Evening journal., 1905-02-14
KELLY
LAID At REST
Impressive Funeral Service
at St. Mary's Conducted
by Bishop
FATHER BERMINGHAM'S WORDS

~ H1H bLuuiiUQU0Ul v WOHuO
Possibly there never has been in the
history Of Wilmington a larger funeral
than that of the Rev. George j. Kelly,
which took place from St. Mary's r. c.
Church this morning. Certainly there
has never been a gathering ON similar
occasions whore such sincere sorrow
was expressed.
The hour for the services was $50
o'clock but long before that time the
church was crowded to such am extent
that several hundred were unable 10 OBJ
tain admission. The interior of the edi-
fee was draped and rhe body of Father
Kelly, clad In the robes of his church,
lay in an open caslSet in the center
aisle directly In front of the altar. In
his hand was clasped a silver chalice'
and upon the face of the dead priest
was an expression OF perfect rest.
Solemn requiem mass was conducted
by the Right Rev. John ]. Monaghan,
Bishop of the Diocese of Wilmington,
assisted by all the clergy of the diocese
clad in their vestment robes. The
scene was most impressive. To the rear
and upon the altar nearly a hundred
candles burned brightly while behind
these a large painting of Christ being
taken from the cross added solemnity
to the scene.
The Very Rev. John A. Lyins, the
vicar general of the diocese. was the as
slstant priest and the Rev. Edward L.
Brady, Of New Castle was the deacon.
The Rev. Joseph P. Quigley, of Hook
essin, was sub-deacon. The Revs.
Fathers Donaghy and Daley, of Phil
adelphia, were the deacons Of honor
and the Rev. Edward c. Higgins. OF st.
Paul's Church, was the master of GER
emonies.
During the celebration OF mass a
choir of fifty voices under the direction
of Alexander Butler sang impressively.
the soloists beipg Mrs. Mary Connor
Preston, Mrs. Butler, James Gillespie
and Joseph McCullion.
Faher Bermingham's Address.
At the close Of the services the Rev
William ]. Birmingham delivered the
last words over the body of the dead
priest. Father Birmingham took as his
text II Timothy. chapter 4: verses 2
and s: Il have fought a good fight.
have finished my course. 1 have kept
for me a crown Of righteousness which
the Iaed. the righteous Judge, shall
give me at that day; and not TO me only
but unto all of them also that love his
appearing"
Father Birmingham said that
Father Kelly came to this country at
the age OF ten years and was a student
at Father Reilly's College and finished
Isa ..Haaa
Seminary, in Maryland. He then enter
ed the old seminary at Eighteenth and
Race streets, Philadelphia, and was
ordained by Bishop Wood, thirty-six
years ago. At that time Wilmington
was in the Philadelphia diocese. He
was given his preference relative to re-
naming in Wilmington or going to
Philadelphia and decided to remain
here. He was appointed by Bishop
Becker to the pastorate Of st. Joseph's
r. c. Church from 1869 to 1887 when
he was appointed by Bishop Curtis to
st. Marys.
Father Kelly's name is loved in
Brandywine," said Father Berming-
ham. land during his illness there was
never a day. passed but that was ask
ed: How is Father Kelly todayg He
came to st. Mary's in 1887 and has lab
Ored hard and well. He was not a
builder Of churches but one who cast
his heart and soul into his work. How
the children loved him, and how he
loved the childrenl His love for the
poor was unbounded. 1 need not re-
hearse his qualities; they are known tC
all who knew him. He could never see
faults in anyone. He was always gen.
tie, loving, kind. How the clergy used
to love to sit by him and listen to his
little criticisms. his words of wit and
humor. We all know what pleasure
he took in the collections for orphans
how he gave it his personal attention
going from door to door asking aid fol
| the fatherless and motherless. We
know of his visits to the parochial
schools, of his attention to the
scholars of his love for them.
I'VE know how he loved his church
Almost his last wonds to me were tC
request me TO have a pastor present or
Sunday in order that masses might be
said. He had as many nOn-CathOllC
friends as Catholic. All who knew hin
loved him. 1 was asked by the Bishop
to make a farewell to Father Kelly
He was my best friend and the tasl
is hard, but knew he would have re.
quested 1t and all his requests TO me
loved to fulfill. / can say nothing buf
offer a prayer: May he climb Zion.
J Hill, may a crown of diadems set upor
his brow, may he livef orever. Yes, h'
has gone, but God who gave him ha:
taken him. and none will miss hin
more than l."
Honcraoatfor cohe