The Jersey City news., 1902-01-06
FR. SMYTH'S
WELCOME.
Greeted by a Vast Congre-
cation With Christmas
Music and New
Years Wishes.
EARNEST INAUGURAL WORDS
St. Joseph's New Pastor a
Great Favorite Alike in
His New and Old
Charge.
EARNEST INAUGURAL WORDS

A congregat ton that TILED every seat IA
st. Joseph R. C. Church, at Baldwin and
Pavonia avenues. greeted the new rector
the Rev. Patrick E. Smyth, recently ap-
pointed successor to the Rt- Rev Mon
signor Robert Seton. D. d., when he
ascended to the pulpit at the eleven
o'clock mass yesterday morning
In the vast assemblage were many Of
Father Smyth's old parishioners from St
Bridgets Church, on Montgomery street.
Of which he was pastor for seven years
and until 1889 IN addition, number
from st. Mary's Church, PIainfeld.
where the venerable priest has labored
for nineteen years, had come to see their
Beloved pastor begin work in his new
parish.
Father Slnyth arrived at ST. Jeseph's
reetory Saturday afternoon after having
bitiden good bye to his predecessor in
the parish Afonsignor Seton, on the deck
of the Fuerst Bismarck just before she
sailed He was warmly greeted by the.
curates, Rev. Father Foy and Rev
Father Lundy, and took part in the hear
ing Of confessions in the evening
The new rector of st. Joseph's cele-
brated the nine o'clock mass yesterday
morning and preached brief sermon.
The eleven o'clock mass was celebrated
by Rev. Father Lundy and Rey- Father
Snyth preached the sermon
The Christmas music was repeated by
the choir, Miss Margaret OMara render
ing several solos and Mr.. John Leonard
singing the offertory.
When Father Smyth ascended the pull
pit he first read the notices for the week
and then began brief address as a pre-
II I,
siderable embarrassment at being obliged
10 introduce himself. Continuing, he
said
As you all know have been assigned
rs rector Of this parish by the Bishop.
and I promise you thai will fGlfll the
duties If the position to the pest Of my
ability. Monsignor Seton has been a
friend of mine Tor the past thirty years
Very few priests are allowed to spend
that time in this world. I hope my life
as rector of this church will justify the
fattering terms in which my predecessor
has spoken Of me. I am grateful to him
for bis kindly words.
Il have an earnest desire to do good
work, both for your salvation and my
own I prize my appointment as rector
Of this parish very highly and [ assure
you l will do ray best-and that If all
that is required of any man by God.
a former curate of this churcn told
me that st. Joseph's was one of the no.
blest parishes of the diocese. and I be-
lieve | can readily see the truth OF the
remark from my own observations.
This parish has a debt of $1,000 not
counting the $1,000 now in bank. This is
comparatively very small sum, and with
your cooperation l hope to have that in
debtedness gradually but surely disap-
rear
Father Smyth then preached his ser
mon. after which he remained in the
saersty praying until the conclusion of
The mass.
After the services were over he was
greeted by many of his old time friends
and his new parishioners. all of whom
wished him the greatest measure of sue
cess in his new field of labor
Afier he is comfortably settled in his
new home Father Smyth viii spend con-
Siderable Of mis- time in getting person.
ally acquainted with his rev parishioners.
Tne new rector OF St Joseph's is much
beloved in Plsinfie,d, where he has been
pastor of ST. Maryfs Church for almost
twenty years The people OF that City
very much regret his departure and he
brings with him the love of q large and
devoted congregation and the respect and
esteem of an entire community. irre-
snective OF religious belief It is said
that no clergyman of any denomination
ever labored so hard in Plainfield and was
az popular as Father Smyth.
He is a priestly gentleman of the ole
school-dignifed courteous, sympathetic.
liheral-minded and levable. He is as de-
void of artifce as child and to this
cnarr of disposition is added brilliant
intellect and a well stored mind.
Father Smyth is fifty-five years old.
He was born in County Cavan. ireland,
and was educated and ordained at May
nooth College. He came to America In
1871 For brief while he was assistant
rector at Phillipsburg. ~ J.. and was
then transferred TO washington. N j..
where he remained as pastor for three
years. He then went to Madison, remain
ing there as pastor for two years
hile at Madison Father smyth formed
= friendship which has grown more and
mere intimate with passing years with
Mgr Seton. whom he succeeds as. rector
at st. Josepf's. At that time DR.. Seton