Dear Friends,

Below you will find sixteen reproduced invoices from Penn Furniture, 97-99 Lackawanna Avenue, Scranton, PA, for the furnishings purchased by the Society of St. John in September 1999. The price listed for each item is the retail price. The total discounted price for all the furniture listed below was $134,486.85. Those wishing to verify the authenticity of these invoices should send me a stamped self-addressed envelope, and I will gladly mail copies of the original invoices to those requesting such.

Donors to the Society of St. John should realize that their contributions are most likely still being used to pay for this furniture, which was purchased on credit. Donors will be particularly interested to learn that the Society purchased a $6,828 bar, a $2,885 cocktail table, a $7,845 entertainment center, a $12,995 desk, a $15,000 bedroom set, and a $26,480 dining table (with chairs). Fr. Daniel Fullerton, when asked about the luxury furniture by reporter Mark Guydish of the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, responded in writing that this furniture was purchased "to provide for basic living needs."

Donors should also know that the Society of St. John, while they were still at St. Gregory's Academy, spent $100,000 on furniture and computer equipment PRIOR to the $134,486.85 spent on the furnishings listed below. Thus, by September 1999, the Society had actually spent $234,486.85 on luxurious furniture and computers.

To those who feel such purchases project, in Fr. Dominic O'Connor's words, an "image of stability," I can only say that the word "image" was aptly chosen.

Pax vobiscum,

INVOICE 19605 (09/23/99):

Alpine 8'10" x 12'0" Rug $ 5,995.00

Block Rug $ 6,350.00

Alpine Kashan 8'11" x 12'1" $ 5,995.00

INVOICE 19607 (09/23/99):

Armoire $ 4,913.00

"Roses on Chair" Oil Painting $ 4,900.00

Brass Picture Light $ 259.00

Cocktail Table $ 2,885.00

INVOICE 20136 (09/28/99):

Armoire

5/0 Bed

Triple Dresser

Triptych Mirror

Nights Stands (2) $ 7,500.00

Desk $ 3,864.00

Bar $ 6,828.00

INVOICE 12754 (09/22/99):

5/0 Bedding-Anniversary $ 1,299.00

INVOICE 20952 (09/22/99):

Mirror 32" X 45" $ 1,262.00

Desk $ 5,805.00

Chairs (2) $ 1,390.00

5/0 Bedding $ 1,299.00

Executive Desk $ 9,828.00

Swivel Tilt Chair $ 2,440.00

INVOICE 20954 (09/22/99):

Chairs (2) $ 5,520.00

Sofa $ 3,150.00

INVOICE 20953 (09/20/99):

Tufted Sofa $ 5,225.00

INVOICE 20951 (09/22/99)

Chairs (2) $ 4,370.00

Side Chairs (6)

Arm Chairs (2)

Dining Table $26,480.00

INVOICE 19606 (09/23/99):

Clock Set - 3 piece $ 1,675.00

Leather & Iron Cocktail Table $ 1,863.00

Swivel Chairs (2) $ 1,920.00

Demi-Lune Console $ 4,440.00

Entertainment Center $ 7,845.00

INVOICE 19748 (09/23/99):

Lamps Veridigris Patina (2) $ 1,934.00

INVOICE 19609 (09/24/99):

Partners Desk - Mahogany $12,995.00

China Cabinet $10,735.00

INVOICE 20135 (09/28/99):

Tapestry 7' X 5' $ 4,735.00

8' X 10' Elegance Design Rug $ 5,995.00

Chandelier $ 1,828.00

Sconces (2) $ 890.00

Lamp $ 319.00

INVOICE 20137 (09/28/99):

Painting "Hunt Scene" $ 787.00

Picture Light $ 225.00

Table Runner $ 735.00

Lamp, Graphite w/Antique Brass $ 990.00

Book Table $ 2,173.00

Telephone Table $ 975.00

Lamps (2) $ 2,000.00

INVOICE 19430 (07/21/99):

Armoire

Night Stands (2)

Dresser

Queen Bed

Mirror $15,000.00

INVOICE 20426 (09/30/99):

Floor Lamp - Antique Solid,

Brass Black Marble Base $ 980.00

English Urns with Handles (2) $ 1,190.00

Picture Light $ 259.00

Solid Antique Brass Lamp $ 1,105.00

INVOICE 20427 (09/30/99):

McKay Table Pad $ 199.95

Leaf Storage Bags $ 49.90