The Irish standard., 1897-06-12
REV. FATHER MACKEY.

Last Wednesday was a redletter day
in the church history Of West Duluth,
the occasion being the twenty-fifth an
niversary of Rev. FIR. Mackey's ordina-
tion to the priesthood. The event was
celebrated with magnificent ceremonial
and festiyity. In the morning at 1890
o'clock, St. James church, of which he
is the esteemed and beloved pastor, was
filled to its utmost capacity by congre-
cation desirous of testifying. their af-
fection for their "soggarth aroon" by
their presence on the occasion. The
sanctuary was beautifully decorated by
the ladies Of the parish as tribute to
FIR. Mockey, and it was graced by the
presence of Rt. Rev. James ,McGo1rick,
bishop of Duluth. and a large number Of
the clergy of the diocese, including Very
Rev. Fir. Buh, of Towers Rev. FIR. Lynch,
of Brainerd; Rev. FIR. Murphy, of
Crookston, Rev. FIR. Hendrick, of East
Grand Forks; Rev. FIR. Green, of Aitkin,
and Rev. Fr. Lawler, of Duluth. Prom
inent in the sacred edifce was large
delegation from the Sacred Heart acad-
emy..
The jubilarian, FIR. Mackey, celebrated
high mass, being assisted by FIR. Law
Ter as deacon, and by FIR. Stroka as sub
deacon. A full choir under the leader
ship of Prof. J. Foran rendered .tMer-
cadanti Mass in c. and Mrs. ]. Foran
oficiated as organist with conspicuous
ability. Immediately after the holy sac
rifice, Bishop McGolrick gave Benedic-
tion of the Blessed Sacrament. At the
close Of beautiful rendition Of the
"Veni Creator" by the choir Rev. Fr.
Green of Aitkin, appeared in the pulpit
and delivered an eloquent and appro-:
pirate discourse,t ,tof which the following
is a brief synopsis:
The speaker dwelt for some time on
the most imbofeadnt items of the sacer-:
dotal life aadl e2oquently depicted the:
difficulties that the Catholic priest un-'
dergoes in thg fulfillment of his daily
duties. He nhe1a that history clearly:
shows that the priesthood has always.
maintained THE higher civilization Of
mankind He pictured the sufferings of.
the priests for their people, their self:
denial in everyy way and their faithful
devotion to tfleiP hocks. The speaker
then proceeded to show that the unset
fish and self4sacrffcing life of Father
Mackey proved him to be no exception
to this genefaf rule In his tribunte to
the jubilarian he said:
REV. Father Mackey, born in the
County Tipperary, Ireland, studied in
Thurles college, and during his colleg-
! late course always carried off the hon
ors of his class. Having been ordained
priest for the Irish missions and finding
that too many priests were already in
| that island of saints and scholars, he
sought a still wider field in the western
prairies of America where he might
satisfy his apostolic zeal. With apos-
tolic fervor he labored faithfully in the
vineyard OF the Lord in the wilds of
Iowa and the prafries of Nebraska.
Many churches still stand with their
spires f1nger-pointed heavenwards as
witnesses to his fervor in the cause of
his faith. Burning with the spirit of
Philip Neri and with the missionary
zeal of st. Francis Xavier, he sought
! still wider fields to extend the glory of
God. Invited by the Rt. Rev. James Nc
Golrick to come to Duluth to aid him
In the establishment of religion in the
Northwest, he humbly and willingly re-
sponded to the call. His labors in thu
Sacred Heart cathedral of Duluth have
been acknowledged not only by the
bishop and clergy of the diocese, but by
every inhabitant of the city by the un-
sa1ted seas. His work in st. James
| parish, West Duluth, is wonderfully
| marvellous. He has denied himself every
comfort for the sake of his parishoners
| and today as he celebrates the twenty
fifth anniversary Of his ordination to
the sacred priesthood, he sees himself
surrounded with many ardent and ad-
! miring friends and at the head of q
most flourishing parish"
After the sermon the bishop and visit
ing clergy proceeded to the parochial
| residence where a delightful banquet
! was served. Congratulations were cor
daily rendered ed to FIR Mackey, who en-
tertained his guests with royal Irish
hospitality. -,
The Irish $tsndard cannot allow this
opportunity to pass without felicitating
Fr. Mackey dIou his silver Jubilee.
There is no pfiest in Minnesota whom
it esteems more highly than the patri-
otic Irish priest of West Duluth. 1t ad-
mires all Irish prieats who perform their
sacerdotal ddties:a, worthily like FIR.
Mackey; but kheR they are staunch
! Irish nationallsts who have been al
ways in the front ranks for the Irish
cause, it admfrses fhem the more. May
he live to SEE 91{' his golden jubilee cele-
brated, and bis native land free from
the yoke of the Saxon.
Died at Brainerd.
! Special to the Irish Standard:
Brainerd, Mimi, June 1O.-Mrs. Jane