A NEW BUILDING IS STARTED
The new building - familiar to us all today as the Activity Building - was started in the Spring of 1922 and was used for the first time as a church on November 19th.
Due to the wholehearted dedication of men and women of the parish and the various organizations such as the Holy Name Society, the Ushers Club, and the Young Ladies Sodality of that time, who had given their full support, Father Dwan was able to say in his report for 1932, "This building where we are saying our prayers, with everything in it, is paid for."
In September, 1924, the Holy Name Society held a National Convention in Washington, which almost a hundred per cent of the members of St. Cecilia's attended. Father Dwan was to accompany them. It was characteristic of that humble man of God that, though he had purchased a new suit for the occasion, he arrived at the station to meet his well-groomed traveling companions wearing his old one. His own new outfit he had given to someone he considered to have greater need.
Having provided a suitable place for worship, Father Swan turned all his energies toward the erection of a school. The site on Burlingame Avenue had been purchased in 1921. Early in 1924, ground was broken and building began. It was expected that the school would open in February, 1925. But Father Dwan was destined not to see it completed. Never in the best of health, a weakened by his excessive pioneering labors, Father Dwan went to the hospital and submitted to a serious operation. Against the wishes of doctors and nurses he returned to the rectory. This was December 23rd. He had to celebrate Mass and say "Merry Christmas" to his people. Many of the parishioners felt they were listening to his farewell sermon on Christmas Day, and so they were, for they were never to hear his grateful "God love you" again. He died late Tuesday evening, January 6th.
FATHER FLEMING WELCOMED
Whether or not he found it difficult to take up another's work, Father Fleming accepted the burden in his own gracious manner, and carried it shoulder high for seventeen strenuous years, until, at last, ill health forced his retirement.
Continued
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