USA > Illinois > Stephenson County > The history of Catholicity in Stephenson County; Illinois > Part 12
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At the time of the Golden Jubilee Celebration, St. Mary's Choir surpassed its always honorable record, and so distinguished
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itself as to elicit praise, from even the severest musical critics, hence its members were so encouraged as to undertake even higher and better work than in the past.
With a view, then, to musical improvement, and to the ac- quirement, not only of increased skill, but of a general knowl- edge of music and its beautiful history, the members of the Jubilee Choir have formed a duly organized association, under the title of "St. Cecilia's Choral Union." The officers are: President, Rev. W. A. Horan ; vice president, A. Lagron ; secretary, Maggie Carey ; finance secretary, Jennie Tracy ; treasurer, Mary Bren- nan; librarian, Mrs. M. Ellsworth ; directors, Frank Rogers, Ed. Lawless, Annie Summers, Mrs. L. Thro, Jennie Tracy.
With a membership of forty ladies and gentlemen, gifted with a love for music, and powers for contributing to its produc- tion, the union promises much for the improvement of its mem- bers, and the enjoyment of those whom it will, from time to time, be pleased to entertain.
In addition to the varied character of the associations already named, there are several of a purely spiritual nature, which have a flourishing existence in. St. Mary's parish. These are the League of the Sacred Heart, whose faithful members make each first Friday of the month a holyday, as it were, and the Arch-confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary, whose members re- joice, on the evening of each first Sunday of the month, in wit- nessing the beautiful Rosary procession, as it winds its sacred way, through the aisles of the church, to the sound of sacred hymns.
Thus does St. Mary's Church become indeed, a veritable vestibule of heaven, where men and angels mingle, in sacred, loving familiarity, praising God on high and helping man on earth ; helping man to elevate his mind and heart above the level, whereon he is forced, for a time, to dwell.
Nothing is more conducive to the frequent reception of the sacraments, and to the formation of habits of piety, than these religious associations. They are the mainstay of a congregation, the foundation of its present stability, and the assurance of its future permanence.
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The Closing of the Jubilee Celebration.
The festival of the local Catholic Churches, commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of the faith in this county, was brought to a close on the morning of Tuesday, Sept. 16, with a solemn requiem mass, for the souls of those who, in the early days, banded together in the first congregation. For it was they who made generous contributions, from their slender means, and sacrificed their time, and their labor, for the sake of their faith, thus originating two large and flourishing parishes. Splendid edifices have succeeded the simple chapel in Mrs. Egan's humble home, and the rough and unpretentious little church which was built later; but the faithful members of these new congregations do not forget the toil, the efforts and the self- denial of those who have gone before them, and have already heard the blessed words, " Well done, good and faithful servants !" Those early pioneers were not forgotten in any of the festal cele- brations; their memories were revered, and praises of their hardihood and loyalty were sung, again and again. In coming to untrodden lands and making for themselves homes, in the forests and on the prairies, in developing the new land, for their own comfort, even, they did far more, for the generations who were to come after them, than they did for themselves, and it was a fit- ting tribute to them that the last solemn services of a festival, made possible, by their well directed efforts, should be one for their peace and rest.
The weather had done its worst the day before, still the parade and the meetings, which were the closing events of the
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day, were great successes ; had it been at its best, it is difficult to estimate how many more would have taken part in the demon- stration. The parade, under all the difficulties that the weather afforded, the unpleasant streets and the damp atmosphere, was one of which the two parishes may feel justly proud. There were one thousand or, one thousand two hundred men in the line, which stretched its length over nearly a mile. All along the route were gathered crowds to witness the procession, and on Stephenson street, the sidewalks were blocked by thousands who cheered the passing lines. The rain kept at home many delegations from parishes in the vicinity, who would have otherwise attended, but still there was a fair number of outsiders in the parade.
The procession was formed at the arch, in front of St. Mary's Church, at 7:30 o'clock ; those from St. Mary's parish who took part fell in, modestly, behind the St. Joseph's societies, as the latter marched past the arch. The formation and line of march was as follows :
Marshals and Assistants. · Henney Buggy Company Band. St. Aloysius' Society of St. Joseph's Church. St. Pius' Society. St. Joseph's Society. St. George's Branch C. K. of I. Members of St. Joseph's Congregation. Madison Band. Columbus Club of St. Mary's Parish. Holy Name Society. Members of St. Mary's Congregation. Visiting Delegations. Shannon Band. Mayor and City Officers and Speakers in Carriages. Clergymen and Visitors in Carriages.
