The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1898-07-09
HIS FIRST P0NTlFlCAL MASS
Celebrated by Bishop Christie in st.
Stephens Church.

Stephens Church.
Last Sunday was great day in the
history of st. Stephens Church. Bishop
Christie, Its promoted pastor, celebrated
his first pontifical mass, and the sacred
edlfce was filled to its utmost capacity
by an Interested congregation. Arch
bishop Ireland was present on the occa-
sion, and beside him in the sanctuary
sat Rev. j. NJ. Cleary and Rev. R. C.
GEMS, Of this city. The affairs were
beautifully decorated with flowers, and
the music was superb. a quartet of
trained voices assisting the regular
choir Miss Margaret M. Drew, the
noted music teacher, presided over ~
organ, and as the procession of acolytes,
priests, bishop and archbishop approach
ed the sanctuary. she rendered The
War March of the Priests" The quar-
tet, which added so materially to the
fine rendition of the musical program,
was composed of Mrs. w. E. Nelson,
Miss Elizabeth Hawley, Fred B. Chute,
and George M. B. Hawley.
While being attired in his episcopal
robes every eye was fixed on Bishop
Christie, and when he approached the
altar with mitre on his head and the
crozier in his hand, he presented mag
n11lcent appearance to his delighted
flock. His voice was strong and melo-
dious. and though it was his first pom
tltical mass he preserved dignifed
composure throughout the long services
and showed no trace of nervousness.
Rev. James Callahan, pastor of st. Pat
rick's Church, Montreal, acted as dea-
con; Rev. j. Pontbriand, OF Vermont,
as subdeacon; Rev. DR.. Heffron, of St.
Paul Seminary, as assistant priest, and
Rev. George A. Arctander, of st. Ste.
phens Church, as master Of ceremonies.
Archbishop Ireland preached the ser.
mon, and as it was the Sunday within
the octave of the feast of Saints Peter
and Paul, he made the life and labors
OF the great apostle of the gentiles the
subject OF his discourse He gave an
interesting sketch of the St. Paul dio
cese by way of preface, and in recount
ing the apostolic labors of st. Paul.
dwelt upon the sincerity and earnest
ness for the church which characterized
him. 1t was in honor of the great saint
that the first chapel in St. Paul was
dedlcated IN 1872, when that city was
mere village. The archbishop was
listened to with rapt attention, and
though he spoke at considerable length
he again addressed the congregation
just before the close of the services, and
spoke in terms of the highest praise of
the new bishop of Vancouver, congratu.
iating the Catholics of that distant do
cese on securing Bishop Christie He
PAID MIN we'll deserved eulogium for
the work Bishop Christie had accom-.
pnshed as pastor of St. Stephens
Church,and said it was in appreciation
OF his interchangeable zeal and success
ful labors in the ministry that the ven
cradle Pontiff, Leo Kill, raised him to
the episcopate. He expressed the be-
lief that the same executive ability and
zeal which had won him the promotion
to the hierarchy would render his labors
conspicuously successful in Vancouyer's
island and that whenever he visited
Minneapolis in the days to come he
would he sure of warm welcome.
Inc event of last Sunday will long be
remembered by the good people of st.
stephens parish. They rendered a re-
ceptlon TO Bishop Christie last Thurs
DAY evening at the spacious and ele-
CANT residence of Mr.. and Mrs. Maurice
Mcdonald, corner Twenty-second street
and Blaisdell avenue The bishop will
leave for Vancouver ON July 20.