The Irish standard., 1895-03-16
REV. JAMES NJ. CLEARY.
Sketch of the Life and Work of an Eminent
and Eloquent Teacher.

f 4 IS =; 5-s .'T Z I.
Sketch Of the Life and Work of an Eminent
and Eloquent Teacher.
To all Minneapolitan citizens and to-
Catholic citizens particularly it should
be matter for pride and congratulation
that it numbers in its community and
among the clergy men OF this city such
able, eloquent, broad minded and benevo-
lent body OF priests as those who fill the
pulpits OF its Catholic Churctles, says's G.
A. F." in last Sunday Review. Where
80 much excellent material exists for
public commentator and representation
it is difficult aud somewhat delicate
matter to select one who shall stand as
the representative leader OF OF his creed
and yet the Sunday Review has hardly
any hesitancy in saying, that when such
term signifies accomplished ability,
eloquent oratory, popularity, usefulness
and liberality, the distinction must be
given to Father Cleary, the, pastor OF st.
Charles Church.
| Born at Dedham, Mass, IN 1849, his
parents moved when hs was quite young
to Wisconsin, where he resided until his
coming to Minneapolis q little over two
years ago. Alter common school edu-
cation in the public schools of his own
state be decided to enter the priesthood
and with this end in view entered St.
Francis Seminary, near Milwaukee, IN
1864, where he completed the regular
eight year couse Of study. He was or
dained priest IN 1872 by the venerable
pioneer Bishop Hemin. For ~ years
after this and up to the time If his
advent here he labored zealously in the
interests Of religion in Wisconsin. The
last twelve years Of this long ministry
were spent by him as the pastor of ST.
James Church at Kenosha.
The parish was small and quite insig
nifcant when he came to it, but with
that tireless energy and enthusiastic
purpose SO characteristic of him he
threw himself into the work so clearly
set before him with zeal commensurate
with aud worthy of his high abilities.
When he left the parish there remained
behind him, as monuments to his devot-
ed work, host IF friends of all denomi-
nations, one of the foest churches Ia the
state with property valued at $780, 600; a
splendid parochial school, a pastors res
idence AMI sisters convent.
Throughout his entire ministerial ca
reer Father Cleary has taken an intense
interest in the temperance cause, and
has set his face like flint against the
sale and the indulgence Of the liquor
traffic. As far back as early ID the '70s
Father Cleary was we'll known as the
ardent and effective total abstinence
champion OF southern Wisconsin,. His
love for the cause and his rapidly grow
ing fame in this direction brought him
into close and friendly relations with
Archbishop Ireland, and at the close OF
his pastorate at Keuosha be offered that
prelate and co-champion his services in
the cause of temperance. For five years
he held the Office OF president of the
Catholic Total Abstinence Union Of
America and under his direction this
splendid orgauiz >tion increased in mem
bership from 10000 to 10000. During the
year, from September, 1881, to July, 1885,
he devoted his entire time as national lee
turer and organizer of the order, aud
many village and city remembers with
pleasure his visits, and the remarkable
success which attended his work wher-
ever he went.
Toward the close Of the year 1892,
Father Cleary was urged by his friends,
and by his warm admirer, Archbishop
Ireland, to come to Minneapolis He
did SO, and upon his arrival at once per.
ceiyed field for his labors among the
people of South Minneapolis. With his
characteristic activity he threw himself
Immediately into work and although no
parish church was there to receive him,
he begun holding series of popular
Sunday evening services at Labor
Temple. Thither the renown OF his elo-
quence, his winning personality, and the
broad and noble character Of his scholar
Ely discoursee, soon began to draw hosts
OF people OF all denominations from
every quarter OF the city until finally the
hall could not begin to accommodate
those who sought entrance. It was then
that he turned his attention and efforts
towards the construction Of place Of
worship for his people, and after . year
Of unceasing labor, heartily sustained
and helped by both the sympathy and
money OF those around him, st. Charles
church stands today, the hadsome,
commodious and home like result The
building was completed and dedicated
free from debt the first Sunday in June
1894. Il has seating capacity Of 1900
and is valued at $40 600.
Since his advent here Father Clearyl
has distinguished himself not only ia
temperance work but in benevolent enter
prises "a many directions. Beneyolencel