The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-04-14
Most Reuerend Bishop
 John J. Milan Is Dead
ltContinued from Pare |,

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 bishop of St. Paul) his tireless and valuable assistant, to leave his of- ficiaI duties to tour. the East plead ing the cause of America. Chance cllor Murray had been a sturdy staff upon which he could lean through those trying days but he let him go without complaint. The absence of the chancellor doubled Bishop Nilan's duties, brought to him scores and scores of addition al tasks, but he gladly accepted the burden if it meant an aid to the nation.
 Inspired Young Clergy
 From his own clergy he called for volunteer chaplains and scores of eager young priests, eyes flaming with the zeal that he had inspired, answered his call. Twenty two of them were entered in the for their country's call to the field unteered were from the bishops to his inspiration.
 
 the bishop leading the diocese in offering prayers of thanksgiving that the bloodshed, the horror and all the evils of war had passed. Eyes aglow, he penned to his spir- itual flock a letter urging devo- ton to peace and security.
 Seventh Bishop of Hartford
 From the day of his consecration as Bishop of Hartford, he had held the confidence and respect of the clergy and laity. On the occasion of his conservation, in response to the greetings of the states assembled clergy. he pledged himself to rule the diocese without fear or with out favoritism. Facing huge re- responsibilities, the sight of which would have deterred less coura- geous man, he declared openly his intention to rule the diocese him. self, not arrogantly, not autocrati- cally, but without dictation and without direction from within.
 As seventh Bishop of Hartford, Bishop Milan came to the See while the memory of Bishop Tierney was still fresh in the minds of all who had known and loved him. After Bishop Tierney's demise there was an inter-regnum of more than a year, during which time Rt. Rev. Monsignor John J. Synott acted as administrator of the diocese. Bis- hop Tierney had held an unique place in the affections of the dio- cese; popular, respected, beloved his successor had a hard burden to shoulder.
 Appointment Surprised State
 The appointment of Bishop Ni- Ian came mainly as surprise to the diocese. From Massachusetts, and unknown to most of the laity, 1t was believed that his early days as bishop would be ones of uncer. tainty. All that was dispelled with the bishops accession. he won the clergy and 1aity from the begin- ming. Admiration, devotion, loyalty and liking-all these were his soon after he was consecrated.
 Under his guidance and direction. the diocese flpurished and prosper ed. not only materially, but spirit ually as well. The established in- stitutions of the diocese fared we'll and made strides of progress with his helping hand; the needs of the new era, of the highly concentrated civilization of the twentieth cen tury. these were filled as he formed new institutions and modified others which had outgrown their purpose.
 Developed School System
 The first part of diocesan life which he sought to expand and i'm prove was the parochial school system. From humble beginnings in New Haven, Waterbury and Hartford it had made many and great advances, but he saw that still others were needed. He first turned to the Sisters of Mercy, who had done magnificent work fin the diocese. It was under their teach ing that most of the diocese's early Catholic schools had taken seed and thrived, 1t was to them Bishop Milan turned when he saw that still more growths were needed.
 In this year of 1884, there are almost 800 Sisters of Mercy in. the Diocese of Hartford. most of them connected with parochial school program. Though it was to the Sisters of this order that Bishop Milan turned to mainly in his de- velopment of the parochial school system. there were other orders as well which he realized and knew were of tremendous help to him in his plans. The Sisters of Charity, the Sisters of St. Joseph, the Congrega- tion of Notre Dame to all of these and others he many times express ed appreciation of and profound thanks for their invaluable ser- vices.
 New parochial schools were built in many parts of the state, others were improved and modernized. all of them utilized the latest advances in educational practice while ad- herring to the traditional standards of the Catholic Church's ideal of a truly well-rounded education.
 Favored High Schools Bishop Milan, soon after his ac- cession to the See, began making plans for expanding the religious school system beyond the bounds of elementary education. He gave much time and effort to the iff- provemenk of Mt. Jogeph's academy at Hartford, and the Academy pi Our Lady Of Mercy at Milford. n addition, he urged the erection oi 't}2 6s W js. x II W . el