Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-01-16
WELCOME TO
FATHER GAY
SACRED HEART CHURCH Re-
cEivEs NEW PASTOR
Successor to Late Rev. McAuIifFe Is
rendered Impressive Reception
and Bishop conaty Greeted
with Cheers

with Cheers
Welcome in big letters was that ex-
tended to Rev. P. Gerald Gay, who .ones
to the Sacred Heart church as its third
pastor, in a parish-weleoming reception
given in Conaty hall last night in East
Los Angeles.
In big letters the word Welcome" over
the stage gave the predominating thought
Of the evening, and it was a right royal
welcome that Father Gay received at the
hands of the bishop, priests of the city
and the parishoners
welcome to our pastor" and Long
may he live" notices on each side wall,
We're expressed again and again during
the evening In eloquent terms.
The exercises were somewhat belated by
the late arrival of Bishop Conaty, who
was at the mercy of hack driver who
did not know the streets well and who
consequently lost himself as well as the
bishop. When he arrived at the hall at
9:15 o'clock the bishop said that he
would apologize for the driver for his
late arrival and also that he had seen
AhOtS VI LUIS AHBtleS lHdn ne Ildu ever
expected to on the route frem Burlington
avenue to Downey avenue and DAILY street
the location of Conaty hall.
The prospect of hearing the bishop
speak kept the large audience in good
humor, and when he arrived he received
welcome all the more hearty in that
| 1t was somewhat delayed.
Joseph Mesmer was chairman of the
evening and extended the welcome to the
visitors as well as to the new priest Of
the parish. pledging the loyalty of the
parish, it's societies and organizations TO
the support of him who comes to take
up the work of beloved departed pastor.
Welcome is Saddene,
The evening, while glad in extending
a welcome to Father Gay, was percep-
tibly saddened by the event which has
caused Father Gay to come TO the parish.
The thoughts of priests and people turned
to Rev Michael McAuliffe, the beloved
\ pastor, who passed away so recently.
He was not forgotten in the exercises.
and a glowing tribute was paid to him
| in the hall h himself had erected.
Following the welcome of Mr.. Mesmer
Miss Nolan sang a vocal solo, after which
Anthony Schwamm made the welcoming
| speech. Mr.. Schwamm made one of the
hits of the evening and kept his hearers
| in a broad smile during his address.
| 1t was Mr.. Schwamm who gave the
welcome to Father McAuliffe over eight
years ago. and so last night the same
privilege was given him. He said In part:
Just eight years ago we welcomed
Father McAuliffe, he of blessed memory.
| Our tears are hardly dry, but we are
here tonight, not to think of the sad,
but of the present gladness. and wc-the
peopie of this parish--do extend to Father
| Gay and Fa her Donleavy, his assistant
most cordial welcome"
Bishop Conaty followed in his well
| known cordial manner, expressing in the
| strongest terms his entire faith in the
young pastor who is to carry on the
large work already begun.
4 Bishop Conaty was greeted with three
lusty cheers. led by the popular Anthony
| Schwamm.
After humorousy apologizing for the
hack driver. which caused much amuse-
ment Bishop Conaty said in part:
Tonight in our welcome TO the new
pastor OF the Sacred Heart church. our
| first thought is of the one who preceded
| him. It is impossible to stand here WITH
out bringing to mind the splendld man
who built this hall We miss him to-
night, and l trust the time will never
| come when we shall not miss him. for
that is the greatest tribute we can pay
\ TO hia memory And ] trust his spirit IS
with us tonight. praying for the good Of
the good work. He has gone as the good
shepherd to the Great Shepherd.
But the good work must go on, and
when it became my responsibility to
select the successor of Father McAuliffe
decided it would be the young man
from the valley, who was always ready to
do his work and always full of zeal, and
his appointment is my greatest mark Of
confidence in him.
Expresses His Confidence
This parish is one of the most prom
inent in the diocese and one of the best
equipped. 1t needs strong man to carry
or the magnificent work. l have con-
hdence in Father Gay as the man for the
place. and he will take up the work
where it was left.
when i received the word of the great
joy of the people regarding Father Gay
at his first services 1 had the satisfaction
of saying I told you so.'''
Bishop Conaty spoke Interestingly Of
| the work of the priest of the church and
closed by pledging the work of Father
Gay to the people and the support and
esteem of the parishioners to Father Gay.
| Father Gay was called upon and came
forward amid hearty hand clapping. He
said:
"There comes a time in a mans life
when he finds thoughts which he would
| like to express and cannot find words to
express them. After the many very kind
things that have been said about me to-
| L uIu II NllhNhil ~ NApANoo NY
thoughts. / am deeply grateful for tho
many kind things said.
when his lordship called me had
little thought that ! would be placed in
chars: of this parish, but ! felt that no
WORK would be too burdensome with our
good bishop at the head We have one Of
the greatest bishops that has ever occu-
pied the episcopal bench of the history
| of any century of the church. and this
we know. If we are to Judge him by his
deeds we know we have a great and
mighty bishop"
Father Gay paid an eloquent tribute to
Mgr. Harnett, the first pastor of the
parish, and to Father MeAuliffe, his sue
cessor, and closed by asking that pastor
and people might work shoulder to
shoulder. brain to brain and heart 10
heart for the good of the parish
The program closed with a repetition OF
the three lusty cheers for bishop and
priests and social time.
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