Danville intelligencer. [volume] (Danville, Pa.) 1859-1907, 1906-01-12
CONC RECATlON
RECEIVES BLESSING

tNe blessing OF tle rope was bestowed
upon the congregation and the re open
ing of the renovated and beautiful
church was fittingly celebrated.
IN addition to Bishop Shanahan and
Rev. Father Foin, the rector, other
dignitaries were present and assisted
in the solemn services as follows: Rt.
Rev. Monsiguor Joseph Koch, V. G.. :,
of Shamokin; Very Rev. Aloysius
Meuwese, of Lebanon, who has charge
of the diocese of which St. Hubert s
forms part; Rev. Father Adam
Christ, of Lebanon and Rev. Father
Feeser, Chaplain of the Holy Family
Convent Of this city.
BY 10 o'clock Sunday morning the
church was filed with people. Precise
ly at that hour Father Foin preceded
by the altar boys bearing a cross head
ed a procession of school children and
male members of the congregation,
which filing two by two out of the
church marched across the street to
the pastoral residence. When the head
of the procession reached the main en-
trance Father Foin entered, while the
children and men forming the process
sion parted and stood facing each other
forming two lines between which the
Bishop and other dignitaries were to
pass. In moment the door opened
and the group of priests followed by
the Bishop arrayed in the vestments of
his high Office emerged and marched
solemnly down between the two rows
of parishioners, who stood with un-
covered heads. As the Bishop passed
the congregation Immediately fell in
forming a procession and following
him two by two into the church.
Before mass and the sermon Rt. Rev
Bishop Shanahan, ID. D., informed the
that he had lately been
to Rome and had the pleasure of meet
ing Pope Plus X that while in con-
versation with His Holiness he took
occasion to make especial mention of
St Hubert's congregation at Danville,
it for its zeal and its gen.
erosity in dealing with affairs of the
church. Pope Plus Y, the Bishop said,
was much pleased and told him that
when he returned to America he should
go to see the people Of st. Hubert's s at
Danville and give them his blessing
and benediction. The Bishop informed
the congregation that it only remained
for them to kneel in his presence as
suming humble and Il contrite heart,
when he assured them they would re-
ceive the Pope's blessing just as though
it came direct from the Holy Father
himself. Nothing more impressive can
be conceived. Every member of the
to the smallest child
knelt before the Bishop. The ceremony
was simple merely proper attitude
IF spirit, a communion of the human
heart with its Maker and with the
Bishop as the intermediary, the Bless
ing of His Holiness the Pope of Rome
was bestowed upon the faithful fol-
lowers in Danville.
Solemn High Mass was celebrated
by Rt. Rev Monsignor Joseph Koch,
V. G., of Shamokin, who was pastor
# the congregation when st. Hubert S
church was built, AZ years ago. The
.,,-,.,,.,-, ia, I,r,,,,nt 1Uoc ,,roo cboI nv
Rev. Father Adam Christ, of Lebanon.
Following the sermon Bishop Shana-
han spoke at some length, commend
ing the congregation for its earnest
and Jealous efforts as we'll as for its
liberality. He took occasion to state
that not only is the present instance,
one in which st. Hubert's generosity
is shown, but that throughout its en-
tire history the congregation has dis
tinguished itself by just such liberal
ity. He warmly congratulated the
congregation on the completion of the
improvements, and expressed the plea
sure of Father Koch, the first pastor,
and his own great pleasure.
The Bishop continued with a very
beautiful discourse on the subject of
"Mary's Sorrow" during the three
DAYS that Christ was lost in Jerusalem,
which he said was very appropriate
now at the expiration Of the two weeks
of alteration for the Son. The Bishop
read the Scripture describing the
journey of the Holy Family to Jeru-
salem, the losing of the boy Jesus and
the finding of him subsequently. The
Bishop is man of very kindly man
ner, of strong sympathies, which his
very tone reflects, of simplicity and
directness of expression coupled with
real elOquence.
As he laid aside the testament and
reviewed the touching story one could
not but feel the grief that Mary felt,
which the Bishop said was the great
est of all her sorrows-greater ever
than that which she felt at the cruel
fiXion for there the loss was one Of
earth with no recompense, while the
death upon the cross had been lone
foreshadowed and it bore the blessed
fruit of redemption for mankind
There was lesson to be learned. L
the three days loss of Christ meant ST
much to Mary in her goodness ant
purity what must his eternal loss meal
to us who are such great sinners ant
need him so much more. Like Mar,
we should at once set out in earnes
and diligent search and weary not un
til we have found Him. Like her W,
should seek for Him in the prope
place-God' temple. Finding Hin
thus our joy will be like Mary's jo,
/ when she found her lost Son.