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Scope and Contents Last night Mènard received Blanc's letter dated the 26th. He regrets that he did not receive it sooner; he could have visited Mr. J. Father J.B. Jobert? and perhaps things would have been arranged to Blanc's satisfaction and his. Tomorrow Mènard begins the retreat for First Communion which will take place June 3. So he would find it impossible to make a visit. On the other hand he fears it may already be too late. Mènard had already tried to argue with several confreres about the appointment...

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Menard asks for a dispensation for Jean Baptiste Bourgeois and Odile Bourgeois . Nothing extraordinary here. Father Cyprian Venissat plans to go to the city tomorrow to take his effects. :: VI-1-i A.L.S. French 1p. 16mo.

Scope and Contents Mènard read with great satisfaction Blanc's letter announcing the forthcoming arrival of a priest for Houma . Mènard does not doubt at all that a priest would do a great good there in view of the return of stability there. Blanc honors Mènard by asking his opinion of the chances of success Father F. Tassé t ? would have in this new parish. Mènard believes that Tassé, endowed with a very happy disposition and aimiable simplicity, would not fail to make himself loved and in this Parish, the...

Scope and Contents Mrs. Key asks Mènard to inform Blanc of a rather delicate affair. It is the future marriage of her daughter to an English Episcopalian who, it seems, will not consent to have the children brought up in the Catholic religion. Mrs. Key does not have enough influence to prevent the marriage. However, she will not consent to having the marriage celebrated by anyone but a priest. If it is celebrated by anyone else it will be a great scandal because the parish has always had the Key family in the...

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Mènard sends the names of the persons he spoke about concerning the marriage of Miss Key. Everything is arranged to the great satisfaction of the mother and of Mènard himself. The name of the person who married Francoise Eugénie Key is Melchor George Klingender :: VI-1-g A.L.S. French 1p. 12mo.

Scope and Contents Conforming to Blanc's letter of March 31, they will prepare for Confirmation here on Trinity Sunday, on Monday at Houma, and Wednesday at St. Mary's of Lafourche. Only indirect mention has been made of Ste. Philomène but Mènard would like Blanc to give Confirmation at this chapel on June 17. They hope to have the largest Confirmation in the diocese. They are very glad he will be here for Corpus Christi June 15. Last Sunday the pews were rented in the church at Houma . They rented for $1400,...

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Menard has just received Blanc's letter announcing his visit as well as Confirmation at St. Philomena's Church for the 13th. All will be ready. Menard gives the times of the boats, the C.D. Jr. and the Dr. Batey. He is leaving for St. Philomena's for the funeral of Mr. Ladadie who died last night. Menard had administered all the sacraments. :: VI-1-g A.L.S. French 1p. 12mo.

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Mènard writes to correct his previous letter. The boat, the Dr. Battey leaves New Orleans on Friday at 9 in the morning and not in the afternoon. :: VI-1-g A.L.S. French 1p. 12mo.

Scope and Contents Mènard has just received Blanc's letter about Mènard's sister, Widow Troué . Her complaints do not surprise Mènard. For years Mènard has come to her aid in all kinds of ways. She subjects him to all kinds of embarrassments, even sending her children to the Protestant school. Mènard has furnished her with food and the 2 or $3 a week necessary for clothing and heat. In June she got the idea of moving to town, at the advice of Father Francis Tasset, her director who approves of her conduct...

Scope and Contents Mènard announces the death of Father René M . Pineau . It occurred Saturday evening. Pineau left on horseback to visit Onézime Aycock 4 miles from his church. On dismounting the saddle turned. His effort to straighten up frightened the horse which threw him to the ground. They immediately took him into Aycock's house. He regained consciousness and felt severe pains in his stomach and everyone pray. He recommended that 50 Masses be said for his soul. In 40 or 50 minutes he was dead. Burial...

Scope and Contents After two visits to Chicahoula, Ménard gives the state of affairs of the late Father Rene M. Pineau and the details about the presbytery. Pineau, considering that the presence of a priest would be more advantageous at Chicahoula than at Bayou Boeuf: 1. because of the extreme ignorance of the Catholics; 2. because of its proximity to Thibodaux; 3. because of the different bayous he could visit, decided to make his residence there. One obstacle presented itself - the building of a suitable...

