The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-10
ST. BR1DeET's ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.


Twentieth Anniversary or Father
Moneys Pastorate-A Call to tho
Unconverted-A Requiem Ma 50 for the
Late Father STAIRS.
Yesterday, as usual. q large congregation gath
cred IN st. Bridget's church, avenue B and Eighth
street. 1t was the twentieth anniversary of
Rev. Father MONEYS pastorate In the parish, and
this circumstance probably called out larger con-
gregation than might otherwise have gathered.
The mass did not commence until nearly eleven
O'Clock, and at the close Father Mooney, before
reading the gospel for the day, which was
taken from Matthew Xxx, lie, announced
that on Tuesday next at nine AN. solemn re-
QUEEN mass would be sung there for the repose OF
the soul of the late Vicar General STAIRS. The
church. Father Mooney said, owed this to Father
STAIRS, his dear, his bosom friend. The late Vicar
General loved to come to st. Brdgets, and the last
time that Father Mooney called on him to invite
him to his (Mooney's) lecture the shadow Of death
was already there resting on his brow and peerng
through his glance. Father Mooney thought o little
drive would DO his friend good, and hence as
recreatve measure he invited him to ST. Bridget's.
THE RECORD OF TWENTY YEARS.
Father Mooney then read the gospel of the day,
and said beloved brethren, before making few
remarks on the gospel which have just read, l
will say few words on theme that Is interesting
to every one OF In the good providence OF God,
on this day, and believe at this same mass,
close my twentieth year among you. And mas
much as yen have been the first to receive my
ministry when came here with empty hands and
with feeble voice and little knowledge, but with all
the zeal OF the young priest it is due to you and to
myself that should say few things to you
to-day. They have been long years, yet they
have been short years to me, because
i WI Onv rio
trying to do you ali good feel to-day as II had
but Just come among you, and no priest has had
the - -: SfISget people have shown towards me-
Our own ST. Bridgets Is to-day free from debt. She
is rich in religion and in zeal for the souls OF others
and rich In her priesthood. But owe all to the
people. II were on the mountain top, said the
reverend father, what could do, no matter how
eloquent might be, without the people' And II
the people had not Inc what would do? he asked.
But am not here TO compliment myself. IL was
to sG
~. Gods blessing upon all who had been In
the Churcn when he came hitler, and upon all
said he. need not tell you how murs : love you
all, nor need ask you how much am beloved by
you. For myself care noffor the smiles or the
souls, and in this work frowns smiles make no
difference with me- Referring, them to the gospel
read he said he was sent here twenty years ago by
the householder-by God-to say to the people,
WHY STAND YE HERE ALL THE DAY IDLE 2"
And 20 very many ne has TO say the same words
Is the human soul Its owner Is God and the
iaborer Il man. And unless man lives up to
the spirit OF religion he cannot expect q re-
ward Unless he goes to work In the vineyard he
cannot expect his shilling. Father Mooney then
explained the significance OF the hours at which
the householder called the laborers to go into his
vineyard and work, and compared them to the
different periods OF human life childhood and
youth, manhood and even old age. We are called
to this duty nj every h0ur-as early as the use OF
reason Is given and as late as life ITSELF The rev.
erend pastor then referred to st. Paus CONVEX
sion. The divine favor and mercy OF God entered
his heart, and from being relentless prosecutor
OF the Church he became Its most Jealous apostle.
Many are called, but few are chosen. Every.
one Is called ct some time In life. but
few are ready TO answer the call hence few are
chosen Special graces are given TO those who are
ready, and We see Illustrations OF II every day.
wives pray for unconverted husbands, sisters for
brothers, friends for friends. Where Is the woman
that has prayed to God and TO his Virgin Mother
for SOM And white she has prayed the son or the
daughter or the friend has repented and changed.
GOD GUIDES AND INsTRUCTs Us
to pray not only for ourselves but for others. The
Lords Prayer teaches this--"Our Father" And At
whatever hour we hear and answer the call OF God
He gives US the same amount for working In HIS
vineyard. Those who 90 into the vineyard a. the
eleventh hour get shilling Just rs wen as those
who 90 In at the sixth hour and who may think
that they have borne the burden and
neat OF the day And this, too, because the latest
called Will. in their zeal. often do more for Coo