USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > Woonsocket > History of the Catholic church in Woonsocket and vicinity, from the celebration of the first mass in 1828, to the present time, with a condensed account of the early history of the church in the United States > Part 6
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How well can I recall when, during those early years of student life, a happy band of youthful hearts gathered within the cheerful and social home of your deceased pastor. Of all those hearts that then found a welcome from him, deep and solid and sincere, there are few, very few, left to mourn his decease. It is easy for me and for you to affectionately twine our loves about favored spots of earth where simple memories of predilection love to gather. Of all those places for me, apart from home, not one stands forth in such strong and striking relief as the home of our deceased friend. We mingled in its social gatherings, we felt that under its roof, within its precinct, every natural outburst of respectful youth could find a place, and we went from that home looking forward cheerily for our return. For there are, indeed, those dearest spots of earth, and I know they find place within my soul, as in yours also. They help to cheer us, help to assist us ; they are, as it were, links binding us to that which is recalled with pleasure in the past ; and from out of those fortunate spots we seem to gather fresh strength and vigor to go out into all the activities of our busy life. From these memories, then, there come to us to-day those cheering thoughts, that inspiration that is always found in a well spent life ; not, indeed, that he who is gone from us passed, as it were, through our firmament with any brilliant brightness. His course was rather the steady, calm, continuous gleam of the slow moving planet- always equable in disposition, always serene in the judiciousness of liis soul, always ready to bestow a portion of his hospitality. By these ligliter forces of every-day existence he diffused around him that sweetness which makes life enjoyable and worth living. If there be any cheerful source of life-giving strength to help us to vary the monotone of humdrum drudgery, it is those home joys, that cheerfulness of simple hearts that marks the intercourse of friends-friends who love to be with friends, and help and cheer each other in their earthly pilgrimage.
I, indeed, am not alone in expressing a conviction that has long since been felt in the hearts of all those who intimately knew our
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dearest friend. I am sure there are those to-day who in looking back upon his life, with earnest fervor of soul, breathe an honest prayer and say over his remains, " God rest him. true and faithful friend of the past."
There was a character and quality in the life of your deceased pastor that drew to it the confidence of those who sought and needed advice. It may be that we, as you, will perhaps assert that in all that development of mental strength and conspicuous talent there was not found in him that brilliancy which perhaps may startle for a time, but which quickly fades away into the depths of silent forgetfulness. But in him there was a quiet conservatism ; there was, above all, a marked sincerity in his priestly relations with you, his parishioners ; a deep, manly honesty in all his rela- tions with his friends. Many of you can perhaps go back with me through every year that has numbered his administration among you. You have in a sense felt his pulse when trials seemed to come down with crushing force upon him; you have seen him in all the difficulties that can possibly surround a man in his manifold rela- tions with those whom he must meet as pastor of souls ; aud yet am I not safe in saying-and I gather it virtually from those who knew him intimately-that this criterion and judgment will hear us out in all that we love to assert of Father McCabe's character.
You who have been shoulder to shoulder with him, aiding, as- sisting, cheering him by your devotion, know that during all his life, comprising an eventful period of your Catholic history, there was that stability in his character which would inspire full confi- dence that nothing would ever enter into his relation with you but what should always be priestly ; for he was indeed one that you could trust, one in whose safe guidance there was no motive but the glory of God and that true affection which was deep seated in his heart for your welfare and the interests of religion. He knew you, my dear friends, in the rudimentary beginnings of your lives. He knew how you struggled; he saw you slowly but gradually lift- ing yourselves to dignity and high standing in the community. This was a joy to his heart, and you knew that out from that heart there went to you a sympathy that can only go out from the priest's heart to the people to whom his life is devoted. That he was zeal- ous in all things as your pastor, you yourselves can give evidence. But more than this, the works of religion that he has left proclaim that he was earnest and devoted iu his work as a priest. Can you not go back to the advent of his coming to your parish? Can you
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not see a steady light, not demonstrative, not thrown off in mete- oric sparks in the darkness of the world, but at all times present to you-that faithfulness in performance, that steadfastness of perseverance so deeply imbedded in his character. And if to-day from those numberless confreres who gather about the altar and who looked up to him as a guide in life at all times-if they offer a prayer for his reposeful rest in eternity, it is because they recognize one of their rank who has stepped aside and over whose form they must offer all the homage of their respeet and esteem, for such a life is worthy of esteem ; worthy, because it has pursued its purpose through life, always having in view the end to be ob- tained, and that is the glory of God and the salvation of souls, through and by every means which the light of God and natural capacity suggested to him. That, my dear friends, your pastor has done; done in erecting this beautiful church; done in throwing into it all the generous sacrifices that your love for religion could place at his disposal. Not satisfied with lifting up a material edi- fice, wherein you can gather, like the children of Israel of old, and pour out to God all your hearts' affectionate worship, he also raised another edifice in which are expounded the principles of Catholic faitlı. Who can stand to-day by the side of his funeral bier and see what he has done for education, for the instilling of Catholic truth in the souls of his children, and not pray for the repose of the soul of the pastor who has faithfully done his duty?
