Mon Stokes says St Peter’s Parish has £167,000 debt
August 1965
CATHOS LIMITED—the firm of consultants engaged by Monsignor J. F. Stokes, P.P., V.G., to organise the parish of St. Peter’s, Drogheda, in the raising of funds for church purposes—opened its campaign on Thursday night last in St. Brigid’s Hall, Bothar Brugha, when an enthusiastic assembly of parishioners gave their support for the activities which will lead to the Parish Dinner on 31st August (Tuesday) and the 1st and 2nd of September.
The Archdeacon who introduced the main speaker, Mr. Patrick Peters, said that the parish was in debt to the tune of £167,000 but he felt that since the parishioners were united in their ideal of a parish with up-to-date schools and churches, they would clear this great debt in a few years.
A meeting of over 100 women of the parish of St. Peter’s which was held on Friday night, set a fine example to their fellow-parishioners.
This meeting was held in order that the invitations could be issued for the forthcoming Parish Dinner when Monsignor Stokes will play host to thousands of his parishioners in the Abbey Ballroom. Mr. Peters has asked us to state that on no account will those without tickets be admitted —attendance at this dinner is by invitation only. The dinner will be a true family gathering of the parishioners of St. Peter’s.
The Mayor of Drogheda, Alderman Peter Moore, thanked Monsignor Stokes for his invitation to be chairman of the meeting. The Mayor said that in the past, the people of St. Peter’s Parish were not asked to give very much, but he added that the members of the Corporation knew that whatever money was collected in the parish, the Monsignor always spent it well. “We on the Corporation wish to place on record our deepest appreciation of what Monsignor Stokes has done for Drogheda. Thanks to him we have wonderful facilities, for both worship and in education.”