The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1889-01-18
DEATH AND BURIAL.

Sudden indeed was the death OF Rev
James McCartan, Monday. Fully con-
scious that death was awaiting him soon,
he had often talked calmly and hopefully
of his approaching dissolution, After
receiving the last rites of the church, he
fell quietly back and, without sound,
the spirit fed to God who gave it.
The sad news was flashed over the
land and from bishop and priest and
friend came expressions of sorrow and
coincidence. Among the first to arrive
and proffer aid were Father Creigh of
Ansonia, long the dead priests curate,
and Capt Michael MeCartan of New
Haven, brother of the deceased. Father
M. +. McCartan, nephew and curate,
arranged the necessary details, while
the funeral was in charge of Mr. M. Fitz-
patrick of New Haven, brother-in-law of
Father McCartan.
The solemn service of the mass was
rendered doubly impressive by the num-
Der of priests engaged in it and the high
rank of the celebrant and his assistants.
Instrumental and choral music was of
the best and, when the sermon was
reached, the sorrow that filed all hearts
found vent in tears. Rev NJ. Tierney of
New Britain delivered the sermon and
referred touchingly to the life and works
of ''the good dead priest" He said:
SIlcNt youi pdstOis Anu
why should you not grieveg Far more
wonderful would it be, if you did not
grieve. lie was your friend, your coun-
selor, your father. He was no hireling,
whose own the sheep are not, but good
shepherd, who has laid down his life in
the midst of his flock. You grieve for
him as friend. He was friend, who
loved you and watched over you with an
affection whose depth you will never
know. No other pastor ever can have,
none will have, such an affection for
you"
| After the services, the congregation
passed through the church to obtain one
| more view of the dead. The body lay
in a red cedar casket, draped, trimmed
with satin and silver and tufted on the
inside with white satin. The face, calm
and peaceful, seemed not dead, but
sleeping. A beautiful floral cross, in
scrlbed "Our PASTOR" the gift of St
Rose drnm corps, stood on the casket
Vincent de Paul association, while the
slowly burning tapers cast a glow o.
hallowed light over all.
But little display was made, for Fathel
McCartan's simple and quiet tastes il
life and his known wishes for quiet flu
nerals were observed in this respect.
Dark and dreary, with pelting rail-
and spiteful wind, dawned Thursda,
morning. With heavy hearts the peopl
! prepared to witness the sad rites befor
, the body of their pastor should be con
signed to the grave. AS the hour TO
the service approached, the church begal
to be filled and at last not seat wa
: vacant.
: The funeral was at O'Clock, when, il
accord with the oft-expressed wish G
the dead priest, he was laid at rest clos
0 by the door of the church. A brick vau
s had been constructed, with a huge ston
4 Mt the bottom and here the casket wa
!, lowered, while the company of priest
led by Fra Leo of Winsted, chanted til
r burial service. Then the vault was c.
mented and great stone placed upo
the top. Slowly and sadly the assen
bled multitude dispersed. All that
mortal of James McCartan is forever h
!. from view. May his motto, sCharil
= above all things" be inculcated with T
L newed force into the hearts and minds
to all!
J. Officers of the mass were: Celebran
"a Right Rev Bishop Mcmahon; archde
~ con, Very Rev James Hughes; deac'
It of mass, Rev John Rogers; subdeaco
lis Rev Thomas Broderick; master of eel
o. monies, Rev Joseph O'Donnell; preac
err, Rev M. Tierney; acolytes, Revs
Lynch and Edward Egan; censor, II
NJ. j. McGivney.
IT. Those who bore the body were Re
Nv p. O'Connell of Bethel, p. Mulholland
~ New Haven, w. A. Harty of Hartfol
!. Henry Lynch OF Danbory, Fra Leo
er Winsted, ID. j. Cremin of Bridgeport.
ST. Among the clergy present were Rig
ed Rev Bishop Mcmahon. Very Rev Jan
: Hughes of Hartford, Revs w. J. Sloc,
20 OF Norwalk, R. Il. Walsh of Danbury,
he O'Keefe of Danielsonville, Fra Anthor