The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1877-04-01
NUMBER 3.
SKETCH OF THE LIFE
OF TuR LATK
REV. JOHN B. DUFFY, C.SS.R.
by of his Pupis and Friends. Priest Of tAs
City
(Continued.)

Father DChy was sent to Cum Oeflsnd, MG.s
| to teach English and other branches to oer
stud ents. In addition to bis other duties, he
| took his turn in preaching In the German Lam
| Rusge: he had studied this language 60 Wells
feotly, but to speak it with tOlerable correct
ness, though the pronunciation was always o
stumbling block to him. He nevertheless
stood by his audience. This is one instance Of
| his readiness to mako himself useful to all
without regard to nationality.
The late Rev. Father I4uhrmann, who died %
| ChatRwa 0 few years since, stated that the
| Germans Of Cumberland were greatly pleased
and edited at his German sermons, and far
| from ridiculipg his pronunciation Of their Ian
guage, they expressed their aston ishment that
| the American Father, as they called him, knew
German we'll.
Early in July, 1851, he received orders 20
leave Cumberland and proceed to New Orlsana.
This was thunderbolt to him, for like mosA0f
the other fathers who have been sent here, he
dreaded the place almost as much as death it,
self. He obeyed % true religious withQ1G
murmuripg, though he felt the greatest interior
reluctance. Little did he think then that come
eight years later he would fud 1t far more
painful to leave New Orleans than he now
found it in repairing thither. For long time
after his arrival here, he could not be5upe re-
oonciled with his lot and often expr essed hIs
desire to be removed. The order for his return.
TO Cumberland was sent by the Provincial, but
Father Mason, Superior Of the House, grieved
at the idea of losing SO good and Jealous o
workmen, delayed making the order known to
Father Duffy, until by the most esrnest en-
treaties he obtained from the Provincial per-
mission to retain Father Duffy in New Osleans.
This quite provideutial, as the depaTSara
of Father Duffy, at that time, would have
materially interfered with the success Of st.
school.
Father Duffy arrived in New Orleans on the
Both of July, 1851. st. Alphonsus' Church waa
then in charge of Rev. Father P. p. Mechanic,
whose name is identified with the history OF
St A'phonsus' Church and congregation until
his departure ct the end of the year 1850.
Father Krutil, the first Redemptorist who en-
ercised the duties OF the ministry in the Eng
formed the nucleus of St. Alphonsus' oongrega-
tition, when Father McGrane arrived, little
before Christmas, 1s49, accompanied by Father
Bernard, the Provincial. The latter, aoein0
the wants Of the English speaking portion Of
the population Of Lafayette, now Fourth Dis
trict of New Orleans, ordered that q church
should be mmediAteiy built for their acCommc-
datIOn.
Father Barnard, being q man of zeal and
energy. remained here until be bad seen the
dug (January 26th, 1850. and the
new edihce in process OF erection. This Wa0
The old frame building on st. Andrew street,
known as the old st. AlphOssuS Church. IL
vas blessed and dedicated April LIST, 1850, by
The Apostle Of Temperance, Rev. TheOb0ld
Mathew.
This building was, for some time, used as .
school on week days. Mass was celebrated in
y only on Sundays by Rev. Father McGrsno.
The choir at FIRST consisted of but one person,
Bro. Louis, who also acted as Sacristan. Father
McGrane had sole charge of St. Alphonsas'
until the arrival of Father Duffy,
and he labored constantly with the greatest
Zeal among the congregation.
One of the first duties assigned to Father
Duffy was to form and teach Latin class. FoE.
4 few years previously several boys had AE-
iently desired TO embrace the ecclesiastical
'tsts and become Redemptorists. Until now
they bad 10 opportunity to safety their long
DgB. The Fathers had been too busy with
more Immediately necessary duties to devote
Any of their time to teach Lhese boys Latin.
On his arrival, Father Duffy joyf0lly con-
,ented to teach them, and proceeded imme-
iiatey TO the tack. He continued dischaERing
this duty amidst q great many difficulties.
Many of the boys came for time and then lafs;
others were nc timGs very careless and indh-
'erent. On account OF other duties, more
Urgent, be had sometimes TO put OF the class
Z ON day to day, and when able to give cleRs,
{ was often in the idss of all kinds of inter-
uptiOn. The hour of clabs was generally
luripg the evening recreation, the only honT Of
he dEy he conld devote 20 o little relaxation.
This he sacrificed mOst willingly and coDstAntly
o train JOung men for the priesthood. Whom
oyitiAts ct An1kp ofis, he wa91oveEioyed, and
you'd not rest until he fefIle bia class with
low members. This duty - eSn6inued dis
harRing until be waa removed shs 1ilas time
rom New Orleans, 81 EpWazda Of eight yeAEs.
.ater this duty devolve Cd on ether fathers. With
be young men be had cent % this noEitiahSho
ept up regular ooErnspcpdence fgf many
sara, giving them Baeh ihlckaation 90 10
new would Interest theEn, and eath conRualn s
l01ld chaae thsm end oEEbio th8H % peas1.
~ ala l.sr.I -. 4I.0tr a. Sis "A 3EI1t