace him during retreat. Father John Francis Llebaria, C.M. tells him it is impossible as he is there alone with another priest. So tomorrow Ménard will go back to Thibodaux for the reasons he gave in his letter of the 8th. :: V-5-f A.L.S. French 2pp. 4to.

Scope and Contents Two hours ago Ménard received Blanc's letter brought by Father Nicholas? Fort; it overwhelmed him with discouragement. Blanc reproaches Ménard for something which he would call at most a lack of judgment - to have accepted a salary of 40 piastres from the trustees, being no longer pastor. Ménard did not know that he was no longer the pastor. Father Charles Boutelou de St. Aubin himself told the trustees that they ought to allow Ménard a sum which would put him above begging for his...

Scope and Contents Work on their church is going forward rapidly. They hope to rent the pews at Easter and say the first Mass on the 3rd Sunday after. But there are several things he asks Blanc to decide. They hope he will bless or consecrate the church of which he laid the first stone. But since it will not be entirely finished when they rent the pews, they ask him to put off this ceremony until next fall. If it is to be blessed before Mass is said there, he asks for this faculty and also for a priest whom he...

Scope and Contents He has just arrived from Houma from the commission Blanc gave him; he regrets not being able to do it completely. Everyone was excited in the capital of Terrebonne at the news of the departure of their ex-pastor. Sentiments were mixed; the Catholics were glad. The Protestants said he was a good fellow. Mènard recognized that it was a deliverance from public calamity. It was impossible to make the list of articles necessary for services and those for the use of the priest. Father Edward...

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He asks for a dispensation for Lovinci Aucoin and and Emélie Naquin . P.S. Ménard will go to the city for the 19th to attend the retreat. :: VI-1-b A.L.S. French 2pp. 4to.

Scope and Contents Ménard asks Blanc to grant a dispensation for Paul Joachim Thibodaux and Elisabeth Boudraux . Ménard arrived last Sunday from a mission at Chenière. All went well enough but there is a profound ignorance of the truths of the faith of those who made their First Communion during the recent missions made by Father M.F.?. The parents and children themselves as much as said that it was Blanc's fault that they did not have enough instruction. Ménard admitted to the sacraments only 4 or 5 of a...

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He has been asked to take new steps to obtain the dispensation for a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jean Baptiste Roger and Azéma Bourg . Mènard wrote about this a year or two ago. Roger even went to see Blanc. Since then they have been married civilly. Misfortunes have befallen them and they wish to marry legitimately. If Blanc can grant these, Mènard believes they will give alms and do penance. Nothing new here; Mènard is very busy. :: VI-1-e A.L.S. French 1p. 4to.

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He scarcely mailed the letter about Houma when something happened to necessitate a new letter. Marcelus Henri came 18 leagues to be married to his first cousin, Elisa Boudraux. Mènard promised to marry them the 30th, to give him time to ask Blanc for his dispensation. He would like to know how to act in similar cases in the future. :: VI-1-e A.L.S. French 1p. 12mo.

Scope and Contents As he promised, Menard will inform Blanc of the first step he took at Houma last Sunday for the completion of the church and the building of a rectory. There were never so many people at the church as this Sunday; notice having been given that there would be Mass that day and the 4th Sunday of every month. After Mass, Ménard explained the object of his visit; a subscription list of 37 names gave a total of $500. It gives Ménard hope of realizing $2000 which he believes necessary. Everyone...

Scope and Contents Although he has asked Father John M. Delcros, C.M. to give Blanc information about Houma, Menard thinks it his duty to tell Blanc what was told to him by the trustees of Houma. Their church is still in the same condition as Blanc saw it on his visit. He quotes word for word, "The bad conduct of their pastor has been the cause of the little progress of their church. When his health permits he is at the pool hall with evil companions. He is considered an immoral man. It would be a service to...

Scope and Contents Today, seeing clearly that the actions in question are known publicly and knowing from experience that advice is useless, Ménard decided to tell Father Philibert Jordain that he is to leave the presbytery as soon as possible. Jordain replied that when Blanc writes, he will leave, Ménard told him that he was master in his own house. Ménard can no longer tolerate such disagreements. He is going to try to have a priest from the seminary during vacation. Otherwise he will have to suspend Sunday...

