Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1882-09-13
Presentation.

The many friends of Father Do
man determined to surprise him in a
very agreeable manner, on the eve of
his leaving the city, and for that pur-
pose had made, unknown to the Rev
erend gentleman, all the necessary
preparations.
At the close of vespers, last Sunday
evening, Father Dekiere requested the
many persons present at st. Demands
church, to adjourn to the parochial
school, and when they had gathered
there, a committee, of which John
Breen was chairman, waited on Father
DOMAIN, at his residence, and request
ed his presence at the school. When
Father DOMAIN arrived at the school
house, he was astonished to find the
room filled with his late Pensioners,
he not having the least idea what the
meeting was for, and before he could
comprehend the situation, Mr.. Breen,
in few appropriate remarks an
nounced the object Of the gathering.
DR.. McGurn now stepped forward and
delivered the following address:
To the Rev. Father Doman.
REV. AND DEAR SIR Having
heard your announcement on Sunday
last, that, in obedience to the authori-
ty Of your ecclesiastical superior, you
were about to be transferred to an
other field of labor, we cannot permit
your departure without expressing the
deep and sincere regret we feel at the
severance of the ties, which, for more
than four years, have bound you to u
as Pastor, and bearing testimony of
the esteem and reverence entertained
for you by the members of this con-
gregation. Presuming, however, that
your removal from our midst will ele-
vate you to position, in which your
zeal for religion, fidelity in the dis
charge of your several duties, and
ceaseless anxiety for the spiritual and
temporal advancement of those COM
mitted to your care, will, if possible,
receive more ample reward, recon-
Giles us, in q measure, to our loss, and
induces us to utter the earnest prayer
that in whatever position you NAV
henceforth be placed by our good
bishop, you will have the heartfelt
pleasure of seeing your labors crowned
by gratifying results.
We shall not attempt in an address
of this kind, to enumerate the many
endearing works which you leave be-
hind you in A pena, that amply testi-
fly to your singular fitness for perform
ing the onerous, and exalted duties of
n priest Of Gods church. 1t is true
that many Of our co-religionists, pio-
neers in this parish, can bear testi-
mony to the zeal, devotion, and self
sacrifice which characterized the lives
of your predecessors, and their untir-
ing and successful exertions in behalf
of religion, education aud morality.
Still, on your advent 10 this parish,
you found a condition Of affairs which
demanded the careful attention Of the
active, vigilant and earnest priest. To
your allotted task you devoted your
self with such rare prudence, unre-
uniting assiduity, and untiring energy
that, to-day, we view with pardonable
pride the many tangible evidences Of
the success which has happily crown
cd your priestly labors in this congre.
cation. The handsome and commo.
dious parochial residence was com.
menced and completed under your
supervision; the schools under your
fostering care have attained a degree
of efficiency which must be gratifying
to every one who can appreciate the
blessings of intellectual culture based
on religious and moral training; and
the new church which, when complet-
ed, will be a source of pride to every
member of the parish, lasting mon.
ument to Catholic zeal and piety in
Alpena, and an ornament to the city,
owes its origin to the religious zeal
and enthusiasm which your cheering
and self-denying example awakened
among us.
In conclusion, We desire to assure
you, that so far as it lies in our power,