OBIT:   KIERNAN, Robert (Rev. Father); 1907; Summit, Cambria Cnty., PA

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Cambria Freeman
Ebensburg, Pa.
Friday, 22 Feb 1907
Volume 41, Number 8


Death of Rev. Kiernan 

Beloved Pastor of St. Aloysius Church at Summit Passed Away 
on Sunday, February 17, 1907

Rev. Father Robert Kiernan died at his residence at Summit 
last Sunday morning after an illness of about three weeks 
of typhoid pneumonia.  The deceased was born in County 
Cavin, Ireland, June 30th, 1863, and was therefore in his 
44th year.  He was educated at Clomwell Black Rock, Ireland 
and at Irish college, Paris, and was ordained to the 
priesthood at Paris on Nov. 13th, 1889.  In 1891 he came to 
this country and was stationed at St. Paul's Cathedral, 
Pittsburg, where he was assistant to Bishop R. Phelan of 
the Pittsburg Diocese.  Later he was made pastor of the 
Congregations at Myersdale and Tarentum.  On Sept. 30, 1900 
he was appointed by the bishop to succeed the late Rev. E. 
J. Dignan, pastor of St. Aloysius at Summit, this county, 
where he has become the endeared and beloved Father 
Kiernan, not only to his own parishioners, but also to the 
entire community.  Father Kiernan was dignified yet humble, 
stern yet kind and he was sympathetic, genteel and 
charitable.  He was talented and studious and ever kept a 
watchful and zealous care of those of his flock.  By his 
moral and intellectual traits he won and always retained 
that high degree of general favoritism with which he was 
known by not only the people of Cresson but by a large 
number of people through this county and state.  Amiability 
and benevolence were preeminent among his moral 
characteristics and these traits he attracted all hearts to 
himself. Whether extending the courtesies of life to the 
polished and wealthy or answering the importunate calls of 
the beggar who solicited alms at his door, he was equally 
agreeable.  He was truly a zealous and virtuous priest.

His funeral took place on Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock 
after a solemn high mass of requiem at which Rev. Father 
Ferdinand Kittell, pastor of St. Michael's church of 
Loretto, was celebrant; the Rev. Father J. J. Deasy, pastor 
of St. Patrick's church of Gallitzin, was deacon and the 
Rev. Thomas Ryan, pastor of St. Bridget's church of Lilly 
was sub-deacon.  The master of ceremonies was the Rev. 
Father James Egan, pastor of St. Bartholomew's church at 
Wilmore and the sermon was preached by Father Kittell of 
Loretto.  Rt. Rev. Eugene A. Garvey, D. D., Bishop of the 
Diocese of Altoona, was present and pronounced the 
benediction and addressed a few remarks of sympathy to the 
congregation on the death of their "good shepherd."  A 
large number of the clergy from the Pittsburg Diocese as 
well as from this diocese were present, among whom were the 
following:

Rev. Fathers John N. Bausch and Mathias Pfell of St. Mary's
The Rev. Fathers Downes of St. Columba's and the Rev. 
Father Philip Bohan of St. Patrick's, Johnstown; the Rev. 
Father John Barry of St. Brigid's, Pittsburg; the Rev. 
Thomas Conlin of Derry; the Rev. Father Thomas W. 
Rosensteel of Sharpsburg; the Rev. Father Thomas Hearn of 
Pittsburg; the Rev. Father Thomas Smith of Altoona; and the 
Fathers T. P. and Matthew Smith; P. McArdell; J. Kenoy; J. 
M. Cadera; J. McQuillan; W. Graham; T. Giblin; J. J. 
Munley; R. Farrell; J. P. Duan; Ludden W. Yahner; J. 
Brennan; M. Canole; D. Cashman; Peter Fox; James Graven; R. 
Hamilton; G. Reid; C. Stratman, O S. B.; T. Leopold, O. S. 
B.; T. Robert, O. S. B.; H. O'Neill; J. O'Donnell; F. X. 
O'Donnell; J. McKinney; J. L. Quinn; R. Waters; L. Kummert; 
L. Bryiski; J. Curtain; H. Dymer; J. Farren; G. B. Welsh 
and others, in all about 60 priests.  

The church was crowded with members of the congregation and 
friends from other places at the Mass and there was present 
a large number of non-Catholics from Cresson and vicinity.

As an evidence of the esteem with which the people of 
Cresson generally held Father Kiernan, all the business 
places of Cresson were closed from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. or 
during the time of the funeral services.  After the Mass, 
interment was made in the cemetery of St. Aloysius church 
in which a special plot is reserved for priests.