Scope and Contents Father Philibert Jordain 's departure, which is to take place tomorrow morning, necessitates some details to be given to Blanc. The last four days have passed very quietly. Jordain has been very sad and silent. Tonight he came to thank Ménard and said he recognized his faults. He said there was some company that made him deviate from the path he should have followed. Ménard was moved to tears; he was very much surprised. He asks Blanc to have a little more indulgence; there is hope for the...

Scope and Contents Ménard thinks Blanc received a letter through Father Cornelius Moynihan Specifying the reasons for Father Philibert Jordain' s leaving. He will also have received through Jordain some lines in regard to the admissions Jordain made on the 25th, the eve of his departure. Today circumstances force Ménard to relate an affair which makes Ménard appear like a thief. Jordain had asked Ménard several times to buy his horse since he had no cash. On the 25th Ménard decided to buy it to oblige him; he...

Scope and Contents Ménard did not receive Blanc's letter of the 9th until the 14th. Since Ménard's letter about the horse, he has had a curious incident on the part of the one who demanded the horse or $100 on the part of Father Philibert Jordain? . After Ménard's refusal there was threat of a summons. But, by chance, there were some jolly fellows present at this scene who took up Ménard's cause and he believes there will be trouble if the summons arrives. At the moment Ménard is not worrying much about a...

Scope and Contents They would be pleased if, before Blanc left, he could administer Confirmation here. There will probably be many. Everything is going well here. Father J.B Jobert has made up, with interest, for all the trouble Mènard has had. Father Edward Barthe? has recovered from his illness at the beginning of December. During his illness, Mènard spent one night at Houma ? which convinced him all the more that things were not going well there. The people of St. Mary's and St. Andrew's continue to ask...

Scope and Contents Yesterday Mènard received Blanc's letter asking him to send back to the asylum, the orphan girl who is at Mènard's sister's house. His two sisters each have an orphan. Stéphanie, Widow Troné, has Susanne Papiel, age 15 or 16; Josephine Mènard has Marie Jary, age 7 or 8, Mènard prefers to have Confirmation, the second, third, or fourth Sunday of Lent. Blanc is to let him know if he can give Confirmation at St. Philomena's the day he leaves Thibodaux. He can always count on Mènard's carriage...

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By an oversight, Mènard did not mention the subject of Confirmation for St. Mary's Church. The number will be very large. Confirmation could be held at St. Mary's on March 16 and at St. Philomena's the 17th. :: VI-1-c A.L.S. French 1p. 4to.

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Father J.B. Jober t leaves today according to Blanc's instructions sent through Victor Richard, Jr . who traveled with Blanc from New Orleans to Donaldson. Father Amédee Beccard, now at the seminary, will arrive here this week; to hasten his coming, Menard is sending him a few lines which Jobert will deliver in passing. While regretting Jobert's going, Ménard is glad to see him placed at the Cathedral; it seems to Ménard that Jobert is fitted for it. :: VI-1-c A.L.S. French 1p. 4to.

Scope and Contents Reflecting on the promise Blanc made to come to Thibodaux after ordination on July 19, Menard thinks it would be great satisfaction if Blanc could spend Sunday, July 20, at the church at Thibodaux. Ménard could attend the ordination and Blanc could to go St. Joseph on Saturday and Ménard's carriage would be at his disposal for whatever way Blanc wanted to go as well as for his return to Donaldson. As Ménard has felt better for two days, he proposes to gegin a subscription next Sunday around...

Scope and Contents With Blanc's approval, Mènard blessed the chapel at Lockport under the invocation of St. Andrew. The ceremony took place February 21. This chapel is of the same proportions as St. Philomena 's, 31 feet by 51, but it has no steeple because of lack of money. He has announced Mass at St. Andrew's for the second Thursday of each month but they will also go for Easter Communion and First Communion. It is about all they have time for. On February 19 Mènard signed a contract for the building of St....

