The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-07-04
ST. PAT0ltk's ROMAN CATHOLIC ClTHE-
ORAL.

The Example Of ~. Peter-Sermon by the
Rev. Father kenrney.
Roman Catholics do not consider themselves at
liberty to 20 TO church remain at home just the
within takes them. They regard the frst command
ment OF the Church-namely, $50 hear mass on
Sundays and on all holidays OF obligationr-as one
be obcyed under all circumstances ana In all
sons They believe that II they wilfuly neglect to
be present at the Offering OF the sacrifice Of the mass
on Sunday they thereby commit mortal sin
and cease TO be OF peace with God. There are GER
tain circumstances under which a Catholic may be
excused for not attending mass. unfavor-
must be such weather as, by expos
ing themselves TO 1t. would do them
grievous bodily harm. No such weather troubled us
yesterday. To be sure, the sky was eaden and the
streets were shny-wei and sloppy and II was not
"A day on which new dresses and fashionable head
gear might be shown on 10 the best advantage:
neither would II be considered opportune TO risk the
exhibition OF other costly and delicate articles OF ap
parel. But there was nothing whatever about the
weather To afford any good Catholic an excuse for
not going TO church II Is therefore, not surprising
that, though some other churches were thinly Al
tended Yesterday, al! The Roman Catholic places Of
worship were thronged a usual.
Last mass at st. PalticA's cathedral was a.
tended by as large cong egation as ever The
ceremonies were of The usual solemn and inter-
estIDg character and The sermon was preached by
the Rev. Father kearney, one VI the clergymeu at
tached To this church. Tic reverend gentleman read
ruE GOSPEL or THE DAY
from the hfih chapter OF Lake. and proceeded, In
simple yet eloquent and impressive manner TO ex-
PLAIN ana apply the inspired lesson. He said that
the people pressing on our Lord ITO hear the word
Of UodN showed mat great thirst had been created
III mems souls or Ihe waters OF divine truth, ana
that the power ana beauty of tile Redeemer's teach
ing was such as 10 attract the multitude from the
concerns OF this word, 10 which our mere human
nature attaches us but to strongly.
The fdilure OF the Apostles, who had been toiling
hard all night to catch tie fish, ought 10 remind MS
mat everything fllt WAS worm having could only
be ohialled with extreme difficulty, and that we
must he prepared 10 meet with nnumerabe disaps
polntnents IN all the suits OF life before
can crown our perseverance
PETER WAS WORN OUT
with toll and hardship and disappointments, and
mad Withdrawn his nets in despair and hitter hope
essness; but at the bidding of his Master, he cast
forth the nets again In pure spirit OF Implicit ODE
dience and was rewarded with Immense success.
This should teach Us that though the commands OF
God are sometimes mysterious ana tncomprehensi
bic, and though, with our human and necessarily i'm
perfect vision, We cannot always see the good VI
conditional compliance with apparently meaning
less instructions, we ought. nevertheless, obey the
Divine injunction. II only Tor obedience 81 kef only
10 show our Willingness - do whatever the Lord, la
his profound wisdom. wishes US to
DO WITHOUT ASKING QUESTIONS.
IL was mus that simon Peter cast forth his nets
again. He had no hope after his hard and ruthless
experience OF The night before, that there any
was enough Tor HIM, and he did a. he was babe and
| asked no questions And thus II was that Christ
not only rewarded this obedience by filling the ships
with FISH. but concluded that Peter aud his humble
companions were Just the material out OF which 10
make '.hshers OF men, Their meek obedience was
quality which his disciples an apostles must neces
sarily possess aud the world TO be thus taught
That Undertaking compliance with the commands o
God ~ one or the strongest recommendations that
man can have for place near the hear aud threne
OF his mighty Creator.