|
History of Holyoke's Churches
Summary (Catholics)
There are at present about 40,000 Catholics in Holyoke. These are distributed among eight parishes. In four of these parishes the ordinary language is English, in three French, and in one Polish. Eight parochial schools are attended by about 5,000 children. If one takes $34.00 a year as the cost of educating each pupil, one may easily calculate the great amount saved to the city of Holyoke by the Catholic schools. But the greatest benefit these schools confer upon the city is the development of Christian citizens. For each love their country as they love their God.
Catholic life in Holyoke has given birth to a great number of fraternal and benevolent organizations. These, though not under the management of church authorities, are loyal to the church. And they manifest its vigor abroad by displaying some of its achievements.
© Laurel O'Donnell 1996 - 2005, all rights reserved
This document may be downloaded for personal non-commercial use only
and should not be reproduced or distributed without permission.
|