December, 1905: 100 Years Ago

December 1: To the managing editor of The Tidings: "Glancing over a sample copy of your paper, I saw that it is ONE OF THE VERY FEW papers, religious and secular, that is free from quack nostrum and other objectionable advertisements so I paid my subscription for four years in advance. You can count on me as a life subscriber, that is as long as I can earn $2 a year over and above necessary expenses." Signed, John Sundberg, M.D.

December 8: In an article on church music reform, Father Thomas Fahey states: "Competent, liturgical and musical students will never tolerate the use of such hymns as 'Lead Kindly Light'; 'Jesus, Lover of My Soul'; 'Onward Christian Soldiers' or 'Nearer, My God, to Thee' at any service of the church, even at funeral rites. These hymns found favor because of sentiment. Sentiment is not faith."

December 15: The biggest outpouring of people in many years marked the celebration of the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe at the church of Our Lady of Angels. The church was brilliant with many lights and elaborately decorated with flowers and the national colors of Mexico and was crowded to full capacity.

December 22: A Christmas tree and turkey dinner will gladden the hearts of the 350 children of the Boyle Heights orphans' home…. The Little Sisters of the Poor on South Main and 29th Streets will make Christmas pleasant for the 30 old people of the home with practical gifts and a special dinner.

December 29: "For Sale: Beach property. Venice is only in its infancy. This winter will show. Some fine lots on the Short Line Beach Canal are offered at $1,500."

December, 1955: 50 Years Ago

December 2: Matt Campion, head of Miserere House on Winston Street, asks for casual labor employment for single, transient men. St. Vincent de Paul Society operates the rehabilitation retreat for migratory workers and finds employment for some 600 men every month.

December 9: Groundbreaking ceremonies are held for new church of St. Catherine Laboure in Lawndale that will seat 900 persons…. Bing Crosby makes a last-minute decision not to show the visiting Notre Dame team the "morally objectionable in part" film "Guys and Dolls."

December 16: More than 8,000 march in the 25th annual Guadalupe procession from Our Lady of Solitude Church to the stadium of East Los Angeles College.

December 23: Jesuit Father John Houle sends his parents in Glendale a Christams message from Shanghai's Ward Road Jail where he has been imprisoned for three years.

December 30: Jim Decker and John Smith, former students from Loyola University and Santa Clara, will play in Rose Bowl game for UCLA against Michigan.

---Hermine Lees