The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-10-23
PRIEST is
STRICKEN
in CHURCH
Father Catalani, Of East
Newark, In Serious Con-
ditiOn Today.
STROKE AT THE ALTAR
STROKE AT THE ALTAR
Was About to Say Benediction
at October Deyotions Last
Night When He Became Partly
Paralyzed--Bishop and Other
Priests Hurry to Sick Bed.

After preaching a sermon in his
church and as he was about to pre-
pare to say benediction last night, the
Rev. Father Peter catalani. rector Of
st. Anthony's Roman Catholic Church,
East Newark, was stricken with
paralytic stroke and fell in front of the
altar into the arms Of an altar boy.
He is now confined to his bed at the
rectory in a serious condition.
Several priests of this city and
vicinity, when they heard of Father
Catalanis stroke, journeyed to the rec
tory quickly last night to extend SYM
pathy and help. and today at 10 q. m.
the Rt Rev. John j. OConnor, bishop
of the Newark r. c. diocese, called.
The Rev. Maurice P. O'Connor, of Holy
Cross Church. Harrison. also spent
some time at the stricken priests side
today.
A large congregation assembled af
the church last night at the October
devotions. and Father Catalani ap-
peared on the altar about 1890 O'Clock
as usual. apparently in good health.
Several of the parishioners say they no.
ticed that his voice became very weak
toward the latter part of the Sermon
At $3.50 O'Clock. having finished his SER
mon, he stepped down from the pulpit,
and was walking toward the door lead
ing to the sacristy when he stumbled
and almost fell before reaching the
door. He attempted to turn the knob
of the door and enter to. secure 4aaa'
cope III order TO sing benediction when
| he fell against the door and remained
| leaning against 1t for few moments.
Then he turned his face toward the
congregation and agony was depicted
in every feature. He then Strengthened
up and was sinking backwards when
Thomas Mellon, of 4SO Second street.
East Newark an altar boy. ran to his
assistance and caught the priest in his
arms.
Father Catalani looked around the
church and pointed toward one of his
arms, indicating that it was paining
him, and he indicated by motions for
those aiding him to pull his arm to re-
lieye the eXcruciating pain.
Several of the parishioners ran up
to the altar and helped to carry their
pastor into the rectory, which adjoins
the church. He was assisted to his
bed. DR.. r. r. Giuliana, of 216 High
street, this city, and DR.. T. Leo CAL
The Rev. Michael j. Glennon. of the
Church of the Holy Cross, HARRISON
also responded.
Sympathy was expressed throughout
West Hudson when the news became
known, as Father Catalani is very pop
ular in that section.
Today Drs. Callan and Giuliana were
in consultation at the rectory. and 1t
was said that the physicians found
Father Catalani's condition quite -
rious. but said that he was gettin8
along very we'll under the circun-
stances.
The priest has been ailing for some
time with kidney trouble. Father Cat-
alani has been In West Hudson about
seven years, and was sent there to es-
tablish a church for the growing colony
of Italians. In this he succeeded, and
his congregation comprises many Eng
disappearing Catholics He was born
in Vale Maddalani, Italy, and previous
to coming to the United States was a
missionary in Africa. He is about 81
years old.