The Newtown bee., 1896-05-29
In Litchfold County.
NEW MILFORD.
THE SILVER ANNINEEsARY OF ST FRANCIS
 NAN-LL-E PA IlISII.

NA\ ' ll.R IAlISus
 A notable ,yen5 in New Milford, last week, WAS tAt 25th anniversary of St Francis Navicr's parish. In the morn ing a solemn high mass was celebrated at the church. Bishop Ticrney was present in the sanctuary and attended by Rev !. (. O'Bricn of Bridgeport and Roy John Kennedy of Daabury. The ceIebrant of the mass WAS Father Smith If Nrwtowu, deacon, Father McElroy of Birmingham, sub deacon. Father Curtin of Waterbury, Father ODonucll of Watprtoun waa the master of ceremonies. The sermon WAS preached by the Eav J. C. O'Brtcn, who took for his text. ,l believe io the Holy Catholic Church.. In the afternoon pubic meeting WAS heldiu the Town hall, at which the following excellent program was carried out:
 Overture. New Milford Bapd NIvaul Pa@lnre~ No~tri, sunday school Address ol Welcome, Nj. McNWuara AIlu Stella CuuHdeutr, Mrs Carrie ~ouIe .D, FHI. BONn-SCloCtIOu, Band Tnc Moon ls B lightly Rramin&,
 M-,rs A. IIurtigau andN MrMuhon
 Mrssrs J. R we and Q. Toolan Euyardcrir, Piano solo, Miss Belle Richmond cuna.srIrctcd, Miss 4. Uarliguu llr~toricu Address, George W. Richmond My Mur2u1ita, Mr. Carrie NouIo Baritone solo, Al Jennings quartet, ~rlurtc1,
 Misses Tartislln and McMahon
 Mcssr- Rowe und TouIln Les IIugucu,~, Medley. Band The Church Across the Way, l.. Ricbmnnd Duet, Selected, Misses Ilurti2an and McNInhon Jubilee CnoHt7, Choh Nuuonn Airs, Band The address of welcome by Hon Michael McNamara was especially felicitous. The hi,torjral address by George W. Richmond, w#e al~p very interesting and listened to with close attention. The ad- 1rcss of Mr McNamtra, which We give in full from the Gaz .ttc's excellent re, port, WAS as follows:
 Right Key Bi i,hop, Rev Father, ladies aud gentlemen In behalf of the St Francis Xavier parish, bid you a hearty welcome this day, especially to you, oul Right Rev Bishop, wbo have huaorcd u- by presence and whom we recognize as the chlcf pastor of our diocese and to whom We loypIy and chec7fully give our support in the great work If thu church and accept your authority and give willing obcdiracc in all mattcrs of faith and morals. Wcalrrpt your lead rrship and will follow on to the higher paths ut education, temperate living and all Christian virtues. We reuoguize iu you the true exponent of Christaiu edu- cation, not an enemy of our public chooI, but rather great friend. zp. king to eic- vutc the public and priv4rc schools of rhr state, a',d know the happy solution If the pducatjOnM question to your mind, would be when every child in the land would receive a religious as we'll as secular education, and the heart of the child he cultivated as w,II as intellect and the rising generation would notonIy be- p4triotic and useful citizens, but God fearing and honest men.
 We recognize in you great frjoud uf temperate living, seeking to inculraCa right priuriplos in the mind and heart of .he child, rather than wait to reform the man, leaving your busy life and many pressing engagements to spend the day with us and join in our celebration. need not say VIC are proud and happy,
 We hoped to have with Us to-day good priest, not an old man, but old in service of the church, being ordained 8 priest about 3l years ago. He viaited this place many times before we were parish and is the only living priest who came amongst us in those early days. He took many lonely journeys across the mountain and through the valley, stop ping in the humble homes of che people, seeking the sheep of the fold, baptizing children, who are now in middle life. Many of the men and women in this au- dience pledged life companionship before this good man. He heard the story of your trials, suneIings and temptations in those days and his sympathy and words gave comfort to your souls, We all loved and revere the name of Father Rogers. We have been honored by the presence of four of the recent pastors who succeeded each other. Father Glea. son, whom we hold m the highest esteem. He, and his santly mother, who resided with him, by their exemplary lives left lasting impression. Father O'Brien, that warm hearted man, the friend of every one, during whose administration there was a great spiritual advancement of our people. Father McEIroy, the sincere, unselfish dignified gentleman, who endcavOred to lift us up to higher plan of living, whose presence will add tone and dignity to any parish or work he is connected with. Father Curtin, who so recently was with ua, and whom we all love. Ever jealous for the wei fare of his people he was spoken of and l think truly as the great guardian of the fold. Our pastors, we love them all, l not one more than another, but rather as ministers of God leading us on to a bet ter life and a better world and whose memory in our souls will be eternal. l In behalf of the people, we say to all our old pastors and the reverent clergy pres- l ent and our good bishop, in the words of the old celtic tongue "cead Mile failthe.'' g
 We give a hearty welcome to all the 1 men and women of the mission churches i and the former residents of this parish, | who have come many miles to be present 1 with us. can assure the people of the other Christian denominations who are here that we appreciate their presence and arc glad that this good feeling exists between us and are happy to know that in questions of public morality we are one and hope the day is not far distant nrhnr all r,rcinaicn win disannpar and WE [