FAREWELL TO FATHER AINSWORTH.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 41, 17 February 1913, Page 5

FAREWELL TO FATHER AINSWORTH.

PRESENTATION OF ADDRESS AND WELL-FILLED PURSE. The Rev. Father Ainsworth, of the Kaponga-El tham parish, preached his farewell sermon at tho Catholic Church, E'ltham, last night, to a crowded congregation. A large number from Stratford and other parts attended tho service. Tho sermon was an impressive one, and tho large congregation present bore testimony to the high esteem in which the Rev. Father was held by his parishioners. At the end of tho sermon, Father Ainsworth bade farewell to his people in a very touching address, which tilled to overflowing with remembrance tho hearts of many of hi congregation. After the service, the whole of the congregation assembled in tho schoolroom, when tho last farewell from the parishioners was extended to Father Ainsworth. The schoolroom was packed to the doors, and many stood outside. Mr .(. McVeagh, chairman of the Church Committee, on behalf of the congregation, extended to the Rev. Father the congregation’s regret at his departurei from the parish. Together, priest and congregation, he said, had got on | so well during the eighteen months j he was in charge of tho parish. Mi j McVeagh, concluding his remarks, paid a tribute to the rev. gentleman for tho capable manner in which he had conducted tho committee meetings, of which he was chairman. M" McVeagh then called on the secretary (Mr Whiteford) to read an address and Mr Whiteford afterwards presented Father Ainsworth with a purse ol

sovereigns. Father Ainsworth, in reply, thanked the chairman for his kind remarks, and also the parishioners from the bottom of his heart for the handsome presentation. In doing so, ho gav o a brief outline of the Church’s history during the eighteen months he had been in charge. He also took the opportunity of thanking Mr W hiteford, secretary of the Church Committee, for the manner in which he had conducted the church affairs. Dining his term of office, he had never known Mr Whiteford to be absent from his post. ' He also thanked the ladies for their kind help, who, he said, had been responsible for the raising oi a considerable sum from euchre parties and socials, towards the church funds. ‘ The Rev. Father also pointed out that a sura nearing £I6UO had been collected during his term, which he considered was a very handsome amount, and at no distant date, the church should be free from debt, thanks to the generous support of the people. Father Ainsworth also stated, that during the eighteen months spent by him in the parish, he only had one death, and that person was nearing four score years, and he had only received tlirce sick calls, all of which were not of a serious nature. It was truly! remarkable the benign sovereignty of Providence.that had made itself felt in' this in the parish. During his term, also, there was a wonderful absence of friction of any sort between the Protestant and their own communities. Speaking for himself, Protestant and Catholic were all alike. In conclusion, he expressed the hope that the sarr.3 good feeling and kindness shown to him would be extended to his successor. Again he thanked the poop! 3 for the present made to him. “I will always bo glad,” ho said, ‘‘to welcom anyone from Eltham, at Nelson, at any time, and whenever I get the opportunity, I shall not forget to pay Eltham a visit. The bond between Cod and man will remain for ever, but that bond which has existed between my people and the priest musl now sever. Once again—Farewell.'’

Father Ainsworth left Eltham this morning on route for his new palish at Nelson, and Father Cahill arrives to succeed him on Thursday evening.