The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1900-06-23
Ordination Of
Father Bouck
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES


, ''Tiffin, o., June 12-Since the day of
the organization of st. Joseph's Parish
in 1S45, but four of it's members have
attained the dignity of the priesthood.
These were j. F. Siebenfoercher of Ken
ton; Rev Jacob F. Kuebler of Massil-
lon: Rev. George F. Houck of Cleve-
land, and Rev. Frederick A. Houck,
of this city, who said his first mass last
| Sunday.
! THE church was beautifully decorat-
ed and the services most impressive.
At 1915 o'clock the knights of st.
John escorted into the church the
young Levite and the priests in at
were followed by a score of little
| girls, attired in white, and sixteen
! acolytes. AS soon as the priests took
their places at the altar the High Mass
| began, differed as follows: Celebrant,
| Rev. Frederick A. Houck; assistant
! priest, Rev. George F. HOuck, Cleve-
| land; deacon, Rev. Jacob f. kuebler
! Massillon; Sub-deacOn, Rev. Father
! Baumgardner; master of ceremonies,
Rev. Thomas F. Conlon; present in
the sanctuary, Rev. John P. Puetz and
Rev. NJ. Healy, and Rev. Father Pfiel.
The Mass sung was a part of the
musical Arentz and Witt Masses, rem
dered with inspiring effect. Rev.
Nicholas PfieI of st. Peters Church,
| Cleveland. delivered for the occasion
one of the best sermons ever heard
within the walls of the sacred edifice.
He eloquently reviewed the life of
young man who prepares himself to be
elevated to the priesthood, telling OF
his joys and trials.
Father Pfiel then spoke at length of
the consultations and obligations of the
priestly state, and concluded with an
impressive address of congratulation
to the young man newly ordained to
it's sacred duties.
From far and near the preacher
began, we have assembled here to-
day to witness a ceremony which al
ways appeals most strongly to the
heart of Catholic Christian and stirs
it to the very depths-the celebration
of a young priests first mass. When
the grapevine is in bloom, in the sun
shine, rendering the air fragrant with
its delicate perfumes in the balmy
days of midspring, the old grape-juice
that has lain quiet and dormant for
long months in a dark and deep cellar,
becomes roily and begins to ferment.
So, too, many an old parishioner of
this venerable congregation of St JO-
today on seeing this young man in the
full bloom of his priestly power and
dignity, offering the sacrifice of the
New Law at the altar of the Most
High. Indeed, the entire congregation
of this historical church feels
honored in him who today, for the
first time, aScends the steps of the altar
as priest forever according to the
order of MelchiSedek. For, it was
here in these saTed precints that
thirty-four years ago he received the
Sacrament of Baptism. 1t was in the
parochial school of this congregation
that he received his first instruction
in religious and secular knowledge. I
In this Church he attended Mass on
Sundays and holy days of obligation.
At that altar he was wont to serve
Mass in boyhood days At that altar
railing he received his First Commun-
ion. In that sanctuary he was con-
firmed by Bishop Gilmour,. of pious
memory. And now, today, we see him
clothed in the robes of a priest, !
who is about to offer UP his first Holy |
Sacrific. With the Psalmist we may
excIaim: This is the day the Lord |
hath made; let us rejoice and be glad |
therein
For our mutual edification, my
dear friends, let us consider today, |
briefly, some of the joys and, for con-
trast's sake, some of the trials of the |
Catholic priesthood. Let me begin in the |
name of the Triune God, to whose spe- |
cial blessing the present day is COM
rCitted."
The Rev. Father Pfiel went into a !
lengthy and detailed account of the |
arduous labors and hard study encoun- |
tered in preparation for the priesthood; |
the many joys and consultations afford |
ed the heart of the young priest after |
his ordination; the trials, vows and OBJ
legations he has voluntarily taken upon |
himself. Continuing he said:
Moreover, the priest much preach.
To do SO effectually he must prepare
and study his sermons so as to an
nounce the Word of God every Sunday
or Holy Day with becoming dignity,
JUNCTION and fruit. Furthermore, a
priest says Mass every day, Sunday
or week day, summer or winter, heat
or cold 1t matters not if he is in
charge of some simple country church
in the depths of rural solitude, or of a
city congregation amid the
din and turmoil of a metropolis, the
Catholic priest stands at the altar to
renew in an unbIoody manner that