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JAMES P. SHANNON:

An Inventory of His Papers



OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION

Creator:Shannon, James P., 1921-.
Title:James P. Shannon papers.
Date:1862-2004 (bulk 1938-2003).
Abstract:Personal, business, and official papers documenting the life and career of a former Roman Catholic auxiliary bishop of St. Paul (Minn.) who also pursued careers as a college administrator, lawyer, and foundation director.
Quantity:42.0 cu. ft. (43 boxes).
Location:See Detailed Description section for shelf locations.

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BIOGRAPHY OF JAMES P. SHANNON

James P. Shannon was born on February 16, 1921 in South St. Paul, Minnesota to Patrick Joseph Shannon and Mary Alice McAuliff Foxley Shannon. He was the youngest of 6 children in a large Irish Catholic family. Joseph Shannon was born in Ireland, and was the owner of Shannon Cattle Company in South St. Paul. Mary Alice was first married to Fred Foxley, and was widowed with four small children prior to marrying Joseph Shannon and having two children with him, James and his older sister Mary.

James Shannon graduated from St. Augustine's (Catholic) School, South St. Paul, in 1934, attended Cretin High School from 1934 to 1936, and then transferred to St. Thomas Military Academy, from which he graduated in 1938 Summa Cum Laude, as valedictorian of his class. He attended the College of St. Thomas (St. Paul) from 1938 to 1941, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 1941 and was again valedictorian of his class, earning a baccalaureate degree with majors in classics and history.

Shannon attended St. Paul Seminary from 1941 to 1946 and was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of St. Paul on June 8, 1946. He served as an assistant pastor at Cathedral parish in St. Paul (1946-1948) and went on to work as an associate professor of Greek and English at Nazareth Hall Preparatory Seminary (1948-1950). Shannon received a master's degree in English and history from the University of Minnesota (1951) and completed further graduate study at Oxford and Yale universities (1951-1954). Upon his return to St. Paul he was appointed assistant professor of history at the College of St. Thomas. He received his doctorate in American history from Yale (1955) and his dissertation, Catholic Colonization on the Western Frontier, was published in 1957.

In 1956 Shannon was named president of the College of St. Thomas and St. Thomas Military Academy. He served as president of the Academy until September 1965. He was appointed auxiliary bishop of St. Paul (1965) and resigned his position at St. Thomas the following year to become pastor of the Church of St. Helena in Minneapolis. He served as auxiliary bishop and pastor until November 1968.

During this period (1956-1968) Shannon served as a leader in several religious and educational organizations including the National Catholic Educational Association, the Minnesota State Junior College Board, the Association of American Colleges, the James J. Hill Reference Library, the Catholic University of America, and the U.S. Catholic Conference (1966-1969). He also served as assistant episcopal chairman of the press department of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops and as press officer at the Conference's semiannual meetings.

Shannon resigned his church post in 1968, primarily due to his disagreement with the Catholic church's teachings regarding birth control. He accepted a position as vice president of St. John's College, Santa Fe, New Mexico, and married Mrs. Ruth Wilkinson (August 1969) which resulted in his automatic excommunication. However, the new code of Canon Law, promulgated in 1983, following the Second Vatican Council, abolished this penalty and applied retrospectively to Shannon's situation. The new code "suspended" him from his apostolic role as a priest, but did not separate him from the Catholic community.

In 1970 he entered the University of New Mexico school of law, and graduated in 1973. He practiced law in Santa Fe until 1974. He apparently was a member of the Sutin, Thayer & Browne law firm, Albuquerque, during this period.

Shannon returned to the Twin Cities and became the executive director of the Minneapolis Foundation, a community support trust (October 1974). After leaving the Minneapolis Foundation (June 1978) he was appointed associate director of the General Mills Foundation (January 1980) and later that year (July 1980) became the Foundation's vice-president and executive director, a position he held until his retirement in 1988.

Shannon died August 28, 2003 of a cerebral hemorrhage and was buried in Holy Name Cemetery in Medina, Minnesota.

Biographical data was taken from the collection.

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ORGANIZATION OF THE COLLECTION

These records are divided into the following sections:
Personal and Family Papers
Early Priesthood (1946-1948)
Graduate School (1948-1955)
College of St. Thomas (1950-1972)
St. Helena's Parish (1966-1969)
Auxiliary Bishop of St. Paul (1965-1969)
St. John's College (1968-1970)
Law School and Practice (1970-1974)
Minneapolis Foundation (1974-1978)
General Mills Foundation (1974-1989)
Consulting Services (1990-1992)
Retirement Years (1989-2003)
Personal Correspondence
Board and Committee Memberships
Social and Religious Matters
Writings
Speeches and Sermons
Audio-Visual Materials
Reserve Items

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RELATED MATERIALS

The Minnesota Council on Foundations Records are in the Minnesota Historical Society manuscripts collections.
Papers from Shannon's years as president of the College of St. Thomas are in the University of St. Thomas Archives, St. Paul, Minnesota.