From St. Pius' Hall, on South Galena Avenue and north on State Street to St. Mary's Church, where the procession formed at the arch and went north to Williams, west on Williams to Chi- cago, north on Chicago to Galena, west on Galena to Cherry, north on Cherry to Stephenson, east on Stephenson to Adams, south on Adams to Galena, west on Galena to South Galena Ave-
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nue, south to St. Joseph's Church, whence St. Mary's delegation proceeded to their headquarters.
The two head marshals led the way and the Henney Band followed. In the line were three floats; on these Greek fire was kept burning. The first represented the log house, where mass was first said in Stephenson County; the second dis- played a wheel, with fifty golden spokes, about which were grouped fifty small boys, and the third showed a painting of the present St. Mary's Church. There were also two other floats, from which fireworks were shot continually. All those in line carried lanterns swung over their shoulders. The different societies carried their banners, and a handsome national flag was borne in the front rank. Following the line of men on foot, were carriages, in which rode the mayor, the city officers, the visiting church dignitaries, and the clergymen resident in Freeport.
The officers in charge were: J. J. Sweeney and Frank Rogers, marshals for St. Mary's; Fred Rodemeyer, head marshal ; M. Zimmerman, standard bearer; C. M. Mueller, marshal, and Joseph Redlinger, standard bearer for St. Aloysius' Society ; Robert Schwarz, marshal, and John Steffen, standard bearer for St. Pius' Society and the Catholic Knights; John Weimer, mar- shal, and John Murdaugh, standard bearer for St. Joseph's Society of St. Joseph's Church.
When St. Mary's delegation reached headquarters, there was a short concert by the Madison Band and more fireworks were burned. One of the large floats was placed in the middle of the street, and used for a platform from which the address of the evening was delivered. There was an immense crowd, fully 5000 people, present; these packed the street for a block either way. Rev. Father Horan presided, and on the platform were the Rt. Rev. Bishop Burke, a number of priests, and Hon. M. Stos- kopf, besides the orator of the evening, the Hon. James F. O'Donnell, of Bloomington.
Before introducing the speaker, Father Horan thanked the members of St. Mary's and St. Joseph's Churches, the Catholics
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of the county, the clergymen who had come to take part in the ceremonies, and the citizens of Freeport generally, for their aid in making the jubilee festival a success.
When Mr. O'Donnell was called on, a modest looking young man stepped forward, and after saluting the Rev. Fathers, at once began his address without preface. His first sentence brought a round of applause, that was repeated every time a slight pause in his rapid delivery would permit it. As a speaker, Mr. O'Donnell is fluent and eloquent, and his flow of words was unbroken by a single hesitation. His rhetoric is graceful and polished, and each point in his address was made forcibly. As he proceeded with it, his face became animated, and his voice, clear and dis- tinct, enunciating every word perfectly, reached to the farthest limits of the immense audience. He gesticulates freely and with dramatic force. The address impressed every one who heard it as one of the finest oratorical efforts they had ever listened to, and, at the close, the young speaker was warmly congratulated, by bishops, priests and laymen.
After his salutation to those on the platform, he said :
" I am expected to say something on Catholic citizenship. To be a good citizen it is not necessary to be a Catholic, but to be a good Catholic it is necessary to be a good citizen ; so let me rather take the broader view, and speak on American citizenship.
" The simple law handed down by Justinian, time cannot improve : ' Live honorably, hurt nobody, render to every one his due.' In the affairs of life, the hammer of ambition falls upon coveted gold and silver, shaping them into useful forms and beautiful. In the affairs of discourse, the silver of speech and the gold of silence fall upon the tongue, marring or beautifying companionship, according to the discretion we employ. Society can have harmony and happiness only through a proper defer- ence for knowledge. We all should read more; our views would expand ; we would become more considerate of the opinions and feelings of others; we would become nobler and better men and women. In our reading we should not be restricted by preju- dice; we should read all sides, not with a feeling of hatred for
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that which does not conform to our views, but we should be ready to accept truth whenever it presents itself. Let me add, that if those who feel not well disposed towards the Catholic Church were to read more of her history, they would find in it an elevating and beauti-
C
HON. JAMES F. O'DONNELL.