Then those innumerable cares, those afflictions of soul, that multiplicity of duty, every form of solicitude coming crowding into a pastor's life ! How many such perplexities have gone into his life during all these years, and yet at all times the same imperturb- able character and the playful smile told to all whom he met the kindly joyousness of his heart, combined with an easy, quiet deter- mination that was seen in all the activities of life, and which made those who came in contact with him conscious of the force of character that dwelt in the soul of that good priest. That he was sincere in all his relations as pastor is not surprising, because sin- cerity was an element in the very essential of his nature, and if he were sincere in his relations as a priest, lie must be honest in all his relations with his friends. I have every confidence, strong and firm, that there are to-day innumerable souls, in the quiet of their own devotions, surrounding his last resting place, and in their af- fection chanting a requiem that is deeper than can come from any heart that is not influenced by the lessons taught by him who is gone.
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Who, indeed, my dear brethren, who stands in your presence as anointed, who is of God, will not fearlessly at all times throw into his work that character which God has given him? And if in the exercise of that character he be honest, and you know that he is acting through his honesty, will you not, even perhaps with your greater light, feel that the mistake has been made in judgment? Will you not honor him for his manliness? Will you not say that the character that is at all times clear and limpid as crystal water in every circumstance is the one character that can be faithfully trusted; aye, in this sacred relation that exists between pastor and parishioners? And who of us all is free from the critical eye of his friends and acquaintances ; who amongst us has not had flaws marked by others? And yet I feel that I can say of this exemplary priest, who I know has gone to his reward, that had he any flaw in his character, or anything which you consider to be a flaw, that flaw has been in keeping with the sterling characteristics of his life and personality-and those characteristics are sincerity and honesty.
If then this dear and good friend has gone to the reward which God will give to him, we have no further relation with him except that the lessons of his life may go out into our hearts and into all our associations. Oh, that we may all in the various relations of life, filled as they are with difficulties and trials, go out to the sore heart and fond friend with the same joyousness, the same natural- ness that dear, good Father McCabe always had. May we in all our duties, whatever they may be, go out to them with the same per- severing, plodding, quiet industry that characterized his life. Then, my dear friends, my life and yours will indeed be a fountain source of blessing to all who may come to slake their thirst at its pure and clear water.
May the life of the last thirty years or more of our dear friend who has passed be a blessing to you ; and may that blessing so en- fold itself within your souls that your hearts will always go out in prayerful remembrance of what he has done for you. May he who is now gone, the good friend, sincere pastor and wise counsellor- may he, in the work of his life, always remain with us. And I am sure there is no one who so desires that the example and the work of this good and dear friend who has gone may go out with their Christian influence into all the homes of this diocese than the revered and respected Ordinary who directs it with wisdom and prudence. And if to-day there be any thought uppermost in his
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mind, it is this : Oh, would that at all times those who labor for the glory of God and of the Church may be as faithful, as quiet. as determined in their industry as good Father McCabe! Would that his prudence would so possess all that those who minister to souls would be looked upon as tabernacles of wisdom! And we echo that wish, we who have known Father McCabe in the past. we who have dwelt with him in the communions that friend can have with friend. we who knew his judgment, his mind. his heart and his thought.
