Evening journal., 1908-06-15
FATHER MOONEY
SAYS FIRST MASS
Ordained a Week Ago, He
OffiCialed Yesterday at
ST. PauI'S Church

After years Of preparation, most Of
which were fraught with difficulties.
induced mainly by ill-health, the Rev
James j. Mooney. Of this city happily
eliminated his studies yesterday when
he said his first solemn high mass la
ST. Paul's Church. where he served as
an acolyte during his boyhood Father
Mooney was ordained 10 the priest
hood on Sunday last by the Rt. Rev
Leo Haid. Bishop Of North Carolina,
the ordination services taking place in
the seminary chapel at Belmont, n. c.
st. Paurs church was crowded with
the relatives and friends of the newly
ordained priest. AS a mark of honor
and esteem Bishop Monaghan occupied
his throne within the sanctuary. The
Rev. Father Connolly. pastor Of ST
Thomas Church was assistant priest;
the Rev. Dr. Temple, pastor of ST.
Elizabeth's Church, was deacon ana
the Rev. Father ComislSy, OF st. Paurs
was sub deacon. Rev Father Higgins,
chancellor of the diocese and the Rev.
Father Isenring, o. S. f.. Of the Sales
ianum, were within the sanctuary. Two
70
who are studying for the priesthood for
the diocese of Cebu, Philippine Islands.
were head acolytes. One OF the students
is a native Filipino. The choir under
the direction of Mrs. Mary Connor-
Preston. sang Ferbers mass. At the
offertory Mrs Preston, Joseph McCul-
lion and Joseph Michaelis sang Doni-
zetti's, ave Maris Stella"-"Hail Star
Of the Sea"
The sermon was preached by Bishop
Monaghan. The sermon was an eV-
emplication of the Christly delegated
power of the priesthood as founded
and made permanent by the words ot
Jesus Christ when he caid: Going
therefore teach ye all nations" etc
The Bishop said.
TN the gospel which the church ap-
points to be read on this the feast ol
the Holy Trinity, Our Divine Lord SEM
| His Apostles on their great mission
from that institution Of learning whicr
He Himself instituted. and IN which
the Aposles-His priests-had the eV.
traordinary privileges Of hearing IN,
Word from Christ Himself Thes,
men. poor as they were in learning
went forth in strength and power &,
teach their doctrines TO the world Il
was an especial privilege TO be choser
by Christ for His ministry These mel
were entirely unfit t. do this work u
which Christ had called them N w
consider their natural qualifications
but He called them and instructe,
them Himself. and latterly He ordair
ed them 10 go and preach the Word
They were not only empowered I,
preach, but 20 offer up the sacrifice o
the mass. Such was the institution ot
the priesthood Of the Catholic Church
such is the priesthood as II has com,
down to us What a privilege Il is {,
be chosen 10 share in such a priest.
hood
The Bishop then enumerated tn,
powers deputed TO a priest at his or.
dination. commenting on each. He ais,
spoke of the duty Of a priest towaft
the people. The Bishop concluded will
eulogistic remarks Of Father Moone,
to whom he rendered his congratula
tons. He asked that he be spared
long life TO labor I'm that vineyard whor,
the harvest is great but the laborerl
few" The Bishop also hoped tha
other young men of the various par.
ishes would follow in the footsteps o
Father Mooney since the church wa,
in sore need Of priests and vocationi
to the priestbod so few
At the conclusion of the mass Fathel
Mooney Impaired his blessing on a.,
congregation individually. In the even.
ing he chanted vespers and gave thi
lbenediction. Father Mooney took hi
classical course at St Charles Col
lege. Ellicott City. Nd. and his theo
logical course at ST Marv's Belmonf
n. c. He will labor in this diocese.
As a recessional the choir san,
Gounod's Praise Ye the Father"