The San Francisco call., 1896-06-25
Presented With a Silver Chalice
by the Children of His
Parish.
OF HIS PEOPLE.
Solemn High Mass Celebrated by
Archbishop Riordan of San
Francisco.

PETALUMA, CAL, June 24.-To-day
one of the city pastors was highly Eon-
ored. Not with grand display, but with
a feeling of reverence and thankfulness,
the parishioners and friends of Rev.
Father Cleary. the pastor of st. ViDcent's
Church of this city, celebrated the twenty
fifth anniversary of the ordination OF their
pastor and friend to the priesthood.
On Tuesday morning the little children
of st. Vincent's School presented their
pastor with an elegant solid silver chslice,
which they purchased in order to surprise
him. Tonight the final scene was en-
acted when a committee of young men
called at the pastors residence and pre-
sented to Father Cleary testimonial from
the people.
The solemn high mass at st. Vincent's
Church to-day eclipsed any scene hereto
fore enacted at this house of worship.
His Grace Archbishop Riordan of San
Francisco was present, with many other
prominent mem bers of the clergy, and the
big edifice could not contain half of the
citizens who sought admission. All classes
and denominations were represented, and
the public turned out to honor Father
Cleary. In accordance with the custom
on such occasions, the latter was celebrant
at the mass Rev. Father John Nugent of
st. Brendan's Church, San Francisco,
acted as deacon; Father Cassin of st.
Roses Church, Santa Rosa, was master of
ceremonies; Father NJ. Riordan of MenIo
Park was sub-deacon Rev. Father Lagsn
of St. Raphael's Church, San Rafael, de-
hvered the address and paid glowing
tribute to the honored priest. His remarks
were foil of feeling. and were heartily ap-
preciated by the big congregation.
AT the conclusion of the solemn high
mass Archbishop Riordan made a brief
address to the audience, after which
Father Cleary entertained his visitors at
dinner, and the afternoon was pleasantly
spent in a reunion and with congratula-
tions.
Rev. Father James Cleary is native of
Alienstown, County Wexford, Ireland.
After a completion of his schooling, en-
astical education, the young clergyman
volunteered for the California mission.
He has been engaged at his sacred duties
since 1871, the year of his arrival in Oak
land. For two years he was assistant to
Father King, and in 1878 came to Peta-
luna, where for twenty-three consecutive
years he has labored for the welfare of his
flock. Loving and beloved. he holds a
place in the affections not only of his own
people but of the community at large,
which places the reverend father in posi-
ton that is an enviable one indeed.
Tuesday evenings commencement ex-
ercises of the st. Vincent's Academy must
have been triumph for the father, for by
his efforts the school was erected, main
tanned and reared to its present efficient
standard.
During the more than score of years
that the pastor has labored here he has
always been ready and willing to aid any
public enterprise, and his assistance has
been of great value to the city. The har-
mony and accord which prevails among
his flock is but an echo of his teaching. A
gentleman of the old school, courteous
and hospitable to all alike, Father Cleary
is revered and beloved with a sincerity
that is touching.
1t has often been the wish of his
superiors in the church to send Father
Cleary to other and larger fields, but the
good priest was as eager TO remain in Peta-
luna as his people were emphatic in their
desire to retain him.
Father Cleary is now in his ifty-fifth
year, and his hundreds of friends have
but one desire, and that is that they may
gather at his golden jubilee here in Peta-
luna in the same church and amid the
same scenes.