The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1895-11-09
CATHOLIC CHURCHES
Vicar General O'Connor's
Departure From Seton
Hall Seminary.
NEWS FROM THE PARISHES
st. Bridget's Church Fair 10 Open
on Monday Evening-Funoral
Of James Kelly.
NEWS FROM THE PARISHES

A Father was never more beloved nor
a priest more highly respected than was
Vicar General O'Connor by the seminar
ians of Seton Hail. This fact was con-
vincingly shown on the occasion of his
farewell to them on Wednesday morn
ing last. The heart of each student was
deeply affected and saddened. The KIM
director himself demonstrated that he
has a warm and affectionate nature.
In testimony of his past fidelity and
labors in behalf of the ecclesiastical stu
dents he was presented with a handsome
gold chaliee. Rev. Fred G. Omen II
making the presentation said
Very reverend and dear father-It
is a sad thing for an afectionate child
TO be deprived of a loving father. 1t
it sad to separate friends whose hearts
have been in harmony for many
happy years. 1t is sad to break assun-
der the ties tina have bound a loved n
to us so long. In being deprived of you
we feel that we are losing a true friend,
a kind father, a competent guide.
IN ascending the rugged way that
leads to the priestly life how often is the
heart of youth weighed down by tempta-
tlons and reverses? How often is the
traveller inclined to lay down his cross
and retrace his steps? At such moments
he needs strength of soul; he needs SYM
pataly from some one who has trodden
on the self-same way.
You, dear father, have labored for
the past seventeen years in this holy
work of directing the aspirations OF
youthful souls and in h~armonizlng
their -zealousness with prudence, and,
oh, how precious have been the fruits
of your e~ndeavorsl We have but to
look back over the past to see how ad-
mirably you have done your work.
How many worthy ones now stand
at Gods holy altar whose hearts and
wills you moulded in YOUTH and over
whom you watched with paternal care
as tenderly as you would over a pre-
cious 1owerI Your every action, digni-
fed and p~riestly, has appealed to US
no less ~eloquendly than your most earn
est instruction. You nave taught us
sublime doctrine.
I'm correcting the erring one your
severity has always been blended with
consideration and pity. You have proven
to all that it is possible to intermingle
the love of a father with the vigor OF
a disc;plinarian. We have all learned to
revere your severity, and now that you
are about to be taken from US. our ten
derest ~sympatlaies will be with you.
Be assured that you will leave Seton
Hall, a house SO dear to you for SO many
years, lamented, praised and pressed;
Even when your kind face Is missed
tuary and the class room, still VIII you
always be associated with the pleasant
est memories In assuming mg, the Eeve qut 1Ss
connections hat have bound you SO
intimately with the. seminarians ana
students. We can then no longer look
upon you as a father and protector. In
years to come, when the recoltectionS
of Seton Hall still arise within you, still
in are dwelling those who will ever love
you as a friend and esteem you as a
FFATHER o'CoNNoR,s FAREWELL.
Father O'Connor manifested much
emotion on hearing these words IN re-
Spouse he said that he could not but ad7
cherished with love the position OF
teaching and training the youth aspir-
felt that his experience should be wild
ened. that he must nave communication
with the souls OF those vi ba %er net fhe
blessing of being sheltered IN a rellgious
life. In reference to the late Father
said he had long cherished him as an
arniable friend, a holy priest, a brotner,
and now in succeeding him as p ms,,ld
Addressing the seminarianS personally
he said many were lue Happy AC0io
that he spent with them in the class
room and on the His love tor
them was as warm as a fathers for ms
children. Even after he had left them
the pleasantest memories of them wouio
fill his mind.
The Glee Club, under, Professor Fahey,
a several songs. which were greatly
APPRECIATED by those present. When the
musical part of the programme was
poem which he had written in honor
of the departing priest. Then George
Brannigan stepped forward and In
a nicely worded address presented to
the Vicar General in behalf of his fellow
stlIdents a handsome inkstand of. solid
silver. Father o'Connor was deeply
ed him. and in language full of emotion
httingly responded He then gave linen dnem
hands with each seminarian- This was
q most affecting ordeal for Father. O,Con-
nor and a most painful and trying one
for the seminarians.
His successor will probably be the
Rev. Joseph Sinnott, DID,, who now oc-
cupies the chair of moral theology at
Seton Hail.
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