The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-11-05
Return of Father Kenny.

The thousands of friends of this most Jealous
clergyman will be overjoyed to hear of his
return, in the most excellent health, from a
brief visit to his native land. Father Kennys
trip to Ireland was necessitated by impera
tive order from bis physician to Ego some
where and rest body and mind" and by the ext
gencies Of business connected with the parish
of St. John the Baptist, of which he is the be-
loved pastor. That he has beea emnently
successful in attaining the objects of his long
journey few minutes conversation with him
cannot fail TO prove to the most sceptcal,-for
he looks full of vitality and speaks now as
cheerfuly as he used to do before being
baethened by the archbishop with the almost
desperate and excee DINGHY exhscsting task of
saving St. Johns church.
Father Kenny called Us to account lin his usu-
ally mild, fatberly way for republishing from
thu Pittsbnrg Catholic. some weeks ago, an ari
Gle rejecting upon the clergy in Ireland beoaIs'
of their alleged Indifferent treatment of
American priests visiting the old country. He
thinks the charges some VIII at too general and
sweeping. In Ireland, as elsewhere, there are
some who are not disposed to be hospitable,
| others who exercise, perhaps, little too much
| caution. BIT the hearts and the homes of the
vast majority opened with true Irish
| hospitality to all who come with claims OF
friendship, credentials as to priestly charac-
| ter. Such, at least, has been his experience,
and he chershes, the most happy reminis-
cences of his journey, the memory of many
acts of kindness and courtesy on the part of
come of the priests in Ireland to him. Most
peasurable of all were the JOY manifested by
his friend, Rev. James McKenna, on his arrival
-, a he Ia1io 49, l,oa of aOt inna
paid him during his brief sojourn there.
Father hcKsnua, whom many of our readers
had the pleasure Of meeting few years ago
while here on q visit to his brother, the late
Thomas Mckenna of this city, is pastor of the
church ID Lurgan, county Armagh. Assisted by
l two efficient curates be has brought the or
gauization of his large parish, which comprises
the whole town with population of about
1S, 900, to state of perfection. Besides large
Q and beautiful church, there are fine school
9 buildings, a convent, aud a substantial
q presbytery. The schools are attended by al
y the Catholic children of the town, and in al
O their details ore of the highest excellence
:, Religious societies are numerous in the parist
: and very strong in membership that of the
. Holy Family alone numbering 500 men.
Among the pleasing incidents of Father
20 Kenny's visit to the L1rgan schools was hit
joyful reception by the pusils with the follow
IT ing pretty little
81 SONG OF WELCOME
10 Welcome you're welcome thoussLd tines Ger.
r Welcome thrice welcome, greet You once more.
l.. In our dear Convent school we cheerily sing
20 With welcomes We now make it joyousy ring.
8. Heartily, truly, all unite
in To wish that your visit be joyous and bright,
That your path be strewn with all gifts that fOI
y From our merciful Lord on His loved ones below.
&c Now We bid Q welcome true
IN From our very hearts to you,
4 Welcome here gaily sing,
With Welcomes school will ring.
~ Welcome you're welcome q thousand tmes DER,
TX Welcome, thrice welcome, greet you once moi
20 In our dear Convent School We cheeriiy sing
-, With welcomes make it joy ously ring.
D. We wish to give pleasure to tie friends whom
- To ask for them blessings from Heaven above.
Well wish that your visit to Ireland may be
or Full OF pleasure and mirth and bright gaiety.
tn Thus we give pleasure to Pastor dear
q; When welcome the friends he loves to bring here
May we all meet in Heaven when life passed away.
o Our greetings once more We heartily say.
I'd Now we bid welcome true, etc.