Born: 22 June 1875, Enniscorthy, County Wexford
Entered: 23 October 1900, Sacred Heart Novitiate, Los Gatos CA, USA - Taurensis Province (TAUR)
Left Society of Jesus: 1908
Educated at Mungret College SJ
1900-1902: Sacred Heart Novitiate, Los Gatos CA, USA (TAUR), Novitiate
1902-1904: Sacred Heart Novitiate, Los Gatos CA, USA, Rhetoric then Grammar
1904-1908: Seattle College SJ, Interlaken Boulevard, Seattle WA, USA, Regency
◆ The Mungret Annual, 1906
Letters from Our Past
Father Richard Fitzhenry SJ
Richard Fitzharris, writing from Seattle College, Seattle, Wash., touches upon one of the central difficulties with which Catholic Secondary Schools in the United States, especially in the pioneer States, have to contend:
The work with our College is at present all up-hill. The public school with its many seeming advantages is often too much of an attraction for parents bent on money making. Still considering that the population is far from being stable, good work is being done which promises to grow and increase in the future : for people do get settled down by degrees and then they know who are their true benefactors.
◆ The Mungret Annual, 1907a
Letters from Our Past
Father Richard Fitzhenry SJ
Rev. R Fitzharris SJ, writes from Seattle College SJ, Wash. U.S.A., under date October 1906
I do not believe American scenery can compare with Irish, but it bears the impress of all things American - it is buge, vast - endless prairies, uninterrupted mountain ranges, perpetual snow, limitless water supply, immense cascades. It is the American character - lavish profusion.
Washington State is particularly noted for its beauty and fertility. Only last fall, J Hill, a railroad magnate, presented each of the crowned heads of Europe with a box of Yakima apples. Yakima is about six hours' ride on the train from Seattle.
The population of Seattie itself has gone from 60,000 in 1893, to 200,000 just now. This is approximate, as the census is taken oniy every ten years. Everything predicts a glorious future for this the Queen City of the Pacific. Labour is at a premium. Plasterers are on strike for seven doilars a day of eight hours, not content with six-and-a-half. Food and clothing are not so awfully expensive, but then an American tradesman will always receive you in his carpeted parior, and, if you so desire, his daughter will play the latest airs on the piano. A labourer who sweeps the streets or roads in the Park - I have it from their own lips - tells his wife to subscribe her name for fifty dollars if it is a question of building a new church, etc. I like Seattle immensely. Its climate much resembles that of Ireland.
The Indians are a thing of the past. Once in a while you see them on the street corners selling their fancy handiwork. This they manufacture in their tents far away from the hum and bustle of city life. During our vacation we met quite a number; but few of them retain the blanket save when the tribe has been kept together a rare thing just now.
Our College has 155 boys this year, about 8 or 10 of whom are Protestants. They are a mixture of French, German, English, Scotch and Irish. I do not think there is any nationality under the sun not represented in Seattle. The fact of our having to handle the youngsters with kid gloves often makes our school hours rather long.
Gradually, however, thanks to God, the old and venerable idea of the rod is beginning to occupy the position of trust and efficiency that has rendered it sacred for ages in the old world. Parents living in ease and luxury, dispensing, as a matter of course, with all care and responsibility over their children, require some startling examples to arouse them to a sense of duty.
Just imagine. In this State of Washington last year, there were on an average, two-and-a-half divorces per day. Church progress must of necessity, be slow out West. Many come here not only for the mere purpose of making money, which leaves them no time for church going, but avowedly intent on avoiding everything pertaining to God. Consequently, to get their children to keep them, and do as much good as possible for them, must be an important factor in our educational programme. Perseverance, patience, and above all, prayer is most necessary for us. Churches are going up in all directions around us.
