Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1895-10-03
TWENTI-FlFTH ANNIVERSARY.

The ladies Of the Cardinal Gibbons
Reading circle gave q very pleasant
banquet, at their rooms, on Wednes-
day evening, in honor Of the twenty
fifth anniversary of the pastorate Of
Rev. James C'keefe, of st. Pauls
Roman Catholic church of Mineral
Point. Besides the members Of the
society and friends the following
priests were present by invitation:
Father Harmon, of Darlington; Father
Buckley, of Brodhead; Father Demp-
sey, of Monroe; Father O'Brien, of
Highland; Father Norton, of Kendall;
and Father Halhalkenn, OF this city.
At seven O'Clock the guests were
seated to the banquet. The spread
was an elegant one, the tables being
beautifully decorated with flowers, and
the feast complete in all appointments.
After the feast, came the surprise of
the evening for father O'keefe.
Judge c. w. Mcllhon arose and pre-
Sented him with beautiful silver
water service; and in we'll chosen
words spoke of their honored guest.
He said that the entertainment had
not been prepared by the ladies for the
special entertainment of those present;
but that all might do honor to Father
O'keefe, who had completed the
twenty fifth anniversary of his pastor
ate here. The speaker alluded to the
many changes that had taken place In
st. Paul's congregation, and called at
tention to the fact that of the members
Of middle age, who greeted Father
Okeefe when he first came, nearly all
had passed from earth; and the bent
forms and gray hairs of those who re-
main show that they are fast rpeuing
for eternity; and the larger part of his
congregation of today were then in
childhood days. In handing the pres
ent to Father O'Keefe, the speaker
said, that it was not given for its in
trinsic value, but as a slight token of
the love, friendship, and respect his
congregation has for him and of their
appreciation of his faithful service.
Father O'Keefe was not only sur
prised, but deeply affected, and for the
time was unable to say anything. He
then arose, and after thanking his
friends for the beautiful gift, and for
the expression of their regard for him,
spoke of his pastoral relations with his
congregation. He spoke of the mis-
sion of the Catholic priest; to be with
his people in the time of their SORROWS
as well as their joys; miniStering to
their temporal and spiritual needs,
without expectation of reward. Such
a surprise, he said, as the one lust expe-
rienced, was appreciated by him, and
would ever remain green spot along
the pathway of his life. He said his
people had ever been kind to him and
his relations with them most pleasant.
In dwelling upon his pastorate here,
and the changes that have taken place
in the last twenty-five years, he touch
ed the hearts and brought tears to the
eyes of all those present He said that
from small number of faithful ones
who greeted him. rs a congregation,
when he first came not numerous
enough to support a pastor by them
selves-he was proud to state that his
his flock had grown so strong in
numbers and faith that they could
now have their own parish priest. In
closing, he paid merited compliment
to the ladies of the Cardinal Gibbons
Reading circle. His remarks were
beautiful, touching and eloquent.
The present is an elegant one and
upon it is engraved "Rev. Father
O'Keefe, 25th Anniversary, Sept. 25,
1895 "
After Father O'keefe's remarks,
Fathers Harmon, Dempsey and Hal
balkenn, made pleasant speeches, in
keeping with the occasion; all testify
ing to the worth of Father O'Keefe,
and their pleasant associations with
him; and all expressed the hope and
wish that his congregation would long
be honored with his pastorate. The
speaking was closed by Mr. Joseph
O'Neill, of this city, who congratulate
ed Father O'Keefe upon his 25th an
niversary, and voiced the sentiments