The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1902-10-09

debt of $14,0 900 rested on the united
parishes of Homecoming and Midland.
AT the time the parishes were DIVIDED
he had paid all the debt of Midland
and had money in the church treas
ury; the debt of Homecoming had been
paid and he had built a parochial res
idence and improved the already
built convent and school, in the for
mer of which seven sisters reside and
in the latter teach $50 pupils, boys
and girls Of the parish, and the par
ish is free from debt.
The church is a large stone struc-
ture of the Romanesque style of arch
iteeture, tasteful in design and pro
portions and excellent in adOrnment
and furnishing The four buildings
are situated on the hillside, overlook
ing the valley and occupy with their
artistically kept grounds an area of
about four acres, the church cemetery
adjoining them at the rear. The
Catholic population of Homecoming
is about 100 and the church commu-
nicants number about 800, large
majority of whom are miners and
their families. The general condition
of the field of work is excellent. the
congregation deyout and devoted
and the work Of soul saving is stead
lily progressing and looked upon as
very encouraging. Father Stanton is
very popular among the miners, whose
condition he has studied and whose
needs, spiritual and temporal he
thorough " understands; whose lives
he has clio ely observed and whose
joys and sorrows he is made a par
taker in. He is popular as a man and
as an orator among all classes and
creeds and is frequently called upon
to act as orator Of the day upon pub
lie occasions of more than usual mo-
ment. He is prompt, efficient, schol-
arly and obliging and in church work.
public enterprise, school and social
work is always a potent factor and a
valuable aid. Of a genial, sunny
temper and graceful and engaging
manner, gifted in saying the right
thing at the right time, quick to en-
courage the advance in meritorious
service and ready with reproof, adj
monition or advice as needed, laugh
ing with those in JOY and sorrowing
with those who mourn, he is the beau
ideal of priest and elder brother, q
man Of whom the highest work of his
church is worthy, and on whom it
may well bestow honor in recognition
of his faithful service. His Eastorate
has been marked by unusual marks
of favor as it is and his erudition and
literary ambition, which had first
ultra public manifestation in his his
tory of the church in Western Mary
land, and is likely to find expression
in another work upon which he is
now engaged, has added much to the
dignity of the parish and its position
in the churchly world. An incident
characteristic of the man is told to
the effect that almost his first act as
director of the parish school was to
fttingly observe the fourth centen-
NAL date of the discovery of America
by Christopher Columbus. In Sep
TENDER, 1894, the parish of Lonacon-
ing was honored by visit from His
Eminence James Cardinal Gibbons,
"who administered confirmation to
one hundred and sixty children and a
small number of adults. On this oc-
casion the congregation received His
Eminence with torch-light process
sion, in which all the societies of the
parish participated, accompanied by
two bands of music" In this same
month the first priest. born in Iona
coming, was here ordained, Rev. NJ.
A. Ryan, who sang his first solemn
high mass in St. Mary's church.
Three greater missions have been
preached during his pastorate and
Rt. Rev. Curtis has visited the place
and confirmed a large number.-In-
dustrial Edition Cumberland Times.