The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1909-07-21
Former Assistant Pastor Of st. Peters
Church Welcomed Home to
Ireland, the Home Of
His Birth
BURST OF ENTHUSIASM
Every Member Present at Meeting
Shook Hand Of keokuk Priest
-Presldent Made an
Address.

Father P. N. McDermo-t, former as
sistant pastor of ST. Peters Catholic
church, in this city, was rendered
royal reception and welcome by the
Ancient Order Of Hibernians in Ire
land upon his return to that country
short tine ago. The following from
the Derry Journal shows in what light
Father McDermott stood in his home
country and is of interest to many
people OF Keokuk.
At the usual monthly meeting of
the above Division, held In the Hibern-
ian hall, Ballybofey, the president,
Brother ]. T. Murphy. occupied the
chair. All the officers were in their
places, and there was very large
attendance of the general members
present. There were also great many
visiting brothers present representing
Donoughmore Division, who have
Joined Ballybofey in presenting an adj
dress of welcome. to Father McDer-
mott. The meeting was one of the
largest since the division was estab-
lished. This was in no way surpris-
ing, as every Hibernian in the district
was anxious to take part in the well
come to Father McDermott, and to
listen to his expressions of love for
the Old Land and of gladness at being
once more amongst his old friends.
The minutes of previous meeting were
read and confirmed. Three members
were initiated and one candidate pro-
posed for admission This having con-
cluded the ordinary business, the
president despatched two stewards to
Father McDermott to escort him to
the hall, where, on his arrival, he was
warmly greeted by the president, who.
| in introducing him to the members of
his division, said: Brothers, l have
great pleasure in introducing Father
McDermott to the members of this
Division and to the visiting brothers
| from Donoughmore. / feel that this
division is highly honored bysthis visit
of Father McDermott's, who, though
absent for heightened period in n
| foreign land midst strange faces and
stranger surroundings, still remem-
bers the place of his birth, still re-
members that he is ar Irish Hibern-
ian. that this is the division whs re he
/ first learned the aims and objects of
the grand old order, where he first in
scribed his name as a member, and
with which. though he has since be-
come one of the chosen of the church.
ne is pleased to renew his connection
by re-inscribing that name on the roll
of membership The brothers then
marched round the table in single file
and each was privileged by receiving
4 in passing friendly clasp from the
/ hand of Father McDermott When all
had regained their seats and quiet.
| ness was secured, the president an
nounced that the time had arrived for
the important event of the evening
the reading and presentation Of the
address of welcome to Father McDer
mott, which he then proceeded te
read and which was listened to with
the utmost attention, receiving wher
finished, the hearty approval of al
present. The Ballybofey officers Their
signed their names on behalf of theil
division. The Donoughmore division
through its representative, concluded
the reading of the address, this por
ton being especially reserved for it
and the Donoughmore officers having
signed their names, the address was
formally handed over to Father Nc
Dermott by Brother O'Murphy.
Subjoined is the text of the address
Address from the Ancient Order o
: Hibernians Board of Erin), Divis OF
No. 14e, Ballybofey, to Rev. P. N
McDermott, of the Diocese of Iowa
Davenport, U. S. A.
, Dear Father McDermott: We th'
! members of the Ancient Order OF IN
, hernians (Board of Erin), Division Nc
: 149. Bal'ybofey, have much pleasu-
in wishing you hearty welcome,
genuine cevo mile pailre, on this you
first visit to your native town sine
your call to the sacred ministry.
We feel proud of the honor col
ferred on you-for which your earl
training was most fitting prepari
tion-and that you will bear with b
coming grace and dignity the mantl
of the church which hrs fallen upo
you survey of your past life is ampl
evidence. We have watched you gro
I'M amongst us, and early noted sigr
of genius and ability; truthfulnes
and horror of deceit or hypocris
soon became characteristic feature
AS your youth advanced unassume
modesty, filial piety ard feryent ze
in matters pertaining to religie
speedily developed, and these increa
inc with the years provide you no
with thorough equipment for u
faithful fulfllment of the sacred d
ties with which you arc entrusted. "
cannot conceal a selfish pride in beir
able to include you in the numb'
(steadily increasingly OF those OF o.