Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1883-01-05
Father Hishen's First Mass.

New Years day of 1883 will be one
long remembered by the Catholics OF
Mineral Point A young man of this
congregation, after long years of pre-
paration, celebrated for the first time
the Hol. Sacrifice of the Altar. An.
nouncements had been made and be.
fore the hour appointed the church
was thropged with people anxious and
expectant to witness the grand and
final work of young man offering up
the Holy sacrifice. proved and found
worthy to represent the people in the
public sacrifice to God. Rev. d. Hish-
en-. young boy from the people devo.
ted himself to God as a Catholic priest
with all that the position implies, and
on New Years morning said his first
mass.
Father O'keefe had the church beau
tifully decorated, the altar like a
sylvan bower, with eyergreens, arti-
fetal and natural flowers, SO that one
felt rather the warm balmy breezes of
Florida than the cold chilly winds Of
the North.
At 1890 a. m. the bell announced
the beginning Of the ceremony. The
clergy eutered the church from the
pastors residence, Father O'Keefe
leading the way with his we'll known
genial smile, Father Lubey, of Ridge
way, young Father Kelly, and Father
Huber, of the German church, follow
ing. and proceeded to the sacrifice.
After few moments given to resting,
Father Hishen, in full sacradotal
robes, entered the Sanctuary, preceded
by Father O'Keefe as deacon, Father
Kelly as sub-deacon. Father Huber
being master of ceremonies, directed
the ritual of the services.
The choir was under the charge of
Mrs. C. Otter, who for some weeks
past had been instructing the young
ladies for;the occasion. The fine music
rendered and the beautiful hymn at
the offertory, rendered in select man
ner received the highest appreciation
of the people.
After the last wine and water, Rev.
Father Luby entered the pulpit, and
after reading the gospel of the Good
Shepherd, rendered one of the most
elegant and elaborate discourses our
people here listened to for years. He
expatiated on the duties, privations
and work of the Catholic priest and
cheered the young neophite in the be-
ginning of his ministry. All the con-
congregation seemed happy, and re-
joiced that one of them, little boy
raised in their midst, was found
worthy to wear the holy robes and off
er up the sacrifice of the mass.
In the afternoon sumptuous and
generous entertainment was given by
Mr.. Jas. HIshen, father of the young
priest, to all the neighbors and friends.
The visiting clergymea went to the
old home of Father Hishen, and it
could be seen that the priest and his
people are one-friendship and conf
dence were their mutual trust and re-
lance. The old Irish hospitality and
priestley good nature prevailed the as
sembly; and after many well wishes
for future happiness they departed to
their homes.
During the mass Thomas DALEY
acted as leader of choir in altar and
acolytes, and Christian Otter as leader
of musical choir and singing. Every
thing was conducted in a most happy
and pleasing manner.
The Catholics of Mineral Point will
not soon. forget the New Years of 1888
aud the honor that has been conferred
on them through their young priest
Father Hishen.