The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1890-12-21
FIFTY WARS L PRIEST.
Father Senez, of St. Mary's,
Celebrates Today His
Golden Jubilee.
THlRll-FIvE YEARS n one PARISH
History Of His Work Since He
Came to America From
France.

The Rev. Father Louis Senez. of ST.
Mary's Roman Catholic Church. Erie and
5econd streets, celebrates the fftieth an
niversarv of his ordination as priest to-
day. He Is the first priest IN the diocese
who has lived to hold golden jubilee.
1t Is a great day in st. Mary's parish.
There is to be no display about the
ceremony. 1t is to be purely religious in
character. Those who have known him
are not surprised that Father Senez OPP
poses ostentatior of any sort. Indeed, he
desired the day to pass without any OBJ
servance outside the usual Sunday
masses, but Bishop Wiggar would not
listen to this, so it was decided that
Pontificial high mass should be cele-
brated ut a quarter to eleven o'clock this
morning to solemnize the rare event.
The Rev. Father Cody, pastor Of st.
James Church, Newark. will be the cele-
brant,
Father Senez has had charge of St.
Mary's parish for the past thirty-fiye
years, and has ever since been held In the
highest esteem, not only by his fond
parishioners, but by every body with
whom he has come into contact APP
parently cold and distant, no one ever
possessed q warmer heart for suffering
institutions that grace public thorough
fares in this city are monuments; to his
untiring zeal, ana devotion to his Mas
ter's cause on earth.
SIX CHURCHES IN ONE DIOCESE.
Father Senez was born in Canlbray,
France, in 1915. He was educated in the
Seminary st. Sulpice, Paris. and ordained
priest December 49, 1910, fifty years ago
last Friday. In 1874 he came to America,
and was assigned to the Church OF the
TRANSPORTATION, in Chambers street. New
York City. Subsequently he ofiiciated in
churches In Paterson, Madison and
Newark. In the latter place ne built the
cathedral.
He has erected no less than six churches
IN this diocese. He established orphan
asylums also In Newark and Paterson.
Thirty-Eye years ago he was assigned
to take charge of St. Marv's parish. This
diocese at that time included Brooklyn
and Philadelphia There was no ST
Iucy's, no st. Michae1's, most Bridget's
parishes, no Italian Catholic Churches in
the city. The service in 81. Mary's at
that time was held in what is now known
as st. Mlchael's Hall. A parochial
school was held in the basement,
MANY NOTABLE BUILDINGS.
Since then in addition to the large and
elegant structure in which the good
Pensioners now worship at Erie and
Second streets. the zeal OF Father Senez
els hospital. 10 charge of the Sisters of
the Poor Of st. Francis, now one of the
handsomest charitable institutions in the
State; the Female Orphans Asylum, oceu-
plying several substantial brick buildings
at Second street and Jersey ave-
nue.. with an academy for young ladies
adjoining; the Catholic Institute in Third
street. 4 large f0ur-story structure with a
brown front and a brown stone rectory
adjoining; tue Christian Brothers' house
in Second street, near the church. ST.
Michaeps parish with its several fine
charitable institutions was started under
his supervision.
The Orphans Asylum was first located
In Henderson Street. tWenty-one years
aHg0. II was removed shortly afterward
TO Erie street and Pavonia avenue, where
the 81. Michaefs Orphan Asylum now
stands, and subsequently, TO Second street
and Jersey avenue just after the war.
st. Francis Hospital was started twenty
years ago in Fifth street In small frame
house. 1t was removed to its present To-
cation about seventeen years ago.
The Institute was erected twenty-five
years ago.
The church building was also erected
some twenty odd years ago, and conse-
crattd about two years ago. No Catholic
church can be consecrated until II Is en-
tirely free from debt. ST. Mary's is the
only consecrated Catholic church in the
city
AS illustrating the affection of his par
ishioners for him, it might be mentioned
that on Palm Sunday, III 1885, the veneer
able Father merely announced that he
desired to see the church consecrated be-
fore he died, and asked his parishioners
TO prepare themselves for u liberal
donation to the church debt fund. 1t
would be necessary to raise $1,000 The
following Sunday a simple collection put
him in possession of $500. The church
was handsomely decorated for the conse-
Grafton services.
THE CHURCH SOCIETIES.
After half century's struggle the aged
priest beholds his parish In splendid
financial condition. There are number
of active societies connected with the
church, most prominent of which are
the Holy Name Society, with 6SS male
members, tine Living Rosary society
the Sacred Heart Society of the Holy,
Childhood aud the Children OF Mary.
Though bowed slightly with the weight
of three-quarter5 of century, time has
dealt leniently with Father Senez. He
walks with comparatively firm step.
though his hair is as white as the driven
snow, and he says six o'clock mass every
morning in the year.
TWO NEW AFFAIRS