USA > New Jersey > Morris County > Morristown > The story of a parish : the first Catholic church in Morristown, N.J. ; its foundation and development, 1847-1892 > Part 7
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
He passed away September 6, 1880, leaving be- hind the precious memory of rare virtue, disinter- ested zeal, and of a character rich in manly quali- ties. His funeral was largely attended by the priests of the Diocese, and by the young men of Elizabeth, to whom he was specially endeared be- cause of his efforts in their welfare.
The priest's house, now more roomy, was more comfortable. But while those improvements made his abode more pleasant, and contributed to his con- tentment, they availed naught in restoring Father
106
THE STORY OF A PARISH.
Sheeran's health. In March, 1881, he received as a helper the Rev. Ronald B. MacDonald, large of frame and large of heart. It is not possible to ex- aggerate the kindness of Father MacDonald to his venerable superior. He tried in every way to re- lieve him of all anxiety and worry; and his zeal and activity awakened new life in the parish. Every want of the old priest was anticipated, every yearning of his heart gratified. But the end was at hand. The poet Whittier has written of
" The weariness of unshared power, The loneliness of greatness,"-
and how well the lines apply to the priest! The incessant, unremitting discharge of the gravest of obligations, the saving of immortal souls; the isola- tion of his position, looked up to for counsel and advice, and with few around him to whom he may go in trials and perplexities; he, who must be all to all in difficulties and doubtings, is left to cut the meshes, for his individual ability is regarded as su- perior to that of all combined. In affliction he is without sympathy, for he is thought to have steeled his heart against the loving impulses which the or- dinary mortal is weak enough to betray and not strong enough to overcome; in sickness and death he is without prayer, for his long familiarity with grace-giving fountains seems to exempt him from the help others stand in need of. Like St. John, he pillows his head on the breast of Jesus ;
REV. J. J. SHANNESSY.
REV. ARTHUR J. HENRY.
REV. RONALD B. MACDONALD.
IO7
THE OLD PASTOR DIES.
but, unlike the beloved disciple, he is still peccable and needs the succor of prayer this side and be- yond the tomb.
On Sunday, April 3, the trials of Father Shee- ran terminated; and the good priest, full of merit, comforted by the holy Sacraments, went to his re- ward. At the Masses Father MacDonald astonished the congregation by announcing the approaching death of their Pastor and asking their prayers in his behalf.
While the body became weaker and weaker his mind was still clear, as he frequently inquired about the affairs of the parish. In the afternoon it was evident that he had not many hours to live; again at Benediction he was recommended to the faithful; and, when Father MacDonald returned to the rec- tory, the aged Pastor was in his death agony. About four o'clock, peaceful as a child, without pain or struggle, his soul passed into the hands of his Judge. Father Sheeran was dead.
The joys of the approaching Easter were over- shadowed in gloom. The sadness of Holy Week was intensified by the personal grief of the mem- bers of the parish. The one theme was his vir- tue, his kindness of heart, his labors for their good.
The men of the parish organized and appointed watches to guard the remains of the good priest until he was consigned to Mother Earth. Prepara- tions were made for the funeral, which, on account
108
THE STORY OF A PARISH.
of the solemnities of the week, was fixed for Wed- nesday. The immediate cause of his death was apo- plexy.
Born in Temple Mehill, County Longford, Ire- land, 1813, he was therefore in the sixty-eighth year of his age at the time of his death. At the age of twelve he left his home and friends in Ireland and went to Canada, and from this time he shaped his career, began the battle of life and pushed his way upward by his own exertions.
After spending two years in Quebec he took up his residence in New York, where he soon found employment.
Despite his daily cares and application to busi- ness, he found time to engage in good works. He attached himself to the Sunday-school of St. Mary's Church, Grand Street, and conscientiously dis- charged for a long time the duties of teacher. As the tide of emigration was setting westward, he was borne along, in the hope of bettering his condition, to the country beyond the Ohio, then considered the far West.
For many years he taught school for the Re- demptorist Fathers in Monroe, Michigan, and in this work he was eminently successful. Educated in the stern school of adversity and cast upon his own resources at an early age, he was in full sympathy with his scholars, whom he desired to spare the trials he had experienced in his own life. In addi- tion to the onerous work of teacher he added the
109
BEGINNINGS OF A BUSY LIFE.
responsibility of editor; and he was for a long time a frequent correspondent of the Freeman's Journal. His views reflected his own sturdy character and boldness, and gained for him a wide reputation. It is not to be wondered at that one with his strong personality and decided views should enter the arena of politics.
