The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-21
BISHOP DED|CATES ITALIAN CATHOLIC
 CHURCH AT ENSLEY
Over 20OO Attend Impressive Exercises-SermOns Are Preached in English
 and Italian

More than 2000 of the Italians of Ems
 words of praise and congratulation of the
 Right Rev. Edward P. Allen, D. D.,
 Bishop of the diocese of Mobile at the dedicatory exercises of St. Joseph's Ro-
 man Catholic church yesterday after
 noon.
 There was low mass at o'clock and
 a solemn high mass at 10 o'clock, the ex- ercises ending with vesper services at 8 o'clock in the afternoon.
 Bishop Allen arrived in Ensley Sun day morning and was met at the station by a committee of visiting priests and citizens and escorted to the new church. The church was blessed by Bishop Allen
 and the solemn high mass was then be- gun, with the pastor, Rev. B. l.. Platto.
 as celebrant; Rev. Thomas A. Lenahan as deacon; Rev. Father Downs as sub deacon and Rev. Robert J. McQuillan | and Father Canepa as deacons of honor At this mass Father Lenahan, a native of Ireland but ordained in Rome, preached the sermon in fluent Italian. Following this mass Bishop Allen de- livered the principal address of the day. He paid glowing tribute to the spirit which had made possible the church. He spoke warmly of the jealous work of the young pastor, Father Platto, a son of Thomas Platto a prominent merchant of
 Ensley, and thanked the old parish for
 contributing so generously to the fund for this purpose. He paid glowing trib- ute to the Italian people, whom he pro- claimed the leaders in science, the arts,
 and in sound religious faith. The church
 building, he stated, being entirely free of debt was an object of which they should always be proud, and in closing urged upon the congregation a continu- ance of zeal for the church and the same hearty cooperation with their pastor. At l o'clock Bishop Allen, together with 1 the visiting clergy and other citizens were entertained at luncheon at the Palace 1 cafe. Among those present at the iunch- l con were the Rev. k. J. MeQuillen of Ss. Anthony's church, Ensey; Rev. Father Downs of St. Vincent's hospital, Fir
 mingham; the Rev. J. B Canepa of St. Marks church. St. Thomas; the Rev. J. M. Schultz of St. Augustne's church, l3ir- mingham; the Rev Philip F. Mccormack,
 
 Platto. East Thomas; the Rev. Thomas A. Lena han, St. Pauls church. Birming ham; the Rev Raymond Crewling, tull- man; the Rev. c. C. Riley, lmacnldte Conception. Birmingham and the follow ing members of the new parish; Charles Rouss, Louis Meanza, Jake Grombeia, l Charles Capria, George Lapesto, Joe An | tonic and sam Lovoi. The Italian band rendered fitting programme.
 l There were no speeches made at the | luncheon. At o'clock vespers were sung | and the exercises brought to q close. Throughout the day the exercises were | marked by religious zeal and fervor and at the conclusion of vespers many prom | inent Catholics and Protestants alike con- graduated Father Platto upon the sue cessfu completion of his labors.
 1 Las might the prizes in the most pop uar girl'' contest were awarded. The winners were Miss Frances Rouss, Miss Ruth Brooks and Miss Cecilia Davis and l the prizes were diamond ring, lavalier, a cameo ring and bracelet: all donated by the Ellis Jewelry company.