James Michael Reardon

2829 George Anthony Belcourt Pioneer Catholic Missionary of the Northwest, 1803-1874: His Life and Times, by James Michael Reardon, P.A. (read 24 Jan 1996) I once visited my brother-in-law when he was living at Belcourt, ND, so when I saw this book I had to read it. Imagine my disappointment that it never mentions the town! I am sure it was named for him. He was born in Canada on Apr 22, 1803, and died there 31 May 1874. He was a sterling missionary to the Indians, though he did not get along with his Canadian bishop; then was under Bishop Loras for a time, then Bishops Cretin and Grace of St. Paul. The amateur author of this book did quite a lot of research, and actually visited the sites where Belcourt was. The book has pictures of his grave marker, and of churches where he served. This book is a quaint book of some interest.… (más)

2907 The Catholic Church in the Diocese of St. Paul from earliest origin to centennial achievement: A Factual Narrative, by James Michael Reardon, P.A. (read 9 Sep 1996) This was published in 1952 marking the centennial of the St. Paul diocese. Much in it was of little interest, but the interesting parts more than compensate for the stuff of interest only to persons far better acquainted with Minnesota than am I. The book has a good chapter on the Kensington Rune stone (the author believes it is genuine).and excellent accounts of the five bishops of St. Paul in the century covered. Archbishop Ireland dominates the era and the book. The author is not an able author--some of the book is cut and paste seeming--but Ireland was a giant-like figure and one cannot help but be impressed. This was a magnificent book despite its flaws, and since it was written in 1952 it was an account of triumph after triumph for the Church--with none of the sad times that came beginning in the 1960's.… (más)