Norwich bulletin., 1909-12-20

Downes.
 The reception in Grange hall Friday evening in honor of the silver jubilee parishioners of St. Andrews church, was largely attended, the hall being filled. The stage was artistically dec orated with American flags and bunt- ing. The stage programme was as follows:
 Music from 7.3O to o'clock by the Philharmonic orchestra of Portland, Conn.
 Introduction by the chairman of the executive committee, John F. O'Con- nell.
 Addresses by Hon. Hamilton Wallis and s. P. Willard.
 Song, Miss Alice Slater.
 Addresses. Prof Royal A. Moore, Jeremiah J. Sullivan. Miss Elizabeth Shea, Dr. James J. Tynan, Miss Annie O'Brien.
 Song. Miss Mary Brown.
 Address, Attorney Daniel E. Irwin of Boston.
 Miss Darcy of Moodus. presentation speech of gift from Children of Mary of Moodus.
 Michael Bride of Moodus. presenta- tion of gift from St. Bridget's church of Moodus.
 FIJI hClAy R1CSCALdlAOh of gift from altar boys.
 George V. Cavanaugh's presentation of gift from St. Andrews parish, Col chester.
 Singing of America by the assem- blaze.
 The following were seated on the stage: Rev. Michael H. May, Rev. Phil ip J. Mooney, Rev. Francis E. May of Milford, Rev. Edmord c. Ingalls, pas of "a (Nop CrnUatfNnaI ehuroh Rev Byron D. Remington, pastor of the Baptist church. Hon. Hamilton Wallis, Professor Moore, $. P. Willard. Harry Elgart, John Condren, J. J. Sullivan. Thomas P. Kinney, Michael Bride, Daniel Irwin. George Cavanaugh. Ed ward Kelly, David Shea and John r. Slater
 After the exercises the assemblage partook Of a buffet lunch in the dining room of the hall.
 The executive committee included: John F. O'Conuell, chairman; David Shea, John F. Slater, Dr. J. J. Tynan, Charles F. Brown. John Condren. Thomas P. Kinney, Michael Driscol and Michael Blaeker. Many compli ments were paid the committee for the success of the reception and the carry Ing out of the programme. A number of visitors attended from F'itehville, Moodus and other surrounding towns.
 The Honored JubiIarian.
 Rev. Michael H. May, pastor of St. Andrews church, Colchester. was born in New London. He received his early education in the Union school district of that town and was graduated from the Bulkeley High school in the class of 1878
 Tn September 1878, he entered Bos- ton college, where he completed the classical course. He studied philoso- Dhy in Niagara university and made his theological studies in the Grand seminary. Montreal. where he was or dained by Archbishop Fabre Dec 20th, 1884. After ordination he was assign ed for two months to St. Peters. Hart ford and tle Church of the Immacu- late Conception, Derby.
 First Permanent Appointment. was to St. Johns. Middletown, where he served six years. He was then transferred to Baltic, working little more than a year as assistant to Rt Rev. Mousignor Synnott who was rec tor of the churches in Baltic and Oc- cum at that time.
 He was promoted to St. Mary's, New Britain, serving for two years as as- sistant under Bishop Tierney and Rev. William Harty.
 In Colchester Thirteen Years.
 In September. 1895, he was appointed pastor of St. Marys, South Coventry, and after remaining there thirteen months was transferred to Colchester. where he has labored the past thirteen years.
 Besides the parish church in Col chester, Father May has mission churches in Moodus. Fitchville and Bozrahville, where mass is said every Sunday.
 During the years of his pastorate in Colchester he has been prevented by storm but one Sunday from reaching his missions. The drive in the early morning is a long and hard one. the distance each way being ten miles.
 Parish of 400 Square Miles.
 The people under his charge are widely scattered. The territory includ- ed in the parish extends from the hills of Gilead to the shores of Long Island sound and from the Connecticut to the Yantic river, containing more than four hundred square miles. Within the lines of his parish are towns in four counties: Hadlyme. Bozrah, Lebanon, Salem and Colchester in New London county; Gilead. Hebron and Turner vile in Holland county: Marlboro in fidIltOFu, ana fIdSI f1dQudHl ana MOO dus in Middlesex county
 During his pastorate Father May has renovated the churches in Col chester. Moodus and Bozrahville, and decorated and added to the Fitchville church property.
 Has Travelled Much.
 Father May has travelled in all parts of the United States and made a lengthy tour in Africa. Asia, touring Egypt and the Holy Land, and visiting every country of Europe.
 Two years ago he took trip to the Panama canal, Venezuela, Brazil and the West Indies islands. He has also visited on two occasions Cuba and Porto Rico.
 After his return from these trips he has lectured on the various countries he has visited,
 Active for Civic Welfare.
 In Colchester he has taken an active interest in all that pertains to the re- ligious, intellectual and civic life of the community.
 Although with little time to spare from his church duties, he has been always ready and willing to fill any position of honor or work to which his fellow citizens might call him. For more than twelve years he has been an active and Zealous member of the board of school visitors and is untiring in his efforts to better the schools and to place the teaching staff on a level 1, AI.. -f%f