The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-08-02
REV. TIMOTHY R. SWEENEY
Whose Death Last Night Plunged the sacredHeart
 Parish Into Grief

made his counseI often sought by ofh- CTS of the clergy. began plans not o.flfr, Tor the reduction of the debt, but for
 the erection of a convent building.
 He possessed the happy faculty of i'm educating his parishoners with enthu- siasm for the welfare OF his parish. and it was not long before the debt was being reduced by substantial sums.
 The completion of the convent in Myrtle avenue, one of the finest 1speci- mems of church architecture devoted to the purpose in the diocese of FTarf- ford, was a signal triumph for Path CT Sweeney This was ready for 1ss five years ago, and the expense Of it's construction, together with the debt and current expenses of the parish, ], was steadily brought towards eIfnafn- alton. So bright was the outlook at the beginning of the year 1913 that Father Sweeney, reading hfS annual report, expressed confidence that ere another year had passed, the entire church property would be free from debts that the solemn ceremony of consecrating it to God could be ac- compIished.
 Father sweeney's 1s years insBEidge- port brought him host of frienda- The demarcations of creed, were no bar to the feeling of respect his priest 1y life inspired. Though he was not constitutionally strong for some years, he continued his priestly labors with undiminished zeal, kept in intimate touch with the families of his large and increasing flock. and mfnistered alike to their. spiritual and temporal welfare.
 Father Sweeney was a deep. student. Q Hnguist and scholar of attainment exceptional even in the erudite priest hood. He was fond of travel, had crossed the Atlantic several times and had seen much of the United States.
 When, two years ago, the fnrOadg of a complication of disea ses gradual 1y began to slludermins his constftu- ton, he would not bring himself to and friends, who urged him to relax his arduous Iabors for the financial welfare of the parish. It was about six months ago that he became so m that he was advised to go away for O rest. He went to Atlanta, Ga, where. as the guest of his sister. Mrs. P. E. Quinn, he remained several weeks. 7 Here his condition became so serious that it was some time before he had strength for his return.
 He came to Bridgeport, apparently somewhat improved, and for few days his flock hoped for the best Gradually he became weak, and sev- en weeks ago he was obliged to take to his bed where he remained almost constantly ever since Since We'd
  tarily expected. His two sisters, Mrs. M. R. Moran of New London and Mrs Quinn of Atlanta, had been summon ed in anticipation of the worst
 Yesterday morning, the first Friday of the month, the children of the par ish, as is the custom, approached the sacraments of penance and holy eucharist. The priests asked the chii- dren to offer their cosnmunions for the welfare of their beloved pastor Father Sweeney's peaceful death, at 1o:15 last night, had been the object of many devout prayers. Uremic, or kidney trouble, was the chief factor in his demise though he suffered other ailments in connection with this dis- order.
 All Thursday night, and all during Friday a constant vigil had been kept at his bedside. Though the household had sought not ito alarm the parish- toners unduly the news Of Father Sweeney's serious condition soon spread about the vicinity, and through out the day men, women and children called to hear the latest reports of the priests condition Their solemn visages, as they left the rectory, be-
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