USA > New Jersey > The Catholic Church in New Jersey > Part 46
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62
June 26th, 1893.
In my letter to you of the 2d inst., I requested some informa- tion from you with regard to the proposed bill and the Catholic schools of New Jersey, but so far no reply has come to hand. As it is a matter of great importance, which requires accurate consideration and deep study, I beg of you to send the information desired as soon as possible.
503
IN NEW JERSEY
May I ask you at the same time to mail a copy of the bill to the Bishop of Newark, who wishes to be fully informed in regard to it? DONATUS SBARETTI, Auditor.
For the Delegate.
July 2d, 1893.
REV. SIR: I have read over carefully and honestly examined the proposed legislation regarding Catholic schools in the State of New Jersey, which you sent to me on the 5th day of last June. Many things are carefully set forth and accurately put together, yet there are two things asserted in it without any apparent reason. The first with regard to the statement of the attorney- general, who claims that the proposed law would violate the con- stitution, which forbids the State and municipalities from giving any support to societies or any public funds. It is hard to under- stand how, if this follows from the first bill, it does not follow from the second. It looks to the creation of a second school board. It does not appear how, in view of an agreement between the church and the state, the ecclesiastical authority would have a right to form a board of directors and retain Catholic teachers. Is this right based on some one article of the proposed law, or is it to be found in some other law of your State? Please examine both questions carefully and send the reply to the Apostolic Dele- gate as soon as possible. DONATUS SBARETTI, Auditor.
THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY, WASHINGTON, D. C., August 31st, 1893.
REV. FATHER MULLIGAN: In regard to the bill referring to the Catholic schools of New Jersey, I have already expressed my views; but the Propaganda having determined to treat itself scho- lastic questions, it is not proper for this Apostolic Delegation to interfere with such a matter. Therefore you should apply directly to the said congregation.
With my best wishes, I remain,
Yours sincerely, ARCHBISHOP SATOLLI, Delegate Apostolic.
MADISON AVENUE, NEW YORK, October 16th, 1893.
MY DEAR FATHER MULLIGAN: Your letter and enclosures (a copy of school bill, commentary on laws of the State, Satolli's let- ter, and letters from Rome to date) came in due course, but I ex- pected to see you the following Saturday as I proposed. But I put away the documents so carefully that they escaped my notice altogether. Of course I would most gladly approve the plan, although I do not wish to speak on the subject on account of further complications.
I am, dear sir, with very kind regards,
Very faithfully yours, M. A. CORRIGAN.
504
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
452 MADISON AVENUE, NEW YORK. November Ist, 1893.
REV. AND DEAR FATHER MULLIGAN: Considering that you have obtained the sanction of the Delegate Apostolic, I feel reluc- tant to write to the Cardinal Prefect, as such an act would not only be superfluous, but also, on account of complications in the Diocese of Newark, unwarranted and imprudent on my part. As, moreover, the matter was not to be acted on this year, no harm will come of your not having my cooperation at present.
I am, reverend and dear sir,
With sincere regard, Very faithfully yours, M. A. CORRIGAN.
The battle for justice was lost, but the field was strewn with political corpses-never again to figure on the hustings or in the legislative halls. On a similar occasion, when appealed to in the hope of securing a chaplain for the State Prison, Governor Abbett remarked that when the charter for the first Protectory was asked and granted, Senators Sewall, Potts, and himself had advocated it and worked for its passage, and still that had never hurt any of them politically.
That the whole movement was in line with the policy of the Holy See was made evident by the letter of Leo XIII. to the Bishops of the Province of New York, June 2d, 1893. Touching on this point the Holy Father wrote:
We have the conviction, based on the fair-mindedness of your countrymen, that they can be easily brought to lay aside suspi- cions and prejudices offensive to the Church, and to recognize freely the services of that power which dissipated pagan barbar- ism with the light of the Gospel, and created a new society with all its glory of Christian virtues and human culture. Such con- siderations will, we hope, lead every man in your country to the conclusion that Catholic parents should not be forced to build and support schools and institutions they cannot use for the education of their children.
