Family Histories: Cahalane

October 5, 1995

Dear Fr. Bryan,

I wanted to quickly respond to the request to consider acknowledging the historical event of the 125th Anniversary of the Catholic Church of Florence on November 18, 1995. I do so in particular on behalf of my late cousin, Fr. Cornelius Cahalane. He was very proud and happy with his tenure as pastor of one of the oldest churches in Arizona. He had a special fondness and affection for Florence and its people. In actual fact his plan some years before his final illness was to retire in Florence. During his tenure there, it was a pleasure to visit with him and many of his parishioner friends. It is noteworthy that the parish was dedicated under the title of Our Lady of the Assumption many years before the Assumption was defined as a doctrine of our faith. The title of the parish is a testimony to the living faith tradition of our Catholic heritage. The observance of the 125th Anniversary on November 18, 1995, will be a special link to our living past. It is so important that we cherish our rootedness in the faith and acknowledge how we are blessed through past generations of believers who lived out God's call in their moment. I wish all the present generation of parishioners a happy and blessed celebration on November 18. May it be a time of renewed blessings for you in the faith, May Mary, Assumed into heaven, wrap the mantle of her care around you and all of us as we journey on towards our heavenly home. I am sure that my cousin, Fr. Con, will be participating with a heavenly smile on his face and filled with heavenly pride as he would say to all assembled -- "How's about that there now." Congratulations to you all on this historic event. May God and Mary bless you always.

Your Brother in Christ,
Msgr. Tom Cahalane, Pastor Mother of Sorrows Church

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