Much attention was given to the preparation and preaching of sermons, with the result of a full attendance at High Mass on Sundays.  Beginning with 1861, a volume of these discourses was published under Father Hecker’s direction each year, till a series of seven volumes had been completed.  These were very well received by the Catholic public, and were bought in considerable numbers by non-Catholic clergymen.  They had an extensive sale, though when their publication was first proposed it was feared that they would not succeed.  They are almost wholly of a strictly parochial character, brief, direct in style, abounding in examples from every-day life, and plentifully illustrated with Scripture quotations.  Although Father Hecker preached regularly in his turn, only a few of his sermons were contributed to these volumes, but his suggestions and encouragement greatly assisted the other Fathers in preparing theirs, as indeed in all their duties, parochial and missionary.  Some years after the series was ended two volumes of Five-Minute Sermons were published, providing short instructions for Low Masses on Sundays.

The Paulist Church also became well known for the attention paid to the public offices of religion, as well as for rubrical exactness in ceremonies, the greater feasts of the year being celebrated with all the splendor which a simple church-building and limited pecuniary means allowed.

Father Hecker was from first to last strongly in favor of congregational singing, and assisted to the best of his power in introducing it.  It began in our church in modest fashion back in those early days, and was fostered zealously at the Lenten devotions and society meetings.  It never failed of some good results, and has finally attained a flourishing state of success in this parish.  His attention to the children was constant.  No matter who had charge of the Sunday-school, as long as his health permitted Father Hecker was there every Sunday that he was at home, asking questions, talking to the teachers and children, enlivening all by his encouragement and cheerfulness.  He was a martinet on one question, and that was cleanliness, and its kindred virtue, orderliness.  He was never above working with mop, broom and duster indoors, and shovel and rake in the garden; and this trait added much to the appearance of things as well as to the comfort of all concerned in the use of the convent and the church.

Though assiduous in every parish duty, his favorite task was the relief of the poor.  They multiplied in number in undue proportion to the increase of the parish, drifting out this way from the overcrowded quarters down town.  Father Hecker enlisted the best men and women in the congregation in the work of caring for them, organizing a conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, in whose labors he joyfully and energetically participated.