New Britain herald., 1918-12-23
FATHER FITZGERALD
 25 YEARS IN CLERGY
Members Of His Congregation Present Him With Purse Of $500

h a most eloquent address, Rev. John J. Fitzgerald. pastor of the 1 church of St John the Evangelist, 1 proclaimed the patriotism of the Ro- ! man church and traced the history of the United States last evening in the 1 church, the occasion being his silver ] jubilee as a priest. Father FitZger ! aid was the recipient of a purse of $500 donated by members of his con- 1 gregation. The speech of presenta- ! tion was made by F. Cyrillius Sullivan and an excellent program was carried l out under the supervision of Chair man R. H. Erwin of the general com mittee and I. F. Sullivan, chairman of the entertainment committee. Music | was furnished by Sullivan's orchestra. Preceding the reception in the church hall, Rev. Father Fitzgerald conduct cd solemn vespers and benediction in the chapel.
 The hall was bea utifully and appro- , priately decorated, garlands of fir and pine trees draped about the walls If 1 the hall and two trees covered with tinsel i1 the front of the hall giving the affair a holiday atmosphere. banner was hung across the front of ] the platform upon which was printed in silver letters Happy Silver Juhi ISS lie ScINltG JldS Ol LllS cluICii 1 was a prominent part of the decora- tions with it's 60 stars, four of which were gold, il commemoration of the four members of the church who have laid down their lives while in 1 the service. Another banner, in the 1 front of the hall was worded. "Silver l Jubilee, 1893, 1918-25 Years" Fath- 1 CT Fitzgerald was escorted into the 1 hall at S:3O o'clock by Patrick Nc 1 Donough and the program was start 1 ed.
 The program of the evening fol- lows: Solo, Mrs. M. T. Cream solo, Bessie McKeon, solo and recitation, John Riley, solo, Catherine Walsh; solo, John Kilduff; solo, Margaret OLeary; solo. Miss Loretta Garrity. All the singers were called upon for several encores. F. F. Harmon acted as pianist Following the program, the speech of presentation was given by E. Cyrillius Sullivan and the pas tor responded. Playing upon the words of Jack Kiley's song, Some times You Get a Good One. and Some times You Don't" Father Fitzgerald began his talk.
 Catholics a Loyal People.
 "Sometimes you get a good recep- tion, and sometimes you don't, but
 
 , good one" The pastor in opening thanked all who contributed toward the success of the jubilee celebration.
 "Our country was founded" he said, upon the principle of freedom and justice. When these principles were attacked in 1861, the m en of the j North fought and died for the main- tainence of these principles, but nev- CT in the 140 years of our history have these principles been in such danger as they have been in the con- flict which has just ended. And in { this great conflict our great country ! was able to look to the one institution which she was warned that she would not be able to receive aid from, the I Roman church, and our sons re- sponded. Fully 45 per cent. of the army and 65 per cent. of the navy are Roman Catholics. They are the men of whom Lloyd George and Premier 1 Clemenceau speak so highly of in l their statement to President Wilson 1 and General Pershing, The American soldier is the best fighter in the world. They left their homes-they , boarded the transports-they stepped upon the land of France-they went 1 into the trencheS-they fought iii 1 Flanders mud--and they turned the | tide of battle saving demo ocracy, the | principle upon which our country was | founded, for the world, and they did this because they were taught in their schools and churches that they could not love God if they did not have a 1 love for their country. They were l taught to worship God and love their l flag.
 First Mass Here in 1492. The first mass was said in this | country in 1492 when Columbus, aid- ] ed by a Catholic king and queen, l landed on American soil, From that time on, Catholic priests continued to l explore the country until there was 1 not a settlement from the Gulf of 1 mia to the Atlantic where mass was not sung daily, and in the meantime, l Lord Baltimore had landed in this | country and had established the first | state which had for its basis the right ] to worship as a man willed.'
 Father Fitzgerald paid tribute to 1 the early Catholics in this city and l their leaders, the priests of St. Marys l and St. Josephs church, and told of the humble birth of St. Johns par | ish, two years ago. In closing, he I painted a mental picture of the | church of St. John the Evangelist in years to come with it's new church, l school. convent and nuns to teach the | children of his parishioners.