Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-09-01
THE SILVER JUBILEE
Of Father Joseph Mullen Celebrated
Yesterday
at the Church of the Immaculate
Conception, Of Which He is Pas
tor-Solemn High Mass IN the
Morning-A Banquet, and Cen
eral Meeting of the Congregation.

A quarter Of a century ago yesterday
at ST. Joseph's Cathedral the late RI.
Rev. R. V. Whelan, first Bishop OF
Wheeling, ordained three young men as
priests. Two Of them, Rev. Father
Reynolds, of Clarksburg, and Rev JOS
eph Mullen, of this city, celebrated their
silver jubilee yesterday. The third was
Rev. Anton Schleicher, Father Mullen's
predecessor as pastor of the Church of
the Immaculate Conception, who passed
away a few years ago in Germany, the
land of his nativity.
The silver jubilee is an event in the
life Of a priest, second only in import
ance to mis- ordination. This fact must
nave been appreciated by Father Null
lens congregation, as the preparations
which were made for the celebration OF
the important anniversary, were upon
an extensive scale, and the exercises
were of the mos. interesting character.
In the morning at $3.50 o'cock, for the
frs. time since his ordination, Father
Mullen was the celebrant in a solemn
high mass. Rev. Father Boutlou, OF 81:
Joseph's Cathedral was deacon, and
Rev. II. p. McMenamin, OF BenWood,
sub-deacon. A number of the priests
were present and the congregation was
very large. The sermon was preached
by Father Boutlou, and was appropriate
10 the occasion.
At one o'clock in the afternoon the
pastor, the visiting clergy, and others,
were rendered q banquet, which was
served in the basement Of the church,
by the Ladies' Auxiliary Of Mullen Di-
vision A. o. II. The decorations were
Of the most tasteful and appropriate
character. This inscription in letters Of
silver, occupied a conspicuous place:
"1S71-Silver Jubilee-1S95." The menu
was elaborate, embracing al the sea-
sons delcacieS. In addition 10 the
clergy, the officers Of different societies
in the congregation were guests of the
ladies. Among The visiting clergy were
Rev. A. BOutlOu. rector. and Rev. o. n.
MOye, of me Cathedral; the Reverend
rector of Mt de Chan,al; Rev.H. p.
McMenamin. Of BenwoOd; Rev. Father
Duffy. of Wellsburg; Rev. Fathers Leo
and Mauritius. of 81. Alphonsus; Rev.
s. s. Mattlngly. of Martins Ferry. and
others. All the clergy in the diocese
were invited, but most of them we're
unable to attend on account of the an
nual retreat at ST. Mary's Seminary, Bal
timore. The RI, Rev. Bishop was all
sent for the same reason. After the
banquet Hon. W. c. Handlan. and Mr.
JOS A. Ankle briefly returned thanks
to he ladies.
In The evening meeting Of the con-
gregatiOn was held in the basement Of
the church, which was literally crowded
A musical programme prepared by the
Sisters of ST. Joseph in charge of the
parochial school, was rendered
Rev Father Green. of Baltimore.
who was present said of this feat
ure Of the exercises. that he had
never heard better music anywhere.
The programme opened with a jubilee
chorus. which was rendered by the chill
dren Mis- Mamie Carey made a happy
address to the pastor. after which a
march was played upon piano, mandc-
Inns and guitars. Other addresses were
made by Miss Clara Gavin.and Mr. Chas.
Gleason. An instrumental selection
was rendered, and he children sang
"SCggarth ArooD."
a, this point Mr. Jas A. Fitzsim-
mons, presidents of Mullen Division Of
The A. o. H., tool, the platform. and
made an address On behalf of that or
ganiZa,ion. lie congratulated Father
Mullen upon his silver jubilee, and said
that the congregation had in him no.
only a good priest but a loving father
and a kind friend. He called attention
TO The fact ina the congregation is COM
posed Of persons Of many natiC1alities.
yet there had never been aught but
harmony, and he had never heard any
hu. words Of praise for the pastor. This
was The highes- praise which could he
bestowed upon pastor. In concluding.
ne spoke of the high regard in which
Father Mullen is held by members Of the
A. O. H., and as a Sigh evidence Of
,'la. regard. he presented him with ore
hundred silver dollars, asking him not
to measure ,heir affection by The value
Of ,1e gift. He expressed he hope that
the pastor might be spared to celebrate
his golden jubilee, and in the same
church
Faher Mullen was visibly affected
when he arose 70 reply 40 the many
expressions of cOngratulatiOn and kind
feeling, but he voiced his thanks in a
few well chosen words. closing amid
enthusiastic applause. Rev. Father
Green, of Baltimore. and Rev. Fathers
Duffy and McMenamin also spoke brief
~ and the exercises closed with the
TeDeum
Father Mullen received many hand
sGme presents, which attest The high re-
gard n which b .z he'd by his congrega-
ton In addition to the gifts from in
diyiduais. the young mems and young
ladies 'SOdalities presented n m with
silver chalice: the school children with
a pyx; ne acolytes with silver cruets:
and the Polish society with an umbrella
and a purse.
After the ordination of Father Mullen.
he was a prof ssor n S. VincenJs Col
lege until 1878, when ne was sent 10
Wytheville. in Southwestern Virginia
The work in this mis-'-n was CT the
most arduOus and al times dangerous
character. but the prizes; Won Jh hearts
CT the people by his zeal. to such an
extent that when Bishop Kan decided
10 transfer him TO Wheeling. he was
waited upon by Catholics and non-Ca5h-
olics alike. who attempted 70 dissuade
him from this intention. Father Null
len became pastor Of the Church of the
Immaculate Conception in December,
1881. and No nastnr n The city. Of any