Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-18
DISCUSSES LIFE
OF ST. PATRICK
Rev. James Shannon, Vicar
General of Peoria, Heard
at Sacred Heart
GIVES ELOQUENT ADDRESS
Celebration is Held Under the Aus
pises of st. lJoseph's Branch OF
the w. c. v.

"The golden age of Ireland came
when learning and piety became one,
Rev. James Shannon. vicar general OF
the Peoria Roman Catholic diocese as
serted to an audience assembled at sac
red Heart church last night to observe
ST. Patrick day. The Life of St Pat
rick" was Rev. Mr.. Shannon's subject.
He expanded his topic to show what
Ireland's patron saint had done 10
brin~. Christianity and learning to a
people.
A program of music opened and con
cIuded the services. Mrs. T. b. Reidy
sang two pleasing solos, st
Patrick's Day and The Harp That
Once Through Tara's Hall" two OF
the most ancient of Irish songs writ
ten in the Gaelic tongue in the
sixth century. and the Knights Of Col
umbus quartet sang selection. Inc
entertainment was given under the
auspices OF the St. Joseph's branch OF
the W. c. u. No. Is. Proceeds of the
evening are 10 be applied to the church
building fund.
Tracing the lie of self denial which
St. Patrick led until the age of %, Rev.
Mr.. Shannon told how the patron
saint brought order out of chaos and
dignity out of wretched conditions in
ireland. He organized churches, or
dained priests, created dioceses and
established parishes during the course
OF well spent life of more than 100
years. Those people who made it
easy for this patriarch OF the ages
during his early efforts in Ireland
were rewarded by St Patrick when he
raised their children to places of
prominence in the church he had estab-
lished," said the speaker.
Peaceful Midst War.
With the coming of st. Patrick
churches started and schools, monas-
teries and converts opened that peo-
pie might be improved and strength
ened. Soon the isle of paganism be-
came the isle of sages.'' said Rev. Mr..
Shannon. When st. Patrick died Ire
lsnd was a Christian Catholic nation
despite the fact there was chaos on
the continent of Europe. Consterna-
ton poured out from the north in a
clash of nations, but in ireland peace
reigned.
The Danes invaded Ireland to wreak
first damage on a heretofore peaceful
land. when the power OF the Danes
had finally been broken the people
were bruised. and the youth of ireland
had lust for blood" said the vicar
general. The history of Ireland there
after shows that the dreams OF nation
atty were never realized and that the
natural genius of the people never
found expression. ireland became a /!
nation of warriors" said the speaker |
Clanishness became retarding |
force to the country. Man learned in |
time that ne could not keep his faith |
by hating his neiehbor'' Rev. Mr.. |
asserted. In many ways, how
ever, the characters of Ireland's PEG.
pie were strengthened by war when
their freedom among men was at
stake When Irelsnd's subjects were
scattered TO other lands they were
lot at home in thought or deed and
heir faith was tried. The Irish
man will find comfort in his
aith and the distinguishing mark
I gives him from other men," closed
he speaker.
Sacred Heart church was well filled
o hear the Peoria vicar general.