The Lay Orator.
ful lesson, worthy of something loftier than to be the target for mis- informed assailants. I know all in this beautiful city-all in this
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magnificent audience-are broad and liberal. If others were present, I would say : The less a man is informed on Christian- ity, the less he appreciates that boon, good-fellowship; the less the milk of human kindness courses through his veins, the more he abominates a Catholic. So, Catholicism, beautiful as is thy name, grand as are thy precepts, would that I could summon be- fore me thy vivifying virtues, and not repeat thy name, for I would speak to defend and not offend.
" I am decidedly unworthy of even talking on sacred sub- jects, but I realize that there are those who regard us as slaves of superstition and ignorance, when our faith is an inspiring, an ennobling study, hand in hand with Scripture and wisdom ; when it is really their own lack of information that leads our opponents to misjudge us. Sane men will all agree that truth is the one thing sought in all sciences ; the one thing which should be sought in all spiritual as well as worldly affairs. Now, it is a philosophical principle that that which changes cannot be true. We get the same beautiful idea in this passage from Julius Cæsar : 'Constant as the northern star, to whose true, fixed and resting quality there is no fellow in the firmament; the skies are painted with unnumbered stars; they are all fire and every one doth shine, yet there is but one in all doth hold its place.' In this we see our Church. So it is with the world ; 'tis furnished well with men, and men are flesh and blood and apprehensive, yet in the- number I know but one that, unassailable, holds his rank un- shaken by motion. In this we mean the head of the Church on earth, with St. Peter as the foundation stone, and to whom Christ said : 'Thou art Peter; upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.'
" This unchangeableness from the time of Christ, we think, is in beautiful keeping with truth. The wise teachings of St. Peter and his line of followers, history shows, have never been in error; and while we respect the opinions and esteem the talents of all who differ from us, yet this fact remains a pleasant forti- fication to all who cherislı Catholic belief.
" I am sorry to think that, despite the blaze of intelligence
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shed upon the world by the Catholic Church, in astronomy, mathematics, mechanics, electricity, galvanism, chemistry, optics, thernetics, mineralogy, botany and all sciences ; despite her liberal and instructive influences, there is a regretable prejudice held against her by many well meaning people. Think you Cardinal Newman, the brightest and purest mind of his day, whose conversion to the Catholic Church, after years of fervent study, turned all Europe topsy-turvy-think you, he would have accepted that faith, if it were in any way faulty? Think you Cardinal Manning, that intellectual giant, the working-man's guiding star, would have joined the Church if it were in any way offensive ? Would America's great literary light, after tast- ing of the teaching of all creeds-I refer to Brownson, would that. towering intellect finally have attached himself to the Holy Roman Catholic Church if it were weak in any of its precepts ? Look at the roll of honor she has given to the world : In oratory, who surpasses Chryosotom, Daniel O'Connell, Edmund Burke, Daniel Dougherty or Bourke Cochran, now one of the master ora- tors of the world ? Among warriors, we have Joan of Arc, Henry Hotspur, Henry IV. of England, Richard Coeur de Leon, Tal- leyrand, the firey Napoleon, Pulaski, Lafayette, Sheridan, Shields, Mulligan, Meagher, Norton, John Barry, Rosecrans, DeMontcalm. In literature, we have Dante, Shakespeare, Fenelon, Dryden, Pope, Racine, Francis Assissi, Lingard, and Sir Thomas More. Among the painters we have Michael Angelo, Raphael, Murillo, Giotto, Fra Angelico, Donata, Ghiberti, Gregori. In music we have Mozart, Beethoven, Liszt, Hayden. On the stage we have Modjeska, Sarah Bernhardt, Mary Anderson, Rose Coghlan, James O'Neil, Florence, Salvini. Lawrence Barrett did more to elevate the modern thespian art than any man of his day, and Goethe, though not a Catholic, in his wonderful production of Faust, shows the two extremes, the wine room and the Catholic Church, and shows Mephistopheles recoiling from the sword that has a handle in the shape of a cross.
