Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-01-01
FATHER CROWLEY
Popular Pastor of St Thomas's tc
 Take Long Leave of Absence.

VPuSaS ' oSSVI VI " AnVuses "
 Take Long Leave of Absence.
 The Rev Father Crowley, pastor of
 St Thomas's, the youngest and small
 est Catholic parish in the city, closed
 the reading of his annual report yes
 terday at last mass by making tie startling announcement that he was going to leave, maybe for six months,
 perhaps for year. and only the good God himself could say If he ever would
 return" Up to this Father Crowley
 had kept his congregation in very pleasant mood with merry quips on certain conditions ill his parish. but when he said he was going away and that the condition of his health was the cause, almost everyone present shed tears. He had gone over the seven years of his stewardship of the little parish, giving most interesting account of everything that had taken place there of any note during that time, beginning with the first baptism down to the amount of money to the congregations credit in bank.
 The first child baptised in the pat
 ish was Helen Holohan Jackson. daughter of Charles A. and Mary Hnl
 ohan Jackson, the donors of the splen- did baptismal font The first mar
 riage in the parish was that of Peter Fox, letter carrier. and Miss Eliza beth Delaney, and the first funeral
 was that of Mrs John Sweeney, who lived on Hill street. This was seven years ago when Burnt Hill, so called,
 was practicable nothing but barren moor. The first mass in the church
 was said by the Rev Father Sheridan, HOW of St Francis's in Naugatuck, and the first sermon was preached by Father Crowley Three missions have been held ill the parish and to their good work is due the saving of many young people
 While the church was completely
 built and partly paid for before the congregation took possession. it was Father Crowley's work that built the school and the convent and gave an impetus to real estate in that section of the town that is still felt. The total income of the parish for the past year
 was Sl2,663.S1, and the total expenses amounted to S11,33075. During the past seven years the total income fig ured ID S79.0OO. while the total ex- pense was $115.000. There were Sg marriages and 523 baptisms. confirma, ton was given to 426 children and first communion to 421. Up to this year the average registration in the parish school was 449, but this year it went to 493, and the school has been i'll existence only three years. At the first Sunday school there were 167 children to-day there are 530.
 Only in marriage is the parish backward. The average number for the seven years of the parish's life is F. and that number exactly took place there last year. Two of these were mixed marriages and the parties to the other ten were for the most Dare either widows or widowers. This was one of the comical announcements pe- culiar to Father Crowley and which never fail to keep his congregation with him. He urged the young peo- pie Of the parish to hurry up or they would be too old to marry before they would know where they were. He knew the girls were willing, and they are the best looking girls in the town. and the young men had no excuse for all of them earn good wages. That was evident by their clofhes and their appearance. At these sallies all young people in the congre- gation as well as the married folks could not help laughing.
 After announcing the rules of ser vices relating to baptisms. funerals md such like. he thanked the people for their hearty cooperation in all he for the parish. The month"; y collection. he said. was the best in he state in proportion To the size or the parish but without it the parish ,ould not get along.
 He then stated that owing to the condition of his. health he was obliged .o give up work for some time, maybe ;ix months or more This announce nent turned the smiles of the congre- yation to tears for almost everyone present knew that for years Father rrowley's health has been very poor. He asked the prayers of his people md hoped they would continue to keep up their good work for the par sh during his absence as though he were with them. Father Sullivan. ha said. will take his place while he Is iway.
 Once or twice while he was saving his final words. Father Crowley was to stop or he would lave broken down. Wishing all a happy New Year and Gods blessing. he bade hem goodbye.
 Father Crowley has not been iu ,ood health since he underwent an operation four years ago. His nervor, 'ystem is completely gone and abs. ute rest is necessary He has no ,lans made yet. but he will leave town O. morrow. He may go west or nc nay seek the balmy air of Florrla an ocean voyage. however brief. |. beyond him. for the slightest excite nent may be dangerous He has the vest wishes of his flock for his speedy .ure and return to his duties and will ,e greatly missed by the children of he parish and the infirm in health. t0 1