The objection to the public-school system as at present con- stituted comes not only from Catholics, but from Lutherans and Episcopalians. The members of this latter religious body ex- pressed themselves in strong and certain language in a resolution passed by the Episcopal Convention in May, 1856:
WHEREAS, man is a religious as well as an intellectual being ; has a conscience and sensibilities, on the right training of which
505
IN NEW JERSEY
depends the happiness of individuals and the welfare of society, infinitely more than on the highest intellectual attainments ;
And, WHEREAS, this education of the heart and conscience should, during the season of childhood, receive the same daily attention as the cultivation of the intellect-a truth declared by our Heavenly Father Himself, who says, "These words which I command thee this day shall be in thy heart, and thou shalt teach them diligently to thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up";
And, WHEREAS, there can scarcely be a more favorable sphere for instilling divine truth, " here a little and there a little," and for giving a happy and lasting direction to the young, than in the school-room and on the school-ground, in that association with equals in which the most intense feelings are enlisted ;
And, WHEREAS, it was the conviction of both the early Chris- tians and the Reformers, and was expressed by the framers of our national Constitution, as follows, that "Religion, morality, and knowledge, being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools should be forever encouraged "; and was thus expressed by the Father of our country : "Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in the exclusion of religious principle," and "there is no security for property, for reputation, and for life if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice "; and, consequently,
WHEREAS, that plan of secular training which leaves, as esti- mated, two millions of the children of our land uninstructed in their moral obligations and their solemn relations to eternity, is alike dishonorable to God, subversive of national morality, and awfully dangerous to individual happiness both present and future; therefore,
Resolved, That this convention do recommend to every parish or association of parishes throughout the diocese to establish, as soon as circumstances will allow, a school, under the supervision of the rector or rectors, in which the young may be carefully and faithfully moulded for God and Heaven, as well as thoroughly in- structed in secular knowledge.
Resolved, That, in the opinion of this convention, such mingled intellectual and religious training will, with the Divine blessing, prove a most efficient agency in checking the rapid growth of both juvenile and adult crime; in preventing our youths from being drawn away into the ranks of fanaticism on the one hand, or induced by the plausibilities of modern infidelity to repudiate the Gospel on the other; and will raise up a generation of men more obedient to law, more rooted in our most Holy Faith, more exemplary in Christian practice, and will afford a fruitful supply for the now deficient ranks of the Christian ministry.
And WHEREAS, Christian men do not and should not feel themselves at liberty to place their children for six or more hours
506
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
daily, during years when they are most susceptible of impressions, in those schools where the glory of God and that eternity which gives value to the present life are practically forgotten; and whereas these same Christian men do and should feel a very great reluctance in contributing to the maintenance of an education which tends neither to the security of human life and property nor to the prevention of crime in general; therefore,
Resolved, That, in the opinion of this convention, any religious denomination or separate congregation which desires to establish a school of its own, in any particular locality, ought not to be compelled by law to pay for schools in which it cannot conscien- tiously have its children instructed; but ought to have the legal right to claim for its own school the school assessment of its own members-and enjoy all the benefits now received by a few.
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH PUBLIC SCHOOLS, APPROVED APRIL 17TH, 1846.
SEC. 12. When the patrons or proprietors of any school already organized and established under the care of any religious society or denomination of Christians, whose church discipline provides for the establishment of schools and the appointment of trustees, are unwilling to relinquish such school and become subject to all the provisions of this act, it shall be the duty of the trustees of said school to transmit to the town superintendent of their respec- tive townships a certificate of their organization, together with a list of the children of such patrons and proprietors, between the ages of five and sixteen years, who are capable of attending school; whereupon every such school shall be entitled to receive its just and ratable proportion of the money assigned to said township out of the income of the school fund, and of such additional sum as may be raised or appropriated by said township for the support of public schools; which apportionment shall be made by the town superintendent of the respective townships and a copy thereof filed with the township collector, whose duty it shall be to pay to the trustees of said school their just proportion of such moneys for the use and benefit of said school
In the VII. Synod, held at Seton Hall, June 21st, 1893, Bishop Wigger withdrew his prohibition of giving absolution to the children who attended the public schools and their parents ; and in the VIII. Synod, held in 1896, the Rt. Rev. Monsignor Doane was named Dean of Essex and the Rev. Louis Senez, of Hudson County. The rule relative to the preaching at funerals was rescinded.
