FAREWELL TO FATHER SCANLAN

New Zealand Tablet, 13 March 1919, Page 23

FAREWELL TO FATHER SCANLAN

A pleasant social evening was spent in St. Joseph's 'Schoolroom, Milton, on Thursday evening, March 6, when a large number of local and district Catholics and personal friends of Father Scanlan assembled to do him honor and bid him au revoir on the eve of his departure for Cromwell parish, as assistant priest (says the Bruce lie raid). . -■-. _ A short but thoroughly enjoyable musical programme formed the prelude to the principal business of the evening. Orchestral selections- were contributed by Mrs. J. McMurtrie (piano), Messrs. J. Keen (cornet), W. Kirby and J. Walsh (violins) recitation by Miss Walsh; vocal solos by Misses Hand, Curran, Coleman, Healey, and Mr. W. Kirby; pianoforte selections by Mrs. McMurtrie and Miss Curran ; and a vocal duet by Miss Dowdall and Mr. W. Kirby. Father Howard, pastor of the district, expressed his own and the parishioners' deep regret that they were losing Father Scanlan's valued assistance, and that his visits to Milton would be less frequent in the future. During the past ten years Father Scanlan had rendered him (the speaker) invaluable aid in his church work and visitations throughout the large parish. These services were greatly appreciated, and qn behalf of the congregation he asked Father Scanlan's acceptance of an upholstered easy chair and gent's dressing case as a small token of their esteem, and accompanied with their best wishes for his future. Mr. Wm. Kirby supplemented the complimentary references and the good wishes expressed by the previous speaker. Living near to Father Scanlan they had been close personal friends from boyhood's days up. The church at Milton was deeply indebted to Father Scanlan for his great generosity in donations of articles for bazaars and other functions in aid of church, convent, or the school funds. The parishioners were also indebted to him for his kindly sympathy, and they wished him prosperity and robust health in his new sphere of labor at Cromwell. Father Scanlan, on rising to respond, was greeted with hearty rounds of applause. He returned thanks for the kindly words and handsome gifts. The latter would serve as a perpetual reminder of "Home, sweet home," and whenever taking his leisure in the sandy and arid regions of Cromwell his thoughts would often wander to the verdant fields of Tokomairiro. He would not forget the people of Milton parish in the sacrificial Mass. lie concluded by again returning thanks, and complimenting the Catholics of Milton on their staunch loyalty to the Church.