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INDEX TERMS

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the Minnesota Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.
Topics:
Birth Control -- Religious aspects -- Catholic Church.
Catholic ex-priests -- Minnesota.
Charitable uses, trusts, and foundations -- Minnesota.
Corporations -- Charitable contributions.
Ecumenical movement.
Excommunication.
Holmes, Sherlock (Fictitious character).
Interdenominational cooperation -- United States.
Press, Catholic -- United States.
Private schools -- Minnesota.
Rhodes scholarships.
Selma-Montgomery Rights March, 1965.
Universities and colleges -- Administrators.
Persons:
Atwater, H. Brewster.
Binz, Leo, 1900-1979.
Byrne, Leo C.
McIntyre, J. Francis A. (James Francis Aloysius), 1886-1979.
Murray, John Gregory, 1877-1956.
Parker, Paul L.
Paul VI, Pope, 1897-1978.
Roach, John, 1921-.
Shannon, Mary A., 1895-1970.
Shannon, Patrick J. (Patrick Joseph), 1886-1961.
Shannon, Ruth.
Organizations:
Bush Foundation.
Catholic Church. Bishops.
Catholic Church. Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.
Catholic Church. Diocese of St. Paul (Minn.).
Catholic Church -- Education.
Catholic Church -- Liturgy.
Catholic Church. National Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Catholic Church. Pope (1963-1978 : Paul VI). Humanae Vitae - English.
Catholic Church -- Relations -- Protestant churches.
Catholic Press Association.
Catholic University of America.
Church of St. Helena (Minneapolis, Minn.).
College of St. Thomas (Saint Paul, Minn.)
General Mills Foundation.
Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural Research (Collegeville, Minn.).
Minneapolis Foundation.
Minnesota Project on Corporate Responsibility.
National Catholic Welfare Conference.
New Mexico. Attorney General's Office.
Norwegian Explorers of Minnesota.
St. John's College (Santa Fe, N.M.).
St. Mary's College (Winona, Minn.).
United States Catholic Conference.
University of St. Thomas (Saint Paul, Minn.).
Vatican Council -- (2nd : 1962-1965).
Types of Documentation:
Audio cassettes.
Compact discs.
Photographs.
Schedules.
Speeches.
Videocassettes.
Occupations:
Bishops.
College administrators.
College presidents.
Lawyers - New Mexico.
Priests - Minnesota - Saint Paul.
Title:
Catholic digest.

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ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Preferred Citation:
[Indicate the cited item and/or series here]. James P. Shannon Papers. Minnesota Historical Society.
See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples.
Accession Information:
Accession numbers: 12,293; 14,797; 15,149; 15,738; 16,013
Processing Information:
Processed by: Frank P. Hennessy, May 1993; additions by David B. Peterson, November 2004
PALS ID number: 09-00038170

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE COLLECTION

Note to Researchers: To request materials, please note both the location and box numbers shown below.

Personal and Family Papers

Includes résumés that document Shannon's career moves, his involvement in various professional organizations, and awards he received; notes kept during two retreats he made as a seminarian; four scrapbooks (1937-1966) consisting of newspaper clippings related to higher education, Shannon's high school and college years, his early years as president of the College of St. Thomas, his appointment and activities as auxiliary bishop, and his involvement in erecting a memorial to Archbishop John Ireland in Burnchurch, County Kilkenny, Ireland (1966); diplomas, certificates, awards, honorary degrees, and related correspondence (1938-1988); and photographs that include portraits of Shannon and other church officials together with pictures taken at Shannon's consecration (March 31, 1965), speaking engagements, and various church and social events. A group of alphabetically arranged personal correspondence and a series of desk calendars are also Included which primarily pertain to Shannon's positions as president of the College of St. Thomas and auxiliary bishop of St. Paul.
LocationBox
143.E.3.5B1
Resumes, 1956-1972.
Retreat notes, 1942-1943.
Scrapbook (disassembled), 1956-1957. 1 volume.
Diplomas, awards, and honorary degrees, undated and 1938-1988.
Press clippings, undated and 1946, 1960-1988.
Kennedy, Frances H.: "James P. Shannon, Man of God," 1970.
Personal library, 1961.
Correspondence, 1957-1968, 1974. 12 folders.
Personal (A-Z), 1957-1968. 12 folders.
Yzermans, Art, 1972-1982, 1992-1993. 3 folders.
Desk Calendars:
1957-1963. 4 folders.
LocationBox
143.E.3.6F2
1964-1969. 5 folders.
Mass register, 1956-1969.
St. Paul Seminary, 1946-1948.
LocationBox
142.G.2.2F-226
Certificates of appointment to commisions and committees, undated and 1962.
Diploma and certificates, 1937, 1966-1981.
Journal: Debate trip taken by Robert E. Short, Edward Larkin, and James P. Shannon, 1940. 1 volume.
Proclamations: Jim Shannon Day, 1988.
Scrapbooks, 1937-1966. 3 volumes.
LocationBox
147.B.15.9B 27
Biographical information, 1966-2003.
Cretin High School, 1936.
Foxley, Eileen, 1994-1995.
McAuliffe, Joseph, 1919-1924.
Obituaries and news accounts of Shannon's death, 2003.
Pilot's log book, 1963-[1966?].
Shannon, Mary, undated and 1961-1967.
Shannon, Patrick J., 1917-1946, 1997-2000.
Shannon's business cards, undated.
Shannon's funeral and obituaries, 2003.
St. Thomas Military Academy, 1938.
Miscellaneous personal and family papers, 1939-1965.

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Early Priesthood Years (1946-1948)

Includes correspondence and announcements related to Shannon's ordination and assignment to the faculty of Nazareth Hall Preparatory Seminary (1948). There are also two papers by Shannon, one on the architecture of the Cathedral of St. Paul and another in defense of the art found in the Church of the Visitation in Minneapolis.
LocationBox
143.E.3.6F2
Ordination, June 1946.
Holy Hours, 1946-1948.
Nazareth Hall, 1948-1949.
Cathedral and Church of the Visitation: Art and architecture, 1948.
Cathedral summer camp program, 1948.
Correspondence, undated and 1948-1952.

