Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1880-11-22
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.
BISHOP SHANAHAN.
y Cordial Welcome to the Distinguish
Preiato at ST. Mary'S.

y. Cordial Welcome to the Distinguished
| Preiato atSt. Mary's.
The return of Rt. Rev. James F. Shana
han, bishop of the diocese of Harrisburg
after II pilgrimage of several months dura
tiOn to the holy see, has recently beer
noticed, and the royal welcome rendered
him by the Catholic congregations of the
state capital been duly reported. The
right reverend bishop announced his inten
tion of visiting St. Mary's congregation
in this city yesterday for the purpose of
imparting the papal benediction, and the
good people of the church here determined
upon greeting their beloved and honored
prelatc with a pleasant surprise. The
bishop accompanied by Rev. Father Nc
Bride, assistant pastor of the pro cathc-
dral at Harrisburg, reached this city on
day express at 4:35 yesterday afternoon
and was received at the depot by dep,t-
tation OF twelve gentlemen, members Of St
! Mary's congregation, and escorted to the
parsonage. Clcmmens' City band had
been engaged and were stationed without
the parsonage, and on the bishops arrival
struck up the familiar air OF "HOme
Again"
At half-past five, the hour announced
for the celebration Of pontifical vespers,
the large church was dcnsely crowded.
The bishop and his assistants, with all
the local Catholic clergy, were escorted
to the main entrance of the church by the
band, and as they marched up the nave to
the sanctuary passed between the ranks
Of little girls and young ladies Of
the Sodalitics of the Angels and of the
Infant Jesus ranged along tho aisle upon
either side and wearing the veil and other
insignia of the sodalities. After the bishop
and attendant clergy had seated them
selves in the sanctuary the members Of the
sodalities sang very pretty song Of wei
come, after which little Annie DOersOm
and two companions entered the sanctuary
and ihc former addressed the reverend
prelatc in a neatly worded greeting on be-
half of his faithful children here. At the
conclusion of her address, which was de-
livercd in u tone that was clearly heard all
over the church, she presented Bishop
Shanahan with handsome horse shoe
composed of white flowers and inscribed
with the word "Welcome" in blue violets :;
the other little girls also presented floral
tokens.
The bishop, evidently much affected by
the reception tontlered him, responded in
fitting terms. He expressed his gratiiica-
affection of which he was thus made tie
recipient; expressed his acknowledgment
of the Divine favor that had happily spared
him from the dangers of land and sea and
prolonged his opportunities for labor in the
Masters vineyard and for the propagation
Of religion and of the good works of the
church, and said that during his absence
he had been sustained and strengthened
by knowledge that the prayers of his
people at home were being daily offered
up for his safe keeping. He briefly re-
counted his interview with the Pope, and
said his holiness manifested a marked in
tercst in the progress Of religion in this
portion of his spiritual domain, and desir-
ed to communicate through the speaker
his blessing upon his children in this
diocese.
At the close Of the bishops remarks
pOntifcal vespers were celebrated the
bishop officiating, assisted by Father Raul,
as deacon, and Father Hickey as master
of ceremonies. The music was unusually
fine, Fiske's vespers being sung, and the
excellent choir of St. Mary's being assist
ed by number of voices from St. An
thongs choir, and the organ accOmpani-
ment being supplemented by several brass
instruments in the band. The services
werc solemn and impressive, but at the
same time of a joyous character in accord
ance with the significance of the event,
and a. feature of the occasion was the
beautiful and elaborate floral Ornamental
tion of the affairs.
Bishop Shanahan looks extremely we'll
after his sojourn abroad, and he received
abundant congratulations from many
friends in this city upon his pleasant and
profitable trip, his safe return, and his
improved health and physical
appearance.