Omaha daily bee., 1907-10-14
Has Been in the Present Building
for Forty Years.
SITE TO BE GIVEN TO COMMERCE
Four Services Mark Farewell to the
Beloved Structure.
BISHOP sCANNEII TAKES PART
Pastors stensOA aud McGOvern, aUd
Father Kelly, who saw Corner
stone Laid, Celebrate Masses
at DiHcrent Hours.

with solemn high mass, Rsht Rev
Richard scannen. bishop OF Omaha yes
terday gave over st. Philomena's oathed
raj. for forty years the church home oi
thousands of Omahans. to the business
world. and the last sunday service WaA
closed with the benedction Of the Biessee
Sacrament
In closing the old cathedral BisnSS
Scannell said:
IAN things external TO God are even
changing White we see this old church
pass away. and this spot become the homt
OF large business houses. the faith when
gave rise to It and inspired those who have
worshiped in It, has never changed, II Is
the faith which brings us together' aud
unites to the past. as It will unite US
to the future. II Is the faith which never
changes and never can change God and
his truth remain while material things
change all about them"
Bishop Scannel told the people OF ST.
Philomena's that new church would
probably be erected on the south side OF
the viaduct for the people who live in that
part OF the city, and who will be a good
ways from the new ST. Cecilas cathedral
at Eighteenth and Burt streets The bishop
said no plans had yet been made for the
new church on the south side, but that
the needs Of the people would be deter
mined and what the people needed would
be built. The parish of 81. Philomena's
will retain its unity, with Father Nc
Govern and Father stenson as pastors
Members OF the parish will move to the
church of St. Mary Magdalene, at Nine
teenth and Dodge streets, until definite
plans are made for the new church or
other arrangements made.
Four Masses Are SaId.
The last Sunday service in old st. Phiio-
mena's will be as long remembered as the
day it was dedicated, March 10, 1868. The
four masses held Sunday morning were
impressive, and four audiences were in
tears at four different hours OF the day,
when priests said good-gye to the old ca
thedTal
Very Rev, wilIiam Kelly, associated with
the church since lts foundation stones
were laid. celebrated the first mass sunday
morning at o'clock. Rev. James W.
stenson. assistant pastor OF the parish.
celebrated the mass at 1850 o'clock. Both
priests spoke feellnsly OF parting with the
old church.
The sermon Of Rev p. A. McGovern.
pastor OF the parish, at the o'clock mass.
was very impressive, and his farewell elo-
quent.
"The ground whereon we stand is holy"
said Father McGovern. This church has
been the scene OF our Joys and SORROWS
for more than forty years Scarce were
we ushered into the world until we were
borne into this sanctuary to receive that
immortal life.
Then we have come here TO confessional
! and been reooncied to our Maker And
/ the answer has always been, from the
priests OF this church, the same as Christ
/ said to the woman when he saw her in
| the very act OF sin-'Go and sin no more
This altar has been sacred to US. II has
been made sacred by the image OF Christ
the Son of God, and we have realized His
! presence here with us, as we have seen
the image by the nickering altar lamp"
Moral Right Above Legal.
| "Never take legal advantage which q
moral law will not permit" he said, I'll
you do there will come a day when full
restitution will have to be made, and be.
fore you know 1t men who make money
within the laws OF the state, get In &c
deep that restitution is impossible. Il
money is made unjustly, Il is a sin. and
the sin of injustice destroys society and Il
an injury 10 all men.
never knew man who could saw Al
the time Of his death that his money med,
him better man. while on the contrary
money many times makes men worse thar
they would be without It,"
The bishop declared there were oppor
tunities enough in America for every on,
to make money and make It Justly, W-hil,
he condemned as moral murder the praetic.
OF giving money to children when the,
are at an age where their moral sense 4
weak. and IL they once learn that the,
must have money TO secure little thing
which they want they win obtain II. law