Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1896-07-13
Rev. Prosper Goepfert, Pastor OF
Eagle River


will learn with regret OF Father Coop
/ ferts departure within tew days from
the field Of labor he 50 much loved. But
az he belongs to Missionary Society, he
has to obey, like q soldier, the word Of
command. Otherwise he would gladly
| live, labor and diein our Nothern regions,
| III our city. and among the wood and
| river mell, for whom since his arrival in
our midst, September. 10th. 1894, he
seemed to have special prediction.
What Father Goepfert has done else
where We publish in this issue; what he
has done among Us viii be laid before
our readers later on. The following
extract from O. Michigan paper OH the
occasion OF his leaving the parish Of Dear
born, Mich. for that OF ST. Johns Green
Bay, will give some accurate information
regarding his past career. Rev. Prosper
Geopfert, G. s. Sp., pastor Of Dearborn
since 1890 has as announced, been
transferred to Green Bay, Wis. where lie
will take charge Vi the thriving parish
OF st. John.
/ The departure from this diocese Of
Father Goepfert is deserving Of more
than passing mention. Although labor
ing FOR the last three years i'll Dearborn,
~ pretty and congenal place, but OF
minor Importance when compared to
other missions and parishes under the
direction OF the congregation Of the Holy
Ghost. Father Goepfert was, ver-the
less q scholar OF eminence in Europe aud
q prominent Priest Of the Congregation.
With q necessarily limited field at Dear
born and Handicapped BY the arduous
task OF attending TO the mission OF New
Boston, twenty miles away, Father
Goepfert had no great opportunity OF
distinguishing himself during his stay at
Dearborn Yet he left a record OF Chris
tan charity, genial characteristics, hos
tpitality, and, not least hard work III the
comforting Of the unfortunate and the
salvation Of souls, that is more worthy
even than his literary career in the old
world.
It VAS ut the Wayne County House,
for poor aud insane that Father Goep-
fert did his most rneritous work. He
became the friend. the confident and
and companion Of the 1000 occupants,
to whom he became indeared with an
affection that was edyfing and typical OF
the true priests OF God, who have made
made the name OF Catholic glorious.
These poor unfortunates, outcasts Of y
pitileBs world, saw in Acknowledgements
tender hearted man human being that
unlike the majority OF his fellows, had u
heart for the spurned. He was not the
kind that led the poet to say that
Mans inhumanity to man
Makes countless thousands mourno
Over the countenances Of the inmates
OF the House would steal The smile 81
pleasure when they knew the hour of his
ever regular visits was at hand. The
hour OF comfort the hour when the poor
soul was lifted froln the misery OF ts en-
yironments.
What helped Father Goepfert greatly
in his lninistrations at the House" was
his ability as q liuguist. French, German,
English and other languages were FAM
lar to him, and greatly was the pleasur
of the unfortunate when addressed in his
native tongue by the good priest.
Father Goepfert made numerous con-
versions in the House. When it was
spread about the nsitutition that their
friend Was about TO leave them, probab-
forever, the unfortunates Bobbed aloud
i'll their grief and the comforter OF their
weary hours was almost uunerved at
the parting. 1t required an effort to re-
respond to dutv's call.
We viii conclude this sketch Of truly
good man by brief resume OF his career
before he departed for tie American
missions.
Father Goepfert was born little over
fifty years ago in a surbaban parrish OF
C0lnar, in the then French province OF
Asace At an early age hn began his
classical studies in the hourshiRg college
Of that town, where, year after year he
himself IN all OF his classes |
and won the affection OF his masters and |
fellow students.
At the age OF seventeen he felt himself