The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-08-27

in those vigorous activities of religion that buttress the parish on every side. These new problems, it is true, 1n- creased again your financial burdens; but through the same bene1cence, that had now become a, virtue with you you saw them gradually, year by year, decrease. The beautiful rec tory soon completed the composite setting of your parish buildings, and last year, as the final crown1ng of your material works was the erection Of your commodious hall. With it's man fold appointments, 1t is now serving the intellectual and social needs of the various parish societies while it will wisely provide in the future, for any pressing wants, either of the church or the school Your church proper ty, so admirably situated, will stand for long as a monument to the faith and generosity and charity of St. Jo- seph's people.
 'sAnent this material development of the parish, there is one fact which wish here to emphasize. It was ac- co m pIlshed with butN1ittle or no sac 'rfffce of the Spiritual The honor of God and the church was never wit tingly ignored. Within and without the church, the underlying motive of all your gifts and Iabors and sacrifices was the glory of God and the spiritual welfare of His church.
 ttAs a consequence God blessed the work. While your charity grew up on what it gave to Him and others your faith also and your Catholic pi- ety and devotion increased in due pro portion This is evident from the multitudes that are now living. the real life of the church; in their con stant attendance at mass, Sunday and daily; in their frequent reception of the sacraments and in the many daily | vi ties of such societies as the Holy Name and Sacred Heart league, as also Tn the constantly increased attendance at the church. devotfons. The many works of religion, whether proper to a parish or diocese or even the church universal will ever fnds a responsive reception in hearts, such as yours, that have been warmed, through the Holy Ghost, with the blessings of a. lively faith and an ardent charity.
 Tn the spiritual no less than in the material development of this parish, we have been the dociIe instruments of Almighty God He has been the Chief Operator, while we have been His willing co-operators. Not to us then but to Him belongs the chief honor and glory. The Royal PsalInist has truly said: Unless the Lord hath built the house in vain have they la labored who build it. The great St
 
 in other words: T have planted; ApoI- To watereth. but God giveth the in- crease As a truth, the priests may plant the vineyard of the Lord; the people may water it through their labors and gifts, but it is God and God l alone who can make it grow and fruc- | tify.
 Wherefore, my dear people, while | I thank you most sincerely for yos1r l generous share in the many works of religion; our supreme duty at this | hour is to thank Him, who is the fGiv- | CT of all good gifts and without whose help and inspiration our la- bors. however meritorious, would have been of little worth. We will thank | Him then to-day in a most bef1ttins and holy manner; through the exaIta- ton of His Incarnate Son in the holy and adorable sacrament of His love At this solemn moment of praise and i thanksgiving, may ask you to ho1c me in prayerful remem brance, ther and always; as shall always remenr~ berpyou and yours in my private and public prayers.