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Graduate School (1948-1955)

Includes correspondence, transcripts, notes, and essays related to a graduated summer session Shannon attended at Oxford University and his pursuit of graduate degrees in American History and English literature at the University of Minnesota and Yale University.
LocationBox
143.E.3.6F2
Oxford University Graduates' Summer School, 1948-1949.
University of Minnesota:
Shannon earned a master's degree in English from the University of Minnesota in 1951.
American music: First summer session (Oberg), 1951.
American painting: First summer session (Arnason), 1951.
Eighteenth century literature (Monk), 1949-1950.
English 298: Wordsworth bibliography, (Unger), Winter 1950-1951.
History 184s (Willson), 1951.
Nineteenth century literature 137F (Erdman), 1950.
Readings: Agenda/accomplished, undated.
LocationBox
147.B.15.9B 27
Scholastic terms in Shakespeare (Brown), Winter 1949-1950.
Shakespeare's later contemporaries (Brown), Winter 1950-1951.
Technique of the novel: Graham Greene (Warren), Spring 1950.
Technique of the novel: Moby Dick (Gray), Spring 1949.
Twentieth Century American Literature (O'Connor), Summer 1951.
Whitman and Twain (Leo Marx) (audit), Spring 1951.
Yale University:
Shannon earned a Ph.D. degree in American History from Yale University in 1955.
American Literature 160 (Pearson): J. F. Powers: A Catholic Writer, 1952.
American Studies 146 (Potter and Sirjamaki), 1948-1953. 2 folders.
American Studies 153: Early American Twentieth Century Intellectual History (Gabriel), 1952-1953.
American Studies 160 (Pearson):
General file, 1949-1954. 2 folders.
Ezra Pound, 1951-1952.
American Studies Seminar 210 (May), 1951.
Chancery (St. Paul) correspondence, 1952-1953.
Clippings, [1955?].
Darwinism, undated.
Dissertation correspondence: Incoming, 1952-1954.
Dissertation correspondence: Outgoing, 1952-1953.
Dissertation prospectus: American Studies Department, 1953.
Essays: American History and English Literature, 1952.
Frederick Jackson Turner, undated.
History 180:
(Bemis): Notes and reports, 1951-1952. 2 folders.
Bibilography (folder 1), 1951-1952.
LocationBox
147.B.15.10F 28
Bibilography (folder 2), 1951-1952.
(Larabee), 1951-1952.
(Potter), 1951-1952.
History 192 (Piereson), 1953.
Icelandic Migration: Val Bjornson, 1948.
Immigration and colonization: General file, 1928, 1952-1953.
Newman Symposium at Holy Cross College (Worcester, Mass.), 1952.
Oregon school bill, undated and 1955.
Ph.D. correspondence, 1954-1955.
Social Darwinism in the Writings of Frederick Jackson Turner, undated.
Tudor-Stuart History Seminar notes, 1950-1951.
U.S. Catholic Church history, 1950-1952.
World Migration and Immigration: M. R. Davie, 1953.

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College of St. Thomas Years (1950-1972)

This section begins with a group of personal correspondence, primarily with fellow priests, and a series of notes, syllabi, and essays related to courses Shannon taught at the college prior to his term as president. Papers related to his installation as the president of St. Thomas include correspondence and other papers related to the inauguration committee that planned the inauguration (November 1956-January 1957), the inaugural ceremony, and his inaugural address (May 8, 1957).
Another group of papers relates to Shannon's extracurricular professional activity including his attendance at the third annual President's Institute at Harvard University (1957); coursework at the Institute of Spiritual Theology in River Forest, Illinois (1960); correspondence with Rev. Frederick McGuire of the National Catholic Welfare Conference regarding the establishment of a Center for Coordination and Research in the Universal Apostolate (1963-1964); participation in the Joint Committees on Civic Education sponsored by the American Heritage Foundation (1964-1965); and his activities as a member of the board of directors and president of the Association of American Colleges.
There are also two folders. containing correspondence related to Shannon's resignation as president (1966). Shannon continued his relationship with the college as a member of its board of trustees and the papers include correspondence, minutes, financial audits, and reports related to the board's activity (1966-1972).
LocationBox
143.E.3.6F2
Correspondence:
Miscellaneous, undated and 1950, 1954-1968.
Chancery, 1955-1956.
Butler, Patrick, 1961-1965.
DeCourcy, Father, 1958, 1963.
Ellis, Rt. Rev. Msgr. John Tracy, 1954-1965.
Gremillion, Rt. Rev. Msgr. Joseph: Catholic Relief Services, NCWC, New York, 1962-1968.
Houtart, Father Francois: Feres, 1964
Treacy, Most Rev. John P., undated and 1961-1964.
Treinen, Bishop Sylvester W.: Consecration, 1962.
Classes:
The Frontier in American Literature, 1954.
Church and American History:
Documents.
Suppression of Society of Jesus: Richard Klein, December 1955.
Inauguration program and address, 1956-1957.
The Presidents' Institute: Harvard University, 1957.
President's reports and miscellaneous related papers, 1958-1963.
Proposal for training seminarians at the College of St. Thomas 4-4-4 Plan): 1st Draft, 1959-1967.
Dominican Institute of Spiritual Theology:
1960. 3 folders.
LocationBox
143.E.3.7B3
1961. 4 folders.
Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary retreat, April 17-20, 1962.
European tour, July 1963.
National Research Center, 1963-1964.
Association of American Colleges:
Board of directors, 1963-1968.
President, 1965-1966. 2 folders.
Commencement addresses: Notes and programs, undated and 1962, 1965.
Resignation, May 20, 1966. 2 folders.
Board of Trustees, 1966-1972. 3 folders.
Audits, 1966-1968, 1970.
LocationBox
147.B.15.10F 28
Bongard, Gerald, undated.
Carleton College: Honorary degree, 1965.
Clippings, 1960-1962.
Clippings: Archbishops of St. Paul, etc., undated and 1950-1956.
Correspondence, 1952-1954. 4 folders.
Cretin, Joseph and Austin Dowling, 1962.
Diocese of St. Cloud (Minn.): Historical talk given by Robert J. Voigt, 1964.
Dominican Institute/Spiritual theology, 1961.
Farewell of a College President/St. Thomas Bulletin, 1966.
Hill, James J., 1939-1963.
History of the College of St. Thomas, [1969?].
Irish-American letters, 1862-1892, 1907, 1957-1961.
Kennedy, John F., 1961-1965. 2 folders.
Murray, Archbishop John Gregory, undated and 1953-1954.
O'Shaughnessy, I. A., 1958-1966.
Oxley Meeting: Ecumenical movement, August 31-September 3, 1959.
President's report, 1959-1960.
Report of the president, 1959-1966.
Resignation, May 1966.
Miscellany, 1954-1959.