Although Bishop Wigger had often declared that he would never build his cathedral until every church in the diocese was freed from debt, he suddenly became impressed with the project,
507
IN NEW JERSEY
and having laid the matter before a special meeting of his priests in 1897 and received their almost unanimous approval, he invited plans from various architects and appointed a commission to assist him in selecting the most desirable. The plan of Mr. Jeremiah O'Rourke was decided upon, and the limit of its construction, $1,000,000. In January, 1898, Bishop Wigger "carved out," as he playfully said, the first sod for the foundation of the new cathe- dral. His health again failing at the end of the year, he was forced to go to Bermuda; but deriving little benefit from his trip, he set out early in 1899 to make his visit to the tomb of the Apos- tles and after to go to the Holy Land.
June 11th, 1899, the corner-stone of the new cathedral was laid in the presence of an immense throng, gathered from every quarter of the diocese, by Bishop Wigger, assisted by Archbishop Corrigan, Bishop McQuaid of Rochester, Bishop Burke of Al- bany, and Bishop McFaul of Trenton, and attended by almost all the priests of the diocese. Preceding the laying of the corner- stone there was a procession of the Catholic societies of the dio- cese, of whom nearly eighteen thousand were in line. Bishop McQuaid preached on the occasion Among other things he said :
The Catholics of Newark are about to erect a truly monu- mental cathedral. Bishop Bayley contended that unless it were possible to hold all the Catholics together, including the large number of immigrants that came here, large churches would be crimes. He assembled his priests about him and succeeded in getting them to amalgamate the Catholics, and the first work of great importance was the establishment of Seton Hall College. Bishop Bayley believed in tutoring the minds of children so as to spread Catholicity, and in this he was successful.
Now we come to the present time. The present bishop is a man of courage, but he is not premature. He is not in advance of the day, and is not putting an impossible burden on his people by the building of this grand edifice. These churches are occu- pied by his own priests, and with such support he should be suc- cessful. I do not believe in monumental churches as a rule, but when we have Greater Newark, and this magnificent city expands, this cathedral will stand in the centre of it and will be a fitting monument to the faith. The edifice will rise up stone by stone, and will tower above the structures surrounding it Such will be the growth of this section that the cathedral will not be too large for the people.
Then you will rejoice that you have done a good and a noble work. I have not seen a list of the contributions toward the building of this church, which is held by the bishop, but I have come to the conclusion that even if there are millionaires in New
508
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
ark that may have done their duty in the matter, this cathedral is being built by a faithful and loyal priesthood aided by a filial and God-loving community. Here in Newark we have a resource which is found in the living and practising faith of the people.
In these days, when non-Catholics are running away from the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ, and when even the ministers of the Gospel are afraid to come out and declare themselves, here we are building this glorious temple of our faith.
This edifice will be open to the world. It will be a house of prayer and a tabernacle of the Church of Bethlehem and Calvary, where Catholics will come and worship Him who bestows His blessings upon us to-day.
In September, 1899, Bishop Wigger signed a contract for the erection of fifty feet of the side walls, and this, together with the foundation, cost $294,000.
But the inflexible will of the bishop could no longer control a body which for nearly a score of years he had worked under high pressure, and again he was forced to go abroad in search of rest and health. He returned bronzed and bearded, and seemingly with a new lease of life, only to plunge again into the many cares of his office with his old-time activity and zest. Christmas, 1900, he celebrated Pontifical Mass in the cathedral, which he was never to see again. It was difficult to persuade him to send for his physician and to submit to treatment. Sunday, December 30th, he tried to rise from his bed. Nature rebelled. He had come to the parting of the ways. Without fear, but with great fervor, he received the consolations of the Church and made his profession of faith. He was attacked with virulent pneumonia. January 3d ' he was visited by Archbishop Corrigan, who consoled and en- couraged him.
