The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-11-28
SERMON BY FATHER YORKE.
He EulogizeS the Deceased in
Glowing Terms.
A MAN WHO WAS WELL BELOVED
Beautiful Floral EmbIems Placed on
the Casket Ere 1t Was Inferred
in the Cemetery.

Solemn were the rites and saddeDed
were the hearts attendant upon the funeral
of Rev. Father james OConnor of St.
Francis Church, who met with a sudden
death on Sunday through gas asphyXia-
ton. At the time of his death Father
OConnor was acting pastor of the church
wherein the funeral services were held.
That the deceased was well beloved by
hundreds of people was evidenced by the
crowd of mourners that thronged the
church TO the doors at 10 O'Clock yesterday
morning. Sorrow was by no means con-
fined TO the laymeD and congregation.
There were over seventy members of the
Catholic clergy represented and all showed
by their manner the grief which they felt
at the loss OF well-beloved brother and
worker in the cause of the church.
The remains of the dead priest were in
closed In black cloth-coyered casket
which rested inside the altar rail Upon it
rested several handsome floral pieces
which had been placed there by the loving
hands of some friends. One of them was
a white pillow upon which was the in
scriltion IL purple blossoms, Gods will
be done" Besides those up0n the casket
there were several other floral pieces of
exquisite beauty to testify o the love and
esteem in which the deceased had been
held.
crowded to the doors. They opened with
the celebration of a S lemn requiem mass,
at which Father Cornelius OConnor Of
Ukian offiriated as celebranl. Father Nc
Gintv of II DIV Cross was deacon; Father
Griffin of old st. Mary's was sub-Geacon,
while Father Larkin OF old st. Mary
acted as master of ceremonies. Rev.
TOT plat ma I've III mi
Rev. Father I orke of the cathedral de-
livered short and touching sermon, which
expressed the esteem in which the decea sed
clergyman had been held by all who bad
been acquainted with his noble qualities
and admirable traits OF character. lie
touched upon the faithful years of service
which the deceased had spent IN the Serv-
ice of his holy Master, and also made a
touching reference to his death. occurring
as it did under such circumstances.
IBIS last act," said Father orke, "was
to lit his hand in the confessional in
bestowing absoution upon penilent SIN
ner. From tie performance OF TINT holy
office he went Immediately to his death.
1t was sudden, but who shall say he was
n of ready? AS God has promised q reward
to whom soever shall give cup of water
to the thirsty surely he would be no less
kind to his minister who gave all" The
reverend speaker also took occasion to
dwell upon the Responsibilities or tue
priesthood, and how It's mem bers sepa-
rated themselves from the world and from
their families in order to serve the God
they loved 10 the utternost.
When the sermon was concluded the
officiating clergymeD. who were clad in
purple robes. performed the last rites
about the cssker, after which all those
who were present were given an oppor-
tunity TO gaze once more upon the fea-
lures of the deceased
There were no regular pall-bearers. The
Office was performed by uum Der of the
late fathers clerical associates from the
church.
Upon arrival at Mount Calvary Gene
terry, where the priests of st. Francis have
plat. some further ceremonies were gone
through with, after which the body was
inferred, and the sad-hearted mourners
returned to the city.