The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-02-28
Solemn RITES TO
MARK ST. BRIGID'S
GOLDEN JUBILEE

M0rIllllg VIII USner IN Cele-
bratiOn-High Church Dig
nltarieS viii Be CeIebrantS.
with the impressive ceremonies at
tsndaut upon the celebration o. a
solemn high mass. the golden jubilee
Of 81. BrtEids church Win open sun
day morning st . O'Clock.
Rev. Father James =. Whiiefeid, the
pastor OF the parish, viii be the Cele-
hrant Of the mass ard viii be assisted
BY Rev. Patrick O'NeH OSB, and
Rev. John " Cunningham, IS deacon
and subdeacon. respectively. Rev Mgr.
ID. ], Murphy, vicar general az the d.
ocese Of Tennessee, will deliver the
sermon,
At 5 O'Clock vespers will be sung.
and the benediction with the blessed
sacrament, given by Rev Alois Maui
ra9h. Rev. Father Joseph y. GIeen and
Pastorelli assisting A special blessing
win be given the children BY Eene-
dictine father. and the sermon VIII be
delivered by Rev. Father O'NeiA o.S b.
On Tuesday a mass viii be sung for
the living members OF ST. Brigird S
parish. Rt Rev Father d J, Murphy
celebrating the mass. with Rev. Father
Parker and Michael Conley, as deacon
and subdeacon, respectively.
The sermon viii be delivered ny
Rev. Father Basil Nogt, pastor Of St
Mary's church.
On Tuesday a solemn mass for alt
members Of St Brigid's parish who
have died during the past SO years
will be celebrated at 3 O'Clock. Rev.
Father. John v. Cunningham viii he
the celebrant OF the mass, and Rev.
r. L. Mahoney and Rev. James 7.
O'Connor, deacon and subdeacon, re-
spectively Rev. Father Alphonse Park
er will deliver the sermon.
Achievements Reviewed.
An epitome Of achievements Of the
pazt SO years Of the members Of the
parish has been prepared from a
sketch by one OF the prominent mem
bers OF the church.
During the recent war both the men
and women OF st. Brigid's parish
proved their patriotism 10 be a hun
bred Fer cent American. Barring no
branch OF the Red Crbss society ia the
city Of Memphis during the war, the
ladies' OF St. Brigids branch surpassed
al IN the number Of garments made
for American soldiers,
The young men OF the parish offered
their services freely to their country,
In addition to these manifestations
Of Americanism the parish fund at the
outbreak Of the war were turned into
American war bonds.
Fought Flood, Disease.
The parish OF ST Brigid has many
memories, many sad recalling the
yellow fever perils OF 10 and rs and
the floods OF 1911 and 1913 But its
sadness has been only material while
its glory spiritual The unaaunted and
heroic priests who iahored in St. Brig
ids parish have made their work con
Etructive and lasting though the els-
Hnents Of nature virulent disease were
destructive to their flock and many
times to themselves.
The spirit OF bravery In the face OF
danger and disease was instilled into
the parish first by its founder, the
Rev. Martin Walsh. who was the build
er OF the church now standing. Father
Walsh lAhored from lS10-lS7T as pas
tor OF St Brigld's. He was indeed
. man OF sacrifice, denying himself all
things for the good OF his people and
gave UP his life. The Rev Father
Martin, dying at the post of duty,
left to his colleague, Father William
Walsh. tho task OF caring for the nhysi.
cal and spiritual welfare OF the flock.
With true priestiy devotion he set him :
self the task of protecting his own
flock and many others besides who
were exposed 10 tho coutagion Of the
fever. To the number OF some 500
eonla they came together at his call.
10 y finely wooded spot some -four
miles 20 the northeast OF the Raleigh
read, where he organized a temporary
city OF refuge, TO which no gave the
name Camp Father Mathew" There
he provided for all. Good health and
general comfort were enjoyed by young
and old. No deaths from tho dread
disease occurred within the boundaries
OF Camp Father Mathew, oven when
other camps were invaded causing the
utmost anxiety to those In charge,
Noble Priests Record.
Besides the above named priests. the
Rev. Father Francis Moening, Q. Z, NJ,
from lsS7-lSsi had charge of the
church.
succeeding Father Francis was Rev.
Ms day. Father Larkin directed ,he
affairs OF st. Brigids from 1894 1907
at which time he was removed to John
son City to care for the soldiers homo,
q government institution, Nwh,Te I've
died. His successor was the Rev
James +. ONeil. 1t was through his
fundamentally that the present rectory
was built and the old Swayne estate
on Chelsea avenue WAS acquired. Father
ONeill did much during his passionate
which ,enled ~ 1913, when he was
changed to Jackson.
Father O'Neills successor was the
Rev. George ID. Murphy. who made
considerable improvements and freed
the parish from all debt Father Muir,
ply remained with st. Brlgid's people
until his death, which occurred IN tql1.
He was succeeded by the present
pastor. the Raw James r Whitfield.
TO whom fell the responsibility Of maxi
ing. old ST. Brigids new
Not only have the priests been in
strumental IN the success " St Ergid
parish during the past so years. but
the Sisters Of ST. Domino and the Sis
tiers OF Charity of Nazareth have played
no small part to that end,
Sisters Were Faithful.
TIM Dominican Sisters opened the
school Of 81. Brigid's in 1870. and Sis.
ter Mary Dominica, now AZ ST Agnes
academy, was numbered among It's
first teachers. They remained with
the parish until 1881 being succeeded
by the Sisters Of Charity OF Nazareth.
who now are the guardians Of ST
Bngid's children
OF the seven pastors who served 81
Brigid's only two are alive, the REV
James +. o,Neill and Rev. James ?,
whitfield. The assistant pastors from
ls70-isa0 are as follows. Rev Daniel
A. .pin, lS70-lSTi, Rev Michael Mear-
her, lsI3-iS7S; Rev, p, J. to'Brien, 1878.
Rev. James J Mooney. 1878. Rev ! r.
Walsh. 1879. Rev. Michael RYAN. 1851,
Rev James +. BueTg,er. ISl Rev
Ieonard Neukerchen, O. F. NJ. lSSr-
1855; Rev Hyacinth Schroeder @ +.
NJ, LISA Rev John Sleimmar 1905,
lsl5i Rev. James T. Lorigan loit-
FRANCIS Farnyworth. 1917 and Rev
John Y, Cunningham, tho present as.
eistant,