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St. Helena's Parish (1966-1969)

Includes copies of the parish Sunday bulletin; financial statements, a cashbook for the parish house account, the constitution and bylaws of the parish board of education, and a group of letters to Shannon from students at the parish school (1967).
LocationBox
143.E.3.7B3
Sunday bulletin, 1967.
Financial statements and parish school, 1966-1967.
Cash book: Parish house account, 1966-1969.

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Auxiliary Bishop of St. Paul (1965-1969)

LocationBox
143.E.3.7B3
Consecration ceremony, March 31, 1965:
Correspondence and miscellaneous related papers.
Press packet.
Press clippings. 2 folders.
LocationBox
143.E.3.8F4
Invitations: Lists and correspondence.
Consecration ceremonies.
Sermon delivered on the Day of Consecration by Father Marvin O'Connell.
Dinner for priests (Lowell Inn, Stillwater), May 17, 1965.
Correspondence, 1965-1969:
There are two folders of correspondence between Shannon and Archbishop Leo Binz (1964-1968). Topics include invitations to social functions and religious ceremonies; church policy regarding liturgy, marriage, adoption, and birth control; the fourth session of the Second Ecumenical Council which Binz and Shannon both attended; communications with clergy within the archdiocese, a development study for the St. Mary's Hospital Convelescent and Nursing Home (April 21, 1967); and the archdiocese of St. Paul's financial relationship with the College of St. Thomas.
The miscellaneous correspondence (1965-1968) includes communications regarding church policy with the National Catholic Welfare Conference (NCWC), the Apostolic Delegate, and other bishops; discussion of issues related to the St. Paul Seminary; and a few letters related to Shannon's personal stand on social issues such as civil rights, the Vietnam war, and campus unrest.
The final folder of correspondence includes letters of recommendation Shannon received and sent and letters of introduction he wrote for persons seeking an audience with Pope Paul VI.
LocationBox
143.E.3.8F4
Miscellaneous, 1965-1968.
Miscellaneous (unfiled), undated and 1966-1969. 12 folders.
Hold/Pending, 1967-1968.
Archbishop Binz:
General, 1964-1966.
LocationBox
143.E.3.9B5
General, 1967-1968.
College of St. Thomas and St. Thomas Academy, 1966.
Archbishop Fernandes: Delhi, India, 1965-1966.
Greeley, Rev. Andrew, 1967-1968.
Pike, Bishop James A., 1968.
Butler, Peter, 1969
Resignations, 1966-1969.
Recommendations, 1966-1969.
Ceremonies:
A group of papers containing material related to ceremonies in which Shannon participated including confirmations (1967-1969), the funeral service for a priest, ordinations (1966-1967), the consecration of Bishop Hayden (1967), the Archdiocese's official engagements requests (1969), and a church dedication at Mary, Mother of the Church parish, Burnsville, Minnesota (1969).
Canon Law of Matrimony.
The Right of Confirmation by a Bishop, 1964.
Confirmations, 1967-1968.
Funeral of a priest, 1967.
Miscellaneous ceremonies, 1966-1969.
Second Vatican Council, Fourth Session, June-October 1965:
Shannon's attendance at the fourth session of the Second Vatican Council as a voting delegate and correspondent for the Catholic Bulletin are documented in the next series of papers. A miscellaneous group of papers (June-October 1965) includes correspondence, newspaper clippings, addresses given by Pope Paul VI, and Latin documents issued at the Council.
Papers associated with Shannon's role as a correspondent include a press kit containing directories of council participants and background material pertinent to the drafts of the eleven schemata discussed and/or voted on during the session; the texts of the schemata in English and/or Latin; papers and speeches presented during discussion of the schemata; and a series of press releases, bulletins, and digests made available by various news services at the Council.
There is also a folder containing correspondence, notes, and a proposal (1965-1967) related to Shannon's efforts to disseminate and explain to the public at large the information and directives contained in the constitutions and decrees of the Council.
LocationBox
143.E.3.9B5
Miscellaneous correspondence and papers, undated and June-October 1965. 2 folders.
Press kit.
Schemata:
Religious Liberty.
The Church in the Modern World, the Lay Apostolate, and the Ministry and Life of Priests.
The Pastoral Office of Bishops in the Church, Religious, and Christian Education.
Divine Revelation, Attitude of the Church Towards Non-Christian Religions, and the Missionary Activity of the Church.
News Bulletin, undated and September 15-November 9, 1965. 2 folders.
Council Digest, September-October 1965. 2 folders.
Dutch Documentation Center (do-c), 1965.
Divine Word News Service, Romana Colloquia (ROC), and Council Central Communications Center (CCCC), September-October 1965.
Explanations of Council documents, 1965-1967.
Vatican II: Renewal In the Church: St. Thomas College Lecture, September 28, 1966.
LocationBox
143.E.3.10F6
Diocesan Governance:
