The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-06-21
A woRKua PRIEST.

We find the following interesting sketch
in the New York News:
1t is but seldom we see the subject of this
sketch on Broadway. His walks are gene
rally in humber places, among the poor and
lOwly. His dress betOkens a clerical pro-
fession. He is rather below the medium
stature, somewhat stout, but active as
good-humored expression, and few, indeed,
are more pleasant in colloQuial intercourse
than the gentleman of whom We are writing.
In the year 1929, a ight-hearted boy he
left his native town Of Monaghan, in the
north Of Ireland, to join his uncle, who had
settled in Harrisburg, Pa. Manifesting
turn for the priesthood, his relative sent him
to the local academy, where he, acquired
rudimentary knowledge of the classics. He
was, subsequently, sent to Mt. st. Mary's
College. near Emmltseurg, Maryland, ieav-
sued his theological studies ut the College
of st. Peters, near Montreal, Canada. In
1874 he returned to1the United States, and
was ordained by the late Archbishop
Hughes, at the opening of st. Johns. Ford
ham. He was Immediately appointed curate
under the Rev. John Smith, who was then
the pastor of St. James Church, of this city.
In lS4S he was made parish priest of the
Church OF St. John the Evangelist. West
Fiftieth street. The church at the time had
accumulated IL large Indebtedness, owing to
the mismanagement of the trustees, ard had
to be sold. 1t was bought by Protestant
gentleman. Our new pastor, not liking to
see the church in which he had just been
installed disposed OF in that manner. went
vigorously to work, and was soon enabled
to repurchase it. In 1850 he was appointed
pastor OF st. Andrews. and here has been
the field of his labors ever since. He found
his new charge q heavy one. The church
was burdened with debt, and only liza toll
cradle state of repair. In II short time,
however, he succeeded in iquidating every
| cent of the Indebtedness At the present
time it is among the few places of worship
in the city which are entirely free of mort
gage, and is an exceedingly neat and hand
some little edifice. Though the parish is
| comparatively poor being composed prln-
cipally of mechanics and working people.
none in the city ever responds with more
generous liberality to the pecuniary care OF
sessed $4,000 for the building Of the new
cathedral. The fact was announced at mass
on Sunday to the congregation, and Father
Michael Curran, the subject of this sketch,
who knew his people thoroughly, sent round
the plate, when more than the required sum
was collected. This certainly was munifi
cent, and speaks well for the Catholics OF
the Sixth Ward. But it is Invariably so OF
all similar occasions. Father Curran Is nov
about fifty-sX years of age, and is as hale
cheerful, and energetic as ever. His style
of preaching is simple but effective, reaching
the hearts of his hearers by its natura
JUNCTION and fervor. He speaks French witt
great tiuency, and is an excellent theologian
During the eighteen years in which he ha
toiled IN this parish, he has wrought meal
!, culable good among it's Catholic members
He is one of those religious men who's,
zeal never flags, whose devotion never tires
whose whole life is one continued sacrifc,
in the cause of Christianity. None appre
ciate his excellent qualities as priest ant
kind, humane man better than his owl
, parishioners-. by whom he is greatly re
spected and beloved.