Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1894-09-17
QUARTER OF A CENTURY.
REV. M. j. FALLlHEE HAS SERVED
THAT TIME AS A PRIEST.

Twenty-fifth Anniversary of His Ordi-
nation to the Priesthood.
Today is the twenty fifth anniversary
of the ordination to the priesthood of
Rev. M. j. Fallihee, pastor of st. AIMS
Roman Catholic church. In accordance
with the expressed wishes of the pastor,
there will be no demonstration or public
observance of the occasion. The mem
bers of the congregation were very anx-
ious to show their appreciation of the
work done in this vicinity by the priest,
but Rev. Fallihee does not court no.
toriety or honors and at his special re-
quest the silver jubilee, as such events
are termed, will pass by without the
celebration the congregation had been
quietly arranging for There was some
disappointment at the determined stand
taken by the pastor in refusing to al
low the anniversary to be properly hon
ored, because the members of his con-
gregation felt that his earnest and active
work in their behalf for nearly twenty
five years was of such sacrificing
character that it would appear migrate
full on their part if they did not do
something to show to him the respect
and esteem which he has so well earn
ed The wishes of the priest, however,
were allowed to prevail, and the con-
gregation reluctantly consented to fore
go the pleasure it would have in honor
ing him in the manner intended.
The following is brief sketch of the
life of the pastor:
Rev. Michael ]. Falihee is Il native of
Susquehanna county, Pa, having been
born near Friendsville on Tuesday, Au-
gust 10, 1874. The early part of his life
was spent on the farm of his parents,
during which time he attended the COM
mon schools of the neighborhood. Later
on he attended st. Joseph's college,
Choconut, Pa, and then went to st.
Joseph's university, Ottawa, Canada,
where he spent one year. Leaving there
he attended Niagara university, Niagara,
New York, where his progress with his
studies was as rapid as at the former in
stitutions he attended. From the Nj
agara university he went to st. Charles
seminary, Philadelphia, to study philo-
sophy and theology, and by devoting
himself entirely to his work he succeed
ed in graduating in the class of 1869.
On September II, of the same year, he
was ordained priest by Rt Rev. Will
liam O'Hara at Scranton.
After his ordination Rev. Fallihee was
stationed at the cathedral in Scranton
for few months, then he was transferred
to the Eckley parish as assistant to
Father Mullen who died shortly after
his arrival The Eckley parish at that
time included all the territory which is
now in Foster, Denison and Butler town.
ships, Freeland and Jeddo boroughs,
and the towns Of Drifton, Oakdale and
Japan in Halle township. Shortly af-
terward the parish was divided by form
ing new one at White Haven with
Denison and part of Foster townships,
with Father Bergraft in charge. Until
1871 he held services occasionally at Up.
per Lehigh and also at Freeland, the old
Woodside school house serving as a
place of worship for the people of this
side.
In 1870, Hon Eckley B. Coke donated
six acres of land in Halle township,
about half mile from Freeland, to the
congregation, and in 1885 he made an
additional donation of six acres. In
1871, st. AIMS church was built under
Father Fallihees supervision, but he
still resided at Eckley until 1881, when
the pastoral residence here was COM
pleted and the parish was divided again,
Father Brehony succeeding him at
Eckley as pastor for that town, Halle
Brook, Sandy Run and Sandy valley.
In 1884, the convent building was
erected and placed IN charge of the
Sisters of Mercy, and in 1856 the schools
were opened. They now have an aver
age attendance of over 400 pupils and
have made great progress under the
guidance of the pastor and the teachers.
The building, like the church and the
pastoral residence, is large and we'll
suited for the purposes required.
Rev. Fallihee has been an unceasing
and tireless worker for his congrega-
ton, and by his foresight and judg-
ment has kept his parish thoroughly
organized and active, making it one of
the best in the Scranton diocese. AL
though of retiring disposition he is ever
watchful of the interests of his congre-
CATION and allows no opportunities to
pass that might be used to advance the
members, intellectually and religiously.
Under his supervision there are in the
parish three temperanc societies, cadet
temperance society, three beneficial So
cieties, and sodalities for the young
ladies and men, also for the BOYS and
girls.
In his work he has the sunnort of not