The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-04-04
AT ST. DOMIyIC'S.
Celebration Of the Rev. Father Muir.
phys Silver Anniversary.
SILVER TONED BELL HIS GIFT TO
HIS PEOPLE.

Many Priests in Attendance To Do Honor
to the Vicar General, the Occasion Be-
ing the Twenty-fifih Anniversary of
| His Ordination-The Interesting Cere-
mony of the Blessing of the Bell.
The services at ST. Dominic's church,
in commemoration of the 25tll anniversa-
ry of the conservation of Very Reverend
John W. Murphy, took place yesterday,
with much impressiveness and joyful
ceremony.
To do honor to the Vicar General, the
pastor of St. Dominic's, a large number
of clergymen belonging in this diocese
and the neighboring diocese of New
Hampshire were present on the occasion.
Among them was Vicar General Barry of
New Hampshire and the eloquent Father
O'Callaghan of Portsmouth, younger
brother of Rev. Cornelius O'Callaghan,
chancellor of the Cathedral parish in
| this city. The Rt. REV. Bishop Healy
and Rev. Father McDonough of the Ca
thedral, and Rev. Father Linehan of Bid
deford were present, the three last
named only in the afternoon.
| At 1890 o'clock the services of high
mass began. Rev. John Barry, Vicar Gen
eral of Concord, N. H., was celebrant.
Rev. Father insolvency of Bangor as
sisted as deacon, with Rev. Father o. Cal
laghan Of the Cathedral parish as sub
| deacon. Rev. Father Edward Hurley
was master of ceremonies, and Thomas
Magner assistant. The following priests
assisted in the service, Rev. John
O'Brien of Bath, Rev. Michael O'Brien
of Bangor, Rev. Dennis O'Callaghan of
South Boston, Rev. Daniel Murphy of
Dover, Rev. A. D. Decelles Of West
brook
The address in behalf of the clergy
was delivered by Rev. Eugene M. O'Cal-
laghan of Portsmouth, N. Fl. 1t was q
very able and eloquent sermon.
The speaker congratulated Father
Murphy upon his 25 years of service of
great value to his church and congrega-
tons and gave an exhaustive discourse on
the Office of the priesthood. He then
said:
sYou have known him all along dur
ing his life in the priesthood, well do you
remember, how he came among you
strong in the pride of young and vigorous
manhood, a magnificent type Of physical
beauty, yet simple and straightforward
as child, with cheering smiles and kind
ly greeting.
For the humblest as well as the most
influential member of his flock. You
know how he toiled, you marked the
energy of his character and you were
justly proud of your young pastor. Sent
to other fields of larbor, he was ever the
same, always honoring his ministry. The
honored head of this diocese in appoint
ing him to the Office of Vicar General
stamped with the seal of his approval,
the virtues and labors of his priestly
life. o Brother in the Lord, you have
done WELL you have done nobly, and
though, alas today you bear the scars of
veteran, worn out by the arduous
duties of your priestly life, yet are they
not most honorable wounds, and do they
not endear you more to Bishop, to priests
and to the people?
1t has been said that the cathedral is
frequently the funeral monument of the
Bishop who erected it. Much more is
this true of the hard working priests of
these United States. But what of it?
The pioneers of the West give their lives
so that a new continent may be for the
use of their fellow men.
The speaker closed with the hope that
Father Murphy may be spared tc his
people for many years.
The address in behalf of the laity was
presented by Mr.. William Henry. In it
he spoke of the great love the parish has
for their pastor and the incalculable ser
vices Father Murphy has rendered the
parish. Concluding the brief address,
he presented a casket decked with flow
ers and containing testimonials from the
parish and the clergy.
The gift from the clergy was a solid
gold chalice. The gifts from the laity
comprised purses of gold and silver
money from the parish, the Sunday
school, the Children of Mercy Sodality,
the Married Mems Sodality and other or
CARNATIONS of the church.
Rev. Father Murphy occupied seat
inside the chancel rail, and rose and
made brief response to the address
from the laity. He expressed his thanks
in feeling terms, speaking briefly and
AASUi III I'LL Wiz l1sSSiCStOlOue SILL
standing, the priests and choir chanted
the TIE Deum, after which the congrega-
ton was dismissed with the benediction
by Vicar General Barry.
Blessing the Bell.
The ceremony of blessing the new bell
took place at p. m. and was conducted
by Rt. Rev. Bishop Healy, assisted by
priests and acolytes. The church was
densely crowded:
The bell is said to be the largest in the
city and weighs 400 pounds. 1t was
made at the McShane foundry, Baltimore.
Yesterday it was wreathed with flowers
and white satin. 1t bears an inscription
in Latin, of which this is translation:
................
James Augustine Healy consecrated
me to God by the name Of John the Evan:
gelist, that may sing Little children,
love one another"
John W. Murphy, V. G., ordained
priest 18th of April, 1867, on the same
day, the year 1892 donated me IN memo
RAM to God, and to the Church of St.
Dominic.