Whilst he never would consent to accept office, he was ever ready to do battle for his party, and on one occasion was a delegate to a National Conven- tion.
When, however, he entered the priesthood, al- though never relinquishing his political views, he ab- stained entirely from mingling in politics.
In 1853 he entered the novitiate of the Redemp- torists, in whose service he had for so long a time been engaged, and was regarded by them in conse- quence as a lay member of their order.
In 1857, now forty-four years of age, he was or- dained priest. He was assigned to labor in New Orleans. His restless activity quickly manifested itself. He saw the necessity for better accommo- dation in the school and proposed to the Father Rector the project of erecting a new building. When asked of the probable cost of what he con- sidered a suitable school he astonished his superior by telling him that fifteen thousand dollars would be required. The proposal was scouted immediately, as the impoverished condition of the parish would not permit such an extravagant outlay. But Father
IIO
THE STORY OF A PARISH.
Sheeran was not a man to submit quietly to the repression of a favored project when convinced of its absolute necessity.
Time and again he broached the matter, and was so persistent that his superior finally yielded ; but gave Father Sheeran distinctly to understand that he would have to raise the money himself and be solely responsible.
Imagine the astonishment of the fathers and the congregation when, instead of an expense of fif- teen thousand dollars, the building erected cost almost ten times that amount.
Owing to the nature of the soil it was found necessary to expend a large sum of money in driv- ing piles to make the foundation secure.
At the outbreak of the civil war he was appoint- ed Chaplain of the Thirteenth Louisiana Regiment, and served with unselfish devotion those under his charge throughout the long struggle from the first Bull Run to Richmond. Not only did the dying and dead command his care; but in field and in camp his fearless denunciation of vice com- mon to a soldier's life achieved good results, and won for him the esteem and admiration of both officers and men.
The confines of the camp were no limit to his zeal in the discharge of his duties. Frequently he violated the stringent army regulations by going be- yond the lines to attend sick-calls, or to bring the consolations of religion to those he found in the
III
THE FEARLESS CHAPLAIN.
neighborhood. This brought him in conflict with General Stonewall Jackson.
Going to his tent one day, General Jackson stern- ly rebuked the priest for disobeying his orders, and reproached him with doing what he would not tol- erate in any officer of his command.
"Father Sheeran," said the General, "you ask more favors and take more privileges than any offi- cer in the army."
" General Jackson," replied Father Sheeran, look- ing the soldier straight in the eye, "I want you to understand that as a priest of God I outrank every officer in your command-I outrank even you; and when it is a question of duty I shall go wherever called."
The General looked with undisguised astonish- ment on the bold priest, and, without replying a word, left his tent.
At the close of the war he returned to New Or- leans, but, owing to ill health, he went to Detroit and finally to New York; and by his personal efforts raised most of the money for the construc- tion of the Redemptorist Mission Church in South Fifth Avenue.
When he left the Congregation he visited Bishop Bayley in Newark, and tendered his services. Bish- op Bayley rather bluntly told him that there was no vacancy in the diocese. As, however, he was on the point of leaving the room the Bishop called him back and said that the Morristown parish was with-
112
THE STORY OF A PARISH.
out a pastor, and, as nobody seemed to want it, he might take it, if he chose.
Father Sheeran replied that he would go up and see it, and on his return give the Bishop a decided answer.
When he went back to Newark, after surveying the field in Morristown, he said to the Bishop that it was a nice country parish, and consented to take it. Thus was he appointed Rector of this mission. He at once entered upon a long course of labor, which terminated with his death.
By his influence and exertions, and in his under- taking cheerfully aided by his parishioners, the Church of the Assumption was built, which ranks among the finest churches in the State.
He devoted great attention to the school, caused a new and large cemetery to be purchased and laid out, and enlarged the pastoral residence, so as to meet the wants of the parish. In addition to all this he attended unaided to the wants of the par- ishioners until age and infirmity compelled him to seek for assistance. In his death the Church lost a zealous and active worker, and the Catholics of this parish a priest whose best monument will be the great work he has left behind him, which will long perpetuate his memory.
