The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-09-06
a PRIEST MUCH BELOVED
HUGE AUDIENCE OBSERVES FATHER
O'DONAGHUE's SILVER JUBILEE.
Many Visiting CIergymen-Exercis
at TomIfnson HaIl-Tributes to
the Vicar General.

congratulations TO the Very Rev. Denis
O'Donaghue, pastor of st. Patricks Church
and vicar general Of the diocese of Indian
apolis, on the twenty-fifth anniversary of
his ordination as priest. Father O'Don-
aghue was escorted 10 the hall by an i'm
mense procession of all the Catholic socie-
ties and organizations in the city. The
front half OF the lower floor of the hall had
been reserved for the members of these or
ganizations and when the band swung into
the hall at the head of the procession,
playing AUD Lang Syne'' and 'The Wear
ing of the Green" every other seat was
filled. The escort made a parade over four
blocks long and Father O'Donaghue's jour-
ney from his home to the hall was tri-
umphal one. When the administrator en-
tered the hall and came down the stage he
was greeted with round after round of ap-
plause and many cheers. On the stage were
seated over seventy priests who had come
to attend the silver jubilee and they repre-
sented Indiana. Illinois. Ohio and Ken
lucky. Among those here were Rev. Simon
Barber, Of Huntingburg; Rev. Theodore
Mattingly. of Martin county; Rev. ]. b.
Kelly, of Martin county; Rev. T. X. Logan.
of Rushville; Rev. E. j. Spelman. of Cam
bridge City; Very Rev. John Guendling, of
Fort Wayne; Very Rev. John hurry, presi-
dent of the theological seminary at Cincin-
natl; Rev. John Doyle, of Washington;
Father Connolly, of Canada; Mgr. Gam
bon, of Louisville; Mgr. Zabler. of Louis
Vile; Rev. Father Meisner. of Peru; Father
Rowan, of Montgomery; Father Matthews,
OF Daviess county; Rev. James O'Dona-
ghue. of Loogootee; Rev. John McCabe, of
st. Mary's; Father Sullivan. of Louisville:
and Rev. John Quinlan. of Huntington.
Mr.. w. F. Moore was master of cere-
monies and called the meeting to order.
He explained that the meeting had been
called to celebrate the silver jubilee of
Father O'Donaghue and closed by present
ing Mayor Taggart as presiding officer.
Mayor Taggart received an ovation and
spoke but a few moments. lie returned his
thanks for the honor of presiding over the
meeting and then paid high tribute to
Father O'Donaghue who he said, was hon.
ored and respected by all men, regardless
The first half hour was devoted to music.
The entire choir of St. Patrick's Church
was on the stage. with Mrs. Edward j.
ence, led by the choir, sang THE Red.
Unfold, y Portais MIS- Margaret NC Nc.
Mary's Church, Rochester, N. Y, sang, as
solo; The Holy City" violin obligato
was played by Miss Esther Dwyer. As an
encore, Mrs. O'Connor sang by Killar-
neys Lakes and the first notes of the
accompaniment caused great applause. Miss
Rose of Summer" and her encore, Come
Back to Erin" aroused the greatest en-
thusiasm.. and the audience seemed deter
Dwyer. handicapped by the breaking of a
string, played as violin solo THE Harp
That Once through Tara's Halls and re-
sponded to an encore with "Old Black joe"
BISHOP INSISTED ON 1T.
Mayor Taggart then presented Father
Chartrand, who paid high tribute to
Father O'Donaghue. He said Father O'Don-
aghue had lived for twenty-one years with
Bishop Chatard and the bishop had insisted
on this celebration being held. Father
O'Donaghue. said he, merely wanted to go
back to the seminary at Montreal and look
over the old ground but the bishop had in
sisted on the anniversary being publicly OBJ
served and Father ODonaghue had &C.
quiesced. Father Chartrand spoke at some
length Of Father O'Donaghues abilities and
talents and said he is a leader among men
and among priests. He urged that all Cath
olics take part in civic affairs and closed
by expressing the bishops high esteem and
regard for Father O'Donaghue
Father Dowd, of st. Anthony's Church,
was next called on to convey the expression
Of the priests Of the diocese. He said he
did not believe In not saying good things
about man until he was dead, but he be-
lieved in telling them while he was living
and then he told all kinds of good things
about Father ODonaghue. He reviewed his
work here as priest and said he was or
dained here and has always worked here
He is student and a leader of men In
everything. He reviewed Father O'Dona-
ghue's work as vicar general and said he is
the first Hoosier vicar general TO serve In
n III o11 DfA~i - III
moter Of real progress and said that while
these things might be embarrassing ia
Father ODonaghue, they were none the less
true.
THE LAITY's GIFT.
The laity then had their turn and they
were represented by Mr. Moore. He spoke
briefly and said the expression from the
laity would be found in the purse which
he presented Father O'Donaghue from the
latter. He said 1t was inadequate for pay
and was merely an expression of their love
and respect for him. The purse contained
$1,000 in bills.
Mayor Taggart had commenced to an
nounce the last number on the programme
when number of the priests hurried tc
Father O'Donaghue and talked with him
earnestly. The music had commenced wher
Mayor Iaggart stopped ii and announced
that Father O'Donaghue had yielded to the
entreaties of the priests and would saw 3
few words Tremendous applause greeted
his appearance and when quiet was re.
stored Father O'Donaghue tried TO express
his thanks and made one of his character.
istic speeches. Il never felt more like max
ing a speech" said he. land less able &c
than do at this moment. 1 have been halt
ashamed TO sit here as the target for al
these compliments and believe II has beer
the hearts that have spoken and not the
dictates OF good judgment. I accept them
all. however. I didn't bring you together
this hot night II you have not been wei
entertained don't charge IL to me. These
gentlemen have been firing so many com
pliments at me that / am really ashamed
/ have not on better suit OF clothes liz
which to stand before you. The praise 1.
| not deserved. / am simply a man who trie.
| to tell the truth when I can and pay my
| debts when can't get out Of II. That is al
l am am glad OF the compliments. fol
they don't come every day in showers
| have this evening learned that / hav,
talents and abilities and virtues that in my
widest dreams 1 had no idea possessed
Father ODonaghue then seriously talked
| OF his life here. how he has seen the city
| grow and OF all his friends here. The pro
gramme closed with the choir rendering
| what was announced by Mayor Taggart
with keen Irish wit. ''Teddy-um''
The celebration will be continued thi:
morning by the celebration of a solemn hisl
| mass at ST. Patrick's Church at 10 o'clock
| The service will be attended by the so
| cieties and children. They will assemble a
Q.20 a M " rCh ha tel