Shannon's activities as a member of the archdiocesan senate of priests, the board of archdiocesan consultors, and at the biennial meetings of the bishops of the ecclesiastical province are the subject of three folders containing correspondence, agendas, minutes, resolutions, and notes. Topics include the archdiocesan senate elections (1966), its constitution (1966-1967), a statement on personnel policy for priests (May 1968) and the board of archdiocesan consultors' consideration of ecumenical guidelines (1966), priests' salaries (March 1966), high schools in the Twin Cities conducted by the Sisters of St. Joseph, and the regulation of burials and cemeteries (May 1967). There are also papers related to the bishops' provision of a chaplain and chapel for the school for the deaf at Faribault, Minnesota (April-May, 1965) and a statement they issued on abortion (February 1966). A report presenting a clinical interpetation of the responses given by 81 U.S. bishops in a study conducted by Loyola University is also included.
LocationBox
143.E.3.10F6
Faculties: Diocese of Winona, 1967.
Archdiocesan Consultors, 1965-1969.
Bishops' biennial meetings, 1965-1968.
Senate of priests, 1966-1969.
Bishop Study: Responses of 81 bishops to a sentence completion test.
Ecumenism:
Shannon was elected to the Bishops' Commission for Ecumenical Affairs (November 1965) and the activity of the Commission and its sub-commissions is reflected in a series of papers (1965-1968) composed of correspondence, newspaper clippings, minutes, position papers, and issues of the Commission's newsletter, Direction: UNITY (September 1965-September 1967). Topics include ecumenism guidelines, mixed marriages, relationships with the National Council of Churches, ecumenical dialogue for the restoration of Christian unity, dialogue with Jews, non-Christians, and nonbelievers, and ecumenism and Catholic education.
Additional material pertaining to the ecumenical movement includes a group of papers (1965-1967) related to Shannon's membership on the St. Paul Archdiocesan Ecumenism Commission. The papers are composed of correspondence, minutes, and essays, and deal primarly with the Commission's meetings and the response of Minnesota priests to the Commission's interim ecumenism guidelines (1965). There is also a small group of correspondence and related papers connected with Shannon's participation in the National Faith and Order Colloquium (1966-1968) and a sermon he gave at a service organized by the Christian Unity Committee (January 21, 1968).
LocationBox
143.E.3.10F6
Bishops' Committee for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, 1965-1967:
Miscellaneous correspondence and papers, 1965-1967. 4 folders.
Committee on Ecumenism and Catholic Education, 1966-1967.
Secretariat for Non-Believers, 1966-1967.
Direction: UNITY, September 1965-September 15, 1967.
Catholic-Lutheran Dialogue Committee, 1967-1968.
Archdiocesan Ecumenism Commission, 1965-1967:
Miscellaneous correspondence and papers, 1965-1967.
Ecumenism guidelines, 1965-1967.
Responses to interim guidelines, 1965.
National Faith and Order Colloquium, 1966-1968.
Christian Unity Committee, 1967-1968.
Via Coeli, 1964-1967, 1973.
Priests' Retreats:
A series of priests' retreats (1964-1968) which Shannon either conducted or participated in is documented in correspondence, notes, programs, and background material.
Bordelon, Monsignor Marvin: Pastoral Theology and the Current Needs of Parish Priests, 1964, 1968.
La Crosse, Wis., June 8-11, 1964.
Portland, Oregon, June 1966.
Vancouver, B.C., June 18-22, 1967.
Notes, undated and 1968. 2 folders.
Encyclical Letter: Humanae Vitae:
In July 1968 Pope Paul VI's encyclical Humanae Vitae was published reaffirming the Catholic Church's opposition to artificial means of birth control. The encyclical generated a serious dispute among the Catholic clergy and a group of related papers consisting of correspondence, press releases and clippings, essays, and articles is included. The correspondence also concerns a number of other matters under discussion in the church at that time including liturgical renewal, clerical celibacy, and social issues such as the Vietnam War.
Correspondence, 1967-1969. 3 folders.
LocationBox
143.E.4.1B7
Cardinal O'Boyle and dissenting priests (Washington, D.C.), 1968. See Also: Box 9 for additional papers related to this dispute:
Press kit, 1968.
Essays and articles.
Press releases, 1967-1968. 2 folders.
Press clippings, 1967-1968.
Dutch Catechism, 1967.
U.S. Catholic Conference and National Conference of Catholic Bishops:
The next series of papers pertains to the U.S. Catholic Conference (USCC) and the National Conference of Catholic Bishops (NCCB). The papers include correspondence, agendas, minutes, notes, press releases, newspaper clippings, resolutions, and pastoral statements documenting the proceedings of three meetings held by the U.S. bishops. Topics include liturgical renewal, Catholic education, clerical celibacy, birth control and abortion, a dispute between Washington priests and Cardinal O'Boyle over interpretations of the Papal encyclical Humanae Vitae, the ministry and life of priests, the Vietnam war, the War on Poverty, and farm labor. A draft of the pastoral letter, "Human Life in Our Day," is also included.
