VALEDICTORY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10616, 15 June 1920, Page 3

VALEDICTORY

; REV. FATHER KIMBELL FAREWELLED. There was ai large attendance of the parishioners of St. Francis Parish, island Bay, to bid farewell to the Rev. Father Kimbell, S.M., who has been, after many years' service in Welling-, ton, appointed parish priest of Temuka, South 'Canterbury, iather Kimbell is a native of New Zealand, and was educated in the parish schools in this city conducted by the Sisters of Mercy and tha Marist, Brothers. In 1886 he commenced studies at St. College, and later at the Marisb Seminary at Meanee. He waa ordained priest m 189 b, and was appointed assistant priest at St. Mary of tho Angels, Boulcott street, later he was appointed to the professorial staff of St. Patrick's College, and after some years' service in that institution he was appointed assistant priest to the late Very Rev. Dean Oarew at Greymouth. Whilst stationed on tho Coast Ins health failed, andl ho spent some time m Australia' recuperating. He was again appointed 'assistant-priest to the Yen. Archdeacon Devov at St. Mary of the Angels, where ho spent five years. He was one of the iirst Manst priests selected for mission work, which he successfully carried on for some time, travelling right through New Zealand and Australia. In Australia his health again

failed l him, and on his recovery he wa3 appointed to the professorial staff at St. Mary's Seminary, (jireenmeaUows. From Grecnmeadows he was again appointed to the teaching staff'of St. Patrick's College. Five years ago he was appointed assistant-priest to Archdeacon Devoy at St. Anne's, Wellington South, the Island Bay district being allotted to him 'to administer. During that period lie has also been spiritual advisor of the Sacred Heart Convent, Island Bay. and St. Patrick's College. At last night's gathering tho -V-en. Archdeacon Dcvoy, the popular parish priest of Island Bay, presided, and paid a I glowing tribute to the work and zeal of Rev. Father Kimbell. Hei would be greatly missed, but as Father Kimbell's transfer meant promotion he was sure that they would, for that reason, rather rejoice than rc»'rot the circumstances of his removal. He wished Father Kimbell every success, and assured him o£ the best wishes of, every member of tho congregation. He personally wished <to thank Father Kimbell for his administration of Island Bay parish, which is now, through his efforts, practically free from debt. .In addition. Father Kimbell had beautified the church and effected many improvement*. . .

Mr P. J. O'Regan, in a eulogistic speech, on behalf of the parishioners, presented the departing priest with a beautiful set of vestments and a sub. stantia.l cheque. Father KimbcU, who was most enthusiastically received, thanked his superior. Archdeacon Devoy, his confrere (Rev. Father Mark Devoy, S.M.), and the parishioners, for their kindly sentiments expressed through Mr O'Regan, and nko ror their kind gifts, especially the vestmonts, which he would treasure Ho thanked All who had co-operated with him in the administration of tho parish. Ho deeply regretted his departure, especially in leaving his dear old friend, Archdeacon Devoy, who had been as a dear father to him, and who had given him _ every encouragement and valuable guidance and help.