Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1894-02-14
FAREWELL RECEPTION
Fr. Mahoney Surprised by
His PariShIOnerS.
APlEASANT PRESENTATION
Rev. j. H. Beland Also Given a Hand
some Purse in Gold Last Evening.

Few clergymen have won such an
honored and enviahle place In the hearts
OF his parishioners as Rev. George T.
Mahoney holds and has held for years,
The parishioners OF the Church OF Our
Lady OF the Sacred Heart rendered him
. farewell reception last evening and pre-
sented him with substantial expressio ms
of good will and estimation.
The church, which has a seating capacity
OF 200, was filled to its utmost capacity
with those who desired to acknowledge
his efforts in behalf OF the parish aud
show their appreciation OF him AZ priest
That the congregation ls composed Of good
Catholic people has been easily proven
and Father Hahoney always had them
with him in spirit and thought in every
project he undertook.
The movement that was started when IL
was officially known that he had been APP
pointed to the pastorate of St. Charles
Church, Woonsocket was carried on un-
known to him, however, ana last evening
the trustees OF the parish, Napoleon Fon-
taine and Benoni Rocheleau, called at the
parochial residence TO have Father Maho-
ney sign the final report to Bishop Har-
kins of the condition OF the parish.
The reverend gentleman was requested
to perform his final act IN the vestry OF
the church. Upon his arrival there he
was surprised To lind the church crowded
to the doors with his parishioners with
whom he had zealously labored for a
period OF fourteen years.
Before he could realize the object OF the
gathering, Napoleon Fontaine stepped
forward in front OF the sanctuary rail and
began to address the beloved pastor in
words which were the eminent OF all
present. He spoke as follows:
MOST REVEREND FATHER-The voice of
our Bishop compels you 10 leave TINS par
ish where for many long ana happy years
We have taught our little children to call
you Father Rene mberipg your humble
and simple ways yet our hearts are too
deeply grateful TO allow you to leave US
without coming to you and saying bless,
oh noble father, bless the devoted chill
dren you are leaving TO adopt other mem
bers of the great Catholic family
"Although not of our nationality, rever-
end father, your heart, faithful To the
grand 'sacer doce' which made you the
soul, the companion, the support OF us all,
you have been for our Canadian parish
the one who pointe to Us the right way
and instilled the principles OF justice,
courage and love. We love you for your
generous sacrifices and zeal. We will
mourn for you as only the afflicted can
mourn.
"Our pastor, our father, our friend, are
words which tonight cause our hearts to
swell with emotion, knowing how sin
cerely we are attached to you.
"Devoted pastor, accept this Offering as
a souvenir which will always recall to
your mind your children of Central Falls,
who cannot help regretting the decree
which separates you from them. We
would we had done more, we should nave
done better, but accept the gifts as coming
from the heart and we shall be happy.
"Goos Father, success and happiness
are at the bottom OF your large heart
Keep a large place for US before God in
your prayers. Kindly remember your
afflicted children. Speak a word for your
large French Canadian family. This,
most reverend father, is the hope and
prayer of your devoted children OF Central
Falls"
At the conclusion OF his remarks Mr..
Fontaine presented Father Mshoney with
q handsome purse in gold and gold
headed ebony cane which was inscribed
as follows:
Homage Reconnaissance
NOtrc Cure.
Les Paroissens,
Central Falls,
l3 Fcvricr, 1904.
Gardel ie souvenir ct sachcz revenir.
1t was with mingled feelings OF Joy and
sorrow that Father Mahoney stood be-
fore the large congregation to acknowl.
edge the handsome tokens. After thsnk-
ing them warmly be complimented the
people on the excellent appointment the
Bishop has made as his successor.
He congratu ulated Father Beland in
being appointed rector over such an ex
cellent people.
Father lBeland was a young man who
was I'm touch with the spirit OF progress
and In all movements of the present day.
The result of priest and people working
together would be grand IN the extreme.
In conclusion he thanked them for the
support that they had extended him dur
Ing his pastorate. HIS hearers were deeply
moved at his parting words.
Rev. Father Mahoney will leave for
Woonsocket tomorrow TO bigin the la
bors In his new field.
Reception to Father Beisnd
The parishioners OF st. James Church,
Manville, rendered farewell reception
last evening to their late pastor, Rev. j.
II. Beland, and presented him with n
handsome purse in gold as token OF estI-
nation and appreciation Of his jealous
labors as pastor. The Children OF Mary
also presented Father Belsnd with Il
purse.