The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1909-02-19
FAREWELL RECEPTION
TO DR.. McSWEENEY
He and Mrs. Mcsweeney Were Guests
Of Honor at Large Function in
X. OF c. Hall Last
Evening.

The Knights OF Columbus hall was
scarcely large enough to accommodate
the friends who gathered therein last
evening for the farewell reception given
70 Dr. J. II. McSweeney urder the aus.
pices OF the Catholic societios OF the
city. AT $3.50 o'clock, amid the strains
Of music, the Doctor, accompanied by
Mrs. Mcsweeney, was ushered into the
hall by representatives OF the various
societies. Rev. Il. +. Cray, who acted
as chairman OF the reception, first intro.
duced Arthur Holmes, one Of the most
pleasing singers that ever gave pleasure
to an audience. Mr.. Holmes sang, My
Bonnie Rose" and after prolonged APP
plause he responded to an encore with,
"a short mans better than none at all.
In the name OF the three Catholic so.
cieties of which Dr. MeSweeney Is a
charter member, viz, Ancient Order of
Hibernians, Catholic Order of Foresters,
and Knights of Columbus, the Rev. p. NJ.
McKenna, pastor OF Sc. Monica's church,
presented the Doctor magnificent low
ing.cup. FIR. McKcnna spoke with stir.
ring enthusiasm and in glowing terms
OF the many admirable qualities OF the
recipient He paid tribute to him as
"A physician, for that skill and ability
which has made him one Of the leading
and most prosperous men Of his profess
sion in the city. He told Of that kindly
nature so mingled with strength Of char
acter as to make him, at the same time,
beloved and respected by all. He told
of his generosity in supporting and in
upbuilding the financial condition Of the
Catholic church of Barre; Of how he not
only gave generously from his pocket,
but how in times Of fairs and festivals
he took off his coat and with hammer
in hand went to work, caring not who
received the honors SO long as the work
was done.
Fr. McKenna praised him as a man of
rare, exceptional faith, and referred most
touchingly TO his solicitude for the eter.
nal welfare of dying souls, for may at be
said to his honor that never through his
fault did one of his Catholic patients
die without the ministrations Of the
priest, and many and many a time as
the priest was preparing the dying soul
for eternity the Doctor knelt by the
bedside with his prayer beads in hand.
But the speaker praised him above all
as he pictured him at the altar rail with
the little children on the first Friday of
the month. man OF faith, first, last,
and always.
He spoke OF how deeply he regretted
his departure and Of many personal fav
ors received. In conclusion he addressed
Mrs. MeSweency with words Of praise
for her genial and happy disposition and
words Of thanks for the many faithful
and valuable services rendered 10 the
Catholic church OF Barre. As he present
ed the loying-eup to Dr. McSweeney,
while at the same time little Doris Burke
presented Mrs. McSweeney bouquet Of
roses, the hall rang with deafenipg
cheers.
AS the Doctor has ever been a great
favorite with the children, being greeted
by them with Hello, Doctor as he
drove along the street, his little friends
begged to have part in the farewell re-
ception, So seven little girls, all robed
in white, sang their message to the
Doctor When they had finished, there
was not a dry eye in the hall, but none
was more deeply touched than their
dear Doctor" who had so often eased
their pains Those who sang the sweet /
ballad, Wen Remember You, Doctor, /
ID Prayer were Frances Burke, Kath-
cen Brown, Catherine and Mildred Fitz- |
yerald, Lorraine Loranger, Clair Miles and
Alice Moore, with Louise Canton as plan
st.
Dr. Mcsweeney thanked all those pres
mt, but his heart was so full Of gratitude
md his eyes 90 dimmcd with tears that
words came with difficulty After the pro-
gram. a social dance continued until two
,'elock. The success of the entertain
nent is due to the following committees:
(. Of c. George German, VIII Moore and
Tohn Conlon; C. D. r., James Fitzgerald, /
4. III. Burke and A. ]. Loranger; A. o. II
n, hlinam Dineen, John Dineen and /
}. J. Sullivan.
DR. McSweeney and family will leave
ihortly for Hartford, Conn, where he will
,ngage in the practice Of his profession,
.fter being located in Barre for many
lears.
PLEASURE CLUBS ANNUAL.