The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-02-06
THE NEW LYCEUM BLESSED
The Vice President Addresses the
Bishop, Who Makes q
Feeling Response.

st. Bridget's Lyceum was solemnly
blessed by Bishop Wigger yesterday
afternoon. The ceremony took place at
three O'Clock. When the Bishop entered
the building he was recelv ed by Vice
President Thomas Degnan an j a number
of members OF the Association. The pro-
ceedings opened by Mr., Dsgnan reading
an address to the Bishop III which he
said:-
"Since the day when your wisdom
named and placed Father Corr over st.
Bridget's parish as its spiritual guide and
father, his interest n zeal for his young
men have been ~unbounded. Tins and
labor lave been sacrificed by him that we
may become a factor in this community.
He has increasingly urged upon us the
utility, yea, the absolute necessity, of
uniting and becoming O body, whose
morality and patriotism should rebound
to the religion aud patriotism of our
fathers. To become such we have
banded together. with him as our adj
wiser, our father and our best benefactor.
With him we are now such a body; with
then, this day we render u most heart
felt appropriations: but since mere words
cannot adequately express his sterling
worth, we only ask That God may not be
unmindful Of him on that day When god
like zeal and heroic self-Sacr1f1ce WILL re-
ceive their reward.
"The high honor, which you, our below
ed Bishop. confer upon us by your pre-
sence today is one that we most heartily
appreciate. To You. as our spiritual
father and guide, we most humbly de-
clare our sincerest respect, reverence and
answering loyalty. As our Bishop you
represent us In the councils of the HER
archy OF that grand old church. and,
when you speak we realize that you
speak with an authority which demands
our respect and obedience,
1--WE cannot refrain on this joyous occa-
sion from saying a few words of praise,
honest praise, for these will hurt no one.
During the twelve years of your episco-
pate you have proved yourself a type of
the true Christian bishop. Simplicity of
manner and patience, combined with I'M
ostentatious fidelity to duty, have ever
been the actuating principles IN your try
ing and difficult position, but you have
given thereby to your faithful flock an
example of untiring zeal n heroic self
sacrifice for the cause of religion.
"In conclusion, Right Reverend and
dear Bishop, we wish to express TO you
how deeply the people, old and young. OF
St. Bridget's parish feel that they owe to
you a debt of gratitude, because of your
care and solicitude for them. Never
were you called upon to come here, to
give your appreciation ana encourage
ment to any good work, but you came
most willingly and often at great sacri-
fees. Most gratefully we remember what
you have done, and all we ask is that you
may be mindful that you have in st.
Bridget's parish a most respectful "a most
obedIenu, q goodIike I'M most religious
flock"
THE BISHOPS RESPONSE.
Bishop Wigger bhanked Vice President
Deguau and the association. and said In
part 81 am happy so many associations
of this character flourish aud continue to
increase in numbers from year to year. |
have always encouraged them since !
felt their need, even before / became
Bishop. am therefore very glad to be
here today TO putt the seal of my approval
upon your grand work.
"What you said about Father Corr is
true. knew the kind OF man be was
when I appointed him to this parish.
I had seen his zeal and fidelity
while he s was ~ ahs,a assistant was ora ID
work to be done here, there being a
large debt and poor school. Father Corr
desired to have q school, but feared the
consequent increase In his debt. / en-
couraged him and assured him that God
would help him to overcome all obstacles,
erection of your beautiful school,: lie
has built this house for you, and hope
it will be of good for you both for time
aud eternity.
Now with regard to what you have
said of my labors as Bishop. l do not
pretend to say that my labor has always
been successful, but / do say that the
work of a Bishop Is very heavy. My day
is q long one, from half past five A.. N.
until eleven or twelve, and even some
times I see the dawn before my work Is
done. The affairs of diocese are so varied
aud complicated that the task is no easy
one for its ruler. / do not say this in
pride, but merely to give you an idea of
the very onerous duties Of an American
Bishop.
1.-THE promises you have made through
your President I hope you win make
good. Be loyal to Almighty God an d to
your Church. Be obedient aud respect
will only be loyal to God when you are
loyal to His Church. Be loyal TO your
good pastor, for when you disregard him
you may rest assured hat you will drift
rapidly to ruin and destruction. feel
that l may have no fear for you. You
are good, pious young men now, but DO
not be over confident. Remember that
the Freemasons were once organized as
| you are for spiritual Advancement; but
they refused obedience. they despised au-
thority, aud today they are eXcommun1-
Gated. They have lost the faith. and the
| result is that they are the tncarnate en-
\ emies of the Church."
The rooms of the Lycelm were OVID
by members and others during the SER
vice.
THE BLESSING.
Following the Bishop, brief addresses
were made by the Rev. Father Corr aud
Fathers Kelly and Clancy. The Bishop
then In the full robes of his office.
crowned with the initre surrounded by
Acolytes and followed by the clergy,
formed IN solemn procession. AS they
walked about the building, the
Bishop s%prinkled holy water right and
left with prayers accompanying. After
| going through the entire building the
| Bishop and clergy returned to the church
across the street. and he there pronounced
the solemn penediction which concluded
the ceremony. Subsequently the Bishop
and clergy repaired to st. Bridget's
Rectory and partook OF dinner.
WHO WE'RE THERE.
Among the large congregation wereRev.
Father Maxietta of the Italian Church GU
Sixth street, James Coleman and family,
Mr.. H~etherington, M. B. Holmes, Philip
| A. McGovern, Frseholder and Mrs. Hen
Messy, James Hennessey, MIR. and Mrs.P.
j. Conton, Mr.. and Mrs. john Oxley,
VIM. F.and Miss Smith. John }. Sweeney,
Mr.. and Mrs. Thos. ,. Burns, Mr.. and
Mrs. John J. Kelr, Mr.. and Mrs.
P. Murphy, T. KilleD, VIM. ].
| O'Brien and sister, W. j. Keown. Mr.. and
| Mrs. Patrick Foley, Mr.. M. Collins and
| Miss Mamie Collins, of Hackensach;
! Patrick Nevin, Mr.. and Mrs. James
| Murphy. Miss Jennie Sweeney, Miss