The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1913-06-28
Born in Hennepin County He Has
Labored in Several Parishes.
The Irish Standard, Anticipating the Greet
ing of His Innumerable Friends,
Wishes Him
Ad MuKos Amos.

On the anniversary of the ordina-
tion Of Rev. Thomas F. Gleeson-his
silver jubiIee-one is reminded of the
psalm of David: Lord, who shall
dwell in Thy tabernacle or who shall
rest in Thy holy hill?" And the
psalmist answered the question, de-
scribing the person who is worthy of
that signal honor: "He that walketh
without blemish and worketh justice;
he that speaketh truth in his heart
and hath not deceit in his tongue; he
that hath not done evil to his neigh
Dor, but hath ministered to the poor
and 1owly; he that gloriaeth the Lord
in all his works and days; he that
doeth these things shall not be moved
forever" And elsewhere the inspired
singer describes the man "who glorifies
the Lord in all his works and days."
employing the symbol of the tree
planted beside the waters, bringing
forth fruit in due season and enjoying
a long and prosperous life.
The anniversary of Rev. Thomas F.
Gleeson suggests such scriptural
thoughts as these; like the tree beside
the. waters. q. which the - psalmist
sings so sweetly. he has enjoyed a
long and prosperous career in the holy
ministry; he has proved himself to be
a priest after Gods own heart, an ex-
ample and pattern to the flock; and
how truthfully may We apply the
words of Holy Writ to him: "He hath
glorified the Lord in all his works and
days."
Twenty-fiv years a priest! How
much labor and self f-sacrifice, how
much hardship and suffering and pa.
tience, how many trials and priva-
tions and vicissitudes that long pas
toral care represents! Yet, withal
what joy has it brought to the toiler
who saw the successful years roll on,
bringing abundant harvests and ac-
cumulating wealth to the Heavenly
Husbandman. For though man may
toll and water, God alone gives the
increase. And God has blessed a hum
dred fold the work of Father Thomas
Gleeson whenever and wherever he
toiled in the spiritual vineyard. He
may look back today over the long
and changeful years, with the salts
faction which a priest experiences
upon the faithful discharge of all his
sacred duties; he may look back in
joyful memory upon the faces of
countless children in many parishes,
children who loved and still love him;
upon adults who through him pre-
served their religious and moral in
tegrity, blessing him as their visible
angel who guided their steps
in the path of truth and righteous.
ness; he may look back upon the poor
who held him as their benefactor from
whose steps they were never repelled,
for to them his hand was ever open.
And, above all, he may gaze backward
upon the sick, the sorrowing and dis
consulate who during those long years
sought his spiritual ninistrations, and
it will be his abiding happiness to re-
member that he always spoke words
Of cheer and sympathy-that he al
ways manifested toward them the
Kindness and charity of Christ This
jealous and devout shepherd. of the
flock, as he contemplates all the good
he has accomplished, all the souls he
has blest, may exclaim with the
Apostle: What is our hope or joy
or crown Of Glory? Are not you in
the presence of our Lord?'
The pastor whose preaching is un-
heralded by the press and unhearl
outside his own church, whose good
deeds were not blazoned before curl
Gus public, will have his golden words
and works written on the imperish-
able pages of the Book of Life. Father
Gleeson has been entirely too modest
and retiring to shine in the public eye
or parade his splendid oratorical gifts
upon the public platform; but, when
ever he chose to appear, he did so to
the delight of the multitude and to
the honor Of his ministry. His sterl-