The funeral services took place on Thursday morning, April 7, at the Church, at 9:30. After the singing of the office for the dead a high Mass of Re- quiem was said by the Rev. P. Smith, of Jersey City,
II3
McMASTER'S TRIBUTE.
assisted by some thirty priests, among them Fathers McNulty, Vassallo, Corrigan, and others well known here. The sermon was preached by Monsignor Doane, of Newark, and the ceremony of blessing the body was performed by Most Rev. Archbishop Corrigan, of New York.
He was buried in the plot, close to the gate, selected by himself years before.
Mr. McMaster, an old friend, in the editorial column of the Freeman's Journal noticed his death, and among other things said of him :
" At an early age he came to New York. He was engaged here, for many years, in business. Out of a desire to do good he went to Monroe, Michi- gan, to teach a parochial school, under the pastoral care of Father Smulders, of the Redemptorists. Mr. Sheeran married and had two children-a daughter who died in the Benedictine Convent, in Westmore- land County, Pa., and a son who died in the novi- tiate of the Redemptorists. The death of the latter inspired Mr. Sheeran with a desire, gallant and noble in its sentiments, to take the place of his deceased boy in the Redemptorist novitiate. He entered, and notwithstanding the difficulties of age somewhat too much advanced, and habits of personal indepen- dence settled, finished his novitiate and his scholastic course, and was ordained. His disregard of danger in face of the yellow fever has been spoken of in some of the daily papers. That is the rule for Catholic Priests as Soldiers of the Cross."
The diocese was now without a Bishop The Rt.
114
THE STORY OF A PARISH.
Rev. M. A. Corrigan, D.D., was appointed coadjutor Archbishop of New York, with the right of succes- sion, and assigned to the titular See of Petra, Octo- ber I, ISSO.
The Vicar-General, the Rt. Rev. Monsignor George H. Doane, was deputed by the Holy See to adminis- ter the affairs of the diocese until the appointment of the Bishop. Monsignor Doane requested Father MacDonald to discharge the duties of rector pend- ing the appointment of a pastor.
Father MacDonald accomplished a great deal dur- ing his brief stay and made many friends outside of the congregation. So strong a hold had he on the affection of the parishioners that strenuous efforts were made to install him rector. Had he been regularly affiliated to the diocese, and had his term of service been of sufficient duration, his chances for a permanent appointment would have been ex- cellent ; but the Rt. Rev. Administrator, in view of these circumstances, could not accede to the wishes of the petitioners.
On Sunday, June 12, 1881, the acting Pastor an- nounced to the congregation that his connection with the church was about to be severed, and that the Rev. Joseph M. Flynn was appointed Pastor by Monsignor Doane, and would arrive the latter part of the week and begin his work among them. Father MacDonald bespoke for the new Pastor the same kind treatment he himself had experienced, and took occasion to thank them for the many acts
115
FATHER MACDONALD.
of kindness shown to him during his appointment. The congregation was visibly affected, and it was with sorrow that they parted with the priest whom they had learned to love.
On Saturday, June 18, the new Pastor, Father Flynn, arrived, and Father MacDonald took his de- parture for other fields.
CHAPTER VIII.
OSEPH MICHAEL FLYNN was born Janu- ary 7, 1848, in Springfield, Mass. The early years of his life were spent chiefly in New York. He attended school, taught by the Christian Broth- ers, in St. Vincent's Academy until 1859, when, on the removal of his family to Newark, N. J., he was sent to the parochial school attached to St. Patrick's Cathedral, then located on High Street, now occu- pied by the Women's Hospital connected with St. Michael's.
In 1861 he left school and entered a printing- office. In May, 1864, he enlisted in Company B, Thirty-seventh New Jersey Volunteers, and was mustered into the United States service June 22.
This regiment, organized in response to a call issued by Governor Parker for one hundred days' service, was made up chiefly of youths ranging from sixteen to eighteen years of age; and when Colonel (now General) E. Burd Grubb, the commander, was taunted with bringing down to the front a lot of chickens, he retorted : "Yes, but they are all game chickens." And so it turned out.
Although their term of service was short, this regiment did great work in the intrenchments be- fore Richmond and in front of Petersburg.
Foster, in his New Jersey and the Rebellion, thus writes of the Thirty-seventh New Jersey Volunteers :
116
VERY REV. JOSEPH M. FLYNN, V.F.
117
VETERANS COMPLIMENTED.
