The Irish standard., 1905-10-07
SPLENDID TRIBUTE.
To Very Rev. George sheehan of
Elkton, S, D,

Elkeon, >. y.
From the priests of tae Sioux Fall
Diocese, S. D. to the Very Rev. Geors
Sheehan, P. r. Elk,on. S. D. On tn
occasion of the Silver Jubilee of h:
ordination, September 49, 1905, greet
ing:
| Very R:v. and Dear Father: We
your brother priests of the Diocese
Sioux Falls, beg to tender you GU
warmest congratulations on this joy
Gus occasion of the Silver Jubilee O.
your c :7!nation-twensy-fi years
ago, &. ine hands of the late Mos1
Rev. Doctor HennesSy, Archbishop OF
Dubuque.
Let us praise men of renOWn and
our Fathers in their Generation"
These words Of the inspired Pen
man can, with fitting propriety, be
used in your regard on this auspici-
Gus occasion. For who is more
worthy of renown than the good
priest of God?' and is he not in the
truest sense of the words a Father in
his generation? Such a man may,
indeed, be the holnor of parish or a
diocese but not the distinct property
for he belongs to all times and to
has Il dual character to sustain. Our
consideration, however, will be prin-
cipally given to his official character,
for, no doubt, his private bearing will
receive due attention from devoted
| observers. On this joyous day your
thoughts must, doubtless, revert 10
many endearing, ul-inspiring scenes
of the long-ago. These may, perhaps,
carry you back to the home of your
fondest affections in dear old County
Cork, to the classic Lee within sight
and sound of Shandon's Chimes. Yes,
Thoughts well up and will not down."
Strange, indeed would it be were it
not thus on the twenty-f1fth anniver-
sary of your ordination.
\ quarter of century has rolled
by since you Frustrated yourself be-
fore Gods altar and vowed your
/ Kingdom in human hearts. Well. in
deed. have you stood by your solemn
engagements. You have worked on
ward and upward, turning neither to
the right nor to the left, while man
of less heroic mould would have va
ella. by the wayside.'
In those days this northwestern
land had few, If any, attractions for
the man Who placed even some of
his happiness in creature comforts
1t was all that our missionaries claim
Continent-nay more, for the frosts
and SHOWS Of this region are unknown
to those parts to which l have al
luded. Yet, you put your hands to
the plough and never turned back to
seek for some better-off-to-d do do
cese, where, if nothing else you could
find more congenial companionship
in vacant hour. You are, 1 am
credibly informed, the sole diocesan
priest whose labors cover the space
of twenty-five continual years in
South Dakota.
Wherever obedience called you,
there you left the impress of your
zeal in harvesting souls to your
Divine Master. The latest monument
of your devotion for the Christian
education of youth is the school you
have erected in this up-to-datc town
la school which ploclaims you the
Good Shepherd of Elkton.
In summoning to your aid in the
management of your school the spirit
led daughters of Nano Nagle. one of
Irelands peerless women in penal
days you have insured for your little
ones sound religious training COM
bined with all the most approved and
| modern requirements.
AS for the spiritual edifices which
you have erected in the hearts of
Iyour faithful people God alone knows,
I
ate them, for He alone truly UNDER
stands the beauty of soul walking
before Him in the state of grace. Your
devOtedness in the confessional has
been spoken far beyond the boundaries
of your parish-aye, beyond 'he
boundaries of the diocese. This love
of the confessional. the souls bath
house. is characteristic of every saint
ly priest, for it is here that he can
give to his penitents that particular
advice suited to each ones needs. The
promptness with which you attend to
sick calls, or see that they be not
unduly overlooked has frequently
! heen the theme OF priests and people.