Scope and Contents Yesterday Ménard received Blanc's letter of the 18th. He is very grateful for Blanc's choice of Father Philibert Jordain Jourdain to replace Father Hyacinthe Tumoine . Ménard knows him a little and he has some knowledge of the country. He is sad at losing Tumoine whom he found to be a faithful friend and zealous priest. Ménard showed Blanc's letter to Tumoine; he seemed to have an antipathy toward Cloutierville according to some information he has. If Tumoine is to be recalled Ménard asks...

Scope and Contents Ménard wants Blanc to administer Confirmation in St. Joseph's church as well as St. Philomena's. The number preparing for it is great. Since Confirmation will be at Thibodeaux on Sunday, it could be held on Tuesday or Wednesday at St. Philomena Chapel. The last Sunday of June or first of July would suit them very well. Father Jordain is very well; he is beginning to get acquainted with the functions of the ministry. Last Saturday there was a violent storm with hail. St. Mary's Chapel was...

Scope and Contents According to Blanc's wish, and Father Edward Barthe's invitation, Ménard went to Houma last week to examine the work on the church. Everything seems acceptable. Barthe was to write the details to Blanc. Barthe is much esteemed. He will need the courage it takes to establish a parish and build a church. The church at Thibodaux progresses every day and they hope to rent the pews by Easter. This rent will help pay the carpenters who have consented to wait for payment until March 1850 and 1851....

Scope and Contents He takes advantage of Robert Verret's going to ask a favor for his sister Stéphanie, the Widow P. Troné. She wishes to have an orphan girl to keep her company and care for her children. She wants one at least 10 or 12 and German, if possible. Blanc can confide the orphan to Verret, of Thibodaux. Father Hyacinthe Tumoine is well. Mr. Pilard of Vincennes has been here for two months as singer and sacristan. Blanc is to remember Troné in his prayers. Mènard plans to have a service for him on...

Scope and Contents Yesterday Mènard received Blanc's letter of the 7th. He regrets that Robert Verret did not see Blanc about the orphan Mènard asked for for his sister. He asked Blanc to put in a word for him with the Sisters at the orphanage. The orphan should be 10 or 12 years old. There would be no danger in placing her on board the Streck or even the Mary Foley, in charge of Captain Dolferez? who was a good friend of Mrs. Troné. Because of their new church, Mènard collected only $20 for the Pope. They...

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Vigor Boutelou, bearer of this letter, will give Blanc $20 for the Pope. The delicate circumstances concerning their new church are the cause of the smallness of this sum; Ménard had to furnish half of it. He recalls to Blanc what he said in his last letter about an orphan girl. Boutelou could bring her here. Otherwise he could send her by the Streck but not by the Mary Foley which is to discontinue coming to their bayou. V-5-l - A.L.S. - French - 2pp. - 4to. - {2}

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Mènard's sister Mrs. Troné has just informed him that several orphans have been offered her. So Blanc may suspend any steps in this regard. Mènard has always had a repugnance toward placing orphans with strangers in their birthplace but he is obliged to keep silent. He is mortified to have given Blanc needless trouble. Father Hyacinthe Tumoine is well. V-5-l - A.L.S. - French - 2pp. - 4to. - {3}

Scope and Contents He has just arrived from a mission to the neighborhood of the cemetery of St. Mary's, 12 miles below St. Joseph Church. He was especially more pleased with the present trustees than with those over which, two years ago, the famous L.N.? presided. He gave up the land and now lives at Thibodaux. Menard called a meeting of the Council day before yesterday and explained the steps to be taken to build a church or chapel, which is really urgent. The Council agreed with everything, as Blanc can see...

Scope and Contents According to the instructions in Blanc's letter of September 25 concerning the building of St. Mary's Church, Ménard has begun the work. He gave the letter of approbation to the trustees. Then he called a meeting of the people to let them know the means to take. They arranged for the subscription to run from March 1850 to March 1851. Ménard hopes to get $1500 or $1800, enough to build a church for their needs. He will not give the contract before spring. The church at Longueville, 21 miles...

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Ménard asks for a dispensation for J. Boudraux and Marie Adams . He will marry them next Saturday and takes advantage of the privilege that it is sufficient to have sent the request. Father Hyacinthe Tumoine is well; they will leave Monday for the retreat. :: V-4-o A.L.S. French 2pp. 4to.