Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-03-04
FATHER o'FARRELL's ADDRESS.
An Unknown Writes Nice Things
r About Al, Ottumwa Priest.

The Catholic Messenger today con-
tains an article from the pen4of some
person signing himself A. B., and writ
ing from Grinnell concerning the re-
cent address delivered by Rev. Father
O'Farrell, pastor of St. Patrick's
Catholic church, South OttumWa. The
writer pays deserved tribute to Faith
er O'Farrell in the following manner:
Editor Catholic Messenger: The
address delivered last week by Father
O'Farrell before the A. o. H. of Ottum-
wa was beautiful tribute to the race
to which he himself belongs. 1t GER
tainly shows that the Rev. Father is
a student who burns the midnight oil
and is a scholar of an immense
amount of solid information. 1t is
only a master mind who could pack
into so small space such a vast guam
tity of historical facts. His address
should be cut from the Messenger and
framed and hung up in conspicuous
place in the homes of his countrymen.
The Irishmen of Ottumwa may we'll
feel proud to have amongst them a
priest of their own race, who is ever
ready to stand before any audience
and give it profound and valuable
knowledge. This is the real test of
mans learning and accomplishments.
1t is of little account if priest or 9TH
er person has much information but is
unable to communicate it to his fellow
man.
The writer of this used to know Rev.
Father OFarrell when he was priest
in charge in Grinnell. He was a
jealous priest, and fearless in combat
inc VII Of L. in1 std 10
there was no compromise with evil do
ers, they had to forsake their vicious
ways or there was no peace for them.
He is the stamp of a priest that in ma
ny ways is badly needed in the pres
ent age. He is no dumb OK who stands
by quietly and sees the wolf devour
his flock. Wherever there is danger
there is he. in the forefront with pen
and voice protecting his people.
| That was fine eulogy which Faith
er O'Farrell bestowed upon the love
which the Irish people have for the
priest of God no matter what his
color or brogue may be. 1t is always
an evident proof of the warmth and
strength of their Catholic faith. No
matter if the priest cannot speak two
dozen words of straight ineligible
English. he is still for them the
"Soggarth Aroon.' He is clothed
with the priesthood of Jesus Christ
and that IS the leading fact for the
Irish people, and wholly governs them
in their respect and love for the priest.
Here is the reason why they take so
kindly to pastors of the German and
other nationalities. And here is the
answer to the seeming anomaly of a
German priest being pastor of an Irish
congregation whose church bears the
sweet name of st. Patrick. This ap.
pears still more creditable to. Irish
Catholics, when it is remembered that
there is no example in sight where a
German parish ever did accept as its
pastor an Irish priest even though he
could speak their language as perfect
ly as the Kaiser. Some years ago g
German priest acknowledged frankly
to the writer of this that he would
much prefer to be pastor over al
Irish parish than over German. Fo
this Father O'Farreil has clearly Sc
forth the reason, and for this re de
serves the sincere gratitude not onl
| of the Irish Catholics of Ottumwa bu
of the Irish Catholics of the Who'll
! country God bless Father O'Farrel
,