" If you dislike Catholics, do not look up to the star-studded sky, for it was a Catholic, Copernicus and Galileo, who led the
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retinue in exploring the firmament and giving names and habi- tation to the heavenly bodies. Throw away the calendar that counts the time, and from whichi we get the day and date of the week and month, for it was a Catholic Gregory who created it. Ignore mathematics, for it was a Catholic Francis Viete who gave us algebra as we have it now. If you are unkind to Catholics, turn not to the rainbow to drink in its beauty as it spans the sky, for it was a Catholic Descartes, founder of modern mechanical philosophy, who was the genuine author of the explanation of that dazzling and rapturous arch in the heavens. Look not on the thermometer as you feel the chilled air of night, for it was Catholic Sanctorius who made the first. Dispense with the tele- graph, telephone, electric cars and electric light, for it was a Catho- lic Galvani, Volta, Gramm and Carre who were the fathers of the science of electricity. Lay aside chemistry, for a Catholic, Antoine Lavoisier, was the father of its modern form. Destroy the flowers in the field that scent the air, for it was Catholic Caesalpinus who was the father of modern botany. Stop the pulsations of your heart, for it was Catholic professors who en- abled Harvey to discover the marvellous circulation of the blood. Disregard the fossils in the rock-ribbed earth, for it was a Catholic De Vinci who first gave them attention.
" If you are unfriendly to Catholics, forget your tongue, for it was a Catholic Chaucer, who was the author of the lan- guage we call the richest in the world. Forget your country, for it was named after a Catholic, Americus Vespucius. For- get Columbus, who discovered your country, and accomplished the greatest and grandest event known to all time, and forget forever that stupendous fair in Chicago, which was in honor of his memory, for Columbus was a Catholic.
" Now, I say all this, not in a spirit of boastfulness, which is always contemptible, but because it is natural that it should be a pleasant recollection to all in whose veins flows Catholic blood. Other creeds have their sublime environments, and all come in for full respect ; for opinion, like patriotism, is strong in all of us. Some writer says opinion is more powerful than the fear of bodily pain,
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or death ; as appears in studying duelists, gladiators and soldiers ; . as appears, also, regarding religious devotees and martyrs. It is more powerful than the desire between the sexes, as appears in the more sacred love between brother and sister. It is more powerful than the love of friends, as appears in the duelist, who, to his opin- ion, sacrifices the life of his friend and exposes the widows and chil- dren to misery. It is more powerful than a mother's love for her child, as appears in India, where a mother throws her child to the sharks in the Ganges, or in this country, where a misguided young woman destroys her infant, the pledge of her misplaced love. Then in religion and politics, should we not be tolerant ? Give me that man who has studied the history of his own country and of other countries, and is broad enough to appreciate that. the people of no country, and the people of no creed, were free from the mist of ignorance that belonged to past centuries ; who believes in the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man, and who looks up to that broad, blue dome as the ceiling of our common earthly home."
In continuation, Mr. O'Donnell spoke of the beauties of American citizenship, eulogizing the broad-minded men of all faiths, who had kindled and kept alive American liberty and principles. His address was liberal and patriotic, giving evidence of a well-stored mind. His peroration was a brilliant burst of eloquence. In closing he paraphrased Tom Moore's immortal lines-
" You may break, you may shatter the vase of will,
But the essence of ' liberty ' will cling 'round it still."
When he took his seat, the applause lasted for several min- utes, until some one suggested, " Three cheers for O'Donnell," and they were heartily given.
There was a call for the Hon. M. Stoskopf to make a speech, and he responded very briefly, complimenting the Catholic peo- ple on their celebration, and paying a tribute to Father Horan, the members of the parish as citizens, and Mr. O'Donnell as an orator. The meeting was ended by the Madison Band playing the national anthem.
There was an appropriateness in the selection of the Hon.
