Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1918-09-28
CARDINALS CHARITIES.

| TnOugh the earthly BODY or John
Cardinal Farley lies beneath the
high altar of st. Patrick's Cathedral
a shrine at which the faithful by
thousands are offering prayers for
the eternal repose of his soul, his
spirit is as much alive as though
his life had not ended.
One of the stories told of the
Cardinal comes from the Rev
| Thomas A. Toronton, rector of ST.
Columba's church. Father Thornton
was one of the half dozen priests
making up the staff of St. Gabriel S
church when the Cardinal, then
Auxiliary Bishop of New York, was
resident there as the pastor One
bitter winter morning Bishop Far
ley was at his prayers of thanks
giving when an old woman unan-
nounced walked into the sacristy.
She went straight to the Bishop and
knelt beside him. Instead of show
ing annoyance at the interruption
he asked her in his kindly tones
what he could do for her.
II want pair of Shoes" was her
surprising answer.
Every well" answered the
Bishop. II win see what 1 can do
for you" Rising from his knees
he Immediately made arrangements
by which the old lady got her shoes
without delay.
Cardinal Farley had rich sense
of humor, too, and even allowed
himself once a year the luxury Of
playing practical jokes. This was
always on April Fools day-and
he took keen pleasure in the little
practical Dokes peculiar to that sea-
son.
The Cardinals charities were
most extensive and as unobtrusive
as they were homely. The poor of
The parish were bis constant care
and he had many cares. In the
winter time he was constantly buy
ing coal and food for the destitute.
But with his charity he mixed con-
siderable shrewdness and quick
decision of character.
1t was his delight to drop in I'M
expectedly ON the older priests, con-
temporaries of his own, for a yarn
spinning session, and those who
knew him best said that when he
was able to dfnp the dignity of his
position and unbend he was the
wittiest and most delightful COM
ranion imaginable. He was great
friend and admirer of Cardinal
Logue. the brilliant Archbishop of
Armagh. Ireland. Armagh was
Cardinal Farley's birthplace and he
visited there several times and on
those visits got to know Cardinal
Logue quite we'll.
Cardinal Farley was intensely
patriotic and had scant patience
with laymen or clergy who failed to
give the most wholeheartcd and
active support to the President in
the war with Germany. 1t was
largely through his work in en-
larging the operations of the So
ciety for the Propagation of the
Faith, which has charge of the mis-
sion work in the Catholic church,
that Cardinal Farley impressed Pope
Plus X. with his worthiness for the
His great interest in
was proved when he aided ma
terially to make the founding of
the college for the
preparation of missionaries at
Ossining, N. Y, a possibility The
other cherished duty, and no strug-
SllnS parish priest SeehinS " Dullu
4 school ever failed to get SYM
encouragement and aid
from the great churchman.
The Cardinals life was extremely |
simple. There was no ostentation |
nor parade about him. He went |
ibout his business in a businesslike |
vay. Considering his multitudinou5
duties and his advanced age, he ;
was easily accessible to those whose
missions were entitled to personal |
audience. And that mission might |
De only the appeal of some unfor-
innate for counsel or material aid. |
Nor did he ever write a great deal. |
His principal contribution to iitera-
ure was the life of Cardinal Nc
which he published last ,
winter.