The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1893-09-23
THE BISHOP OF JAMESTOWN.

THE BISHOP OF JAMESTOWN.
He Blesses ST. Joseph's Church at Mandan,
N. D and Ordains Young Priest.
For a long time it has been the upper
most desire of the parish of st. Joseph's,
Mandan, N. D., to enlarge the church
and make some improvements both to
the interior and exterior, and about all
that was desired has been accomplished,
says the Pioneer. The church edifce
has been enlarged fifteen feet in length
and new bell tower and splre, of SYM
metrical proportions, has been erected in
front, through which is the main en-
trance. To the interior of the church
he's been built gallery for the choir,
which is entered by stairs from each eide
of the vestihule. The sanctuary has
been enlarged and improved, and re-
arrangement of the sacristy and ante
rooms has been made; the whole OF the
interior of the church has beenbeautifu1ly
papered and painted, and the windows
have been decorated with stained glass
paper, giving the inside very pretty Of
feet. Some very decided alterations and
improvements have also been made to
the priest residence adjoiningthe church
in fact it has been thoroughly renovated
inside and out, and the whole can be
said to be one of the most extensive inn
provements carried out in Mandan for
some time.
September 10 the church was formally
blessed by Bishop John Stanley with
impressive ceremonies, which we're cele-
brated by the bishop in his full Euchar-
istic vestments. He was assisted by
Rev. J. A. Lemieux, the resident pastor,
and Rev. Demetrius Dionne, a candidate
for ordination as sub-deacon. After the
blessing of the church the bishop cele-
brated Solemn High Mass during which
the ordination took place, it following
the singing of the Kyrie and Gloria in
Excelsis from Millard's Mass.
After the ceremonies incident to the
ordination and celebration of high mass,
the bishop turned to the congregation
and said: ''Dear brethren, it would be
penxnce to inhict upon you a sermon
this hot morning. But l must find time
to congratulate you on the accomplish
ments of the past few months. 1t shows
what there can be done when there is
ha, mony and unity in action. You have
decorat. d the church, you have decor
ated the sanctuary, and you have sup
Piled your sacristy with vestments that
were needed. This is as it should be.
prayerfully hope that Gods blessing Will
rest upon all who nave helped in this
work. The world does not judge by
what we say but by what We do. The
work in Mandan is being spoken Of in
terms of high admiration all over the
diocese and it is said, see what Mandan
can do Now St. Joseph's will take the
place among the churches of the diocese
to which she is entitled"
At the celebration of vespers in the
evening in the presence OF congrega-
ton that filed the church to overflow
ing, Bishop Stanley preached very
highly interesting and scholarly sermon
from Mathew, 28th chapter, IS and 20
verses -"Go ye therefore into all the
world and teach all nations; 5eaching
them to observe all things whatsoever /
have commanded you; and, 10, am with
you Away, even to the end of the world"
In beautiful word-picture Bishop
Stanley sought to prove by the divinity
of Christ that the claims made by two
classes of people, the infdel class and
the Indifferent class, were wholly hcti-
tlous. Said the right reverend speaker,
ssReligion is nothing more or less than
God the Creator. Religion consists then
in an intelligent understanding Of the
truth. The Catholic religion wherever
it is found constitutes the true religion.
There are men whom we meet every day
who don't believe in any religion, and
those who believe that religion is only
for the purpose of keeping men in order,
that outside of that there is nothing to
it. The divinity OF Jesus, the incarnate
son of God, proves differently if Gods
holy word is true, and who shall say
nay?" Continuing the speaker delive red
an interesting dissertation on the teach
ings of Christ and the prophecies con
corning them, and concluded by refer
ring to the fearful discord among reli
gions today and that which had spoken
very plainly concerning the doctrines
taught by his church, he at least hoped
he had set those before him to thinking
of matter of the utmost Importance to
them and also said, "let Catholics re-
feet"
The energetic pastor, Rev. Father J.
A. Lemieux, is entitled to great praise
for all he has accomplished during his
brief passionate in Mandan and is fully
by Bishop Stanley and has
CONGREGATION.