Out from the past I recall a striking episode. One who knew him long and intimately in all his laborious work was passing to his reward, and to a priestly friend who sat beside his death-bed he made the remark. " If at any time you seek advice in any per- plexing difficulty. go to Father Mike McCabe, for he is an honest man." Never in all my relations with your deceased pastor has that verdict passed from my memory, and I am pleased to recall it at this time.
May the knowledge that we have of his simplicity of charac- ter aid us and direct us; may it make us better men, stronger in our devotion for our fellow-man, more charitable in our dealings with those who are good, honest and sincere. May God rest the soul of him who has gone out from life and who, we trust. shall live forever in the eternal felicity of God his Father.
After the sermon the final absolution was pronounced by Right Rev. Bishop Harkins. In the afternoon the casket containing the remains was conveyed from the church, es- corted by the priests, to a vaulted grave in front of the church, beside the grave of Rev. Francis J. Lenihan, a former pastor, and there with religious ceremony deposited. Over the grave a handsome granite monument has since been erected. A beautiful white marble and onyx tablet in memory of him is in position in the church vestibule.
The late Rev. John T. Lynch, Assistant Pastor of St. Charles' Church, who was appointed by Right Rev. Bishop Harkins as administrator of the parish, until the successor to Father McCabe would be appointed, had full charge of the funeral arrangements.
The honorary bearers at the obsequies were as follows ;
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Rev. W. Halligan, Rev. H. F. Kinnerney, Rev. H. J. Smyth, Rev. J. F. Clark, Rev. Bernard Boylan, Rev. Ber- nard O'Reilly Sheridan, Rev. Patrick Cuddihy, Rev. M. Fitzgerald, Rev. Charles C. Dauray and Rev. Christopher Hughes.
The pall-bearers were John F. Holt, Francis Flynn, Patrick J. Wren, John Gilfillan, James Murray, Bernard Gorman, Dr. P. H. Madden, William F. Norton, Peter Crosby and Major James W. Smyth.
The ushers were James P. Mulcahey, Thomas F. Howe, Michael A. Martin, Michael F. Quinn, Robert F. Linton, Patrick J. Mee, John F. Flynn, Michael M. Flynn.
This Very Reverend Priest, esteerred and respected in life and mourned and honored in death, was born in the parish of Aughavas, county Leitrim, Ireland, September 12, 1826. His parents belonged to the well-to-do farming class, and sought to give their child a classical education, with the intention-dear to very many fathers and mothers of his race-of preparing him for the priesthood. His early studies in Latin, Greek and mathematics were con- ducted by one of a class who in those days made a pro- fession of preparing young men for a college course.
The young student crossed the Atlantic to America in 1851, and going direct to Providence presented letters of recommendation to Right Rev. Bernard O'Reilly, the then Bishop of Hartford, who placed him in St. Mary's seminary, established by the Bishop. During his studies there he taught a class in the old Cathedral Sunday school. After completing a college education he entered a seminary in Bal- timore, Md., where he completed a theological course, at the termination of which he returned to Providence and was ordained a priest in the old Cathedral on Trinity Sun- day, June. 11, 1854. The story of his being appointed pastor of St. Charles' Church, Woonsocket, is already told.
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Father McCabe was in every way a faithful spiritual father to his people. He not only watched over their spirtual wants, but was also watchful of their worldly af- fairs. His advice in financial matters was often sought and always kindly given. He was a true defender of the Faith, a Faith which if any one attacked with impunity he always defended, either from the pulpit or through the press. His works of charity were great and all were kept secret within his heart. Some of his works in the cause of re- ligion were not known to his most intimate friends, as an extract from a letter addressed to me by one very near to him demonstrates. This extract is as follows :
DEAR MAJOR SMYTH :-
I am just after reading a copy of yesterday's Reporter. I read with pleasure what you added about Father McCabe's donations to the Woonsocket Hospital during his life. While reading this my personal reflections ran thus : That is a true friend of Father Mc- Cabe. But I did not need this additional proof to convince me that you were a staunch friend of his. Long since have I known you to be such, as also a warm admirer.
At his death Father McCahe did not possess anything like the sum of money which he was commonly reported to be worth. Those who had charge of his affairs since his death know that. Never at any time during his life did he possess a greater sum than what appeared on the returns to the Probate Court.