Scope and Contents Ménard received Blanc's letter of the 14th; it did him much good in his sadness over the death of Father Rene M. Pineau. The loss of the priests in the epidemic, Blanc's accident have made 1858 a bitter memory. Ménard arrived last night from a tour of Bayou Boeuf, Bayou 1'Ours, Brashear City and vicinity. He took advantage of Father Amêdêe Beccard's visit to go away for two days. Everywhere he went he heard regrets over the loss of Pineau, he was much esteemed. Ménard visited several...

Scope and Contents Ménard has received Blanc's letter about the church at Chicahoula Chacahaula and the music for the convent. Ménard was in error about the choice of teachers; the choice was no doubt left to the parents. Just now there are only 10 pupils for music. Mother Thêrése Chevrel, O. Carm. will arrange things as she thinks best. A letter from a Sister at the convent at New Orleans stated "Mother Thêrése has a Breton head and will not change Mr. Chol." When things seemed too bad, Ménard wrote to Father...

Scope and Contents Menard asks Blanc to grant a dispensation for disparity of cult to Charles Auguste Seeligmann, German Reformed,, and Eulalie Riviere . Blanc is also to let Menard know when it would be convenient to come for Confirmation at St. Joseph's. Menard plans to have First Communion around Trinity Sunday. There will be at least as many as preceding years for Confirmation. If Blanc wishes to confirm in the surrounding churches, Menard believes that around Trinity Sunday would coincide with their First...

Scope and Contents He was about to answer Blanc's letter of the 11th about Confirmation when he received the second one dated the 22nd. His delay in answering was the difficulty in reaching his neighbors. It was only day before yesterday that he could see Father Francis Tasset . The days Blanc designated will suit everyone. They will expect him at Thibodaux on May 25, on the 26th at St. Mary's, on the 27th at Houma and on the 29th at St. Philomena. The steamboat, Dr. Beaty, arrives at Thibodaux Saturday...

Scope and Contents Mènard has just learned from the Carmelite Sister of the misunderstanding about the collection or subscription about which Mènard had time for only a few words in his letter. He regrets that Mother Ste. Théèse Chevrel, O.M.C had given the Sister a mission whose significance she did not know, Mènard is not surprised at Blanc's observations; Mènard would have been the first to make them if it had been represented for what it was — an asylum for orphans. The convent of Mount Carmel is...

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Father Anthony Carius of the diocese of Vincennes has been here about a month which Mènard thinks Blanc should know. His situation is very painful. Carius seems to have desirable sentiments, faithful to all his duties as a Christian. Mènard asks Blanc to do for him whatever his kind heart suggests. Should he be permitted to say Mass here? Perhaps it would be better to gain time in order to find out everything which could concern his future position. :: VI-1-k A.L.S. French 1p. 12mo.

Scope and Contents On the 13th Mènard received Blanc's letter of the 4th from Grand Coteau. Mènard takes the opportunity to send a reply with a Sister of Mount Carmel who is going to Vermillionville and who will leave it with the pastor of New Iberia who will give it Blanc when he arrives for Confirmation. Mènard thanks Blanc for his confidence in him as shown in regard to Father Anthony Carius and also for the charity toward this poor priest. His conduct here is irreproachable; he is worthy of a place in a...

Scope and Contents Father Anthony Carius has just received a letter from Bishop Auguste Marie Martin urging him to come to his diocese. Martin claims a request and recommendation from Father Hippolite Dupontavice Dupontavis as an application from Carius. Martin said he was writing to Blanc to set forth his claim of priority. Carius has never applied to Martin but only to Blanc. He much prefers to be attached to Blanc's diocese and is coming to Blanc to forestall a reply. Carius is resigned to follow Blanc's...

Scope and Contents Mènard hastens to reply to Blanc's request for information on the fees of the assistant at St. Theresa's, New Orleans . 1. The Asylum gives the pastor $80 a month supposedly for the expenses of the house. 2. The fees for baptisms are shared by the pastor and assistant. 3. The pastor keeps the fees for marriages he performs. 4. The assistant gives half of his marriages to the pastor. 5. The assistant? has his help for funerals. Father John Peter Bellier received Blanc's letter; he is very...

