The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-12-24
FATHER KELLEY IS E YEARS
 IN PRIESTHOOD
TRANSCRIPT PAYS FINE TRIBUTE TO LOCAL
 CATHOLIC PASTOR.

Ordained at Grand Seminary. Mon-
 trcal, Dec. 20. Issf-Advancemcnt
 From Humble Posts in Recognition
 of Ills TireIess Efforts
 In the editorial columns of the Cath ollie Transcript, the official organ of the Diocese of Hartford, there appears this week a fine tribute to Rev. Father Thomas J. Kelley, pastor of St. Peters Catholic church in Howard avenue. Father Kelley has been the pastor of the West End Catholic parish for near ly ten years, and he has made many friendships in this city not only with in his parish and in his own fold. but among those outside the Catholic faith and throughout the city. Here Is what the Transcript says with reference to Father Eelley's completion of 25 years in the priesthood:
 ''The two diocesan priests who ob- served the twenty-fifth anniversary of their ordination on Monday were. in many respects. neighbors- They were born. respectively. in January and Feb ruary of the same year, in the neigh boring cities of New London and Nor wich- Both made their classical stud ies in Massachusetts. and both went to Canada to study divinity. There they were both ordained at the Grand Sem mary of Montreal. December 20. 1884
 Father Thomas Kelley has the dis tinction of spending his entire curate life in one parish and under one pasto-. It Is the Following of Christ that teaches us to beware of a too great desire for changing place Disappoint- ment and Encouragement are usually the portion of those who yield too readily to feelings of discontent. The wisdom of the great ascetic seems to have appealed to the young curate. and Providence permitting. he completed many years of sacerdotal labor in the Church of the Assumption. Ansonia- From that industrial beehive he was detailed to the quiet village of New Canaan. After a rectorship of two years Father Kelley was promoted to the pastorate of New Milford, where he had his first experience of real mis- sionary life.
 Ten years ago New Milford was the Jerusalem of the hills country for many miles around. It was from that place that the good pastor went forth to preach to those who dwelt to the north and the south. to the east and the west In this exacting labor the jealous young priest made himself all things to all the faithful. In recogni- tion of his fine service in Litchfield county Father Kelley was advanced by Bishop Tierney to the pastorate of St. Peter's church. Bridgeport. Here again he found himself in the midst of teeming population. It requires abundant courage and prudent initia- tive to preside over the beginnings of modern parish. The work of organ ization and of development were taken up with good heart by the new pastor and soon St. Peters became the cen- ter whence radiated the light of the Gospel and the grace of the Christian altar.
 Father Kelley has the oratorical gift. and his persuasive eloquence has been power wherever he has labor ed. Of commanding stature. he delive s his message with authority and with an elegance which betosens long and careful training. Nor has his influ- ence been confined to the pulpit or ts the lessons incul cated within church pie. and his fellow citizens of every faith have felt his presence as a silent and salutary benediction.
 For nearly a decade the good pastor of St. Peters has. alone and without ostentation. devoted himself to the up- building of his progressive parish. During much Of this time he has been afflicted with physical ills. but his for titude has never failed. He has borne the burden of the day with great cheerfulness and without suffering his kindly spirit to become clouded. The respect and admiration of his fellow ciergymen have attended him during his years of sacerdotal labor. and 1t Is their prayer that the second quarter of a century in the vineyard may be for him a period of happiness and of fruit full priestly achievement"