Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-08-22

81. Rarys c'srsh Rsspsasd q, Ai,sI
Many Improvemsnts.


As has already been told by III,
Journal ST. Mary's church has beer
greatly beautified by the fleescoing Ana
decorating and various other i'm
provements which were made neces
sary by over - years Of sonstant US.
for the various religious services.
All the statues have been retouched
the woodwork repainted and varnishet
and the choir gallery. railing put in
The doors have been made to swing
outward in accordance with the law,
OF the church. Electric lights hav,
taken the place Of gas. All the light
are arranged in circular forms and a
night when the altar lights are light.
ed the effect IN exceedingly brilliant.
While the church has not been closed
at any time or the services interrupted
1t was reopened Sunday with appro-
pirate services in connection with the
patronal feast Of st. Mary's. The
mass was celebrated by the pastor
FIR. Doherty. and the sermon was
preached by FIR. O'Callaghan Of Ports
mouth. N. H. The music for the SER
vices were Furnished by the regular
choir and the solos were rendered by
Martin Fox. Miss Marguerite Buckley.
Miss Cony and Miss Switzerland.
FIR. O'Callaghan was the pastor here
many years ago and his old parishion-
ers were delighted to see ana hear him
again.
There was large congregation in
attendance at the services and they
made very generous offering toward
defraying the expenses Of the improve
ments recently completed.
The text Of the sermon was taken
from st. Paul's epistie to the Romans
xxxx:13-15. For whatsoever shall call
upon the name OF the Lord shall be
saved. How then shall they call upon
Him in whom they have not believed !?
How can they believe Him whom they
have not heard without preachers and
how Gun they preach unless they have
sent?'
The reverend gentleman from his
text showed the necessity Of faith to
satisfy the aspiration of mems souls
and to teach him his duties TO God
He then spoke Of the Apostles as the
teachers sent from God to found the
church and propagate 1t throughout
the world. He showed in the history
Of mankind the need Of Divinely COM
missioned churches to guide men in
the. way Of truth and by means of sac
raments and sacrifices to aid him in
the work of salvation. He then spoke
Of the material church as the temple
Of religious worship and Of the obliga-
tons upon all to hear the divinely
commissioned teachers and learn from
them what they must believe and do
to be saved.
AS FIR. O'Callaghan drew his three
quarter of an hour discourse. which
was listened to throughout with the
closest attention. to a close he made
some happy and personal illusions re-
garding the past local history Of st.
Mary's chuch and congregation. He
referred to this as his first parish. over
which he presided for two years some
three and twenty years ago. He
spoke feelingly of the old members Of
the congregation whom he had known
at that time. and who won his graft
tude by their zeal and generosity in all
things regarding their Christian obi
cations.
He paid an affectionete tribute to
the present devoted pastor. FIR. Charles
w. Doherty. whom he had known for
SO many years before this congrega-
ton was blessed with his presence and
ministry. whom he looked upon as a
life long sincere. loyal friend and whose
zeal and his sacred Offices won his ad-
miration. He prayed God may spare
many. many years such q pastor to
such q flock. ~
!. 1t expressed his qualification at hav-
ing the privilege Of saying the fitting
word on this occasion when they re-
dedicated anew to the service Of re-
ligion this dear old church. Dear to
them and dear to him. Dear to them
all by reason Of the many sacred menu
cries which clustered around 1t. He
congratulated them on the reopening
Of their chuch and said that they had
reason to thank God on such day as
this when they dedicated to the SER
vice Of religion under the patronage Of
the Blessed Lady. the feast Of whose
assumption they celebrate at this holy
time. Although the church may not
rival in gradeur and costliness some
OF the cathedrals Of some OF the larger
cities of this and other lands yet to
them there Is no place In the wide
world as dear to their hearts linking
them as 1t does TO the distant past Of
over half century and symbolizing