SILVER JUBILEE

Hokitika Guardian, 16 June 1928, Page 2

SILVER JUBILEE

FATHER CREED HONOURED

CHRISTCHURCH, .June 15. The Rev. Father Creed, priest in charge of the Leeston Catholic Parish, celebrated bis silver jubilee on Wednesday, when' congratulations reached him from many quarters upon completing, his twenty-fifth year in the priesthood. In the morning, Jubilee Mass was celebrated, a feature being the singing by a choir of children of the “Mass of the Angels.” On Wednesday afternoon the pupils of the Convent ‘School entertained Father Creed at a concert, and presented him with a silver tea service on a handsome stand. The Bishop of the diaceso, Right Rev. 51. J. Brodie, was present. At the conclusion, both the Bishop ami Father Creed complimented the children on the quality of their programme.

In the evening, between three bundled and four bundled people assembled at a banquet held in the Town Hall and attended by visiting clergy and representatives of local bodies. Mr IC. R. V. Winter presided, and musical items were given by Miss Olga AVrncked ami Eileen Greiinell, and Messrs Toomey, Poulton and Darragb. In proposing tlic health of the guest, the chairman expressed the parishioners’ congratulations to Father Creed. The occasion, ho said, was a milestone from which lie could look back with pride and satisfaction. The speaker presented to the guest a wallet containing a large cheque, and he also received an illuminated address conveying the go"d will of lii.s people. As a gift from the l eeston Football Club, Mr H. D. Jones handed to the guest a silver-mounted pipe. Bishop Brodie, in supporting the toast, said it gave him pleasure to associate himself with the parishioners of Loeston in honouring their priest. He remembered his first visit to Father Creed’s parish while stationed at Ivumara, where lie found him working under difficulties, his duties entailing many miles of travel on horseback and often through torrents of rain. At Leeston, Father Creed had not spared himself in any degree, and, in addition to his duties as a prjest, had entered into the .activities of his fellow-citizens in advancing the good of the community. Other speakers were the Rev. Father O’Connor, who had known Father Creed in Ireland and had been associated with him on the West Coast, the Revs. J. C. Young and W. G. Hannah, Presbyterian ministers, and Mr J. C. Free, an old West Coaster. In respondi ll pc. Father Creed expressed hearty thanks to liis parishioners for their generosity, and expressed appreciation of the Bishop, his brother priests, the Presbyterian clergymen and maiiy cf his friends who were not of his own congregation.