The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-07-29
TRIP MARKED BY
 GIANT ICEBERGS
Pastor of Sacred Heart Church Has In. teresting Experiences During
 Visit to Europe.
GUEST OF BISHOP BROWN

Reverend Father T. R. Sweeney,
 pastor of the Sacred Heart church, re-
 turned to this city yesterday, after a
 four weeks vacation spent in Paris
 and Southern Ireland.
 This was Father Sweeney's fifth visit
 to Europe, and the idea of sightseeing
 was secondary to his taking a much
 needed rest, although one event was
 impressed upon Father Sweeney's
 mind. an everft that will always be
 pleasant memory to him.
 On the eve of his departure. home
 ward bound from Queenstown, Ireland.
 Father Sweeney. Father J. J. Russell,
 pastor of St. Patrick'S church, New
 Haven, and Monsignor Murphy. of
 ed dinner by Bishop Brown, the
 ordinary of the diocese of Cloyne,
 which embraces Queenstown. Cork,
 and the Killarney Lakes region.
 York on the steamer La Province, the
 speediest of the French line fleet. and after seven day voyage, landed al
 Havre. France. The trip was un-
 eventful except for the fact that the ship was surrounded by icebergs for several days One iceberg was passed which Father Sweeney estimated must
 have been fully 2000 feet long, and about 100 feet in height. Father
 Sweeney went direct from Havre to Paris, where he remained for one week. making his stay at the Continental Hotel While in the French metro polls he had the pleasure of meeting Richard Halsey of this city, who is on a pleasure jaunt over the Continent. and of seeing Dr. Dorland Smith. and Mrs. Smith, and Dr. Smiths sister. He also met Miss Edith Zink, a teach CT in the Prospect street school. Fath- CT Sweeney's time in Paris was spent in Quietness. occasional trips being made by carriage to the points of in terest in that city. His day of de- parture from Paris was June IA, a day of national rejoicing among the French people, as it is the anniversary of the founding of the Republic, and is celebrated somewhat like the Amer ican Fourth of July. Father Sweeney noted that the celebration lacked the spontaneity of former years, although the usual bizarre dances were held the night before in the streets of the city. From Paris trip was made to Cherbourg from which place Father Sweeney sailed on the White Star ing the journey in A hours The next week was spent in travelling about the beautiful sections of Southern Ireland. The Killarney Lakes were visited and B1arney Castle, but Father Sweeney said that he failed to kiss the stone, as he thought its influence was not necessary in his case While in Cork the section of the Protestant cathe- Qral, Ann Qe SnanQOn, pldyeQ the famous Bells of Shandon for Father Sweeney. After the usual Irish aires were played Father Sweeney asked that some American aires be rendered and the sexton complied. It was while in Queenstown that the dinner was rendered in honor of Father Sweeney by Bishop Brown. Father Sweeney was impressed by the new Catholic cathedral which has just been com- pleted in that city. It is of granite and In the Gothic style. Bishop Brown l visited this country about a year ago as the companion of Cardinal Logue. Father Sweeney sailed from Queens town on July 22 and arrived in New York yesterday morning and came at once to this city.
 Father Sweeney spoke of the extra ordinary chilliness of Europe. where ft is said that this has been the coolest summer in many years. He feels greatly improved by his ocean trip, | and is now ready to make the many | needed improvements in his church | property. He contemplates among other additions. the placing in the of a new heating plant.
 Father Sweeney has been the pastor | of the Sacred Heart church for the | past nine years. celebrating his thir- | tieth year as priest one month ago.