The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-26
ST. STEPHENS ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.

Sermon by the Rev. DIR. McGlynn-An
Appeal for tho Popc-St. stephens
Home for Destitute Childiren-Copgre-
gational Singing.
At st. Stephens church yesterday there was q
large congregation at high mass, many nom
Catholics being present, as well as considerable
number OF persons from other parishes, attracted,
no doubt by the novelty OF congregational singing
and the beauty and dignity or the ceremonial with
which the services are conducted in that spacious
and beautiful temple of God. To the non-Catholic
observer, who sees only the outside of the Catholic
religion, the judicious combination of that which
Affects the senses and touches the heart must have
been an edifying spectacle. The music was
rendered with characteristic skill by the choir,
under the direction Of the organist, Mr.. Danforth,
while the singing OF the responses by the faithful
worshippers present added an unusual impressive
ness and completeness to the services. The Rev.
Father Power, who has particularly youthful and
sanity appearance on the altar, celebrated the
high mass in a graceful and dignifed manner.
After the first gospel the Rev. DR.. McGynn
assembled the pulpit and read
A CIRCULAR LETTER
from the most Reverend Archbishop McCloskey, an
nouncing that the annual collection for the Holy
Father would be made In all the churches OF the
archdiocese on Trinity Sunday, June 8. He then
announced that concert would be given In the
Academy OF Music IN aid Of st. Stephens Home
for destitute children. Having read the gospel ana
epistle OF the Sunday, he said THE words which
l have read to you can, think, without much
straining be applied to our obligation to help our
Holy Father in his great need and do what we can
to provide for the wants OF the destitute little
ones who find home In the orphanage under the
shadow OF this church. All Catholics admit that
they are bound, not only in charity but IN justice
to contribute to the support OF their pastors and
aid them in their necessities. Can anyone hesitate
no recognize his duties to
1.-THE PASTOR OF PAsToRsn
the ilustrious Pontiff, who occupies the chair OF
st. Peter He Is in the midst OF difficulties and
danger. He has been stripped Of his temporal
Kingdom and deprived OF the revenues attached
to 1t. Converts of holy men and women have been
suppressed, their property cLnfscated and the in
mates driven by cruel laws from their sacred re-
treats to seek protection and assistance at the
centre OF cathocity from the Vicar OF Christ
These urgent calls on the charity and sympathetic
heart of the Pope have impoverished the Papa
treasury and make 1t an imperative duty on us to
contribute literally on the occasion Of the annual
collection for the Holy Father. Your generosity
and liberality are well known to me- and have no
duties ' to the sovereign Pontr BY r yDar
largely OF your means to help him TO act the
part OF father to these nuns and monks and priests
OF the inmates OF st. Stephens Home on your
charity are clearly founded on the Injunction OF
the prince oil the apostles In t0dayS epistle But,
above all things, have mutual charity among
yourselves, for. charity covereth a multitude Of
sins; using hospitality towards one another with
out murmuring." tbs
FREQUENT REPR0ACH OF CATHOLICS
In this city that they do not look after the desti-
tute children OF their poorer brethren, but leave
them to be cared for by non-Cathollc societies.
burden on Protestant charity. There s but too
much truth In that rebuke. Thousands OF Catho-
non-Catholic associations; but their redemption
from misery and want has been at
the price OF the inestMable gift OF the
true faith. This congregation has done Its
part towards removing that just reproach. We
have an orphanage, or rather home for destitute
children, attached TO the church, under the care Of
the good Sisters OF Charity, where every attention
is paid TO the corporal and spiritual wants OF the
inmates. And do not see any good reason why IL
should not extend the sphere OF Its usefulness, and
In time become quite large Institution. You can
materially help by patronisng the concert TO be
given In aid OF 1t by the members OF
ST. STEPHENS MUSICAL ASSOCIATION
And would here commend to your earnest at
tention the merits OF that excellent society, by
which leve for sacred music is fostcred and
trained. Before closing, 1t may be well to make
lew remarks on congregational singing. IL Is net
an Innovation as some suppose. IL Is but
partial return to the discipline OF the Church OF the
carry ages, and in fact In conformity to the prac-
lice IN many European countries. The very form
congregation to reply to the saluations OF the on
ciatng priest, az D0mfnus U0bfscun (thc Lord be
with YOU, e sptritu tho land with thy spirit,
&C.. clearly show. Again the mass Is evidently di-
vded into three PARASITIC priests, the trained
choirs and the congregations. Congregational
singing IL nothing more than the faithful taking
their swn part In the services. And that you may