The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-01-11
CATHOLIC CHURCH NOTES.

Reverenuy Mother Church has this
week chautcd Teauoms for two faithful membess
Of her holy ministry pronouncing her last beuedie-
tions. amid solemn and impressive rites upon the
mortal remains Of two beloved priests
God in His infinite wisdom has fl 70 cal
,rom earth two great and good men-Rey. Dr.
y J. Stafford aud Rev. Father joseph l. Ma
gl,re-uoble ornaments 10 the priesthood, who
bsautiaed the world, and whose lives seemed nee
esssr, fer the spiritual welfare Of man; bat re-
ligi0u teaches that there is light for every dark
ness. ia the simple Truth that God means every
thing: there is comfort IN the thGaght that God
knows everything, and this belief bids sonoWing
hearts bow with resignation To the vii Of an
omnipotent God
In Father Maguire's death the church
militant has lost true disciple the congregation
Of the Church Of the Holy Comforter a rsYsred
pastor the peopl q Washington a man. ur.yer-
sally beloved. and the poor, the afflicted and the
distressed a comforter. adviser, and friend.
One year ago to-day St Patrick's
Rect0ry was the scene Of a brilliant gathering
eminent clsrgymen and laymen q distinction were
there assembled as the pastors guests for the an
nual reception in honor Of His EminenCe the Car
diual
II had long been custom Of DR.. staford's to
invite the public 20 meet the Cardinal on the sec
oud Sunday Of each year, and to entertain num-
Der Of notable men at luncheon in the rectory i'm
nedlately after the reception. Last year ths took
place January II.
A pathetic reminder Of Father staford's resolve
20 adhere % this custom despite his III health is
found in the editorial column Of the Christmas
Patrician, la the statement that THE Cardinals
I New Years gfflE hold al :
on the second Sunday Of January, the 18th Of tie
month. What reflections are awakened by th0se
linesl
One week to-day the papers. announcing the
death Of the beloved pastor. spoke Of that same
/ rectoTy where lay the mortal remains Of DR..
Stafford, and told how men and women from ever
walk Of life had gathered there to psy homage
% the dead priest-tHbutes Of love 10 him whose
love Of all mankind, proclaimed through every ecf
Of his life, gave 10 ali a sense Of welcome that
drew men to him with quiet persuasive force. even
in that hour Of gloom when lips. mute in death
could no longer utter welcome to those who en-
tered for the sad privilege OF gazing for the
last time upon the comtenance Of him they loved
/ 50 we'll
Detailed accounts Of the solemn funeral
rites have been published in all local papers and
chrOuicled by the press throughout the country.
One writer stated that The fine gospel Of the
/ brotherhood Of man was never better or more
practically and realistically exempifed than in the
solemn. pathetic, and impressive funeral Of Rev
/ Father D. J. Stafford"
/ Stronger proof If this brotherhood Of man" wal
never shown than through the tributes Of love and
| esteem from ministers Of every creed who. not
| content with speaking their praises Of the dead
priest and their sorrow because Of his death
/ braved fierce storms OF rain and wind 10 attend
the funeral obsequies Of the distinguished church
man.
Another writer stated THE churches Of Wash
ington need no Hague conference, Judging from tbs
/ tributes paid deceased cieTgymen Of the Roman
Catholic Church by the clergy Of the Protestant
and Hebrew denominations "
These marvellous demonstrations Of unbiased es
TEEN and affection bring f0rcibly to mind the last
| lines penned for publication by Father Stafford
and seem to mean that his last pFayer-a plea fol
peace-the peace Of Christian unity-had been heard
The lines in the last edition Of the parish MONTHLY
are as follows;
The world was fun Of strife. contention. and
/ conflict when the Prince Of Peace was bonn. anf
there was little thought Of Him in the busy mart
q trade and the equally busy schools Of philosophy
| sin was everywhere, and moral degradation. anC
| though men Of deeD thought looked hither an,
| thither for redeemer, no thought Of Bethle
/ hem as the place Of His birth II was too hum
| bic. too poor too unknown. not spoken Of in tn,
palace Of Caesars. nor discussed in the schools d
] AAAlcl. anu yet DSlHttItlu was the ITc9 a
| JOY, peace, and redemption.
| To-day. likewise, the world Is fun Of strife ans
| contention, and upon the hilltops Of desire man,
prophet shades his eyes and looks into the worl,
| for peace and redemption, and can find none no
| hope for any. The source is hidden from the gaz
Of the worldly.
/ Peace! Peacel Who or what viii give us peace
| Is it knowledge. or pOEeT, or wealth OF empire
All these have been found wanting. and never wa
| the world conscious Of the fact. God alone cal
give IT, God alone gives it and gives only through
His Divine Son to those Of good will Glory be {,
Gcd in the highest and peace on earth to men o
good viii
The peace Of God gives us rest, makes us self
eentered, independent Of accident, superior to Vi
| eisstude. triumphant over all the ills Of life TIT
trouble with men to-day is that they are too rela
| tive in everything. They are not content to enjU
] what they have, but spend their time envying tn
| superior possessions Of their neighboF The poo
man does not enjoy the frugal comfort of his hom
for thinking Of the palace Of his rich friend Th
man of reasonable means thinks only Of some wa
/ by which he may reach his more favored ac
qusiutance. Sit down at this holy time coun
| your blessings and thank God for them Seel
above 81 things the peace Of God"