Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1899-06-08
FIRST MASS.


Although the seats and aisles were
packed, not one-half of those assem-
bled could gain entrance. The cause
which attracted such an immense
throng was the previous announce
ment that Rev. Richard Aid, a child
OF the parish, whose parents and
friends had for years been looking
forward to this day, was to offer up,
for the first time, the Holy Sacrifice of
the Mass.
i The altar tastefully decorated with
natural and artificial flowers and gold
embroidered lace, the golden vest
ments Of the celebrating clergymen,
the white SUPPLIES and black cassocks
of the assisting priests, the lighted
tapers and aromatic incense, formed
a pleasing and devotion-inspiring pic
ture.
The choir, with John McMullen at
the organ, assisted by Mr.. Adam
Dresser with violin and ten practiced
and cultured voices, rendered some
very difficult selections in most
pleasing manner, very fattering to
themselves and very much appreciated
by everyone present. The Kyrie, Credo
and Agnus Del from Millard's Mass
In b flat. The Gloria in Excelsis and
and Sanctus from Concone's Mass in
r., with several hymns, O, Sails
taris, etc.
At 1890 u. m. the services began:
From the Sacristy to the Sanctuary,
in procession came the attending
Priests, Rev. ID. d. Hishen, of Holy
Cross church, Chicago, and Rev.
Halbenkann, of St. Mary's Catholic
church, Rev. J. O'Keefe, pastor and
assisting Priest at the Mass, followed
by Rev. j. Mahoney, of Morse, Iowa,
as sub-deacon, and Rev. w. j. Nc
Cormack, of st. Patrick's church,
Burlington, Iowa, as deacon; finally
Rev. Father Aid, celebrant. Having
arrived at the center of the altar, with
bowed heads, the Introit was begun.
After the gospel, Father Fitzpatrick,
Professor in St. Joseph's College,
Dubuque, and preacher of the day,
robed in Cassock and Surplice, with
damask-silk and gold embroidered
Stole, came from the Sacristy, and
knclt at the foot of the altar, while the
choir sang the Veni Creator or Come,
oh Holy Ghost, by Willard. At the
conclusion of the hymn, he assembled
the altar and began the sermon, tax
John, 10 e, and 16 V. ''You have not
chosen me, but have chosen you and
appointed you that you should go
and bring forth fruit" For three
quarters of an hour, although the
day was intensely warm, he held the
CLOSE and rapt attention of the congre-
cation. Rarely If ever has it been the
happiness of the hearers to listen to Il
sermon so instructive, or convincingly
and attractively delivered. The sub
iect was most appropriate; the ideas
most beautiful, clothed in language
chaste and comprehensive beyond ex-
preston, conveying to each one the
exact thought or fact the Reverend
speaker wished to impress. Father
Fitzpatrick sure In this, has above
many that happy faculty of transfer
ing clearly and distinctly his real
meaning. He pictured the life of the
student for years in Catholic semin-
airy, preparing himself for the duties
of the Priesthood; his moral training,
self denial, self restraint, practice of
virtues, plans and religious instruc
tions, then his mental and scientitcal
education, that he might not only be a
spiritual instructor but also a master
director in all those branches required
for the social and temporal advan-
tage of his people. He described the
deep interest and zeal the faithful
guardianship of the Priest over his
people. His untiring labor and his
never forgotten duty as the dispenser
of God grace in the sacraments. In
Baptism, infusing into the child
Gods Holy gift, watching him
through life, inyouth and manhood, in
health and sickness, and ut death
cheering him with hope, and even out
beyond the grave offering up his
prayers and the Holy Sacrifice of the
Mass to God for his eternal happi-
ness. lie spoke of the wonderful in
conceivable power accorded to the
Priest as the representative of Christ
in Offering up the uuhloody Sacrifice
where is present Christ real and truly.
lie made Il deep impression upon all
present both Catholic and mont ath-
Ollie.