 Fr. Albert Patrick Lawler, OP
Letter to the Prior Provincial
Holy Rosary Church and Priory
375 Clackamas Street
Portland, Oregon July 9th, 1918
Very Rev. Father A. L. McMahon, O.P.,
Provincial Holy Name Prov.
Very Rev. Dear Fr. Provincial,
Your kind letter informing us, that the Very Rev. Fr. Olsen is our new Prior came to
hand this P.M. just before Fr. O'Brien departed from here to go to Cala [California]. I am
delighted that the Priorship is settled, also that good Fr. Lamb is to visit us for 4
weeks; yet I do not see the way to send anyone to the Beach until someone is here, as Fr.
Skelly goes to B.C. [British Columbia] again for next Sunday to be away for about two
Sundays giving retreats; that leaves us the same 3 Fathers at home to celebrate the 6
Masses on Sundays and attend the Good Shepherds on the week days also. We try to keep the
Divine Office going the best we can under our present condition.
I understand that you are contemplating some changes and I would like very much that
you would not forget this old worn out man, who has outlived his usefulness in this part
of the world, and would humbly suggest that he be transferred to the home of the infirm in
Benicia, that I may have a little more time to prepare for the end of my course. The past
Winter was a pretty severe test to me and I presume that the coming one will not be any
less. Besides, folks are saying that Holy Rosary Priory is become a home for aged priests
and the Prior has not sufficient help….
I am certain that the new Prior will be more than pleased if I am changed to Benicia
and a more active and capable man sent in my place. I am more than willing to assist him
to obtain someone more to his liking. I do not wish to be a stumbling block in his way to
obtain some of those active Fathers, only too willing to become missionaries in the great
Northwest especially in Portland. I am too slow for here while there are active willing
men in Cala who would if the….opportunity [to] do good and great work in the vineyard
of the Lord up this way. Therefore, I hope that you will see the necessity of retiring me
to the old Mother house, where I can spend the remainder of my days in contemplating the
things of and pertaining to eternity.
Trusting Very Rev. Father Provincial that you will see the way clear and consider me in
your paternal wisdom and care for all and consign me to the real home of the worn outs.
I remain humbly yours in our Holy Father, St. Dominic,
Fr. Albert Sadoc Lawler.
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