From what we learn from his papers Father McCabe followed this idea through life : To have a certain amount in his possession which would tide him over difficulties in case he fell sick, or became incapacitated from one reason or another. What ever he happened to save over and above this amount, which his prudence directed him to be necessary, he gave in charity. You and others in Woon- socket knew how charitable he was, though he did not always get credit for it, but he did not seek nor want credit here.
Besides these charities there were other charities to which he gave generously during his life. He founded two burses in All Hallow's College, Dublin, for the education of ecclesiastical students for missionary work. He founded another in Maynooth. He founded two in the Propaganda, Rome, for the education of mis-
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sionaries to be sent into heathen countries, such as China, India, etc. All this he did unknown to the world. Even we knew almost uothing about it until after his death.
It is stated that the burses named cost $40,000 to estab- lish, thus giving proof of the unselfish zeal of this true priest of Christ for the Religion founded by that Divine Saviour, who suffered death on the Cross for the redemption of the souls of men. I feel happy that this opportunity presents itself to me of offering this slight tribute of praise to the memory of a true servant of God.
The statement in the Evening Reporter, referred to by the correspondent herein quoted, was concerning the transfer of 41 shares of Woonsocket Electric Machine and Power Co. stock, by the will of Father McCabe, to the Woonsocket Hospital Corporation, for the purpose of establishing a bed at the hospital for the sick poor of St. Charles' parish. The par value of these shares was $4,100. It was the inten- tion of deceased to increase the amount to $5,000 for the establishment of the bed, but death overtook him before the object aimed at was accomplished. Exclusive of the forty-one shares of Electric Machine and Power Company stock he gave $320 to the hospital out of his own private purse, in two sums, one being $250 and the other $70. By collections from the Church congregation he raised $416 for the hospital, which, with the shares of Electric Machine stock and the sums personally suhscribed by himself made a total of $4,836, that through him was donated to the hospital.
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CHAPTER XIII.
REV. FRANCIS J. LENIHAN-BRILLIANT ORATOR AND AUTHOR- REV. LAWRENCE WALSH.
When Father McCabe was tranferred to St. Patrick's Church, Providence, in January, 1866, he was succeeded at St. Charles' Church by Rev. Francis J. Lenihan. The new pastor became rapidly popular on account of the ex- cellence of his priestly character, the brilliant gifts of his mind, his charitable actions and gentlemanly bearing. This reverend gentleman was born in 1834, at the home of his parents, in the beautiful village of Aglish, county Water- ford, Ireland, and pursued a course of studies in his native land, with the ultimate object of entering the priesthood. In 1854 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States and entered the Jesuit College at Frederick City, Maryland. After completing a course of philosophy there he entered the Theological Seminary of St. John, Fordham, N. Y. Shortly after this event a brother, Rev. Patrick J. Lenihan, pastor at East Greenwich, author of " The Three Charlies, a Tale of '98 " and other literary productions, died. Father Lenihan was ordained a priest in 1859, by Right Rev. Fran- cis Patrick McFarland in the Cathedral at Providence. After ordination he was stationed successively at Newton and East Bridgeport, Conn., and from the latter place was transferred to Woonsocket.
Father Lenihan's reputation as a contributor to Catholic periodicals and as a pulpit orator, preceded him. The nom de plumes he assumed in his literary contributions consisted of " Soggarth Aroon," "Ochyle " and "Romanus." "The Orphan Sisters " and "The Death of Father Ralle, a Tale of the Puritan Wars," were two of his most popular works. His patriotic poems sent many a glowing thrill through the hearts of Irish patriots. His compositions in prose and
REV. FRANCIS J. LENIHAN, Sixth Pastor of St. Charles' Parish.
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poetry were ever in defense and praise of the religion of which he was an exemplary priest, and of the country of which he was a gifted child. As a pulpit orator and plat- form lecturer he had few equals among the Catholic priests of this country.
This able pastor added rapidly to the Church building fund, left by Father McCabe. Operations on the construc- tion of the new edifice were begun by him early in the spring of 1867. The old wooden building was removed to land owned by the late Nathaniel Elliott, to make room for the edifice. On Sunday, June 16, 1867, the corner-stone was Jaid with impressive ceremony by Right Rev. F. P. Mc- Farland of Hartford diocese, of which diocese Woonsocket was at that time a parish.