Scope and Contents Yesterday Mènard received Blanc's letter announcing the coming of Father Pinot Rene Pineau ? to aid in serving Bayou Boeuf left vacant by the departure of Father Claude Paschal Maistre . Mènard plans to serve this mission at least two Sundays a month and to establish several other stations to give his confrere work. Mènard's parish is much restricted since the establishment of St. Philomena's parish. The stations he proposes are Bayou Chigby Chackbay 9 miles from the presbytery and...

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All is going well for the projected church at Chicakahoula . The blocks are out and ready to be sawn; the land is perfect for a church. It is near the station and comprises almost 3 arpents. The donor and notary said they could not execute the deed of sale without Blanc's power of attorney. Mènard asks Blanc to make it in the name of Father Rene Pineau who is often there. They will sign only in a manner conformable to Blanc's wishes. :: VI-1-l A.L.S. French 1p. 12mo.

Scope and Contents Mènard has just received Blanc's letter with the power of attorney for the purchase, gratis, of the land where the church of St. Laurent will be built. The land measures one by 3 arpents, not 2. The church will be 32 by 60 feet; it will be finished by June 1. Mènard encloses no enclosures a marriage certificate and 3 baptismal certificates, asking Blanc to legalize the signature and also have it legalized by the French consul. All is going well here; St. Joseph parish is truly Catholic. The...

Scope and Contents Ménard reminds Blanc that on Ménard's last visit Blanc promised to confirm here on Trinity Sunday. They also expect Blanc at Houma and St. Philomena's on the following days. They also rejoice that Blanc will celebrate Corpus Christi with them on June 11th. Ménard counts on confreres from New Orleans for the celebration. The magnificent canopy which they received today will add to the solemnity of the day. Work on the church at Lawrenceville will probably be finished in 6 weeks. All is going...

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Ménard is sure that all Pineau's assertions are true. Tasset has let himself be deceived. Ménard asks Blanc to apply a prompt remedy. Tasset has no right to meddle in the affairs of the parish which Blanc has assigned to Ménard. Ménard suggests that Blanc write to Tasset. A.L.S. :: VI-1-l A.L.S. French 4pp. 4to.

Scope and Contents Mènard received Blanc's letter concerning the affairs of St. Mary's Church of Lafourche . This ridiculous affair gives all the advantage to Father Améée Beccard and lets the malice fall on those who supported it, especially Edmond Bourgeois . Several weeks ago two girls 13 or 14, one the daughter of Bourgeois, the other of Widow Rodrigue, called Germeil, cleaned the church. Beccard gave the Germeil girl 25 cents rather as an alms than as payment. The Bourgeois girl, through jealousy or spite...

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Pierre Breau has just come to ask Ménard to perform a marriage between him and his sister-in-law this evening. When Ménard told him that he must have a dispensation, Breau consented to wait until tomorrow. The girl is Hortense Toups . Both of the families are honorable ones. Breau is a widower with several children. A marriage out of the Church would create a real scandal. Blanc is to give his reply to Father Pineau who brings this letter. :: VI-1-m A.L.S. French 2pp. 12mo.

Scope and Contents Father L. Augustine Maréchaux should have begged Odin to accept Ménard's excuses for not having made the visit which he promised to make him at Labadieville. He hoped to visit him at Assumption today but he was informed that Myrtile Paquin, a sergeant in the Lafourche Guards, camped at Mississippi City, had just died, that his body would arrive Monday and that the burial would take place between 3 until 4 o'clock. This young man was a member and secretary of the Confraternity of St. Joseph....

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He has received Odin's letter and the circular for the faithful at Lockport. He has hastened to inform them of his next visit in order to fulfill the mission of mercy conferred upon him. He hopes to arrange things satisfactorily and he will conform faithfully to Odin's advice and instructions. :: VI-2-d A.L.S. French 1p. 12mo.

Scope and Contents He received a letter from Father A. Louage of Wheeling in which he expressed the desire to belong to the New Orleans diocese. Ménard advised him to write to Odin. Last week he received another letter enclosing one for Odin. Ménard knows Louage from the trip from Brest to New York. He appeared to be a pious and knowledgeable priest who knows English well enough. In Ménard's parish the Lenten exercises were well attended and the Easter services numerous. They are now preparing for the...