Saturday the 5th he gradually grew weaker, and about mid- night he breathed his soul into the hands of his Maker. The funeral services were held on the 10th of January in the cathe- dral. The day was storm-swept, and in spite of the pelting rain thousands assembled in and around the cathedral and accompanied the remains to the cemetery of the Holy Sepulchre. The Pon- tifical Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Corrigan, four other bishops, the priests of the diocese, and many from Trenton and New York were present. Bishop McFaul paid a fitting tribute to the zeal and virtue of the deceased prelate.
Bishop Wigger was of medium height and slender frame, and withal he undertook labors under which a stronger man would succumb. In his friendships he was firm and loyal. To the un-
509
IN NEW JERSEY
fortunate he was Christ-like in his tenderness and sympathy. Bishop Wigger was absolutely disinterested and unselfish, and his poverty truly apostolic, as may be judged from this extract from his diary :
This morning I go for the first time to Saratoga, to drink the waters, and see if they will cure my biliousness, which has troubled me for some time back. I will be away all the week. Mr. J. J. Keane, of Jersey City, accompanies me, and pays all expenses. Had he not invited me and kindly volunteered to pay all expenses I could not have gone, I am so poor. When I was only a simple priest I was always more or less in debt. Only once did I suc- ceed in laying by $100. In less than three months all had disap- peared. Since I have been bishop things are worse even. My - personal debts are larger than formerly. There is some comfort in knowing that I have not spent much on myself; I have never done that. The money has been given to others, generally in charity. I hope God will reward me for it. There is very little besides this for which to reward me .- Reg. Dioc. 271.
The asperity which sometimes appeared in his letters was soft- ened away when one visited him in his room. His was a some- what impressionable nature, prone to self-consciousness and influ- enced on the side of his emotions. In the beginning of his administration he made errors for which in later years he amply atoned. This fault was not peculiar to him. It is the lot of every one whose sphere of activity is increased, and in lines for- eign to his training and experience. When Julius II. began his pontifical career some of the cardinals complained to a tried and aged veteran of the Sacred College about the new Pope's severity. "The Pope is still new, and in his newness he thinks that small things are big," was the wise remark of his Eminence.
St. Agnes's Church, Paterson.
IN the fall of 1872 the Very Rev. William McNulty, of St. John's Church, erected a frame school building, 18 by 36 feet, on a portion of the property which had been purchased by the Sisters of Charity for a hospital, with the view of erecting a more suit- able church when the demands of the congregation made it neces- sary. In the fall of 1882 a two-story brick building, 55 by 80 feet, was erected-the property and the construction of the building cost $ 18,482.98. The first Mass was celebrated Christmas morn- ing, 1883, by the Rev. Daniel F. McCarthy, an assistant of St.
510
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
John's Church. Divine service was thus continued until June 20th, 1884, when the Rev. Patrick F. Downes was appointed the first resident rector. The first floor was used for the school and the second floor for the church.
In July, 1887, steps were taken to secure a rectory, which was eventually built and occupied by the Rev. Father Downes in May, 1888. It cost in the neighborhood of $8,000. The Rev. Father Downes died after a short illness, June 20th, 1888.
The Rev. George W. Corrigan, the rector of Hohokus, was appointed by Bishop Wigger as Father Downes's successor. Father George's first efforts were to collect the working boys of the parish in Sunday-school. That his influence might success- fully reach all, he endeavored to provide for them innocent amuse- ment and recreation. The only place available was the cellar. Fifty-four earnest and delighted boys spent their evenings after a hard day's work putting their room in order. Here Father George delighted to spend his evenings and participate in the games of the boys. Dissatisfied with their temporary quarters, he deter- mined to provide them with something better. Hence the great building on Mary Street, a model of its kind, was opened in De- cember, 1898.
In October, 1889, four lots were bought on Main Street with a view of erecting a larger school. Built in the summer of 1890, at a cost of $21,000, the new school was opened in 1891. From that time the standard of studies gradually advanced, and to-day this school ranks among the first in the diocese. In 1892 the first class of graduates received their diplomas, and every year since has witnessed some pupils completing the prescribed course.