Shannon served as an advisor to the Bishops' Committee on the Liturgy (1968-1969) and there are two folders containing correspondence, a newsletter, and reports related to the committee's work. Topics include the revised rite for the ordination of a bishop, English in the liturgy, music in eucharistic celebrations, and a report on the need, purpose, and feasibility of centers of liturgical testing, experimentation, and research (September 1968). A related group of papers (1965-1968) consisting of correspondence, by-laws, notes, and newsletters pertains to Shannon's involvement with the National Liturgical Conference.
There is also a folder of material related to the revision of canon law which includes a publication entitled, "Handbook of New Episcopal Faculties" (1968) and a group of correspondence and reports by Stephen J. Kelleher expressing his reactions to meetings he attended in Rome regarding revision of the code of canon law (1967-1968).
LocationBox
143.E.4.1B7
U.S. Catholic Conference (USCC), 1966-1969.
National Conference of Catholic Bishops (NCCB):
Meetings, April and November 1967. 4 folders.
"Pastoral Ministry and Life of the Priest," 1968.
Meeting, November 11-15, 1968.
"Human Life In Our Day," November 1968.
Bishops' Committee on Liturgy, 1968-1969. 2 folders.
National Liturgical Conference, 1965-1968.
Canon Law revision, 1967-1968.
NBC Television Documentary, "The New American Catholic." 3 folders.
Shannon participated in a controversial NBC television documentary entitled, "The New American Catholic" (June 21, 1968) which provoked considerable debate among the U.S. Catholic bishops including a formal protest registered by Cardinal McIntyre, the Archbishop of Los Angeles, before the administrative board of the U.S. Catholic Conference. Papers related to the program and its aftermath include correspondence between Shannon and other bishops, including McIntyre; a transcript of the program; and letters Shannon received both condemning and supporting his role in the documentary.
LocationBox
143.E.4.2F8
National Catholic Welfare Conference and Catholic Press Association:
The next large group of papers contains correspondence, notes, reports, press releases, and newpapers clippings related to Shannon's activities as episcopal chairman of the National Catholic Welfare Conference press department and member of the board of directors of the Catholic Press Association (CPA) (1965-1969). Topics include Shannon's appointment as assistant episcopal chairman (1966); the operation of the NCWC News Service (NC) and its relations with the CPA including the proceedings of the CPA-NC Liason Committee; the implementation and financing by the USCC Bureau of Information of daily news briefings and open news conferences during the meetings of the U.S. Bishops (November 1966, April and October 1967); the resignation of Gerald Renner as acting director of the USCC Bureau of Information; and the CPA's annual conventions and regional conferences (1966-1968). A section of the draft of the Pastoral Instructions for the Application of the Conciliar Decree, "Inter Mirifica," that relates to the press (August 1968) is also included.
LocationBox
143.E.4.2F8
Episcopal Seminar (Notre Dame), July 8-12, 1968.
National Catholic Welfare Conference (NCWC): Press department, 1965-1968. 2 folders.
Catholic Press Association (CPA):
NCWC meeting, 1966.
Correspondence and miscellaneous related papers, 1966-1969. 4 folders.
CPA-USCC collaboration: Bishop-editor symposium on the Catholic press, 1969.
Catholic Digest, 1965-1969. 2 folders.
This group of papers (1965-1969) containing correspondence, a contract, and financial statements, reflect Shannon's participation on the advisory board of the Catholic Digest, a magazine published by the College of St. Thomas. Topics include the transfer of the operation of the School Magazine Plan, including the Catholic Digest, from the College of St. Thomas to Quality School Plan, Inc. (1965); reorganization of the advertising department (1966); the operation of the Catholic Digest Book Club; the financial status of the company; and various offers to purchase the Catholic Digest, the School Plan, and the book club.
LocationBox
143.E.4.2F8
Social Issues:
Papers in this section relate to Shannon's work on various social issues. Topics include his work as a chaplain with the U.S. Air Force (1965-1967), the passage of the Minneapolis civil rights ordinance, (1966-1967), Catholic participation in the development of the Center for Urban Encounter (1966-1969), Shannon's membership on the board of directors of the Twin Cities Opportunities Industrialization Center, Inc. (1967-1969), his public opposition to the Vietnam War including his service as co-chairman of Clergy and Laymen Concerned About Vietnam (1968-1969), his sponsorship of a national campaign to end the war, entitled "Negotiation Now" (1967-1968), and his work with conscientious objectors.
Selma, Alabama trip, 1965. 2 folders.
Archbishop John Ireland memorial, 1965-1966. 2 folders.
Air Force: Chaplains office, 1965-1967.
Center for Urban Encounter, 1966-1969.
Good Shepherd Sisters, 1966-1969.
Arab-Israeli War, 1967.
The Changing Face of Communism, 1967-1968.
Abortion, 1967-1969.
Twin Cities Opportunities Industrialization Center (TCOIC), 1967-1969.
Vietnam War:
Miscellaneous correspondence and related papers, 1967-1968. 2 folders.
LocationBox
143.E.4.3B9
