St. Joseph's Church, Reading, Berks, Pennsylvania.

Source:
The First Seven Years of St. Joseph’s Church, in Two Chapters, by A Member.
Published: Reading, PA.: Coleman Printing House, Limited, 30 North Sixth Street, 1893.

DEATHS.

Besides the high and holy office of Foster-father of the Holy Family, St. Joseph has the other title, “Patron of Happy Death.” The first of St. Joseph’s flock, whose happy departure from the scenes of Earth to the vision of God was doubtlessly watched over by St. Joseph, was William C. Kelly , who died March 21st, 1891. The second was little Bridget Torpey, who “being made perfect, in a short space – fulfilled a long time.” She departed July 9th, 1891. Master Charles Rebholz, was the third and last death, and was without doubt vigiled by St. Joseph. His edifying death occurred December 4th, 1891. Thrice did the angel of Death visit St. Joseph’s in its first year as an established Parish, and God grant that the three names thus stricken from St. Joseph’s Roll, may have already been recorded in the “Book of the Blessed.” Amen.

Scarce was 1892 ushered in with its bright newness, when the Dark Angel of Death summoned more of St. Joseph’s members. The writer craves pardon, if the summary manner, in which the dear departed ones of 1892 are chronicled, allows no tender and deserved tribute to their memory.

January 13, 1892
Michael Burke, died fortified with the Holy Sacraments.

January 14, 1892
Edward Garrigan, died fortified with the Holy Sacraments

January 28, 1892
Mary Quinlan, died fortified with the Holy Sacraments.

February 8, 1892
Patrick O’Connor, died fortified with the Holy Sacraments.

February 19, 1892
Anna Farrell, died fortified with the Holy Sacraments.

March 20, 1892
Ellen Devine, died fortified with the Holy Sacraments

March 31, 1892
Bernard Kelly, died suddenly, let us hope not unprepared

April 10, 1892
Margaret O’Donnell, died fortified with the Holy Sacraments

May 1, 1892
Catharine Cavanaugh, died fortified with the Holy Sacraments

May 10, 1892
Francis Gody, died suddenly, let us hope not unprepared

September 4, 1892
Alice Dempsey, died fortified with the Holy Sacraments

September 16, 1892
John Howden, died suddenly, let us hope not unprepared

September 24, 1892
Catharine Lupton, died fortified with the Holy Sacraments

September 29, 1892
Joseph Doyle, died fortified with the Holly Sacraments

October 22, 1892
Hettie Lavey, died fortified with the Holy Sacraments

November 5, 1892
John Dunn, died suddenly, let us hope not unprepared

November 9, 1892
Sarah Tigh, died fortified with the Holy Sacraments

November 23, 1892
Richard Holohan, died fortified with Holy Extreme Unction, and Last Blessing.

November 24, 1892
Ellen Reddy, died suddenly, let us hope not unprepared

December 1, 1892
Bertha Reid, died fortified with the Holy Sacraments

February 21, 1893
Alice O’Mahony, died fortified with the Holy Sacraments.

Baptisms .
Sunday, January 11th, Charles A. , the son of Michael and Agnes O’Connor, was the first of the two and thirty who during the twelve months of 1891 were made “Children of God” and heirs to the “Kingdom of Heaven.” January 3rd, 1892, Leo, the now angel son of Thomas and Catharine Kelly, was the first of the thirty-four baptized during 1892.

Weddings .
From a careful calculation of St. Joseph’s Marriage Register for the years 1891-92, it is evident that, in the year 3045 A.D., the Pastor of St. Joseph’s Parish shall be obliged to procure a new Marriage Register. For with the four weddings of 1891, and the no less astonishing number of 1892, the present forty line page Register shall be exhausted in 1152 years, as the smallest child can demonstrate. Example: If a Marriage Register containing 576 pages be filled at the rate of one-half a page a year, how many years must elapse before a new Register be required? Ans. 1152 years.

First Wedding .
The first wedding in St. Joseph’s Chapel was that of Mr. John Kramer and Miss Mary Sullivan, September 29th, 1887. This early and worthy example, however, found but few followers.

