9.    Tierney to Scalabrini¹²

         Hartford, March 7, 1905

My Dear Bishop:

I was in New Haven last Sunday to dedicate the new St. Anthony’s Church, bless a bell for the same church and confirm over 500 in St. Michael’s Church. There are some 17,000 souls in this city and we need at least two more priests, strong, energetic and pious.

            You are aware of the trouble in St. Michael’s parish – the desire to have a priest from Southern Italy.

            About this I have already written but I have received no reply. I had hoped that Fr. Novati would have given you all this information but fearing that he might have forgotten I wrote to you about the time of your return home. I wish you could come here again and stay with us for a short time. Your visit would cheer all of us for we know how eager you are for the welfare of your people. I sincerely hope dear Bishop that you will assist us in caring for these people.

            With kind regards to Fr. Novati and the best of good wishes for yourself, I am,

Yours sincerely in XT,

M. Tierney, Bishop of Hartford