The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-10-18

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cause we are Catholics we are the less
patriots and Americans.
Therefore, say, there should be an
orator here today. who in trumpet tones
viii bid you lift up your heads and call
your fellow citizens to behold this days
ceremony. for this is the cornerstone o.
ants VIII be taught that your first duty
IS to God the Almighty, and, springing
from the first and sanctiied by it, your
second duty is to your country.
The occasion calls for a historian,
which | am not; for one who has famlilaf-
lied himself with dates and events oppo-
site to church progress: for one who
could trace the history of our Faith in
America from the first uplifting Of the
cross on San Salvador TO this day, when
you yourselves raised the emblem OF our
Hackensaok. But while | diselaim the
power of doing this, might tell you one
fact of history likely to be interesting to
you. and certainly edifying to our
eight years ago this section of Jersey
City was blessed by the appointment OF
a priest whose work is stamped on all OF
YOU, who was truly a father to his
| people, and whose memory will be a
sacred thing when the grand church he
built will be a heap of crumbling stones
| Father HenneSSy came to this city for the
browning work of his laborious life. No
need for me. who knew him SO Intimately,
to pronounce his ~panegyric; no need for
any of us to try to describe that noble
EOa1s 'A-C A4 = -
| vice of his people; who was a true shep-
herd to his flock; whose last conscious
act on earth was to provide, through me,
for the payment of the rent of a widow
in West Bergen. 1t is difficult even yet
to mention his name with the calmness
that becomes a public speaker, and vol
Will pardon me If /, in ny weai.aG4s, md
1t easier to invoke In silence his benedic-
ton over the people he loved so we'll, and
who loved him.
But this is the historical fact I wish to
| apUnciafa When Father HanpQSSU am
bodied his ideas of a fitting residence for
the KIM of Kings in that grand church
on the hill, he found among his flock
none more enthusiastic and loyal than the
people of this section. You were few and
scattered; the fairy who distributes
worldly wealth not only passed you by
your house, but you always did your
share. and more than your share in help
ing your pastor when his load of debt
almost crushed him. He always spoke of
you with loving gratitude, and for myself
it was a most pleasant part of the annual
visitation to come to West Bergen, where
there was always a substantial welcome
for the priest, even though he was col
Letting.
And the pastor. whom the wisdom of
the Bishop selected for you, was a close
van was always an honored guest of the
hospitable board at st. Patrick's, and the
gray-haired veteran in the pastorate
prophesied a brilliant future for the
= oa4o A. - - oo4 baGIo1s
He recognized the talents and virtues
which even a subordinate position could
not entirely hide. and the dear soul of
Father Hennessy is with us today, bless
ing and approving this beginning of work
of the faithful priest and his loving, loyal
people.
The occasion calls for a prophet, and
to that office / can lay claim. Knowing
you as l do, seeing what has been dom
in these few months, and drawing there
from a logical deduction of what shall be
i 60Tn I SIN fhn rfOh n LfAnp n ryo II
the misty veil that hides the future and
to tell you what today's ceremony por-
tends.
There was once a temple erected to the
glory of the living God, which was ex-
ternally a masterpiece of human skill and
human generosity. And when the royal
builder Of the great temple offered the
holocausts to the Lord of Israel, the Di-
vine Majesty as in a cloud filled the edi-
fee, and the voice of God spoke to the
PROSTATE multitude:-"I have chosen this
place to myself as a house of sacrifice.
Mine eyes shall be open and mine ears
ever attentive to the prayers of him that
shall pray in this place; for I have chosen
and l have sanctiied this place, that my
name may be there forever, and my eyes,
aye, my heart, may remain there per-
petually.
Friends, make the comparison for your
selves between that church and yours.
Forget the gold and silver, the chalcedony
and onyx that graced Solomon's magnifi-
cent temple; behold only, BY your faith.
| the presence that uWSilS diIlpllS you, LIldI
is, to fill your unpretentious church with
the silent Hosannahs of unseen angels.
So let me prophesy. When that stone is
again uncovered, and the substantial ed
ihce to be erected thereon shall be a
heaps of ruins there will be a story to be
told to generations yet unborn. When
you and / are dust and a new race of
worshippers will be here, let them read
the records and rehearse the history that
begins on this day. Let them count, If
they can. the catalogue of benedictions
that shall flow from this, Gods mercy
seattle list of babes regenerated. of
wanderers brought back to their Fathers
house; of the just made more acceptable
in their justice; of sinners brought out of
darkness into the light of Gods counte-
nance; of the strength and consolation
that came from the Sacraments and the
Word of God; of the sublime sacrifice
He filled this valley with His morning
light-let them go over the details of
this history and they will understand
that here on this bright October day you
laid a cornerstone. not of a perishable
heap of stone and mortar and beam and
joist, but you built a spiritual temple TO
the glory of the Lord, which is to last
anti all things material pass way and
we succeed from the labors of the church
militant to the glories of the church tri-
umphant.
hearts uplifted in gratitude to God. The
mother church on the Hill has two chill
dren now, and the one just born promises
to be as sturdy and vigorous as the one
Of a year old. And while we are in this
| thankful mood. out of every heart in this
parish will be rendered an act of graft
tude toward our Right Reverend Bishop
for his selection of a pastor for you. In
the diocese W. cannot boast of a more
talented, more Jealous and more efficient
priest thar Father Sullivan. You know
him already, and my words find a re-
sponsive echo in the breasts of all of you.
Mark him in the pulpit, mark him on the
altar. mark him in his parish work, and
/ YOU will every day more and more appre-
| ciate his sterling worth; you win be join
ed more closely still by the strong bonds
of affectionate cooperation with the
people. To both of you, jealous priest
and faithful people, ] have the honor to
offer, In my own name and in that of
the clergy, present and absent, our heart
lest and most sincere congratulations this
Father Sullivan then introduced Mayor
Hoos and the big crowd ave His Honor
an uproarious welcome. That part
of the programme was a surprise
a speech in his pocket. But he made a
graceful and happy speech, and urged
the audience to be generous In their con-
Your speech should nave preceded the
address. ii was so good IN appeal said
a venerable priest congratulating~t
Mayor, who said truly that the advent Of
the church meant the growth of the Sec
ton.
crowds quickly dispersed.
Afterward Rev. Father Sullivan gave
the clergy and distinguished visitors a re-
/ ception at the parsonage on Duncan aye