The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-03-12

Yesterdays services also marked the
closing of a half-week's spiritual retreat
for the men of the parish. which was con-
Quoted by Rev Father o'Brien. Begin
ming on Wednesday last mass was cele-
brated at o'clock each morning, and
each evening Father O'Brien preached an
eloquent sermon. which was followed by
the benediction OF the blessed sacrament
How successful his efforts were In stimu-
lating the religious feelings OF the men
OF st. Matthew'S church was shown at the
o'clock mass yesterday morning when
fully 100 men, many OF them candidates
for membership i'm the Holy Name society.
received holy communion and participated
with earnestness Ina the congregational
singing. which Rev Father Scheuren intro
duced with such pronounced success In
all the services at St. Matthews.
The 1916 mass was celebrated by Rev.
Father OBrlen, who also preached an
excellent sermon. which deeply impressed
the large congregation that listened 10 IL.
The vesper service usually held at $3.50
o'clock in the afternoon was omitted on
account OF the important exercises attend
Ing the reception of candidates into the
Holy Name society TO be held I'm the eve-
ming.
AT 7:so o'clock, when the evening SER
vices began. there was not a vacant seat
in the attractive church. which was bril-
litnaly Illuminated by many electric lights.
In the pews, on the right OF the middle
aisle were seated the candidates for mem
bership In st. Matthews Holy Name So
ciety. between 60 and 20 I'm number. on
the left of the aisle was a delegation of
15 members. OF the Holy Name society of
st JOINS parish in this city. who arrived
by special trolley car 10 assist in the ser
vices. Rev. Father Scheuren was the
organizer and for seven years spiritual d.
rector of ST. Johns society and the pres
ence OF such large and representative
number OF Its members was a deserved
recognition OF his fruitful labors In their
behalf before he became the first perma-
nent pastor OF St Matthew'S church
When Rt. Rev. Bishop Harkins arrived
the large congregation stood as he pro-
ceeded down the middle aisle 10 the sane
tuary Accompanying him were Rev.
Father scheuren, Rev. Father O Brlen.
Rev. Father Malone OF East Greenwich,
Rev. Father Flynn OF Arctic Rev. Father
Tulley OF st. AIMS Cranston and Rev
Father Nagle OF St Johns Providence.
The services opened with the singing OF
the "Lauda Sian I'm the choir which
had the assistance OF several vocallsts
from other Catholic churches in Provi-
dence Bishop Harkins then began his dis
course. which was listened to with un-
divided attention and keen interest
throughout. He expressed great pleasure
at being present on such n notable occa-
sion and believed one OF the greatest SER
vices he could render st. Matthews par
ish was 10 receive into the membership
OF the admirable society Of the Holy
Name such a large number OF men. who
are ready 10 undertake tho obligations
and faithfully discharge the duties inn
posed by such membership. The people
OF 81. Matthew'S have really just begun
their work. they are now writing the first
page OF their history and II Is fitting that
at such time they should have the po-
tential assistance Of a Holy Name socl-
eiy composed Of the manhood. the brain
and the Drawn OF the parish. From the
strength Of such an organization success
Is certain TO como.
We are sometimes mistaken In estlmat-
Ing the success OF parish We are apt
% measure It's progress and its vitality
by the magnificence OF its church. by the
size OF It's school. or other buildings or
by the munihcence OF It's revenues for re-
iigious work. A faircr and truer standard
would be the size OF activity and de-
votion OF It's Holy Name society. The
tendency OF the times I'm professional life
and In business career r. toward organi-
xation. and the best results I'm the life Of
n parish are 20 be secured by the organi-
zation OF Sc men IN tho Holy Name so.
ciety IN which they not only labor for the
welfare Of the church and their own sal
walton. but by giving an eiifyng ex-
ample of right living contribute 10 the
weii-being and help 10 make better the
whole community.
Ths; parish and that church Ia blessed