The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1908-03-20
Christ of the Ascension lie beyond.

= dISWeI, piOuS Souls, the mower
OF Gods flock. Your good example and
hearty cooperation in all good works
have smoothed your pastors way and
served to keep alive the touch Of piety
IN the congregation.
Farewell, also, sinners, if there
are any here listening to my words
today. my sincere wish to ali present
and absent, is that you should he con-
verted and live. Do not put Of your
conversion from day TO day. Delays
are always dangerous, especially when
your eternal salvation is at stake.
You have initiated the prOdigal
son IN his sinful career; initiate him
also IN his conversion. Return speedi-
Is to your Fathers House, mercy and
pardon are now at your disposal Now
IS the acceptable time now is the day
OF your salvation. RemaR obstinate
and you will find eternity all too short
to lament your. folly.
Ana now parting word to all. In
spite OF my many deficiencies only too
we'll known to myself, this much
can truthfuliy say, that have ever
carried you IN my heart; that your in
terests and welfare have been mine;
that 1 have ever rejoiced in your joy
and prosperity, and grieved in your
sorrow.
Though my chief interest lies in
your spiritual welfare, yet | have ever
thought that true temporal prosperity
IS not inconsistent Herewith. A GER
tain degree of phys cal well-being is,
IN most cases, a necessary basis of
morality and religion. God never
meant extreme poverty. In nine cases
out Of ten it is dangerous as extreme
wealth. Take the place in The world
that your intelligence and industry
entitle you to.
Hard work and temperance benefit
both soul and body and are the natural
channels to the perfection OF them
both. They are the keys that unlock
the treasuIn OF nature and grace And
now let me crave your indulgence for
my own personal defects.
Few Of Us live up to the standard
Of our callings, especially when we con- !
slider the lofty ideal of the Catholic |
priesthood, weighted with a ministry /
more than angelic. But it is a cOnsola- |
ton to feel that, as true members of /
the church. you have looked more to /
the Office than to its feeble holder; re- /
garded not so much the man as the dis /
pencer of the mysteries of God. /
In saying Holy Mass, hearing con-
fessions, baptizing your children.
by the bedside of the dying I
and applying the holy functions. you I
have seen and heard words and acts of
a man. but the power behind them,
and the force that gave them strength 1
and virtue came from God. Christ still
lives IN His church. In the person of
Hisp RESTS He goeth about saving and
healing and raising to life those spirit
ualiy dead in sin.
1.-The love and reverence Of Catho-
lies for their priesthood is neither per-
sonal ror superstitious. 1t sees the
hand and hears the voice of God in His
however personally weak or
''This thought has ever sustained and
me. 1t is a consolation to
know that this double ministry of the
world, the teachings Of Catholic truth I
and sacramento of the mysteries of /
God, as st. Paul calls it, does not cease
with my departure, but will be carried I
on by my successor as long as there is /
a flock Co administer.
"And now one fnai request. The |
weight of the ministry is no light or
easy one to carry. High, lofty duties
and heavy responsibilities attach there /
to. Doing the work and carrying on /
the function Of Christ, how oppressive /
the thought; how often does not the /
priest, feeling his own unworthiness
and yet deeply conscious by faith of /
his very nearness and contact with /
Christ, feel tempted to exclaim with /
st. Peter, depart from me. . Lord. /
for | am q sinful man.
pray, then, fervently that God I
may bless and strengthen my efforts |
to walk wOrthily in my sacred path, |
that He may bless my WORK elsewhere, !
and whilst helping me to water and to /
plant, grant himself the increase.
"Pray, too, that He may bless the /
Iabors of my successor in your midst, |
grant him the same hearty greeting /
and cordial support accorded to myself. !
W are both soldiers in the same cause, |
iabUrers in the vineyard and both seek /
the aid and encouragement OF your
prayers and good will. My earnest /
prayer is and will be. that God may /
grant you every blessing, spiritual and
temporal that He may ever guard /
yourselves and children. Farewell; |
God be with us all. "
When Father Cusack closed his fare |
we'll address the members Of the large /
were visibly affected. |
Father Cusack left Monday for his
new charge in Covington as pastor OF
St. Patrick's Church.