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James F. O'Donnell, as the layman to deliver the address at St. .Mary's Golden Jubilee Celebration, that was not developed until after he had accepted the invitation. The Rev. Father O'Gara, the third priest of St. Mary's Church, and one of the best beloved and most zealous of all, was his great uncle. Mr. O'Donnell was the colleague of the Hon. M. Stoskopf at the last session of the legislature, and the two are warm friends. He is a young man, having been born in Dubuque thirty-two years ago, and for a short time, in early childhood, lived here in Freeport. Some of the older members of the parish recognized him. It is likely that Mr. O'Donnell will speak here again in a short time, and if so, a reception will be tendered by the Columbus Club.
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The St. Vincent Orphan Asylum.
So many and so beautiful are the phases of charity in the Church, that we behold her hand outstretched with a mother's love to all forms of misery and distress. Let suffering or sorrow appear, in any guise whatever, she is ready with her tender ministrations, comfort and relief, accomplishing her sacred tasks in the manner that is wisest and best.
It is her holy charity that has dotted our land with hospitals and asylums, thousands of which are now stately buildings, with all the modern appliances for cure and for comfort, but which orginated in the Bethlehem of the divine Master, in simplicity and poverty. Never do the holy ones of the Church, those en- trusted with affairs nearest to her heart, wait to make a grand and impressive beginning. The Master began with a stable, for the temple wherein He was worshiped, by the simple, the humble, the illiterate, and He ended with St. Peter's incomparable cathedral at Rome, where all the world may come, and where the greatest and mightiest have knelt, in awe-struck adoration.
St. Vincent's Asylum for Orphans is then in the Bethlehem stage of its existence. At present, it is a frame cottage, pretty, bright and pleasant, but simple, as becomes the infancy of a great undertaking ; but the future will, no doubt, see this tiny home of loving devotion to Christ's little ones replaced by towering walls of brick and granite. Be that as it may, the present condition of the asylum and its innocent inmates is most encouraging, and
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all, who are interested, see in it the promise of a glorious future.
The grounds, adjoining those of the hospital, are, like them, considerably higher than the surrounding country, thus affording pure air and an extensive view of charming scenery. With a frontage of 160 and a depth of 300 feet, the grounds surrounding the asylum will afford ample space for the erection of a larger and more imposing structure, when the time for it arrives, as it undoubtedly will, in the near future.
In the meantime, tiny infants, four of them yet in the cradle, and small children, both boys and girls, are receiving, at the hands of the devoted Sisters, the tender, motherly care of which death had deprived them, until they were so happy as to have found their way into this haven of peace and safety.
The property was purchased in the spring of 1896, and the institution was opened to admit its first beloved inmate on Penti- cost Monday, of the same year. On May 25th, it was formally and solemnly blessed.
Twelve orphans, boys and girls, under ten years of age, con- stituted the first family that gathered in this home, afforded them by the faithful members of the Church, and by her self-sacrificing, religious, the Sisters of St. Francis, three of whom are in constant attendance at the asylum.
When the little cottage shall have disappeared, to make room for a more imposing edifice, and the twelve inmates of the cottage shall have multiplied to a hundred, yet will there be no greater peace and joy for the little ones than now, for it is the love that surrounds them, as an atmosphere, that constitutes for them in life all that is worth having; that love which no palace can increase and no abode of poverty decrease.
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ST. VINCENT'S ORPHAN ASYLUM.
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Parish Customs.
When we study a great people, or trace the development of a nation, our interest centres in the customs of one and the laws of the other, for in them will be mirrored the character of the individuals practicing the one and governing the other. What- ever is true of large bodies of men, is true of smaller communities, hence we deem it well, in giving a history of the parish, to men- tion the daily, monthly and yearly customs, important factors in the sanctification of the people.
The daily Masses, one at 7 and the other at 7:30 a. m., are never omitted, though the hour for the second one varies, as may suit the convenience of families having funerals or weddings, for both these solemnities, by a law of the parish, must take place during the Holy Sacrifice.
On the greater number of these occasions, a Solemn High Mass (with three priests) is offered, not that the pastor receives so frequently the large honorarium customary in wealthy parishes, in large cities. However poor and simple the departed parish- ioner may be, if he was remarkable for fidelity to his peculiar duties, as a practical Catholic, and if he sent his children to the parochial school, he has the honor, and the spiritual benefits, of a Solemn High Mass at his funeral, even though his surviving friends may not have a dime to offer towards the extra expenses.
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