The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1913-03-29

uIations of State and city-PeopIe
of All creeds Pay Tribute to Him
Splendid Musical Program at Min
neapoIis Auditorium
"A Testimonial to the Reverend
James M. Cleary"-this was the form
assumed by the civic celebration held
at the Auditorium, Minneapolis, on
! Tuesday, March 25, which marked the
fortieth anniversary of Father Cleary's s
ordination and the twentieth of his
residence in the city of Minneapolis
1t was an enthusiastic expression of
esteem and affection on the part of his
| fellow-citizens, Irrespective of creed
"a tribute to one who in his own per-
son has exemplified the highest
ideals of citizenship and who, by
voice and pen, has sought to uplift
his fellowmen to a higher plane of
Christian life and endeavor.
For the moment all religious lines
were obliterated. The personality of
civic leader, whose life has been
an open book wherein all who wish
may read the story of his devotion
to his church and to the best inter
ests of his community, was the mag
net that evoked spontaneous tributes
of appreciation from those who had
known him and labored side by side
with him, for score of years.
Nor was the religious significance
of the occasion lost sight of by the
speakers who voiced the congratula-
tions of state and city. All recog-
nized the fact that Father Cleary' s
religious convictions and ideals had
been the stimulus and inspiration of
his meritorious service in the cause
of civic righteousness. The value of
religion as a motive power in foster
ing the loftiest ideals of true citizen.
ship was emphasized so forcibly as to
leave no doubt in the minds of all
that the individual whose conception
of civic duty is not divorced from
allegiance to religious truth is the
noblest type of true citizen.
Despite the uninviting weather con
ditions, a large and representative
audience assembled to greet with ap
Iplause the tributes paid to Father
Cleary by the different speakers. A
well-balanced program was rendered
in an excellent manner. The musica
and instrumental portions were en-
trusted to such we'll known artists
as Robert Gehan, of St. Paul, Miss
Alma Peterson, Miss Florence Curran
and Mr. William MacPhail of Mime
apolis.
In opening the meeting, Mr.. Michae
Brady introduced the Chairman
Mayor Nye of Minneapolis, who tend
cred to Father Cleary the warmest
greetings of the people of that city
He was followed by Mr.. Charles E
Vasaly who outlined the life-worl
of Father Cleary as a priest and 6
citizen. The Honorable Governor
Eberhart, in behalf of the State, laud
ed Father Cleary for his unceasins
interest and cooperation in every
movement that made for the public
welfare. Dean James of the Univer
sity of Minnesota spoke of the value
, | Ill Tie CuuCdLlOAd1 o1u111S VI LA1k
young of such a concrete example O
true manhood and devoted citizenship
as that furnished by the life o
the honored guest. Rev. M. D. Shutter
of the Church of the Redeemer-tht
only clergyman who has seen longer
continuous service in Minneapolis
than Father Cleary-dwelt on th'
abiding interest which Father Clear!
has always shown in all that makes
for civic betterment. He character
: lied him as man of deep religious
conviction which dominated his lift
work, but which did not prevent hin
from working in harmony with thos'
: of other creeds who sought to makC
the community the best possible place
to live in. The final tribute-an in
timately personal one-came from
Father Ward of Beloit, Wis, class
mate and lifelong friend of Fathe
Cleary, who spoke of the work of ;
priest and showed how his training
and duties fitted him to take a lead
ing part in every movement, religious
and civic, that makes for the better
ment of mankind.
When Father Cleary rose to speak
at the close of the program, he wa:
greeted with enthusiastic applause
In few well-chosen sentences ht
thanked all who had contributed tt
the success of the testimonial, and de
clared that the marks of appreciation
shown by his fellow-citizens would bt
an incentive to greater exertion OF
his part in the fulfilment of his duties
as priest and citizen.
Rev. ]. M. Cleary was born in Bos
ton, September 8, 1849. His boyhoo(
was spent in Southern Wisconsin, and
his preparation for the priesthood was
made at st. Francis Seminary, Mil
waukee.
For eight years after his ordination
on July s, 1872, he engaged in paro
chial work in Grant County, Wiscon
sin. The next twelve years were
spent in Kenosha, Wis.
In 1892 he came to Minneapolis and
was appointed pastor of the Church
; of st. Charles, where he remained fo1
eighteen years. When the new parish
} of the Incarnation was organized he
was placed in charge, and during tht
past three years he has erected the
Institute of the Incarnation, a com
J bination church and school, and {
splendid parochial residence intC