18 - Letter from Fr. Luke Sheehan

18

Letter from Fr. Luke Sheehan

2 pp; manuscript

Letter from Fr. Luke Sheehan OFM Cap., Bend, Oregon. He refers to a request from the ‘Brethren East’ (likely the friars in Pennsylvania). He notes that the Capuchins of the Pittsburgh Province were recently granted permission to grow moustaches and beards. The Irish friars in America wanted the same privilege because being clean-shaven in America led people to mistake them for ‘Dunkard preachers’, an Anabaptist group the friars found it ‘disagreeable’ to be associated with. Father Luke also provides an update on the influenza pandemic in Oregon. The town of Bend has suffered 38 deaths. He notes that no Catholics had died so far. The Catholic church in Bend had been closed since October 13th due to health ordinances. The letter is likely missing an additional page.

ISAD(G) 2nd edition