Chapter I .
Seven years ago the Catholics of North Reading hailed with joy the fulfillment of a hope long deferred, to wit: The erection of a Church at the junction of Eight and Ninth Streets. It was the 26th day of July, 1886, accompanied by Edward Durang, Architect, William H. Kelly, Dr.M.L. Wenger, John J Cullen, Francis Cavanaugh, that Reverend Gerald P. Coghlan, then Rector of St. Peter’s Church, South Fifth Street, removed the first sod where now stands St. Joseph’s Church; a modest, yet eloquent monument of his unflagging zeal, and tireless labors for the then small number of Catholics in North Reading. May their prayers forever bless him.

Sunday, October 3rd, of the same year, witnessed the soemn laying of the corner stone by his Grace, the Most Rev. P.J. Ryan, Archbishop of Philadelphia. All the Catholic Societies of Reading were in attendance, with William H. Kelley, Chief Marshal.

ST. JOSEPH'S CHRONICLES

January 1905, Volume 2, No. 1
Obituary:
Mr. Patrick O'Rourke, of 624 North Eight street, passed peacefully away into life eternal on December 27. During his last hours he was surrounded by his devoted wife and children. Mr. O'Rourke was born in Ireland, and in early manhood came to America and made his home in Reading. He brought with him the strong faith of the Irish people; his life was domestic, industrious and virtuous; his friends were numerous and he was deservedly held in the highest esteem by all who knew him. Mr. O'Rourke was one of the founders and consistent members of St. Joseph's, and while we sympathize with the bereaved family, we ourselves regret the loss of an appreciated member of the congregation and of an exemplar of our people. May he rest in peace.

To-day we chronicle the announcement of the coming marriage of Mr. Vincent Cronan, of St. Joseph's, and Miss Margaret L. Brogley, of St. Paul's parish. Happy man, Vincent. Long life and endless joy be yours, Vincent; you are one of St. Joseph's estimable young men, Vincent, but there is no use in crying over spilt milk. You have found a pearl, Vincent (Margaret means pearl), a pearl of peerless value. She was a binder of St. Joseph's Chronicle, and every one associated with the Chronicle in any way will always have good luck. Gourage, book-binders, courage and hope on.

August 1908, Volume 1, No. 3
Mr. E.F. Stoeber, of the Knights of St. John, is spending August in Germany. Like a dutiful son, he went abroad to pay his final devotion to his aged father who is 92 years old.

November 1908, Volume 1, No. 6
Mr. Joseph Vasey, a member of St. Joseph's, has received a promotion in his position as Freight Agent, which necessitated his removal to Wilmington. Mr. Vasey is an amiable gentleman and has a large circle of friends in Reading. Glad of your promotion, Mr. Vasey, but sorry to loose you from our list of members.

February 1909, Volume 2, No. 2
Irvin Saylor, 16 years old, departed from this life quite suddenly and unexpectedly, but we trust he was fully prepared to enter into judgement with his God. Irvin was a regular attendant of St. Joseph's Sunday School, never absent, except from sickness, for many years. He was also a member of St. Joseph's Sodality, and the first of the Sodality to pass on to eternity. He was a monthly communicant, a favorite among his acquaintances, a good natured, good hearted youth. May he rest in peace.

May 1909, Volume 2, No. 5
St. Joseph's congregation mourns the death of one of the founders of the parish, Mr. James Nevin. Mr. Nevin was highly respected as a Christian and a citizen; he was a regular and faithful attendant of St. Joseph's. He was practicle in his religion and his life was both edifying and an example worthy of imitation. For forty years he worked on the railroad and never met with an accident. The Sunday before he passed into eternity, he attended children's mass, although he felt quite weak. He departed peacefully, fortified with the Sacraments and comforted by the presence of his family. His daughter, Sister Ausilka, formerly Miss Julia Nevin, who for years attended the altars in St. Joseph's was present at his death bed.

A beautiful marriage took place in St. Joseph's May 5, when Miss Margaret Hess and William Ganter were united for life by the Holy Sacrament of Matrimony. A high nuptial mass was celebrated in the presence of a large body of friends and well wishers, and the young couple pronounced the marriage vow on the steps of the high altar, within the sanctuary. After the nuptial mass a wedding breakfast was served at the home of the bride; the house was crowded with wedding guests. The gifts were costly and beautiful and useful, and they filled a room. Rev. Fr. Flanagan and Father McGarity were among the guests.