The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-11-12
FIR. HAYDEN TO co
Able Head Catholic Church in
Topeka to Ireland.
Resignation Takes Effect in
April-Seeks Health and Rest.

! The Very Rev. Francis NJ. Hayden,
for 25 years pastor of the Church of
| the Assumption, will resign from active
| service next spring. He expects to give
| up his pastorate about Easter and go to
his old home in Ireland, where his aged
! mother is still living
| Il will go to Ireland for a long rest,
| said Father Hayden this morning.
| Whether or not l return to this coun-
try will be decided later, but 1 shall
| give up active work when 1 leave my
| Topeka parish. On account of the
| growth of the parish and the condition
| of my health. L feel that 1 must re-
! sign
Father Hayden has been a priest for
50 years. and the past 25 years of his
| life have been devoted to the Topeka
| parish, where he has won and main
| tanned the highest regards of all classes
| and denominations His unceasing
activity has built up the church and
| it's educational institutions until the
Parochial schools and Catholic High
school rank with the leading educa-
| tional facilities in the country, and his
| resignation will be a loss, not only to
his parishioners but to the entire city:
In 1876 Father Hayden came to To-
| peka from Kansas City and served a
few months following the departure of
Father Defouri. In 1887 he became per-
| manent rector of Topeka, and complet-
| ed his twenty-fifth year in that ca
pdclLy on May o, last, when a golden
jubilee was held and the benediction of
| Pope Plus Tenth was bestowed upon the
| members of the church.
The history of the Church of the As
sumption began in 1862, when Father
Defouri was sent to Topeka to take
charge of the little church which had
| been established here. In 1876 Father
Hayden, then a young priest connected
with a Kansas City church, took charge
| of the Topeka church for few months
and was followed by the Rev. John F.
Cunningham who, in 1882 was succeed
ed by Rev. O'ReilIy. After five years
of jealous work in building up the
church, Father O'Reilly died in July,
1887. 1t was Father Hayden. the pres
ent pastor, who delivered the funeral
eu1ogy of Father O'Reilly and it was
about a month later Father Hayden
was appointed permanent rector of the
church.
| The history of the Church of the As
sumption has shown wonderful growth
under the able management of Father
Hayden. Two schools and the big st.
Francis hospital have been esta blished
The church has no debts. The church
has given five priests to the service,
and about twenty young women have
gone from this parish to join various
religious orders.
Father Hayden's appointment to the
Church of the Assumption was for life
and only his death or resignation could
change the relation. He was not SUBJ
ject to transfer to other churches. and
for that reason there is no fixed rule
for filling the vacancy caused by his
reS1gna ton. His successor must be
chosen by comparative examinations Of
eligibles, and none is eligible who has
not had at least ten years service in
the priesthood. From the list of
eligibles, the bishop will choose a priest
whose qualifications are highest.