The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1905-11-11

middle of the nineteenth century in |
stead of at the beginning Of it, and
witnessed the marvellous growth e
Catholicity all the world over, partic- ,,
ularly in the United States, he doubt
less would have writ :en his History
Of the Popes" in more affirmative
style. Writing of the church. he said:.
The members of her communion are
certainly not fewer than a hundred
and fifty millions, and it will be Diff
ficult to show that all the other Chlis-
tian sects united amount to hug
dred and twenty millions. Nor do we
see any sign which indicates that the
termination of her long dominion is ap-
preaching. She saw the commence
ment of all the governments, and Of
all the ecclesiastical establishments
that now exist In the world; and we
feel no assurance that she is not des-
tined to see the end Of them all. She
was great and respected before the
Saxon had set foot on Britain-before
the Frank had passed the Rhine
when Grecian eloquence had flour
ished at Antioch when idols were
still worshipped in the temple of
Mecca. And she may still exist in
undiminished vigor when some trav-
eler from New Zealand SHALL in the
midst of vast solitude. take his
stand on a broken arch Of London
Bridge to sketch the ruins of st.
Pauls."
How would Lord Mataulay have
written had he been one of the first
settlers near the Falls of st. Anthony
and lived to the present time? He
would have seen the early French and
Irish missionaries making their way
slowly in canoes up the great father
of waters to civilize the red man, es-
tablish churches and schools and plant
the cross of salvation. He would not
have written that "she may still ex-
list in undiminished vigor," but rather
She still exists and flourishes more
numerous than ever. Had he gone
north to the shores of Lake Superior
and seen barren shore that today is
a beehive of religion and industry,
there would be little doubt that his
essay would have abounded with rich
enconiums of the Church, and end
1ess praise for the first bishop of Du-
luth, Rt. Rev. James McGolrick D. D.
Bishop McGolrick was born in coun-
ty 1ipperary. Ireland, May /, 1s41.
The son Of pious and Godfearing par
ents. he gave from his earliest days
evidences Of calling to the Sacred
Ministry. At an early age he went to
All Hallows College, Dublin. where he
won the esteem alike Of both faculty
and students, having distinguished
himself by his ability and thorough
the 18th, 1867, for the diocese of st.
Paul. Coming to this country, he
spent one year as assistant at the
Cathedral of st. Paul, Archbishop Ire
land being pastor He was then ap-
pointed by Ri. Rev. T. L. Grace, ID.
D., to establish a parish in the sister
village of Minneapolis. Here the out
look was anything but encouraging;
still, the jealous young priest nobly
undertook his arduous task AMI built
temporary wooden structure, wherc
the faithful worshipped for many
years, till the present beautiful
Church of the Immaculate Concep-
ton was erected. AS pastor of this
Church for twenty-five years. Father
McGolrck was ceaseless worker,
and the record of his work there is
engraved in the grateful hearts of the
people. Whatever was for the saliva
ton of his flock was his first care
The parish grew and nourished I'M
der his administration, becoming the
pride of its members and a living
tribute to the zeal Of its pastor.
Despite the cares of parochial duty,
Father McGolrick found time for spe-
cial studies. His great fund of knowl-
edge points to the fact that his ex-
tensive library, containing useful VOL
umes on nearly every subject, espe-
cially the classics, modern and an
cient history, books on divinity, and
those of scientific value, have been
carefully read and digested.
Scientific research has a charm for
him, and no more welcome member
than Father McGolrick entered the
rooms of the Minneapolis Scientific
Society and the University Of Mime
sofa. His opinions are listened to with
attention and carry great weight
based upon good principles and log
ically carried out, his views are those
of sound science; and he Is conceded
to be one of the most reliable author
tiles in the state.
When October 8, 1889, northern
Minnesota, by apostolic brief was
formed into diocese. Father McGol-
rick was chosen for the new dignity.
and consecrated at the Cathedral Of
st. Paul by Most Rev. John Irelan /,
D. D., December ~, 1882 Bishop Nc
Golrick took up kss new home in Du-
luth on January .. 1890, and was i'm
mediately presented with two ad-
dresses, one in behalf of the priests