REV. DR KENNEDY.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 February 1923, Page 2

REV. DR KENNEDY.

FAREWELLED by PARISHIONERS

On Sunday evening, last the parishioners of St. Mary’s met in the Club Rooms for the purpose of saying goodbye to the Rev; Dr Kennedy, who is about to depart for Rome. Aliss A. Daly and her committee had drawn up a very suitable musical progiannuo tho following ladies and gentlemen eontribnting musical items: —Misses Daly, Devaney, K. Foster, M. Jones, R. Gilloolv and Mr P. Kortegast.

The first part of the evening was devoted to the musical programme. I Mr F. Groufsky (the Chairman) then addressed the gathering and referred in the course of his speech to Dr. Kennedy’s two years connection with St. Mary’s parish, and the splendid work .he had done on behalf of it. lhe | Chairman continued by saying Dr Kennedy had always been unremitting in his attention to the work of the parish and his self-sacrificing efforts in j all things that conduced to the parishioners material and spiritual welfare had won him their hwe ami reverence. Mr Gruufsky then made the presentation which consisted of a 1 travelling rug and a case of razors and wished Dr. Kennedy a pleasant voyage and a safe return. Mr F. Delore supplemented the ' Clmirman’s eulogy and trusted the Rev. Gentlemen would return from iiis holiday refreshed ill body and mind. ■ Mr G. Woiniingtoii paid a tribute to Dr. Kennedy referring to the quiet dignity of his priestly chara'd v. his insistence on high thinking and living, and his devotedness to his people and bis Church.

Messrs N. Warren and Higgins referred in terms of high praise to Dr Kennedy’s influence on the character of his people, and Doth gentlemen spoke in complimentary terms of the good 1 work lie had done in connection with .the Church, and the deep earn, stness ' of his character. j Dr Kennedy on rising was greeted with prolonged applause. He said he appreciated beyond his powers of exJ pcession the kindness of his people and thanked them, not so much for the useful presents given him, as lor their attendance that evening to do him l honour. Dr Kennedy said he had been j two years in the parish and during that time he had learned to love the members of his flock, to appreciate their usefulness and admire them for the many sacrifices they had made for | their Church and schools. He paid ' tributes to the members of nis Commnttee who had given him such material assistance idle members of his choir who had helped to beautify the Church services by always being in their places: the holy memoirs oi the Altar Society, who had always so tastefully decorated the Altar and the Altar boy’s, whose duties were carried out with reverence and dignity. .Dr Ken nody said he had had a hapoy nine during his stay in Hokitika and although ho looked forward to his holiday. and the experience he would gain bv foreign travel, still he would he quite pleased to return to his people in Hokitika.

With the singing of the “Fu:h of Our Fathers’’ a pleasant evening eoneluded.