Los Angeles herald., 1905-08-24
SAY FAREWELL
To THEIR BISHOP
GREAT CROWDS ASSEMBLE AT
PLAYA DEL REY
BABY SHOW IS A FEATURE
Judges Run Desperate Risks In Making
Decisions as to the Handsomest
Youngsters In Southern
California
BABY SHOW is A FEATURE

Like some huge family, with the
good Bishop Conaty at the head. Catho-
lies to the number of several thousand
gathered at Playa del Rey yesterday
for their annual reunion and picnic.
They started TO the beach early and
they returned late; they spent a full
day, and it was a day full of features
from beginning to end, in never-mono-
tonous variety.
And above all, It was a farewell to
Bishop Conaty that he will not soon
forget; Godspeed in his Journey, to
begin Sunday, to the supreme pontiff
in Rome.
The Catholics of this region regard
their annual picnic as a feature of
their year that could not be overlooked.
To them it Is the one time when all
may meet and become acquainted on the
broad, general ground of their affinity
and common interest. Every Catholic
there knows every other one; there is
no formalty, no restraint Everyone
does what seems to himself the best,
and the utmost good fellowship and
jollty reign. And as a consequence
they are better Catholics and better
citizens for their day of general relaxa-
tion and mutual amusement.
Crowd at Station
The selection of Playa del Rey for
this years reunion was a happy one
Tis playground of the king affords
many sorts of pleasures. and all of
them seemed to have been arranged.
The crowd, long anticipating the affair."
started early, and whereas the day was
scheduled to start at 9 o'clock, when
the special car service went into effect,
an hour before that time West Fourth
street was so jamnled with eager
pleasure seekers that the railroad SIM
ply became desperate and sent them
out as fast as cars could be loaded. And
thus long before the Official begin
ming, some hundreds were already in
the midst of having the times of their
lives.
And yet there was an Official start
after all; it was the arrival at the
beach OF the bishop and his party A
special car had been arranged for the
clergy the committees and the press,
and it reached the grounds about 1OI
o'clock The arrival was the signal for
cheer and a rush for the official party
and right then and there the picnic
was made, for good and all.
Bishop In His Glory
The bishop was in his glory. Like a
benignant father, he smiled on his en-
thusiastic people, some OF whom had
come from as far as Oxnard and Po-
mona. His hat was off all the time. re-
turning salutes. and his fine gray hair
was tossed in the cool ocean breeze as
he bowed right and left With him
were some dozen or more priests from
Los Angeles and the surrounding
towns, all of whom were welcomed in
general while each was sought by his
respective parishioners and taken in
hand and started in the fun
OF course there was an address by
the bishop. That is a feature of every
gathering of which he is a part And
there was added reason for it yester-
day, inasmuch as it was his farewell
talk to most of his followers. This took
place III the pavilion about II O'Clock
and was the only formal feature of the
day.
President Edward lyman of the gen.
eral committee on arrangements pre-
sented the bishop, after Killarney"
WAS piva7 m toiaro and oor,,at a., 1;o,,
of the band which didn't appear as
agreed. The bishop was again heartily
cheered as he stepped forward, and the
packed auditorium rang with applause
frequently while he talked. He spoke
of the purposes of the reunion and of
how good 1t was that the people of the
entire diocese should gather at stated
times to become the better acquainted
and to enjoy with one another their in
nocent games and pastimes. He re-
marked his own joy in being with them,
telling them of an unexpected delay in
his departure of a week, which made
1t possible. He only wanted to express
his greetings and farewells, he said,
and tell them of his good wishes. He
was glad to see them so united-all
parishes and regions.
THAT is good for you," said he. EN-
JOY your games. take a dip. dine to-
gether, and when you are tired out go
home with the determination that you
viii come again next year. 1 am glad
to see the priests here; they should
mingle thus with the people; it is good
for all of you. You are like one big
family; enjoy the good things that God
has given you; look out on the broad
ocean and rejoice that God is good to
us. So / rejoice with you"
The bishop then explained the mean
ing Of Playa del Rey, its Significance
in the days round, as "all pleasure be-
longs to the Great King and is given
by him. and declared that he could |
imagine no more beautiful picture than