" This regiment remained in the rear of the Hare House Battery until their term of service had nearly expired, doing duty in the trenches in 'the front,' and contributing their quota to the fatigue parties working on the fortifications in that vicinity. On the 25th of September the Tenth Corps retired from the front, being relieved by the Second Corps, and moved towards Deep Bottom, to take part in the movement upon Chapin's Bluff, which took place a short time afterwards. The same day the follow- ing highly flattering general order was promulgated :
"' HEADQUARTERS TENTH ARMY CORPS, ARMY OF THE JAMES, BEFORE PETERSBURG, VA. "' General Order No. 34: September 25, 1864.
"'The Thirty-seventh New Jersey Volunteers, on the 26th instant, will leave for Trenton, N. J., re- porting to the Superintendent of Recruiting Service of the State, to be mustered out of service at the expiration of its enlistment.
"'The Major-General commanding cannot part with this regiment of one hundred days' men with- out expressing his gratification and satisfaction with their conduct. They have endured fatigue, encoun- tered the rebel foe like good soldiers, and have gained the esteem of the veterans of this corps.
"' He is confident that when they return to New Jersey, a State that has furnished such soldiers as Kearney, Mott, and Torbert, they will continue to sustain the veterans they have left at the front, doing what Sherman advised: "Fighting this out like men."
"' The Major-General commanding will be pleased to assist the commanding officer of this regiment in organizing it to aid in the finale of the rebellion in conjunction with this corps.
118
THE STORY OF A PARISH.
"' The Quartermaster's Department will furnish transportation. By command of
" ' Major-General D. B. BIRNEY.
"'EDWARD W. SMITH, Assistant Adjutant-General.'
" It was an unusual occurrence for the command- ant of a corps to issue a general order so compli- mentary in its tone upon the muster out of a single regiment which had done nothing more than this one had to distinguish itself. But, remembering that this was a perfectly raw regiment, composed of men of all ages and degrees of imperfection, and in no small degree of mere boys; that it arrived in three days after leaving its camp at Trenton within the range of rebel cannon, and there remained until its return home, the men going into the ‘glory holes' in the immediate front at Petersburg, and there doing their duty like veterans, with very few opportunities for drill or improvement, it is not re- markable that the Major-General commanding the corps should deem them worthy of the compliment which he bestowed upon them. The regiment was engaged in no battles, but in the dangerous duty of the trenches and rifle-pits five were killed and twen- ty-nine wounded. In addition, there were thirteen other deaths, mostly from typhoid fever. The regi- ment was mustered out on the Ist of October, 1864."
Private Flynn was promoted Seventh Corporal, before Richmond, July 3, 1864.
On his return he resumed work at the printing- case and press, and enlisted in the Second Regi- ment of the State Militia.
119
FATHER FLYNN'S COLLEGE CAREER.
The desire of his childhood to enter the sacred ministry was reawakened at this period, and in Sep- tember, 1865, he entered St. Charles's College, near Ellicott City, Md. His health, never vigorous, weakened by the exposure and incidents of a sol- dier's life, broke down in the first year of his col- lege course.
His physicians ordered him to abandon his studies, giving as a reason his delicate constitution, which was unequal to the strain a long course of studies would impose upon it. For four years, how- ever, through many ups and downs, now almost at death's door and again apparently in renewed health, he persevered, and in March, 1869, was per- mitted by Bishop Bayley to enter Seton Hall Col- lege, South Orange, N. J.
The good Bishop thought it useless for the young Levite to pursue his studies further, and consented to his entering Seton Hall, as he ex- pressed it, "simply to gratify the wishes of a dying man."
In 1870 he was graduated from the College, and in the fall of the same year entered the Seminary attached to the College. On the completion of the four years' course of theology he was ordained to holy priesthood May 30, 1874.
His class was one of the largest ever ordained in the Diocesan Seminary. On June 13, 1874, he was appointed assistant to Rev. Patrick Corrigan, pastor of St. Bridget's Church, Jersey City. The
120
THE STORY OF A PARISH.
training received here shaped his career. To him was entrusted by the pastor the care of the schools, the training of the Sanctuary boys, both for serving the Altar and singing the Vesper services, and the sick-calls of a very unhealthy locality. The malar- ious character of the neighborhood so affected him that his physicians insisted upon his removal to a healthier region.
