The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-12-10
A JUBILEE DAY.
Bishop Hennessey Honored by His Catholic
Friends of Wichita.

Bishop J. J. Hennessey of this Catholic
diocese was probably the happiest gentle
man in Wichita yesterday. Yesterday
morning as he was preparing TO make a
visit to one of the neighboring parishes
word was sent him that his presence at the
parochial school was absolutely necessary
at $50 o'clock, as his Catholic flock wanted
to show him their appreciation of his ex-
traordinary zeal in the cau1- of education
| and religion, and had chosen the anniver-
sary of the celebration OF his first mass as
| the happiest and most opportune time TO
| do so. No alternative was left him
but to comply with the request and when
he entered the school hall few minutes
before the time set for the exercises be was
! conveyed to the center of the
hall where there was a handsome
! ~ decorated seat in waiting
/ for him in the shape of throne decorat-
ed with scarlet silk cloth with gold trim
mings Soon afterwards the entire hall
was filled TO its utmost capacity with la
dies, gentlemen, children, nuns and priests
all eager to show their respects for their
] worthy bishop and their appreciation of
his work in their behalf AT 2:30 prompt
| ly about sixty children mounted the stage
and after saluting the Right Reverend
gentleman they sung very interesting
song which was followed by the welcom-
ing address by Miss Nellie Fitzpatrick g
bright and talented little Miss of twelve
summers and one OF thepupil of the Paroch-
ical school. Miss Fitzpatrick used the
very finest language and her pronounce
alton and emphises were absolutely per-
feet. 1t was one of the best addresses of
the kind ever delivered in this city and it
was surprise to everybody including the
bishop how such young girl, mere
child, could do so well. 1t demonstr
one thing at least and that is that the
sisters are competent to teach the English
language to their pupils and teach them,
also, how to use 1t in its native purity.
AT the conclusion of Miss Fitzpatrick's
address she walked down the steps from
the platform, the admiration of every pair
of eyes in the hall.
The next on the program was piece Of
music by three girls ranging in age from
II to Is years, and it was very fine. They
operated at the piano and proved them
selves experts on the ivory keys.
The next on the program were physical
exercises by the pupils of the school, and
it was one of the most interesting and
amusing features of the entertainment.
The boys ranged in age from to IA years
and were very handsomely dressed in red
uniforms with white trimmings. They
went through the system of physical exer-
cises taught them in school, and, as here
tofore stated, it was very interesting and
elected great applause.
The next was the Hunters" song, fol-
lowed by chorus, and recitation, THE
Angelus."
The "West End" polka was the next, and
this was followed by the Song of the
Redman. The artists triumph followed,
and that in turn was followed by the
singing of LEAD Kindly Light" This
beautiful hymn was composed by Cardinal
Manning when he was in doubt about
leaving the Anglican church and joining
the Roman Catholic church.
The drill of the twenty-five years fol-
lowed and this was the greatest feature Of
the entertainment. 1t was performed by
twenty two little girls dressed in blue and
white, with little tamborines in their
hands on each one of which were the |
years from 1862 when Bishop Hennessey
was ordained, to the present year. The |
little girls went through a series of |
evolutions, at the same time singing some |
words that included the principal features |
of the bishops religious life.
FL Trovatore, by Cramer, followed, and |
it was beautifully rendered by two pupils |
at the piano.
At the conclusion of the exercises |
Bishop Hennessey arose and addressed the
children first and the older people after
wards. His address to the children was
very witty and humorous and kept them |
in roars of laughter for ten minutes. He
reminded them that Santa Claus will be
around soon, and predicted that he would
not forget the children of the parochal
school in his visit He thanked the older
people for attending the exercises on &C
count of the encouragement their presence
gave the children.
Bishop Hennessy is very zeal
Gus and enthusiastic patron of edu-
cation and has the reputation
in Missouri of having built more
CT learning than any one man
in the state. He not only believes in edu-
cation in schools and academies, but goes
farther by encouraging it through the
He rightfully thinks that
conducted on Christian princi-
Piles. is one of the greatest agencies for
good in existence. He is, himself, con-
tributor to several newspapers and he is
fully as good writer as he is a speaker,
and that is saying good deal
The priests present were the Franciscan
priests of this city, all the city priests and
Father John Kelly of Hutchinson, Father
of st. Marx aud Father
Casey of Newton. The sisters of the acad-
envy and the pupils were also present and
were interested spectators OF the exercises
The hall was handsomely decorated
with natural flowers and number of
pictures of saints, etc The parents Of the
children were especially delighted with
The exercises, for the children demon
,trated by the clever work they did that
hey are in good hands at the parochial
school. The bishop was delighted, and it
was easy to see in his cheerful countenance
hat yesterday was one of the happiest
lays in his life.