The following account of the laying of the corner-stone appeared in The Woonsocket Patriot of Friday, June 21, 1867 :
The ceremony of laying the corner-stone of St. Charles' Church in this town took place on last Sunday afternoon. The weather was auspicious and the spectators numbered two or three thou- sand. A procession was formed at 3 o'clock, near the Air-Line railroad crossing, under command of Capt. James W. Smyth, and marched to the grounds of the new Church. It was preceded by the Woonsocket Cornet Band, followed by the Rhode Island Guards, Father Mathew Temperance Society, Benevolent Aid Society, Sun- day School scholars and a large number of young ladies and chil- dren dressed in white. The procession was long and presented an imposing appearance.
Work on the basement was completed before the end of the summer months.
In the midst of his labors Father Lenihan became ill, and thinking to regain his health a trip was made to Florida. This proved of no advantage, and consequently he re- turned home, and slowly sinking, died on August 3, 1867, aged 33 years. He died the death of the just, his soul as-
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cending from earthly to eternal life to receive the reward promised to every faithful servant of God. His remains rest in the shadow of the Church he had commenced to build.
It was during Rev. Father Lenihan's pastorate that Rev. Lawrence Walsh, a zealous, eloquent and patriotic priest, was, at the request of Father Lenihan, appointed by Right Rev. Bishop McFarland to take charge of the French-speaking Catholics of the city. Previous to the appointment of Father. Walsh there had been no French- speaking priests to attend to the spiritual wants of the French people. While attending to the wants of the French he was attached to St. Charles' Church as assistant pastor.
The French-Canadian Catholics grew fast in numbers after his appointment, and at the present time far exceed the Catholics of other nationalities.
REV. BERNARD O'REILLY, D. D., SUCCESSOR TO REV. FATHER LENIHAN-DISTINGUISHED FOR HIS LEARNING-AUTHOR OF " THE LIFE OF POPE LEO XIII." .
Rev. Bernard O'Reilly, D. I)., succeeded Rev. Father Lenihan in the pastorate of St. Charles' parish. This learned and eloquent priest had in those days few superiors as a pulpit orator. He is a scion of that old stock of the O'Reilly family, the members of which made the name famous in war and in peace, whether at home fighting to sustain the national life of Ireland, side by side with the O'Neill's, McMahons and O'Donnells of Ulster, or in the armies of France, Spain and Austria, or in the Church militant upon earth, laboring for the propagation of the Faith, as Bishop, Priest and Professors.
Father O'Reilly, on taking charge of St. Charles' parish, proceeded with the building of the new Church, work
REV. BERNARD O'REILLY, D. D., LL. D., Seventh Pastor of St. Charles' Parish,
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on which had so far advanced that the walls were completed and the roof on before the close of the year. From a fair held by him in Harris Hall in May, 1868, the sum of $4,000 was netted for the Church building fund. During the pro- gress of the fair, namely, on Friday evening, May 22, the old wooden church edifice was consumed by fire. This compelled Father O'Reilly to procure other quarters in which to hold Sunday services. The old Armory Hall, now known as the old Town Hall, was used for two Sundays and then Harris Hall was secured, in which services were held each Sunday until work on the new Church had advanced suffi- ciently so that services could be held there.
It was during the pastorate of Father O'Reilly that the site of the present Convent building was purchased at a cost of $6,000. He resigned his pastorate here in the latter part of January, 1869.
It was a source of pleasure to me then and a source of pleasure to me now that I enjoyed to the fullest extent the friendship and confidence of that most learned and eloquent gentleman during the whole of his pastorate here. It was not only a pleasure for me to know him, but a source of in- structive profit. I have listened with interested attention to him for hours in succession, when he was the speaker and I was the listener. His language was always of a high and entertaining order. Whether he spoke of the planets of the solar system, the stars of the Universe, of God in the inconceivable Majesty of His Greatness and Power, or in coming down to worldly things, and speaking of Church architecture, or of statesmen, poets, orators, and great commanders through the whole range of countries and gov- ernments, from the beginning up to the present time, he was always delightfully interesting and instructive. No wonder that he became the intimate confidential companion of Pope Pius IX. and of Leo XIII., on his visits to Rome. The last
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