Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1900-06-25
READ HIS FIRST MASS.
REV. II. L. M'MENAMlN OFFIClATES
AT ST. ANN'S CHURCH.
Newly Ordained Priest Performs One of
the Most Important Duties of His vo-
cation for the First Time Yesterday.
Impressive Sermon by Father Fallfhee.

cation for the First Time Yesterday.
Impressive Sermon by Father Fallihoo.
At 1890 o'clock yesterday morning
Rev. Hugh L. McMenamn read his
first mass in St. AIMS church. He was
ordained last week in Baltimore, Md,
by Cardinal Gibbons, and arrived at his
parents home in the Second ward on
Wednesday evening.
Father McMenamin has been life
long resident OF st. AIMS parish, and
an unusually large number of the con-
gregation assembled at the late mass
yesterday to honor the young priest by
assisting at his first exercise of the holy
office and to receive his blessing.
The solemn and impressive ceremony
OF high mass, than which there is
nothing in the whole liturgy of the
Catholic Church more sacred, was read
by Father McMenamin with the strict
uniformity that characterizes the mass
throughout the world. 1t Is one of the
distinctive marks of the universality of
the Catholic Church that In all ages and
In all countries, from the frozen peaks
OF the north to the torrid sands OF the
south, the holy sacrifice Of the mass is,
as 1t has always been, one and the same
1t is not permitted to the individual
clergyman to change or alter one iota
OF Its ceremonies.
In this respect Father McMenamin's
first mass was mot different from the
| Iffrt, Il. L
every Sunday, and so well did the
young clergyman bear himself through
the difficult service that stranger In
the church would be unable to tell
whether the priest at the altar was per-
forming the holy sacrifice for the first
time or celebrating the mass of his sill
yer jubilee.
The solemn ceremony, ever impress
sive, always soothing, epitomizing the
life OF Christ on earth and renewing the
sacrifice of the cross, was made more
solemn, II possible, by the extreme fervor
of tho celebrant and the pious assistance
OF tho vast assemblage, which filled the
church to the doors. Father McMena-
min sang the different parts OF the mass
In strong resonant voice. His move
ments were characterized by calmness
and deliberation, and his bearing
throughout the mass was indicative Of
exceptional plety.
Outside Of slight tremor in his voice
and barely-noticeable sowness In his
carriage, there was nothing to mark
Father McMenamin as newly-ordained
priest. But there was much to mark
him as a pious, learned and able young
man, whose place among Gods workers
will undoubtedly be ono of lmmeasur-
able usefulness.
Father McMenamln was assisted at
the mass by Rev. William O'Donnell, of
Scranton, as deacon. Rev. John j.
O'Donnell, of Wikesbarre, cousin of
the celebrant and fellow theological
student, who will be ordained priest
next month, acted as sub-deacon. Ed
ward j. Gaffney, of Freeland, was
master OF ceremonies, while Frank p.
O'Donnoll, OF Drifton. acted as thurifer,
and Patrick j. Gallagher, of Freeland,
and James Cunningham, OF Jeddo, as
acolytes.
Rev. M. ]. Fallihee, pastor OF St.
AIMS church. preached the sermon
Father Fallihee's oratory, better known
for doctrnal soundness and fatherly
wisdom than for rhetorical polish, was
laden with much feeling as he referred
to the young priest and the difficult work
upon which he Is about to enter.
1.-The priests life," the speaker said,
sis beset with trials and temptations.
This young priest was born in the parish
and wa claim him as our own. He Is all
our own, and we must pray for him, as
we know that he will pray for u.s." Father
Fallihee's remarks were we'll adapted to
tho occasion, and the affectionate man
ner In which they were delivered made
a telling Impression on the large congre-
CATION.
! The choir sang the mass In excellent
form. Mr.. Moerschbacher rendered the
, 30 Salutaris." His rich bass voice re-
sounded throughout the church, and
added impresslveness to the ceremony.
After mass Father McMenamin gave
his blessing to the people.
Last evening at Z o'clock he gave
benedction OF the Blessed Sacrement.
Next Sunday Father McMenamin will
deliver the sermon at the 80 O'Clock
, mass at st. AIMS church.
Father McMenamins entry into the
Catholic priesthood is the happy con.
summation of his youthful desires. He
is the son of Mr.. and Mrs. Hugh Nc.
Menamn, and was born In South
Heberton on September IL, 1871. He
attended the public schools In Foster
township for a few years, and later
worked some time at Highland No. 1
colliery. At the age OF 10 he entered
r Bloomsburg normal school, and studied
there one term.
Afterwards, determining to study for
the Church, he went TO st. Charles COL