Waterbury Democrat., 1902-06-02
REV FATHER RoDDEN.
Death of Well Known Priest of Hart.
 ford Diocese.

ford Diocese.
 l Rev Michael B. Rodden, pastor of I St Catherine's church in Broad Brook | and one of the oldest and most promi- nent priests in the Hartford diocese, died at his home in Broad Brook at S o'clock on Saturday afternoon after Il short illness from pneumonia. He caught cold while riding from Rock vile to Broad Brook one day early last l week and on Wednesday took to his bed. Pneumonia rapidly developed. Father Rodden had been pastor there but little over a year, but previous to that had been pastor of St Joseph's church in Bristol for over thirty-seven years. Father Rodden's name stood to the people of Bristol for more than q generation for that which was manly, honest and adorable in a public man; and when he left there for his new parish the townspeople turned out in a body to bid him good-by. with tears in their eyes. Few ministers of any de- nomination ever endeared themselves to the people of town as Father Rod- den did,
 Funeral services will be held at Broad Brook on Wednesday morning at 10:30. Father Shanley will preach the eulogy and Bishop Tierney will celebrate mass. It is expected that there will be large attendance of priests from the diocese. The body will be taken to Bristol that,afternoon and will remain in the church there over night. On Thursday morning a requiem mass will be said and the interment will take place.
 Father Rodden left sister, Mrs Gil- man, who kept house for him, and two nieces, Grace Gilman and Mrs Edward Pierce, wife of one of the owners of Lake Compounce.
 The sudden death at Broad Brook of the Rev Michael B. Rodden was q surprise to his many friends in Water bury. For more than forty years Father Rodden labored in the diocese of Hartford and was one of the best known and beloved priests in New England. Ordained in the Grand seminary at Montreal where he com pleted his theological studies, he was assigned to duty at St Patricks church at Hartford under the Rev Father Hughes, V. G.. The following year he came to Waterbury as assistant to the Iamented Father Hendriclxen, after- wards bishop of the diocese of Provl- dence. After laboring here with com mendable zeal and success he was np- pointed rector of St Josephs church, Bristol After four years he went to Greenwich and Bristol. R. l.. removing to his former charge in 1872 where he remained until year ago, when he was transferred to Broad Brook at his own request. During his thirty years of priestly work in Bristol he also att tended Forestville, Plainville and Farmington, celebrating mass in those places on different Sundays and re- turning to Bristol for the last mass. Tn the earlysixties, while assistant here, he attended Thomaston. Watertown. Southbury and Woodbury sometimes going to Thomaston by hand-car pro- pelled by the section men employed along the line.
 Father Rodden was always a con- spicuous figure among his fellow priests owing to his commanding pres ence and the uncommon appearance of q priest wearing whiskers. He was frequent visitor in this city where he is affectionately remembered for his gentleness and charity. A large dele- gation from here will be present at his funeral.