The Irish standard., 1895-06-01
Rt. Rev. Bishop Cotter.
Il IN tho I,.ish Standard

Special TO CnG lFlSu 0LduUuiu.
On Tuesday, May 81, the beautiful vii
lage of Avoca was a very busy center.
The bishop was coming that afternoon
for two-fold purpose-to give confir1na-
ton and to speak at the first grand tenn
perance rally in southwest Minnesota.
The most extensive preparations had
been made to give a fitting reception to
their bishop. Father Sheehan had only
that day completed and gone to live in
his beautiful new house, and his people
were early around him decorating the
new rectory, and all the other church
property, and by noon the town was bril-
liantly arrayed in bunting and banners,
and the streets were enliyened by the
sweet strains OF national music rendered
by the Slayton Brass band, and by the
Avoca Cadet Corps band Our people are
very proud Of their Cadet Corps band,
and very properly so, because every
member had his whole musical training
in our academy of St. Joseph, and the
boys have been under training only since
last January. But the good sisters in
charge of the musical department nave
been for four months training them with
zeal and ability, and their work is now
receiving much praise. On Wednesday
the bishop administered confirmation in
the beautiful church at Currie, now un-
der the charge of the able and energetic
young pastor, Rev. G. Murphy. The
bishop had for confirmation good class
of 65 children, whom he praised for their
accurate knowledge Of Christian doc
trine. On Wednesday afternoon the
bishop enjoyed most beautiful drive
across the prairie to Avoca, accompanied
by the very Rev. M. Ward, Beloit, Wis;
Rev. j. Donovan, Albert Lea, and the
reverend pastors of Avoca and Currie.
At p. M, Father Sheehan took his dis
tinguished visitors to the public schools
where the children gave most delight
full entertainment, and after the close of
the exercises the bishop spoke to them
words Of announcement and praise,
which the little ones will long cherish.
In the evening reception was given
in honor of the guests at the. new rec
tory of st. Rose of Lima, and little
later the whole company crossed over
to the convent of St. Joseph, where a
splendid musical and literary program
was rendered by the school children Of
the convent. Ascension Thursday was
a most glorious day. At least a thou
sand people came to town that day to
take part in the religious services and
the grand rally. After solemn mass the
bishop confirmed class of 68 young
people, whom he had previously praised
for their very clear and accurate
knowledge Of the catechism. In his
eloquent discourse. to the people he re-
minded them. of all the changes of the
PAST II or Is years, and how, through
poverty or affluence, they chung to the
resolutions made by them. Their
beautiful church and their new rectory
were monuments erected by them to the
glory of God. Three months ago he was
here visiting their pastor, and was
obliged to condemn the old house as un-
fit for further use. Now he returned to
find most imposing structure, and as
often as he looked around him today he
felt impslled to thank God for his works
in Avoca. In the evening the streets
were crowded. There was never such
happy ssemblage--over a thousand
souls-in Avoca before. The fife and
drum band played in front Of the rec
tory, and at times through the streets.
and the multitude gathered around st.
Rose of Lima's to listen to great tenn
perance orators who were about to ad-
dress them. Soon the spacious church
was flled-7O0 persons seated-and
Father M. F. Sheehan called the meet
ing to- order in short speech in which
he gave hearty welcome to our bishop
to Father Ward, of Beloit, Wis, and Is
his old pastor and friend, Father Dono-
van, Of Albert Lea. AS spiritual direc-
tor he explained the objects OF the
meeting. and recoanted a few Of the an
aculties which met him three months.
ago when he founded the local braiich
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