The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-17
ST. STEPHENS ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.

Religious Training i'm YOuth-Erin's
Festival-Why Her Sons Should Hear
Mass To-Day-ScrmOn by the Rev.
Father O'Rielly.
There was numerous congregation in attend
ance at St. stephens church, Carroll street, near
Hicks, at the principal service yesterday. After
the gospel the PASTOR the Rev. Father ORielly, ad
dressed his nock upon the necessity Of religious
instruction for children and the importance of their
attendance at Sunday school regularly. 1t was a
duty which parents owed not only to their God and
their children but to society aiso that the spirit
should be trained in youth; that those who are to
take our places in life shall be fully instructed in
divine truth as well as in the duties OF secular
life.
The responsibility of parents cannot be over.
stated in this regard, and they should be at all
times most careful to avoid scandaliZing, by
word or action, their children. We are subject to
the often uncharitable eye Of those who differ from
us in religion, and the conduct OF many children
upon the streets was not such as to reflect credit
upon them. The natural guardians of the young
were responsible for their neglect before Heaven,
and the trust committed to them was one for
which they would surely be called to render an &C.
count Constant and earnest vigilance Is requisite
to guard these young souls from the dangers That
medication of the truths of religion as impaired in
the Sunday school, must be observed.
THE GREAT FESTIVAL OF ST. PATRICK
The reverend gentleman also called attention TO
the fact that that festival which was filled with so
many membranes to the heart OF every Irish
man land the history OF the Irish Is told by the
pen dipped in the blood of the faithful and the
patriot) was near at hand. 1t was not his in ten
which had been told In history; but where is the
heart that will net be tomorrow filled with some
memory Of oppression or that has not some story
of affction to tell connected with their native
andY they will remember the home bereft or the
deserted village which they have beheld in their
youth. They will think, too, Of the place where
they were born, OF the silvery stream, the brook,
the green fields AID the companions of their early
days in that ever-dear isle from which
THE CRUEL HAND OF OPPRESSION
| has banished them, to seek refuge in this free
country. He did not speak for the purpose Of
raising angry feelings in the bosoms OF his hearers
against the government and the laws that had
| driven them from their birthplace. From five to
nine millions Of Irish hearts would throb tomorrow
with sacred memories OF that land OF the apostolic
labor of St. Patrick What he desired was that the
| masses which would be offered up to God on the
| altar at St. stephens church, at seven and half
past seven O'Clock to-day should be attended; that
the church should be tnronged by the faithful. The
! Irish are scattered by the four winds OF heaven
throughout the world, and 1t would seem as though
| the Almighty had decreed that this should be tne
| case, In order that
| THEY SHOULD SPREAD THE FAITH
and promugate the truths OF eternal life. We, too,
| shall sigh in communion tomorrow with our fell
low cosntrymen in Africa, in New Zealand and
from the land Of our adoption to God,
| which gave rs faith which never could
| be conquered. 1t might be crushed and
ground down IN the dust but IKE the fragments OF
erulgence Of the brilliant oil the more glsrousy,
| because OF the darkness OF the surrounding night
| of persecution and oppression. We hope for the
! deliversnce Of that land Of saints. writer has