Waterbury Democrat., 1901-12-23
IT WAS A GALA DAY
For Members of St Patrick's Parish
 200 Children Confirmed.

For Members of St Patrick's Parish
 200 Children Confirmed.
 To-day marked the twenty-dfth an- niversary of the ordination of Rev Father Gleeson, pastor of St Patrick's s church. to the priesthood, and it was observed with impressive ceremonies at St Patrick's church. At 9 o'clock a solemn high mass was, celebrated with the following priests officiating: Celebrant Rev Father Gleeson; dea con, Rev Father Downey, Hartford; sub-deacon, Rev James Lawless. Cron- well; master of ceremonies, Rev pr Donovan, Hartford, chancellor of the diocese; assistant master of cere- monies, Rev Fathers Sullivan. Jordan Master Timothy NIcCarthy; accolytes, Masters Joseph Walsh and William Dunphy. Many priests were within the sanctuary rail. At the conclusion of the mass Right Rev Bishop Tierney administered the sacrament of con- firmation to class of about 200 chil- dren. His assistants were the Revs NJ. B. Rodden. Broadbrook and Michael. O. r. M.. Winsted. After the administration of confirmation Right Rev Bishop Tierney delivered an in- teresting discourse on the graces de rived from the sacrament and coun- seled the children to live up to the teachings of their religion. He spoke of the evils of intemperance and ad- ministered the pledge to the children to abstain from all intoXicants until the age of 21. The musical program was of grand nature. Bonner's mass was rendered in d fine manner by the boys sanctuary choir. which received many words of praise for its good work from the visiting priests. After the confirmation Right Rev Bishop Tierney paid his canonical yis- itation to the church.
 All yesterday and to-day the parochial residence of St Patrick's parish has been filled with people whose purpose was to congratulate the Rev Father Gleeson upon the comple- tion of his twenty-fifth year ill the sa- cred ministry. The pastor of St Pat rick's has not only been the recipient of many words of reorganization. but also of handsome presents, tokens of esteem from his many friends. Every society connected with St Patrick's has shown their regard for their pastor and their appreciation of his noble work while pastor of St Patrick's by presenting him with handsome gift. The sentiment and feelings of all the members of St Patrick's parish are well expressed by the presentation speech of r. A. Johnson, when he pre- sented Rev Father Gleeson in behalf of the boys sanctuary choir with q beautiful token of esteem. His ad- dress was as follows: Dear Rev Father Gleeson: It is with feelings of boundless joy that We embrace this oc- casion of your silver jubilee to ex- press in the first place the esteem and love which we have for you, and also our gratitude to God for preserving you during those many years of use fitness in the holy priesthood We are here to bear to you the heartfelt con- gratulations from the members of the sanctuary choir of St Patrick's par ish. For, knowing full well the piety and zeal which actuated you in the organization of our choir, we cannot find words to express the devotion we have for you in return for the interest which you have always manifested in us. In conclusion, we beg of you to accept this testimonial as a slight token of the regard and homage we have in our hearts for you We pray God to shower. his choicest blessings on you to enable you to con- tinue your many recurring years of usefulness in the sacred ministry
 Many priests were among those who participated in the observance of Rev Father Gleeson's jubilee. Among the priests who were present today We're the Rev Fathers James Donovan. D. D., Hartford; NJ. B. Rodden, Broad brook, Michael, O. r. NJ. Winsted: Smith. Norwich; Downey, Hartford; Lawless. Cromwell; O'Brien. Stam- ford; Rogers. Bridgeport; Rogers. Hartford; Neal. Terryville; Duggan, Torrington; Quinn. Taftville: Daly. New Haven: Kennedy. New Haven: Slocum. Curtin. Broderick. Fleming. kOst. Dr Martin. AicGuane. Fitzgerald and Saurusaitis from this city.
 Rev Father Gleeson was ordained to the priesthood at the Grand seminary. Montreal 1876. by the Most Rev Arch bishop Fabre. On Christmas. 1876. he was appointed assistant priest at Stam- ford. and on November l. 1878. he was transferred to Danielsonville. In March, 1879. Rev Father Gleeson went to Thompsonville. where he remained slS dSSlstint ullIll Apr1l 4. 1885. when lie was appointed rector of St An thony's. Litchfield. On November 2S. 1885. Rev Father Gleeson was appoint ed rector of St Mary's church, Port land, and in February. 1889. he was made pastor of the church in Thomp- sonville. In 1895 Father Gleeson was made pastor of St Patrick's church.
 Rev Father Gleeson has always been noted for his hard and earnest work. Even while q curate he displayed en- ergy. vigor. zeal and industry which attracted the notice of his superiors. When he became q pastor these quali- ties seemed to have developed. His years as pastor at various churches have been marked by the liquidation of debts. by the building of churches. parOchial residences and schools and by the organization of societies. His has been q life of zeal. of effort and of industry. Tn Litchfield, where he only remained about eighteen months, lie purchased q a parochial residence for S6.O00 and paid every cent on it before his transfer In. Portland, during two years and a half, he paid off S1,S0O of q debt and bought house and lot for S3,OOO for convent uses and established the Sisters of Mercy there. In Thomp- sonville he completed the basement of