Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-12
Rev. w. A. Keefe Delivered Lenten
Sermon at st. Mary's Church-AI-
exander Senak Died Tuesday.

The weekly Lenten service was held
in st. Mary's church on Tuesday ev-
ening. The services opened at 100
with the recitation of the most holy
rosary and litany of the Blessed Vir-
gin Mary offered by Rev William H
Kennedy, who also officiated at ben
ediction of the most blessed sacrament
which closed the evenings exercises
The Lenten sermon was preached by
Rev. William A. Keefe, rector Of ST.
Johns church, Plainf1eld, and a form
err curate of this parish FIR. Keefe's
discourse treated with the Passion of
Christ and he went on to say that how
many different times and what a Sc
rious lesson it teaches to reflect upon
the doctrine of the church regarding
the crucifiN and to study its meaning
A stranger goes into a strange city
and enters a house Of worship the
standard of the cross adorns that
temple. Before entering he pauses
for a moment in the vestibuIe and
signs himself with the sign of the
cross with dipping Of the finger into
the holy water font Entering and
kneeling down to say his prayeds he
signs himself with the emblem of SAL
walton and likewise at his morning
and evening prayers. A priest of God
uses it at the baptismal font over the
new born babe as we'll as in the con-
Iesslonal when he pronounces the
words of absolution. he uses this Cod
given power: also to each comnuni-
cant as he administers the holy eucha-
| rist. The young man and woman who
enter the matrimonial state have its
blessing as we'll as on the sick bed
when the various organs of the senses
are anointed this sign of the cross is
| in evidence; also at the requiemS for
the dead he seals that prayer with
| the sign Of the cross. When the
| bishop anoints the young soldiers OF
1 let LII
| power to administer the sacramento
and other obligations he consecrates
| 1T with the sign of the cross. Over the
| tabernacle inscribed upon the sacred
| vestments and the holy book con-
| tains the one mark. seal and sign OF
| the Catholic church.
| The church makes this particular
sign for our reflection and meditation
| He said to Peter. teach all nations al
power is given to you in Heaven and
on EARTH" and behold I am with YOU
all days to the consumation of the
world. Carrying out that commission
| the Popes, bishops and priests of His
| church, the sign of the cross is al
ways before them.
In pious reflection I ask myself what
does it mean to me?
! I find it adorns the walls of m,
church. I use it in my prayers. as wei
as find it in the administration of al
the sacran1ents- What is it to the
Cathoiice christian soldier, the eros,
of Christ, the Goldman? ask nv.
SELF this and the answer comes bacl
it is the lamb Of God who came t.
take away the sins of the world-th,
second person Of the Blessed Trinity
This is He whose coming was Gore
told by the prophets and the wis
men as we'll as by st. John tn
Baptist. I find as I gaze on m,
crucifix that He was born of tn
Blessed Virgin Mary and that He wa
| sent from heaven: I find further tina
He is the Prince of Peace. and good
will to man. I find that in studyini
His career that with Joseph and Mar
He made the fight into Egypt and I,
the last few years of His life perform
ed wondrous works. People sough
the privilege to touch the hem of Hi
garment; He blessed the children
cured the deaf, dumb and blind. par