The morning call., 1894-12-10
HE GAVE THEM ST. MARY's
Where the New York Fathers
Will Labor.
NO LONGER A PARISH CHURCH..
The Change Is Publicly Announced
to Large Congregation
by His Grace.

Archbishop Riordan in words full of
feeling publicly delivered the old church
of st. Mary's, on California and Dupont
streets, into the hands of the Pauist
fathers last evening The church was
crowded to the doors, in aisles as we'll as
pews, for a mission was then concluded by
members of the distinguished priests from
New York. and besides many parishioners
attended TO witness the passing of their
old parish.
Rev. Thomas Larkin, the pastor, was
not present as he is quite sick from re-
lapse of the complaint that attacked him
some months ago. During his term as
pastor he endeared himself to his par
ishioners, and had drawn congregations to
the late Sunday mass which completely
filled the church. But in the meantime
Catholic families kept moving up town,
and it was concluced to give the church to
the Paulists for their exclusive use as a
missionary headquarters. Popular as they
are, however, the genial and Jealous pastor
will be missed at old 81. Mary's for some
time 10 come.
Father Brady. one of the Paulist mis-
sionaries who will have control of ST.
Mary's, delivered a sermon in closing the
mission on the Catholic church. He said
origin, and presented tersely the salient
features of its history. 1t was only when
ST Peter was on his way to Antioch years
after the Christian era began that the
term Christian was applied 10 followers of
Christ. For twenty-five years st. Peter
made Rome the center of his La bors. After
a while st. Paul came to join him. and
then the rabbe that hooted at st. Peter
and his followers as harmless fools began
to cry, death to the Christians. For over
500 years the mantle of Peter was wind
ing sheet, and whoever put 1t On took his
life in his hands.
The preacher assumed as an historical
fact that the Catholic church Of to-day is
essen TALLY one and the same as The Chris
tian church of the first four centuries; and
that was the church OF Christ.
Passing on to the present time with each
step an epoch in church history, and the
last one Catholic achievements in the new
world. he said: with such a history be-
| fore us the future has no fears for the
church."
| He complimented the congregation for
| its daily attendance during the mission
and the choir, under the leadership of
! Miss Marie Ge0rgiani, as the best he had
heard in any church in California where
he and Father Wyman had given missions.
The Arch bishop pronounced the apos-
tolic benedicton and then delivered a
| brief address, in which he gave St. Mary 8
10 the Paulists He said debt of graft
tude was due these fathers, who have
Iabored on this coast for year past as
miss lonaries. To preach the gospel is the
principal mission of the priesthood. The
priest may build churches, schools, NAV
visit the sick, but his principal mission is
to preach the gospel Of salvation.
ST.. Paul was the model for preachers.
He went everywhere making known the
truths of Christ, his master, and so he
stands out as the ideal of Christian preach
| ers.
"Our parishes have increased so quickly
we have not priests enough for this i'm
portant work." said the Archbishop. "We
want special preachers in cur day. who
can go bout the land and are not incum-
bered with parish duties-who can &c
about the parishes and teach men Gods
! truths. For this reason have asked these
men to remain with US and 10 bring other
! fathers here TO join them in their work"
He added he had known them intimately
| for years, and long had wished to have
them here. He asked them to come and
remain in st. Mary's. and thanked God
that the day had come when his wishes
were realized.
The choir sang the Magnificat, after
which solemn oenediclion was sung and
! the services came 20 close.