New Britain herald., 1929-04-24

not worthy 10 be compared with the glory to come that shah be revealed in us Rom. SIS. Thus did the strong faith that he had sustain him and l am certain he prayed often for q happy death which the Lord Jesus youchsated unto him.
 If any man ministers 10 one let him follow me and where I am there also shall my ministers be- John 12.26.> His sick bed was an altar ot sacrifice this last year. This gave him patience and fortitude to bear the cross of sickness.
 Born a Alost. Bcigium, August I4. IS73. of God -fraring and ploua parents N he gave three sons and a daughter 10 the service of the church. Father Coppens attended the elementary school and college tutre. Later hp felt the call to be come a missionary and 10 labor iE America. He entered the American college at the great seat ot ltarn- l.-. University or LOuValn. and as SiduausIv prepared himstf for the Iriastho0d, He was ordained June -9, l596 for the diocese of Hartford and It must have been q very happy day indeed when he came home sur rounded by his beloved ones 10 o!- trr up his first holy mass, shortly alter he lett his native land 10 come tc a strange land 10 tHil" up his W ork in thy ministry. liv Was ap- po!ntea to SJ. Peters in Danburs N here h. labored with great zeal and is held tDare i'll be0ediction even today, Later h. was trans fprred 10 Sr. Ann's in Wa'erbury where after q short time h. was ap- pointed your pastor in May 15, 13o1- ~i. ptter's was vt in is infancy and he st h work reducing the debt and building suitable rrc}orF. Only q few years ago on the occasion ot the silver jubilee of his priesthood, h. was happy to announce that tha parish was free from all incum- brance and that h. had planned 1o r,novata the interior of this editice. The zeal for the beauty of the house of the Lord was uppermost in his thoughts. But God has decreed otherwise.
 Father Coppons was man of lov- able and mild disposition, pattern" after the heart of Christ. H. sought always peace and concord among his rarishjonors. And Wh'1 in those trying days of the Worl& War he Was asked how II was possi- tle to k~ep this peace and concoro among his people, h. replied that h' always remembered the parting ad. dress of Professor William stang A I.cuvain later the first bishop of Fal River predicate Evangelium pr-acl the gospel of Jesus Christ and k"el cut of worldly affairs. Thus fh' words Of sacred writ Wrr" tNlaller il. him "how beautiful are the f"r' Of those who preach tho gospel O peace"
 "The word for the spiritual adj ! yancement of his flock was his Erot concern. How happy he was "llS. after q mission some poor soul toHn- I lis peace again with Go4 I'm growing classes at Sunday school re' ccived his careful attention and tn societies both German and Fr'nct received his continued interest an support. .......
 He will be perhaps best femen hered for his Christian hospltalhE One was always welcomed at am hour of the day. He was of the oi' school, always ready 10 receive m fellow men with cordiality and wit an open heart.
 You. my dpar people have know hin! intimately for over - years He labored for you and for you spiritual progress that you mt-t- know and love the church better
 He dIcd on Sunday after you ha' prayed for his happy death at m parish masses On this sunday tn Lord Jesus tells LIS in the gosrs "Onv a little while and you shall no see Me and again little while an vou shall see Me He lived. II ] 4ruo, only 55 years, a short tune l the eyes of the world, but il was
 long life full of good deeds and har work spent for his Master. "
 trust his purSatory will not he to long. We who are left behind ca help him attain tho joys of heaVe
 bv our prayers and especially h
 oftentimes gaining the Jubilee lndul ! gence this year for the happy rt
 pose of his soul Let HIS not forg'
 him in death for We loved him i
 life.
 T think these words give those (
 us who remain, hope and resigna ton as We stand at his mortal re . mains this morning. II" is not los : only gone before US. He bedded l . the arms of loving providence. to after a short while We will meet tt