The Irish standard., 1903-01-03
A MEMORABLE EVENT,
The Silver Jubilee of a Popular Winona
Priest.

The Silver Jubilee of a Popular Winona
Priest.
The silver jubilee of Rev. Z. j. Gal
lagher's celebration of his first mass
took place on Sunday, Dec. %, and
was a notable occasion. At 1880
O'Clock solemn high mass was cele-
brated at st. Thomas pro-cathedral,
Winona, in honor of the event. Rev.
p. J. Gallagher was the celebrant, and
he was assisted by Rev. Father Eng
fish and John Sherman. Bishop Cot
ter and Monsignore Nugent were pres
ent.
The main and side affairs We're beau
tifully decorated for the occasion with
flowers, plants and lighted candles.
The main altar was especially beauti-
full, over which was arranged a fine
display of vari-colored lights. The
music for the mass was most beauti
full, and was rendered in a most i'm
pressive manner by the full choir.
Rt. Rev. ]. B. Cotter, who preached
the sermon at the first mass ny Rev.
Father Gallagher twenty-five years
ago, preached the sermon last Sunday
He held the closest attention, oil the
great congregation which PACKED the
church to the doors, and was eloquent
in his tribute to the priesthood.
The Bishop opened his sermon by
saying that some three years ago it
had been his pleasure and his privilege,
in company with Monsignore Nugent,
domestic prelate to his Holiness, Pope
Leo XIII, to assist at mass with the
Holy Father in the great basilica in
st. Peters at Rome. While he con-
sidered that privilege which he could
hardly hope again to enjoy in this life,
the greatest privilege which man can
enjoy is the Offering of the sacrifice of
the mass on the altar of God. This
is the supreme privilege, whether it is
offered in the huge basilica at ~.
Peters, or in rude log church on the
western frontier
Man cannot bestow this privilege 1t
can only be enjoyed by those who have
been chosen by God. Great things
have been accomplished by laymen
;lnd women in the salvation of souls
and the propagation Of Gods word,
but they cannot compare with the sac
ritice Of the mass in which the victim
Of Calvary is offered upon the altar
Of God for the Precipitation Of mems
sins.
The Bishop said that twenty-five
years ago Rev. Father Gallagher, the
jubilarian. had been called upon to on
Joy this privilege, and it must be Il
matter Of great joy to him to rcacl,
the twenty-ffth anniversary Of the be-
ginning Of this work. 1t was mat
ter of much joy also to the people TO
assist in the celebration of the jubilee
mass and extend congratulations to the
jubiliarian. The wishes Of all the
people are that Rev. Father Gallagher
may enjoy this great privilege whicl,
has been bestowed upon him for many
years to come
AT st. Thomas hall ut o'clock Sun.
day afternoon the school children OF
st. Thomas parochial schools extended
greetings to Rev.. Father Gallagher.
This consisted OF Il most delightful
programme by the children, and the
presentation Of handsome gold watch
to their pastor. This was solely thu.
gift of the children. Following is the
programme given, in addition to which
an orchestra composed Of school chill.
dren rendered excellent music:
Arrival Of Santa Claus-First and
second grades.
Sleighing Song-Thlrd and fourth
grades.
Congratulatory Address Margarle
Ramon.
Chorus-Boys of seventh and eighth
grades.
Recitation-Chimc Of the Silver Bell
-Romelle Comrie
Chorus Recitation-Boys and girls of
seventh and eighth grades.
Piaho Duet-Misses Louise White
and Maud Gordon.
Pantomime-Girls of the seventh and
eighth grades.
Presentation Of watch by Margaret
Gallagher.
Rev. Father Gallagher was much ne
fected by the expressions of the chill.
dren, and he responded in feeling
manner. He first thanked the children
FOR the entertainment, and he paid
high tribute to the Sisters of Notrr
Dame, who have charge Of the schools.
He then thanked the children for the
presentation ut which he was deeply
moved. He said that no pc. s.n had a
better right to present the first greet.
Ings on this occasion than the success
ors Of those who had pres nteu tho
first greetings to him at the time Of
MS ordination twenty-five years ago,
= the children of st. Thomas schools hay
ing presented the first greetings mt flat
time. 1t was a singular coincidence,
and the OCCASION Of much happiness to
him to receive these greetings on the
very site, and almost in the same
place, where he received first commun-
ion when he was Il Young bow In Win.