The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1891-11-28
Interesting Ceremony at Rising


Ga last Sunday afternoon, tie %,
inst. the corner stone Of the Church o
St. Agnes, now being erected at Rising
Sun, was laid with all the pomp anC
elaborate ceremonies of tie Catholic
church winch are used gu such occasions
The Right Rev. A. A. Curtis, bishop OF
the diocese of Wilmington, ofliciated and
was assisted during the impressive Cere-
monies by the following reverend gentle
men: Rev. j. Kelly, pastor of st. Mary's,
Wilmington, Rev. J. l.. Barry of 1t.
! aid, of st. Patrick IS, IIavre de Grace,
| Rev. p. Kelly, of West Grove; Rev. J.
d. Carey, of Port Deposit, and Rev. J.
Leonard, OF the Order of St. Augustine.
4 train, specially chartered for the
occasion, left Havre dc Grace at 30 p.
IN. This train consisted of five coaches
which number proved totally inadequate
to accommodate tue large number of
persons who desired to show their regard
for Father Carey 10y being present at the
laying Of the corner stone of the new
church which is being erected through
his indelatigabls energy. Twelve hum
dred persons is a moderate estimate of
the number who were present to witness
the interesting ceremony.
Al o'clock, Bishop Curtis rohed in
full pontticals with nitro ard crozicr.
preceded by the visiting clergy and
acolytes, proceeded from the house of
Mr.. MGkelvey to the covered platform
which had been erected for the occasion,
and commenced the ceremonies by bless.
ing the water which is used in the
aspersiOn OF the new church. The entire
ceremony, which was of some duration
was noted by the large concoursa present
with rapt and reverent attention. To
many present, no doubt, the rite was a
solemn and impressive one, while to
those who arc not of the Catholic faith it
must have been full of significance.
The Rev. j. P. Fitzgerald, of Havre
de Grace, preached a most eloquent
sermon appropriate for the occasion. In
glowing language he protrayed the
beauty, the glory and the grandeur of
the blouse of God" which is indeed
not only house OF prayer but as we'll
house of grace. In all places may man
offer prayer to the Eternal One, but the
church prominently is the place in
which man may pour forth his supplica.
tons and pay homage to his God. 10
concluding the reverend preacher e1-
horted his auditors to contribute literally
of their means to assist in the furtherance
and completion of the good work which
Father Carey has begun.
The Right Rev. Bishop also addressed
those present and in clear ringing voice
spoke of divine authority and of that
authority as delegated to the successors
OF the Apostles. He showed in his
accustomed fOrcible and incisive style of
eloquence that the Catholic church can
trace back through the centuries of the
past by an uubroken line Of succession
her authority to teach, govern and guide
the authority given To the Apostles
and their Successors by Christ Himself,
the Founder of the Church. In language
that could not be misunderstood, he
explained that there can be but ono true
fold, one shepherd. Concluding, he also
asked those present to aid in the good
work by contributing literally of their
means.
A good and efficient choir rendered in
excellent style the hymns selected for
the occasion. Those composing the choir
were Nj. aud Mrs. A l.. Barry, Miss
Annie Quinn, Miss Martha Morrison aud
Mr. Frank Kirmau OF Port Deposit; Mrs
George Drechsler and Messrs. John Boyd
and Thomas Now land of HaVrs de Grace
and Mr.. and Mrs. L. J Fiunan of EIkton.
Mr.. Charles Zeitler, of Havre de Grace,
presided at the organ. The psalm
"Exuitemes, sung in unison by the
Rev. Father Fitzgerald aud L. J. Finuan
was very favorabiy commented upon.
Father Carey may well feel elated at
the grand success which attended che
laying of the corner stone OF St. Agnes
Church. The Attendance far exceeded
the most sdnguine expectations, and it
must been a source of qualification to
Bishop Curtis to have witnessed by the
numbers present how well appreciated
are the labors of one of the Jealous
nrjeStS of his diocese T.