Father Balzola O.M.I, was well liked for the simple reason that all
his efforts were directed toward the glory of God and the welfare of
souls. In July, 1927, he was called back to Spain. He
was replaced by Rev. Father Gerard Mongeau O.M.I., now Bishop in the
Philippine Islands, who was pastor for three years. When he
left, the financial condition of the parish was very critical with a
dept of $34,000. There was little hope of paying it because
those were the years of the depression. Within the next two
years he was succeeded by Father Joseph Dwan O.M.I., and Father
Francis Guenneguis O.M.I.
Father Jose Aurelio Prieto O.M.I., a brother of the
first pastor, became the ninth pastor, taking over on the 15th of
June 1932. Under him improvements were |
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made, such as the enlarging of the auditorium under the Church, the
filling and leveling of the low parts of the yard, and changing the
heating system in the school. But the years of the depression
continued all over the nation and the financial condition of the
parish was still desperate.
Father Jose Arratibel O.M.I. who came to this
parish at the end of September 1939 deserves great credit for
somehow having paid the heavy dept, and also leaving $24,000 in the
Church fund. During the last four years as pastor he enlarged
the mission Church of Christ the King. He was succeeded by
Father Telesforo Cuevas O.M.I., who stayed only five months.
He was replaced by Father Nicolas Diaz O.M.I., on December 30th,
1946, who stayed until |
