The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1913-12-03


ing of his mind and heart in the
schools, the colleges, and the semi.
Haries of the church We recall
with gratitude his manly character.
his rugged honesty, his answering
refusal 10 make truce with hypo-
erisy or sham. For he proclaimed
fearlessly from the pulpit, and be-
cause he was in unison with his
bishop and with the pontiff OF the
eternal city, he taught infalllbly, the
things that men must believe and do
10 be saved. We thank God win
YOU. my brethren. for all that he has
accomplished in this parish; for his
ccaseless toll in the Lords vineyard.
We applaud and admire his unfaiing
championship OF the Catholic school
The lambs OF the flock were the
nearest and dearest 10 his heart be-
cause he knew they were The hope Of
religion In The parish. For them he
fought and labored. For them he
proured the elegant home OF the Cath
olic sisterhood. For them. and Tor
the young people OF his parish, he
erected that noble edGce which is
tho pride and the honor OF Benning.
ton. You know his zeal and anbit-
ion for the beauty OF the house OF
God. He has left an enduring proof
Of his zeal and generosity. in the
magnificent decorations of this
church. which vies in beauty and in
grandeur with the finest church struc
tures in this land.
1t Is needless 10 say that without
your generous help, people OF ben.
hington, all OF Father Barron e.-
forts would have been in vain; and
at this solemn moment. in this clos
.ng scene OF his career. il is due TO
you 20 say that your reputation Tor
bountilul generosity to the church
has spread far and wide throughout
this diocese. You gave OF your
wealth and Of your poverty. Tor yoh
knew that you were giving back 10
God what you had received from him.
ne Il willing 10 accept our Rltry o..
terings; and yet he is the author OF
all the treasures OF the earth; the
gold and the silver and the priceless
gems and the precious woods, the &c
Mus OF the sculptor and the painter.
and therefore he has said. III hun
ger / viii not tell IL 10 thee. for | am
the Lord OF the earth and the sull.
ness thereof
But. my dear brethren. we must
not forget, that while we came here
to adore and to praise God, we came
also 10 pray for the soul OF the dead
priest. When 4 young man is first
promoted TO the dignity of the priest,
hood, we fortell great things Tor him;
We dwell on the sublimity OF the OF
fee which he is called 10 I'll; but
then his life is before him, and we
know not what the future holds tor
him; Tor there are many labors and
trials. burdens. and crosses TO bear.
and many temptations. From time
to time. In 4 priests life, We stop to
rujoice with him in the work that he
has done, but II is when strong and
aaliant priest has finished his career.
shen the book is closed and upon it
S played the seal, marked with the
words, We'll done. good and faithful
priest, '-,t is then. dear brethren.
that we have good ground for the be.
liet and the hope that tina; soul has
been admitted 10 the Heavenly Joru.
salem TO continue the functions at
the priesthood in the midst Of the
worshipping host that surrounds the
altar of the Lamb
However, we must pray. For per.
haps ON the alb that was spotless. on
that stole. that was immaculate.
there may be clinging some fecks OF
human dust tina; need be clcansed
and purged away. before even good
priest can stand before the face of
God.
And so. for the first time. since he
put on the priestly robes. he is out.
side OF the sanctuary. he is separated
from his brother priests. he has gone
down among you. his people. with lis
face and his hands turned toward
you. in the humiliation OF death. 81,
.eusiy appealing to You to unite with
him in the sacrifice OF his life to Cdo.
Pray, brethren. that my sacr.hoc
and yours may be acceptable to the
omnipotent Cod" You will pray.
then. 20 render more secure his vo-
cation aud his calling and he viii
pray Tor You at the cali OF the Skep-
herd OF the flock. at the voice OF tho
Great High Priest. pontiff. and Priest
aud people may be gathered together
ia the Kingdom OF God TO enjoy perl
nrtuai light and eternal rest