The age-herald., 1899-12-18
MASS CELEBRATED
 BY FATHER KENNEDY
Pulpit at St. PauI's Filled by As-
 SiStant Pastor.
LETTER FROM THE BISHOP
Annual Appeal in Behalf of Orphans Christmas a Season of Almsgiving Father o'Reilly Still Con-
 fined to His Bed

The Rev. Father Kennedy was the cele- brant at both masses and vespers and bene- diction at St. Pauls church yesterday. The Rev. Father OReilly, the pastor of the church, who has been ill for several days past, is convalescent, but is still confined to his bed. He expects to be able to say mass by Wednesday next. A large number of his flock and other friends called at the parsonage during the afternoon to inquire after his condition and leave sympathetic messages The following circular letter was read in all the Catholic churches of the diocese yesterday:
 Mobile, Ala, Dec. F, 1899. ''The annual collection for the support of the orphans of this diocese will be made during the Christmas holidays in the man. ner which seems best to the reverend pas tors.
 'The object of the collection is one that appeals strongly to every Christian heart, and should receive the unstinted support of all in every walk of life; for the souls of these little ones are precious in the sight Of God and He will hold us accountable if any one of them is lost through our neglect
 It is very evident from many passages in Holy Scripture than Almsgiving and kind ness to the poor are not matters of mere choice but rather of the strictest obliga- tion for everyone. The duty therefore or giving Aims is not merely enjoined on those who are rich in the goods of this world, but it is equally binding on all men.
 The amount given should bear some pro- portion to the good things which God has entrusted to us.
 Almsgiivng however, Is not measured by Almighty God according to quantity alone, but by the good will of the giver. Give, then, generously and cheerfully and God will bless you abundantly for your charity. The orphan asylums of the diocese are al- ways crowded and we cannot let them fail in their blessed work for lack of means, for our charity is their only support.
 While providing temporary shelter for children in these asylums, we should strive to find permanent homes for them in Chris tian families, where their faith and their morals will be safeguarded. "He that shall receive one such little child in My Name receiveth Me-" says our Divine Lord Matt. xviii, 5.
 The plans for the new asylum for boys have been prepared and we hope soon to begin to build. This building is intended to be a memorial of the late saintly Bishop Jeremiah Sullivan, whose zealous labors in behalf of the orphans, and every other charitable cause, are too well known to need repetition here. As a fitting tribute to his memory, we wish to see every Catholic family in the Diocese represented in this noble work by a contribution pro- Dortnnate fo the means of each.
 Please read this circular to the people on the Sunday before the collection, and on the day of the collection itself.
 Wishing you and your flock all the graces and the blessings of the Christmas season, I am faithfully yours in Christ,
 EDWARD P. ALLEN,
 Bishop of Mobile.
 J. w. SHAW, Secretary.