Evening journal., 1900-08-07
BISHOP KEILBY'S
ELOQUENT SERMON
Delivered Upon Inauguration
Of Vt. Patrick'S New
Rector

Services at ST. Patrlck's Church, Fif-I
leen,h and King streets in the inaugu-l
ration Of the Rev. Father Birmingham,
while not attended with the splendid
ceremonials Of a pontihcal mass, werel
marked with an interest that drew
many from the other parishes OF thel
CITY. The popularity Of Father Ber-
mingnam az attested by the recent
Snellenburg contest for a trip to Eu-l
rope. placed the brilliant young prelatel
far in advance of all competitors.
In addition to this. the presence of
the newly consecrated bishop Of the
diocese of Savannah, Ca, gave to the
exercises the charm Of attraction amid
n duh midsummer vacation.
The 1890 a. m, mass was a simplel
low mass with Father Birmingham asl
the celebrant A full choir. however,
was present composed Of singers from
other churches, led by James A. Curran.
AT the ofertory, Miss Elizabeth ].
Schawb. Of St. Mary's sang Cherubini's
Ave Maria with exquisite pathos and
finish. elicting much favorable COM
ment from those hearing it. At the
benediction the choir rendered the
"O'Salutaris." with a volume and ma
jesty of tone that was awe inspiring toI
all present After the benediction a
grand "re Deum" closed the services.
Bishop Keiley's sermon followed tneI
reading of the gosepl of the day. HeI
dwelt upon the unity OF the church. and
gave throughout a mastery presenta-
tion OF the salient points covering the
organization Of tha Catholic church,
throughout the Christian era. In speak
ing OF this the bishop said, we do
not. in going from one of our churches
TO another, see any evidence of dis
similarity except in the intrinsic value.
The humble altar has and has had, for
centuries. accessories for worship as full
OF meaning as that which adorns the
| nigh altar under the dome OF ST
Peters at Rome-cne language. one set
| on Vestncnts, the cherublm and sera.
phim on each side OF the altar. the
Fix tall candles. the reredos or taberna-
Gle the missal and the three cards. and
then the chalice-horein are the unity
and sacrahcal intent of the Catholic
church.
Thus 1t is at each mIment Of time
las the earth rolls each meredian of lon
gitude against tho sun somewhere on
tho globe a priest vested as here, is
Offering up 10 God the holy sacraiice
of the mass. Empires and republics and
lprincipalities may rise. live, and sink
into Obscurity but the deathless mass
goes on the same to-day yesterday and
Il forever, and Will until the crack of
doom.
I'm our national life we see the value
and powerful concentration of exist
ence in state united under one head
In our business pursuits we see trusts
syndicates. and vast industries sim
lplifying their expenses and adding to
their profits by the concentration. by
unity difficult problems of trade sim
| plihed for in effect united effort is
based upon simplicity OF action. Then
lagain previous to 800 or 600 years from
the present time to what organization
was the world indebted for material
n advancement i'm the various channels
LOT civilizations. IL was by the austere
monks OF the Catholic church that Eng
land, France, Germany and continental
j Europe owe their early tuition. Rae
ing along the centuries we see the
church seemingly standing aloof yet
encouraging to the utmost the spread
of the gospel and with it the "nnse-
quent civilization which we call arts
sciences and commerce. There Is more
than the sanctuary ratings that sep
lerates our priests from the world. IN,
doctrines that they preach are not tn,
lcreatiuns Of fancy or the dictates o
lcaprice or the eXigcncies of the times
Nor are they drifted about by everl
wind that blows. but coming from God
lare as immutahlc as His laws of crea
lti1n, hence we see no matter wha'
J may be- the private lhle~of our priest
hood their want Of or excess of ability
They stand upon the same level whei
preaching upon the doctrines of tn,
church"
In conclusion the bishop urged thl
cooperation OF the people of St, Pat
rick's in helping their newly electe,
pastor To pay heed to the instruc
tons that would as time advanced b.
delivered TO them. To follow in simpl,
faith the teaching of the good mother
church, to be by II good Catholics an,
citizens OF the commonwealth and ii
doing their duty here as taught them
make sure Of that reward so plenteous
: ly promised by our Divine Redeemer Il
the life beyond to those who will hea
r the church militant.