Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-12-26

decided that mass could be celebrat-
ed anywhere.
Dubuque Diocese Formed.
" But will not fatigue you with a
rehearsal of my personal experiences
or how l began my parochial life. In
April, 1887, the Fathers of the third
Provincial Council of Baltimore pei
toned the Holy Father, Pope Gregory
XVI, that Dubuque be made an Epis-
copal See, having for it's diocese the
territory now included in the states
of Iowa and Illinois and part of the
This was done and the Rev. Father
of the new diocese in December, 1887.
Ottumwa in the Forties.
tOttumwas was, during the forties,
under the authority of Father Villiers
of Keokuk, who visited this place as
travelling priest. In 1851 Father
Hattenberger came as the first resi-
dent priest and in short time had
erected the first little church on the
site now occupied by the parochial
home. The conditions here were the
same as those to be found all over the
state. Wherever a priest went he was
hailed with joy by the inhabitants of
the place and soon the people had col
lected around these stations in consid-
cradle numbers"
Upbuilding of the Parishes.
Father Kempker spoke at length of
the development of various parishes,
of the cordially with which the
priests were received by the people
of the frontier settlements, and of the
wonderful faith displayed by then. at
all times He mentioned the erection
of the first brick church in Davenport
in the year 1888, which was followed
within the next few years with sub
stantial church buildings at TT. Madi
son and Ottumwa wherever
priest would CO." said Father Kemp
ker, the people would flock in great
numbers to greet him and make their
duties to the church. In these years
of early development the priest often
risked his life in the performance of
his duties and many We're the dangers
and hardships he encountered that he
might bring consolation and admins
ter the sacraments to some dying be-
lever.
The Present Church.
In this country where there is an
abundance of wealth and produce the
advancement of the church has been
most rapid. Here where there has
been great progress in industry, edu-
cation, morality and goodness the po-
sition the church now holds is most
| f1attering. Look at it carefully and
you will see that it compares favorab-
ly with the church of the old country.
In the display of devotion, zeal, and
generosity the churches | have served
have been the equals of any. Per
haps we cannot be the equal of the
churches of Italy in the ancient works
of art which embellish and adorn their
cathedrals, but the display of faith is
their equal. Our sacrificial and
preaching service are the same and
our doctrine does not differ in the
least. We have simply taken up that
which was originated by Christ and
carried it on to it's present organiza
ton and state of proficiency.
Future of Church in Iowa.
''The future of the church in Iowa
is most suspicious l look for vast
changes to occur within the next
twenty-five years. | expect the con
gregations to be most thoroughly or
ganized under government of plain
spoken canon law. l believe that tho
members will then give expression OPP
emily and before the world to a higl
degree of Christian experience mere
{ than at present and that the churcl
in this state will be so strong that i
2 will be source of joy to God.
Live at Peace.
/ ssIn closing l would thank you TO
, the sympathy and the hearty supper
} you have given me as | have takel
e up my work in your midst, and 70
! your presence in such large number
e on this occasion. would at this tim
appeal to you to hold your religion sd
cerd even as you keep the sacrednes
of the family circle and even make
y first in your thought. Keep on wit
: your prayers that this church may b
:. built up and made strong. AS sc
: ciety l would eXhort you to live i
e peace. The first work of a priest
S to make peace and | would appeal t
: you that you lay aside all little diffel
e ences of opinion and work for the VI
4 building of the church as one HON
S and one family. And / would appee
t to you, for the sake of your honor, tn
, glory of the church. the welfare of tn
e congregation, and the uplifting OF tn
v society, to live together in peace an
i humility and unity of purpose for tn
a sake of the future destiny of this pa
d ish. For this have been sent to yo
: that you may accomplish your grea
mission in this community and fulfi
your God-given destiny and attain
, the happiness that may be yours i
this life and the joy that may be your
IL. l,n,. Tor