Norwich bulletin., 1917-06-11
FATHER PORTELANCE IN HOME CHURCH
Norwich Young Man, Ordained Pentecost Sunday Celebrates First Solemn Mass at St. Paticks - College Mate Breaches Priests High Calling Hundreds Receive Holy Levte's Blessing.

For the second time within a few
 years, the parishioners of St. Patrick's s
 church had cause for rejoicing Sunday i in being able to assist at the first
 solemn high mass celebrated by a
 young son of the parish who has dedi- 1 cated his life to the service of God | in the holy priesthood. Less than two years ago, Rev. Henry J. Coleman came back to his home church follow ing his ordination, to celebrate his first solemn mass; and yesterday the newly ordained young priest was Rev. Aioy- sius Roi Portelance. son of Mrs. AL phonstne and the late Adoiph R. Port elance. of AS Main street.
 In spite of a stormy morning the including relatives and friends of the family, as well as many acquaintances from neighboring parishes.
 Music of High Order.
 As it was the Sunday within the oc- tave of the feast of Corpus Christi the yestnents and altar hangings were of the richest white and gold, and the flowers used in the adornment of the magnificent aItars were also purest white, relieved by Spring blooms in delicate pink tints. Additional voices sang the mass of rejoicing, the soloists being Mrs. Frank L. Farrell and John Sullivan. The offertory was Luzzi's Ave Maria, sung with power. roundest of tone and choicest Of phrasing by Hugh Kinder. The musical portion of
 
 tfstic interpretation under the direction of Organist Frank L. Farrell.
 In the solemn high mass Rev. Father Porteiance has as deacon a college J. McGrath, of St. Roses church, Meriden.
 The sub-deacon was Rev. Myles F. Calvin, of the local parish and the assistant priest was Father Porte lanee's uncle, Rev. H. J. Beliefeur, Of Lfttieton, N. H.
 The master of ceremonies was Rev. Peter J. Cuny, of St. Patricks- The parish rector. Rev. John H. Frederick, was seated in the sanctuary.
 To Father AIcGrath was assigned the labor of love of preaching the sermon, always an utterance of special signi- hcance at such a service.
 Sermon By College Friend.
 His text was the commission of Christ, to His apostles "As the Father hath sent me, so also I send you" It was m earnest. eloquent presentation of the Catholic priests claims to di- vine commission and authorization to teach and preach to all the world.
 The ascension of the Saviour had left the disciples in gloom. They returned to spend the time until the first Pen tecost in prayer and fasting: then their divine Teachers promise was fulfilled, l them in the form of tongues of fire, i transforming the poor simple men-for the most part ignorant f1shermen-into | apostles, equipped miracuiously to go l forth as Christ had commanded to | teach His doctrine to all the world. 1 Tn unbroken succession, since that first 1 the bishops of the Catholic | church, every year near the time of l oentecost, have, :n the self same 1 words, commissioned other disciples to | continue the work which the Saviour instituted
 Teach the Same Doctrine.
 This commission is to teach. not tome -fanglea doctrine of the Twentieth Century. The newly com nissioned priest must teach as His Exemplar Christ taught; and woe be 0 him if he should teach or preach otherwise!
 Taught to All Nations.
 That the Saviour's command to his ,een fulfilled, there is abundant proof. At the first, the beginnings of the ,hurch were small and humble. But jed to every quarter of the globe so hat the doctrine. of Redemption has been taught by these duly authorizfd Lpostles, in succeeding generations wen to our own time. Tn the jungles If Africa, the frigid wastes of Si- ,eria under the burning sun of Arabia, lpon the .inhospitable mountains of China, through the trackless forests of ,ur own Western lands, everywhene he priests of the Catholic church have made their way, everywhere they have planted the standard of Christ taught he truth of the Redemption.a