In November, 1875, Bishop Corrigan assigned him to assist Father Sheeran in Morristown. Hither he came completely shattered in health, and his rapid recovery led to his removal to other fields, where laborers were in greater need. So, after a brief and pleasant stay in Morristown, full of grati- tude to the pastor for his kindness and to the peo- ple for their sympathy, he left February, 1876, for St. Peter's Church, New Brunswick.
For three months he discharged the duties of assistant priest to the Rev. Patrick Downes, then administrator of that parish.
On May 7, 1876, he was called by the Right Rev. M. A. Corrigan, D.D., to St. Patrick's Cathe- dral, Newark, and made the Bishop's private secre- tary.
He successively filled the offices of Diocesan Chancellor, Master of Ceremonies, Secretary of the Commission of Investigation, and for over a year, while Vicar-General Doane was abroad in search of health, administered the parish, until his return in 1879. On June 15, 1881, the Right Rev. Monsignor
I21
FATHER FLYNN PASTOR.
Doane appointed Father Flynn rector of the Church of the Assumption, Morristown.
On Saturday, June 18, Father Flynn arrived at his new post and assumed the responsibility of Pas- tor. It did not take him long to realize how firm a hold Father MacDonald had upon the hearts of the congregation, how earnestly they desired to re- tain him, for their reception to the new priest was by no means enthusiastic or warm. A single visitor came to him on the night of his arrival to bid him welcome to his new field of labor; and, while can- didly expressing his admiration for the outgoing administrator, declared his desire and intention to aid the new pastor in every way.
On Sunday morning Father Flynn introduced himself to his parishioners at both Masses. At the High Mass he preached on the Holy Eucharist, as the Sunday was within the octave of the Feast of Corpus Christi. At the close of the sermon he thus addressed his audience :
" My feelings this morning, dear brethren, are akin to those of the captain of a vessel sailing for a distant port. He knows that his vessel is staunch. He knows the location of the port to which he is bound. But what may happen from the time he leaves the harbor where his vessel has been moored until he arrives at his destination, he knows not. Fair weather and foul; the fierce buffeting of mighty waves; the wearisome annoyance of calms, must he expect.
122
THE STORY OF A PARISH.
"So I come before you to-day, conscious of my inability to rival those who have preceded me in the pastorate, and yet full of trust and confidence in you who have so generously seconded their efforts.
"It is impossible for you to overestimate the labors of your late pastor, Father Sheeran ; and you would indeed be ungrateful were you to forget the kindness and zeal of Father MacDonald. The reverence in which you hold the memory of both is my great encouragement. Without any previous experience, I may say, in the administration of a parish, you must take me as I am. I can only pro- mise to labor for you to the best of my ability, and to guard sacredly the trust committed to my charge. God works powerfully through secondary causes, and makes use of the meanest instruments to achieve the greatest results to His honor and glory. Let us assist one another by prayer. While ready and willing ' to spend myself and to be spent' in the great work of the salvation of your souls, I must look to you to second my efforts. From a financial stand-point it is smooth sailing; for, in view of the many undertakings which have been carried on to a successful issue within the past ten years, the debt is very insignificant. With regard to the spiritual condition of the parish I can say but little, as time alone will make me familiar with your needs and requirements in that direction. It cannot be gainsaid that the capital sin of the age is
123
HIS FIRST SERMON.
indifference in those things which pertain to God, and which are above the realm of this world. In the business of life man is apt to become so ab- sorbed in making provision for the wants of the body as to lose sight of the interests of his soul.
" Some would measure the success of the pastor by the annual income of the church, by the magnifi- cent buildings, by the splendor of the ritual, and the large attendance at the services; but not so. The kingdom of God is from within. That pastor is blessed and consoled who sees around the con- fessional throngs of penitents, who feeds the multi- tudes weekly, if not daily, with the Bread of Life. The benediction of God rests on that parish where virtue triumphs and vice is rendered powerless ; where the old edify by their example of Christian virtue; and the young, by their loyalty to the Church, by their efforts to be a light shining in the midst of darkness, give hope of the future success of the Church. As, on the one hand, I may not fail to give to the temporalities that care and pru- dence which they may demand, I must, nevertheless, put forward my best efforts to labor for your spiritual and eternal interests. So let us on-I to toil and labor, you to respond to my efforts, that one day both pastor and people, happy in the pre- cious possession of never-ending happiness, we shall reap our reward. So let us work that on the last great day I may regard you as my glory and my crown."
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.