Miscellaneous correspondence and related papers, 1967-1968. 2 folders.
Negotiations Now!, 1967-1968
Minnesota Clergy and Laymen Concerned About Vietnam, 1967-1969.
Conscientious objectors, 1968. 2 folders.
Grape boycott, 1968.
Barr, Stringfellow: Notes On Dialogue, 1968
Catholic Education:
Papers reflecting Shannon's positions on the executive committee of the department of colleges and universities of the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) (1966-1967) and the board of trustees of the Catholic University of America (1966-1969).
National Catholic Education Association, 1966-1968.
The papers related to the NCEA include correspondence, a booklet, a working paper (September 15, 1966), news releases, and a telegram (September 27, 1968). Topics include fund raising, problems facing Catholic higher education, cooperation among institutions, Campus ministry in higher education, the NCEA's service and expansion program (1968), and the revision of the NCEA constitution and bylaws (1967).
Catholic University of America, 1966-1969:
Ad hoc committee "Objectives of the Catholic University," 1966-1967. 2 folders.
Shannon served on an ad hoc committee established by Archbishop Deardon, a member of the survey and objectives committee of the NCCB, to study the objectives of the Catholic University of America (1967-1968). Papers related to the committee include correspondence (1967-1968), notes, an evaluation of the university compiled by the undergraduate student council (May 1967), recommendations and comments regarding the future of the university by bishops and trustees (August 1967), a draft of the committee's report to Deardon (September 1967), and the survey and objectives committee's report to the NCCB (April 23, 1968).
LocationBox
143.E.4.3B9
Board of Trustees:
Shannon was elected to the board of trustees of the University (April 21, 1968) and the papers related to this position include correspondence, memoranda, newspaper clipping, telegrams, and reports. The bulk of this material pertains to the trustees' submission of a dispute over theological dissent by 17 professors opposed to the church's ban on artificial birth control to an inquiry by a secular panel (1968-1969).
Board of trustees: Miscellaneous correspondence and related papers, 1968-1969.
Board of inquiry into faculty criticism of the encyclical Human Vitae
Correspondence and miscellaneous related papers, 1968-1969.
Stipulation of facts, May 20, 1967.
Prepared testimony of subject professors, January 29, 1969.
See Also: Box 7 for additional papers related to this dispute.
St. Mary's College: AAUP Censure, 1967-1968.
This group of papers consists of correspondence, notes, reports, and newspaper clippings related to Shannon's membership on a special committee formed to review the case of a professor at St. Mary's College, Winona, Minnesota, who was dismissed for contracting a civil marriage. The dismissal resulted in the college's censure by the American Association of University Professors.
LocationBox
143.E.4.3B9
Resignation and Marriage, 1969:
This section consists of correspondence and press clippings documenting Shannon's resignation from his church post and marriage. The correspondence consists primarily of letters of support he received upon his resignation.
Correspondence:
General, 1969. 4 folders.
These files contain cards bearing a message of support from members of St. Joan of Arc parish. Not all of the cards were retained; this is but a representative sample.
LocationBox
143.E.4.4F10
Former priests, 1969-1976.
Press clippings, 1969. 5 folders.
LocationBox
147.B.15.12F 29
Resignation:
Clippings, April-August 1969. 5 folders.
Letters received, April-June 1969. 13 folders.
LocationBox
147.B.15.13B 30
Letters received, June-July 1969. 4 folders.
Resignation and marriage:
Letters received, August-November 1969. 3 folders.
Letters received: Answered with mimeographed response, May-October 1969. 3 folders.
Letters received: Not answered, August 1969-April 1970. 2 folders.
Press clippings, 1970-1972.
Archdiocesan Bureau of Education, 1968.
Archdiocesan chancery file on Shannon's "Exodus," undated and 1978.
Archdiocesan Commission on Ecumenical Affairs:
[General file], 1963-1966. 2 folders.
Meetings, 1965-1967.
Projects and programs, 1964-1969. 3 folders.
Binz, Archbishop Leo, 1965-1969.
Binz-Byrne, 1964-1969.
LocationBox
147.B.15.14F 31
Bishops: Minnesota Catholic Conference, 1966-1969. 2 folders.
Byrne, Archbishop Leo C., 1967-1969.
Catholic Bulletin: Lists of stories about Shannon, 1965-1969.
Catholic Bulletin columns, 1966-1968.
Chamber of Commerce town meeting, May 1962.
Clippings, 1965-1969. 2 folders.
Clippings: Pope John XXIII, 1959.
Clippings scrapbook (disassembled), 1965-1966.
Conscientious objectors, 1967-1968.
Correspondence, 1965-1969. 5 folders.
Hayne, Rev. Donald, 1966-1968.
House of Hope Presbyterian Church: Speak at 110th Anniversary (December 8, 1965), 1965-1966.
La Farge Institute: Priests and bishops, 1969.
Marriage to Ruth Wilkinson, 1969.
Moss, Rev. Alan, 1966-1998.
New American Catholic program on NBC, 1968.
Paul VI (Pope), 1968-1969.
"Pilgrim Church": Letters, 1967-1968.
"Pilgrim Church" newspaper columns, 1968-1975.
Second Vatican Council, 1965.
Selma, Alabama, March 14, 1965.
Shannon, Ruth, 1969-1970.
Miscellany, 1964-1968.