Realizing the importance of keeping the graduates together and preserving the spirit of study, also of shielding them from the dangers incident to youth, Father George organized the Alumni Association. In addition to their monthly meetings, a public debate is held periodically.
Having made provision for the children, Father George turned his attention to the church, which was sadly in need of repairs, and in 1891 he had the building remodelled. The upper floor was removed, thus giving it more the appearance of a church. The building was renovated, and stained-glass windows and pews capa- ble of seating 750 people were put in.
The march of improvement extending to that part of the city prompted Father George to provide for the future. A favorable opportunity was offered in the sale of an old public-school build-
5II
IN NEW JERSEY
ing. It was in excellent condition, and, together with the five lots, had cost the city $25,000. It was bought at auction for $4,035 in July, 1897.
St. George's Church, Paterson.
IN September St. George's Church and school were opened, and the Rev. Joseph F. Dolan, who during six years had been the assistant at St. Agnes's Parish, was chosen, which succession has justified the wisdom and foresight shown in the purchase. On September 19th Mass was celebrated for the first time. In June, 1898, a plot of ground, 100 by 125 feet, on the northwest corner of Getty and Michigan av- enues, was purchased, and shortly after the present rec- tory was built. An addition- al piece of land, 100 by 125 feet, adjoining the rectory, was purchased in July, 1899, as a site for a church. The new church was dedicated January 14th, 1900, by the Very Rev. Dean McNulty, assisted by the many priests of the city and adjoining par- ishes. Father George Corri- ST. GEORGE'S CHURCH, PATERSON. gan, rector of St. Agnes's and founder of the new parish, cele- brated the Mass. The Rev. Isaac P. Whelan preached an elo- quent sermon, in which he referred to the growth of the church, and paid a glowing tribute to Dean McNulty and Fathers Corri- gan and Dolan.
Father Dolan thus far has encountered very little difficulty in building up a centre for the religious welfare of the toilers who are striving to become the owners of their own homes, and in many cases involved in debt for the same.
A bright future is in store for St. George's, and both pastor and people deserve the highest gratitude for the efforts so far successfully made.
July 12th, 1900, Father Corrigan was appointed rector of St. Joseph's, Newark, in succession to the Rt. Rev. John J. O'Con- nor. Rev. Edward A. Kelly, rector of the Church of Mount Carmel, Ridgewood, was transferred to St. Agnes's.
512
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
Father Kelly, born in New York on January 22d, 1859, made his preparatory studies at St. Benedict's, Newark, and at St. Charles's, Maryland, also at Seton Hall, where he was graduated in the class of '81. He studied theology in Seton Hall Seminary and was ordained on May 30th, 1885, in the cathedral, Newark. He served as assistant at St. Joseph's, Paterson, St. Lucy's, Jer- sey City, St. Bridget's and St. John's, Jersey City, and also in Ridgewood. The many societies connected with the church are doing effective work.
On July 29th, 1903, a destructive tornado swept over the south- ern section of Paterson, marking its path with disaster. St. Agnes's Church, rectory, lyceum, school, and sisters' house sus- tained considerable damage.
The following priests have administered as assistants at St. Agnes's: Rev. Fathers Peter Julian, J. F. Duffy, J. F. Dolan, William O'Gorman, J. C. McErlain, James McCormack, Matthew J. Farley, J. B. Donahue, and T. J. McDermott.
Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, Paterson.
THE corner-stone of this church was laid Sunday, September 3d, 1882. The founder of this parish was the Rev. Nicholas Hens, at that time pastor of St. Boniface's Church, Paterson. The dedication services were held May 14th, 1883. The first resident pastor was the Rev. Alphonsus M. Schaeken. When Father Schaeken took charge of the parish there were at that time in the congregation 738 souls. A parish school was opened on Septem- ber Ist, 1883, with ninety children on the roll, and placed in charge of three Sisters of St. Dominic. A convent was erected in 1890 and blessed by the Rev. Dr. Smith, October 5th of that same year. Father Schaeken worked most generously for seven- teen years, and when he left the parish, in August, 1900, both the spiritual and material conditions were of the best.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.