Imposing Ceremonies

The corner stone of the new St 'l'liomas Cathedral was laid iMmday aíternoon with impressive ceremonies in the presenee of several thousand people. ïhree excursions on the Ann Arbor road and one on the Michigan Central brought many people from neighboring cities to particípate in this notable event in the history of the Catholic church in the University town. The weather was deur but cold and raw. At 2 o'clock in the afternoon the Detroit contingent arrived. about 200 in number, together with Bishop ltademacher and his escort of forty uniformed. Knights of St. John, a squad picked from the several commanderies of the order in Detroit. The parade at once formed and, headed by a brass band, marched through the principal strp ets of the city. In the parade were twenty-five unif ormed Catholic Knights of America, from Toledo, the uniformed Knights of St. John from Detroit, and marching members of the Catholic Mutual Benefit associations from Toledo, Ypsilanti, üvvosso, Detroit, Jackson, Monroe, Ann Arbor and other places, followed by the visiting cfhurch dignitaries in carriages. The cornerstone laying took place after the parade and at the south front of the church. Th stone with its aecustoroed contents was put in place by the Et. Eev. Bishop Rademacher, of Fort Wayne, Ind., assisted by Fathers Sullivan and Coyle, of Detroit, both of vliom are children of St. Thomas parish. After this ceremony Dr. Morrissey president of the University of Xotre Dame, of Fort "Vayne, Indiana, de livered a most eloquent and scholarly address appropriate to the occasion, taking for his text the words of St. John, "For God go loved the world that He gave JHis only begotton Son, that whosoever believcd in Ilim sht.-ild not perish but have everlasting life." A defccription of the church ediflee. which is now well under way, was published in The Democrat a few weeks since. It will be rapidly pushed to completion and will be an ornament to the city as well as a credit to the enterprise and liberality of the Catholic society. To the almost boundless resource and undefatigable industry of tKe Eev. Edward Kelly the pastor of St. Thomas parish, is due a large measure of the success of which has attended the various educational and religious institutions conducted by the parish. Connected with the church there is a good school in whicii the Latín, English, scientific and commercial courses are taught. Besides the school there is a well equipped conservatory of music, whose annual June festival never fails to crowd the opera house. UpWards of 200 Catholic students from the sity and a goodly number of youths from the high school are faithful attendants at St. Thomas' church every Sunday. In the erection of the cathedral, which is to be the crowning piece of the Catholic church in Ann Arbor it is thought that considerable help may be received from the Catholics of the state, who are public spirited enough, and have interest enough in their religión, to wish to see a grand edifice in the Athens of the west, one which will command the respect of their children in attendance at the university. This would seem the more likely as nearly all the other churches have received such aid.