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St. John's College (1968-1970)

After resigning his church post Shannon accepted a position as vice-president of St. John's College. The papers related to this position include correspondence, essays, booklets, news releases, proposals, lesson plans, reports, budgets, and invoices. Topics include the history and philosophy of the college, data on alumni (1969), minority group studies programs (1970), Shannon's Greek tutorial, and his administration of the college's Graduate Institute in Liberal Education.
LocationBox
143.E.4.4F10
Correspondence:
Miscellaneous correspondence and papers, undated and 1965, 1968-1970. 2 folders.
King, Bruce, 1970-1972.
Greek tutorial, 1969-1970.
Christian Faith and Higher Education Institute, April 24-25, 1970.
Institute of American Indian Arts, May 18-19, 1970.
Moratorium, 1965, 1969-1970.
Graduate Institute, Summer 1970.

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Law School and Practice (1970-1974)

LocationBox
143.E.4.4F10
Law school, 1970-1973:
Includes essays, memoranda, forms, statistical reports, class schedules, and notes related to Shannon's work as a teaching assistant in the clinical law office, including the administration of a release on recognizance program, the placement of students in the district attorney's office, and a police internship program. There is also a copy of an article Shannon wrote entitled, "The Grand Jury: True Tribunal of the People, or Administrative Agency of the Prosecutor?" (1971).
Appellate practice, undated and 1972.
Clippings, undated and 1970-1973.
Essays, 1970, 1973.
Clinical law office, 1971-1972.
No-Fault auto insurance, 1971-1972.
Grand Jury article, 1971-1972.
Lederer, Eppie (Ann Landers), [ca.1972].
Minneapolis Star/Tribune, 1970-1979.
New Mexico Attorney General's Office:
While in law school Shannon worked as a law clerk in the office of the Attorney General of New Mexico (summer 1971) and there is a group of memoranda, news releases, and legal documents related to cases he briefed. Topics include a land development project entitled Colonias de Santa Fe; the illegal issuance of a liquor license in Clovis, N.M.; an amicus curiae brief filed by the attorney general of New Mexico, David Norvell, regarding the constitutionality of the Vietnam war; and the common law and statutory powers of the attorney general in New Mexico.
LocationBox
143.E.4.4F10
Miscellaneous correspondence and papers.
Briefs for Attorney General.
Massachusetts v. Laird: Amicus Curiae brief.
Clovis, N.M. Liquor licenses.
Common law and statutory powers of attorneys
general.
Sutin, Thayer, & Browne.
Includes correspondence and memoranda reflecting Shannon's activities while holding a position as a law clerk at the law firm of Sutin, Thayer, & Browne during the summer of 1972 .
Miscellany, undated and 1973.
Law Practice, 1973-1974:
Includes personal and business correspondence, memoranda, newspaper clippings, notes, and legal documents related to Shannon's law practice with Sutin, Thayer, and Browne in Santa Fe. Topics include a limited partnership agreement involving Petro Grande, Inc. (1972-1973), the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration (LEAA), New Mexico water resources law, a legal audit of the Museum of New Mexico, state jurisdiction over crimes committed by non-Indians on Indian reservation land (1974), and an inquiry into the operation of Business Center Machines, Inc. on behalf of Mrs. William W. Rehm.
The balance of the papers in this section include two series of memoranda, the first between Shannon and Steve Charnas discussing cases handled by the firm (September 1973-September 1974), and the second (April-August 1974) issued by the firm's accounts receivable control group which was comprised of Shannon and Henry Rivera.
LocationBox
143.E.4.4F10
Personal Correspondence:
September 1973-March 1974. 3 folders.
LocationBox
143.E.4.5B11
April-September 1974. 2 folders.
Albuquerque Bar Association, 1973.
Petro-Grande, Inc., 1973.
Law Enforcement Assistance Administration (LEAA), 1973.
Water law, 1973.
Maple Leaf Corporation, 1973-1974.
Ford Foundation, 1972-1973.
Common law lecture (St. John's College), February 1, 1974.
Museum of New Mexico: Legal audit, 1974.
Police matters, 1974.
Mrs. William W. Rehm, 1974.
Matters pending for Steve Charnas, 1973-1974. 4 folders.
Accounts receivable control group, April-August 1974. 2 folders.

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Minneapolis Foundation (1974-1978)

This series begins with a set of correspondence and working papers related to Shannon's acceptance of an offer to become executive director of the Minneapolis Foundation. Other papers include correspondence, notes, and meeting agendas related to Shannon's work with the Foundation's associate director, Jerry Catt; a notebook containing a prospectus of the 1975 Itasca Seminar sponsored by the Minneapolis Foundation; correspondence, printed matter, and newspaper clippings related to the Minneapolis Corporate Community 5% Investment Club; corresponence and press releases pertaining to Shannon's resignation from the Foundation in 1978; and the transcript of an interview with Shannon (Sept 26, 1990) conducted as part of an oral history of the Minneapolis Foundation. There is also a folder of correspondence related to Shannon's work as program associate with the General Service Foundation.
LocationBox
143.E.4.5B11
Correspondence and working papers, 1974.
Jerry V. Catt, 1974-1977.
General Service Foundation, 1975-1979.
Lake Itasca Seminar: Perspectives on America's Future, 1975. 3 folders.
LocationBox
143.E.4.6F12
Congratulatory letters on acceptance of job, 1974.
5% Donors, 1977.
William Mitchell Seminar, 1977.
Angelo Cohn, 1978.
Sioux Falls Foundation, 1978.
Corporate Contributions, Inc., 1978.
Resignation, 1978.
Oral history, 1991.

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General Mills Foundation (1974-1989)

This section begins with a set of correspondence and newspaper clippings related to Shannon's appointment as associate director and vice-president of the Foundation.
The personal correspondence reflects Shannon's continued interest in the Catholic church, education, and philanthropy and includes letters from friends, thank-you messages, employment inquiries and résumés, invitations, and responses to his newspaper column and other writings.
The bulk of this section is composed of four series of correspondence. The first, between Shannon and four General Mills executives: Paul Parker, executive vice-president, Bruce Atwater, chairman of the board and chief executive officer, Clifford L. Whitehill, senior vice-president and chief counsel, and Mark H. Willes, president; the second, with other company employees; the third, daily correspondence primarily within the company; and the fourth with correspondents outside General Mills.
There is considerable overlap of topics within the four series including the role of corporate giving in the community, the foundation's objectives, its long-term plans and budgeting, specific grant proposals, consideration of controversial grants such as the funding of abortions, corporate gift matching, awards received for corporate citizenship, other community foundations, the restructuring of the Foundation, details related to the management of the Foundation office, and Shannon's performance as director.
The balance of the papers include descriptive lists of personal and managerial objectives and accomplishments Shannon submitted on an annual and monthly basis; correspondence, memoranda, and printed matter related to Shannon's contributions to a study and evaluation of the Foundation's organization and activity; correspondence, memoranda, financial statements, and background material related to consulting work Shannon did for the Gelco Foundation; a folder entitled "stale memoranda" containing correspondence, newspaper clippings, and articles apparently related to grants that were discontinued or refused funding; and a group of correspondence, newspaper clippings, book excerpts, rosters, and agendas/itineraries related to visits to Minnesota by New Jersey corporate executives in order to study the way that Minnesota mobilized public and private support to meet community and human needs. The last item in this section is a transcript of an oral history interview with Shannon (July 1, 1992) regarding his years with the Foundation.
LocationBox
143.E.4.6F12
Correspondence: