Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1924-07-04
Father Matthews Celebrates
Twenty-Fifth Anniversary

On June 9th, twenty five Years ago,
Father J. Brent Matthews was ordained
10 the priesthood by Cardinal Gibbons.
On Monday last the parishioners of st.
Ignatius' Church, St. Tomas Manor,
and the Church Of tho Sacred Heart
La Plata, celebrated the Silver Jubilee
Of the ordination OF their beloved Pas
tor. Last Friday Father Matthews
sang High Mass OF Thanksgiving at
st. Ignatius' Church, at which many of
his parishioners. from both places were
present A large number received Holy
Communion. The remaining exercises
of the anniversary celebration took
place Monday evening.
At 40 p. NJ, Father Matthews gave
Benediction of the Most Blessed Sac
rament in St. Ignatius' Church. In
the Sanctuary we're Rev. Francis II.
Kreis, S. j., Rev. Maurice A. Mudd,
S. j., Rev. William H. Hannas, S. j.,
all OF ST. Thomas Manor; Dean Pat
rick Il. Conroy, of st. Mary's Church,
Bryantown; Rev. J. Harrington O'Neil.
Of st. Francis de Sales Church, Ben
edict, and Rev. Samuel j. Peck, OF the
Church ef the Holy Ghos., Issue.
After Beuediction, the members OF
the congregation assembled on the
lawn before the parish house. The old
Manor was decorated for the occasion
with tasteful drapings of flowers and
summer green's. The church green was
by electric bulbs, covered
with Chinese lanterns. The decora-
tons and program for the evening, as
well as the refreshments served, we're
provided under the direction of Mrs.
Thomas p. McDonagh.
The first speaker introduced to the
audience was Mr.. p. Reed Wills, who
struck the keynote OF the occasion by
extending to Father Matthews the con-
gratulations of all who belonged to
his congregations. Mr.. Wills said
that he, as one of the Oldest among the
members of st. Ignatius' parish, felt
no small pride in being called upon to
act as spokesman for his friends about
st. Thomas Manor and he was doubly
glad 70 have the opportunity OF offer
ing congratulations upon such an oc-
casion to one who, himself, came from
the historic county wherein was gath
cred the assembly which came that
evening to do honor to a native son Of
Charles county.
Mr.. Wills made mention OF the first
Jesuit priests who came TO this State
with the early settlers of Maryland and
eulogized their zeal and devotion. He
did not fail to mention former pastors
Of the church as well as the sturdy
Catholic laymen of the parish in days
comedy. He gave especial praise to one
devoted ancestor Of the present pastor
Of the Manor Church.
The speaker then led two little chill |
dren in white up to the Jubilarian.
These we're two OF Father Matthews
nieces. The little ones presented to
him the gift of the united parishes, a |
purse collected from his flock.
Father Matthews, In a speech full OF
feeling, thanked hly parishioners, both |
Tor their present TO him and for the re-
eeption given him upon such happy
day. He expressed his love for his
people and gave them his blessing.
Father Matthews praised the work of
his predecessors and reminded all
present that they should be thankful
for the labors carried on in past years
in their behalf and for their ancestors
by men of an earlier age, by grand men
who labored among the Catholics OF
Southern Maryland in days long since
passed by. These men, said Father
kept alive the faith of the
people and spent themselves for God
and the beloved flock in the surround
ing parts of this, their own dear
Charles county. He prayed that he
might be aole to carry on with success
the work that they had done so well
L.. 1 a.
would strive to labor for them with the
spirit Of departed leaders who sleep
in the Jesuit graveyard, close by the
Manor. After Father Matthews gave
his blessing to the audience, all gath
cred before the stands on the lawn to
partake of refreshments served by
faithful workers among the parishion-
ers.