The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1918-02-02
ARCHBISHOP KEANE'S SERMON

The Christian faith which made
him a great Bishop, true priest, also
made him a great citizen. To those
who are guided by faith, patriotism is
not mere sentiment nor q matter
of eYpediency, but q duty of con
science imposed by God and revealed
in the Gospel where we are enjoined
to obey every authority that is from
on high, not by compulsion but by
love. We heard it stated repeatedly
not yet a year ago, on the occasion
of his sacerdotal golden jubilee, that
Bishop McGolrick was the best citi-
zen Of Duluth, and we accounted for
it by referring to his profound faith.
He strove to please God by loyal serv-
ice. He was foremost in everything
that made for better Duluth, for a
better American citizenship; and thus
his service was disinterested. He
sought no earthly monument. No self
ish motive influenced him. His eyes
were fixed on the reward which is his
today for serving God and country
with all the enthusiasm OF loyal,
loving soul.
Our loss, my dear brethren, is great.
am no prophet, yet I venture the
assertion that you are not likely to
find another like him. It is not given
to every man to be such a father to
little children, such q brother TO man
kind, nor to persevere In that Steadi-
ness to perfect balance which must
be his who seeks the true way. Bishop
McGolrick was not given to excess
in his views or the expression of
them. He was conservative but pro.
gressive. He had magnificent faith
in his felloWmen, and he believed that
his direction and example would lead
them to better things for God and
country. In that he was rather ex-
ceptional, and it is because he was
so that he must live.
He was a pioneer 1t is great
privilege to be a pioneer. 1t is not
much for young men to reap the har-
vest; but it is much for young men
to plant the seed wisely, to take new
territory for the Cross, and to push
the confines of religion farther afield
and to ensure its future. by planting
WISELY.
1t is more than fifty years since
Bishop McGolrick, then a young
priest, went into the virgin field of
what is now the city Of Minneapolis. He
saw with the vision of prophet the
things that were to be, and he plant
ed with the love of an apostle and
the zeal of a pioneer. He prepared
for the future. His name is cherished
in that city, and his image stands out
brightly, and many of today are inf1u-
enced by the tradition of that past
which he made great
He came to Duluth as a pioneer
Bishop, and for more than twenty-five
years he labored here, and Duluth,
when he died, was his. He will live
when the reapers of the ripened har-
vest are forgotten, because he gave
to the Church in these days its dis.
tinctiye character. He knew the val
ue of an enlightened Catholicity as a
secure foundation for the future of
the Church, and he labored for the
spread of education among the peo-
pie. To it he devoted his young life
! and his declining years with the same
enlightened zeal and devoted activ-
ity. He will live because the educa-
| t1onal monument which he erected
will remain. He antagonized no one.
He gave himself to the solution of
the pressing religious and civic prob
lens, and the wisest sought his coun-
sci, and the most experienced his help
| and prudent guidance.
Farewell, noble Bishop, true priest,
father of little children, shepherd of
| the flock, great citizen of a grateful
city. We commend your soul to Him
Whom you served with all your mind
and soul and heart. Farewell.