The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1892-10-19

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TFefElbCy I'll remembered as one of
RNA @EA effective incidents in
G715e@$S1 connection with the
Annunciation church, and Rev. H. F.
O'Reilly, who yesterday reached the twenty
fifth anniversary of his ordination to the
priesthood, will always look upon the event
as one of the happiest of his life
For several days past the parishioners of
the Annunciation church had been indus
triously but quietly engineering some plan,
but so well did they cover their movements
and plans none but those intrusted with the
secret had the slightest idea of what was to
happen. Some did not know until the very
moment, and one of the "some' was Rev
OReilly. The great secret bloomed in a
magnificent surprise to that reverend gentle
man, commemorative of the silver jubilee
of hispriesthood.
Upwards of four hundred of the parish
toners gathered in the hall of the Annuncia-
ton church last evening and patiently
awaited the report of a committee of fifty
that had been sent to the residence of Rev.
O'Reilly to request him to go to the hall and
make a few remarks upon the eventful day
of his life. At the same time three bands, the
Grant, A. T. A. B., and st. Patrick, marched
up to the residence and each rendered a
serenade in turn. The visit of the committee
was the first intimation Rev. OReilly had
of the parishioner's movement. He was
entertaining several of the clergy from other
places who had called to congratulate him.
Rev. O'Reilly walked to the hail. accom-
panied by Mr.. P. j. Ferguson. The visiting
clergy, the committee of fifty and the three
bands followed As the honored one of the
evening entered the hall he was cheered
Justify. The men waved their hats and the
women and girls waved their handkerchiefs.
The large gathering was a second surprise
The visiting clergy took seats on the
platform surrounding one to which Rev.
O'Reilly was assigned. The visitors were
Rev. Fathers Brady, Beaver Meadow; Nc
Govern, Port Carbon; Hannigan, Mahanoy
City Mccullough, Girardville; Peterson,
Ashland, and Rev. McGinn, Mahanoy Plane.
Rev. Father Kane, also of the Annunciation
church, was with them.
When the bands on the streets concluded
their serenade Mr.. J. ]. Franey was called to
the front of the platform by Mr.. Ferguson
and in most able address made known the
real object of the gathering. Unfortunately
space cannot be spared for the address in full
here. The tribute paid Rev O'Reilly was a
glowing one, Mr.. Frauey said;
Through this (the Catholic) church your
lot was cast here in this inhospitable piece Of
COlumbia's land; the scenes, surroundings
discouragements and discomforts you had to
contend with need not recount. That you
have done your work well and faithfully is
best shown by the record of your charge
You brought order out of chaos You have
our church property unincumbered and free
from debt You see your people happy
contented and prosperous, so much so that
we need not be envious of any And thit
you, with just pride, can point to yourself
To your sound advice and prudent
warnings in the 23 years of your
pastorate, to your credit be it said
not one of your flock has been found guilty
of capital or heinous crime in our courts
of justice. This is verifying the statement
that a good Catholic makes good citizen
| Not a society badge that is under the ban OF
the church, the emblem Of disloyalty to you
and your teachings is worn by member Of
the congregation. No better proof is required
of the devotion of your people to you, as well
as their generosity, than when you made an
appeal to them for suffering humanity
whether it wns for an afiliction in our own
country, or state, as for instance, Johnstown
or in your appeal to the Irish cause. They
have always met with prompt and liberal re-
sponses. And now, on this 25th anniversary
we have met tonight to express our respect
our confidence and our admiration for you
as man, citizen, and an exemplary priest
and in starting you for the goal, OF youI
second or golden jubilee, we have thought il
would be well to give you, in addition to om
best wishes for your safe arrival, what is
called an Irish luck penny. You will there
fore please accept this humble token of our
love and esteem for you, with the wish that
your days may be long in the land, your use
fulness undiminished, and that you be