Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-16
new PRIOR AT ST. DOMINIC'S
CHANGE RECENTLY MADE AT
LOCAL CHURCH.
Very Rev. Timothy p. o'Rourke Sue
ceeds Rev. Father Hinch-Con-
gregation Commends Choice.

The members Of the congregation of st.
Dominics Roman Catholic Church, at 9th
and E streets southwest, are gratified over
an announcement that at an election re-
GENTLY held Very Rev. Father Timothy P.
O'Rourke was named as the successor to
Rev. Father Hinch, the popular prior of st.
Dominic's Church for many years. 1t is
declared that no one could have been Sc
lected to direct the affairs of the parish
who would arouse more genuine enthusiasm
than will Father O'Rourke. who is himself
a product Of the parish and of Southwest
Washington.
There is custom Of long standing in the
Dominican Order, whose clergy founded and
have since conducted st. Dominica Church,
TO hold an annual election for the head of
the household. and, in the case of church
Ike st. Domtnic's, Of the parish well.
There were five members of the order to
vote at st. Dominc's, and 1t Is said Father
ORourke was chosen on the first ballot.
following the election official notification
Dominican Order for the United States,
Very Rev. Lawrence F. Carney, whose ap-
prevail is necessary to confirmation of the
ballot. That the election of Father
o Rourke will stand is declared to be
foregone conclusion.
Reared in Washington
Had the members of ST. Dominic's parish
been given the entire Dominican Order to
choose from it is doubtful if a more salts
factory choice could have been made than
that Of Father O'Rourke. Practically for
the past thirty-eight years-his whole life
time-Father O'Rourke has given his time
and talents to st. Dominc's. He was born
in Southwest Washington the son of John
and Catherine ORourke and when quite
a young boy served on the altar at st.
Dominic's Church. The church and Its en-
virons made up the largest part of his life.
When not assisting at the divine sacrifice
or at vespers. Father O'Rourke Is de-
gregation to have been indulging in games
within the shadow of the imposing Gothic
pile of St Dominlcs. His early education
was had at the public school in South
of st. Dominic's Church. Father o Rourke
prosecuted his collegiate studies at George
town University.
- Deciding to enter the priesthood in 1890
Rather O'Rourke left Washington for
Sprlngneld, KY, where he matriculated at
st. Roses Preparatory College, conducted
by the Dominicans, later going to st.
Josephs Seminary, Somerset. Ohio, where
he completed his ecclesiastical studies,
being ordained to the prizes hood in March.
1907, by the Ri. Rev. Bishop Watterson,
brother of the distinguished Kentucky
editor.
First Mass at st. Dominic's.
Father ORourke said his first mass in
st. Dominic's, the church where he had
once been altar boy, and since being as
signed to that parish has worked zealously
in that section Of the District AS a
preacher Father ORourke is given a high
place and his abilities as an executive are
also highly regarded. He has taken an ac-
tive interest In the parish organiza tons.
When the Dominican house of studies at
the Catholic University of America was
hrst proposed Father O'Rourke Immediately
set 10 work to secure funds for the erection
of the handsome structure. He labored
earnestly in the cause, and 1t is declared he
was successful to an unusual degree
AS a youth Father O'Rourke took q mar
ticular interest in base ball. and this is
still his principal diversion. He looks on
the game as the cleanest form of sports
mansnip. When the local team is in the
city there is no more interested spectator
at National Park than is Father ORourke.