Norwich bulletin., 1910-10-21
AUTOMOBILE PRESENTED
REV. WILLIAM A. KEEFE.
Vestry Of St. Mary's Church Crowded
as Rev. j. J. Smith Makes Presenta-
ton.

Rarely, if ever, has a priest or lay
| man in this city been rendered such a
reception as that given to the Rev.
William A. Keefe. now pastor of ST.
| Thomas church Voluntown, when he
was. called here Thursday evening and
presented with q handsome, five seated
Buick touring car by the parishioners
CT st. Marys church, among whom he
has labored SO zeaiously for the past
three years. In the vestry of ST.
Mary's church. where the presentation
was formally made, there was hardly
standing room left at o'clock, the
| hour set for the opening number on
the evenings programme. The even
ing's affair was in charge of Rev.
James j. Smith. 1t was made enjoy
able to all by informal talks by Father
Smith, Father Keefe and members and
friends of st. Mary's church, and by
musical selections from the choir.
A hearty welcome was extended to
the large number present by Father
Smith. who rejoiced to see that so
many had come to bid their good friend
godspeed
A greeting song was rendered in a
pleasing manner by the church choir,
after which Miss, N J. Buckley sang
Our Hearts Are as True as the Sky,
and called forth hearty applause for
her splendid effort.
Father Smith then told of his great
pleasure in meeting the members of
his parish in those rooms. where SO
many pleasant scenes had been enact
ed during the thirteen years of his
ministry among them He referred to
his early experiences in this place, of
the kind words that were spoken of his
predecessors and of the fine attitude
of the people towards the priests.
When Rt. Rev. Bishop Milan saw
c~her parish all We're filled with sad
ness, for everyone regretted his going
away. But a bright idea came to them.
the speaker continued and when rep
resentatives of three of the societies
of the parish met with him one evening
it was decided to shorten, if possible,
the distance that separated them from
their former curate. The people all re-
sponded readily to the call made upon
them and everywhere the members of
the conlrnittee in charge were received
most kindly.
Turning to Father Keefe, Father
Smith welcomed him in behalf of ST.
Mary's church and told him he was
always welcome among his former
friends because of the fine life he had
led and good works he had wrought
while among them.
The automobile was then presented
by Father Smith, who expressed the
hope that the new pastor at Volun-
town would use it for a long while
and to good purpose.
Rev William A Keefe was applauded
vigorously as he stood up to reply He
declared it was unnecessary to voice
! his apprecia ton of the gift, as all knew
full well what his feelings were He
realized what the giving of this costly
present had meant to every one of the
contributors, but said that. as a token
of. their esteem for him, it would al
ways be a source of inspiration as he
went about his new charge
The pleasant experiences in this
place, the lasting friendships that had
: been formed, and the pain he expert
enced at the thought of parting We're
all called to mind. and especial refer
ence was made to the happy relation
ship that had existed between himself
and Father Smith In conclusion he
extended to all his hearty thanks.
Several We're called upon at this
van, Joseph A. Donnelly, Frank ].
Murtha, DR.. Edward J. Brophy. Louis
| Brunette and John J. Cookery respond
ed. and afforded entertainment and
pleasure to all by their pleasing re-
marks. Every one of the speakers told
of their high regard for Father Keefe,
of the fine works and influence he
wrought among them ell and in con-
c1usion extended to him their best
wishes for his future success.
John J. Corkery was the last of these
speakers, and the concluding lines of
his address. which were directed to
Father Keefe, were:
Bright be the life before you,
Friend of our happy days;
May none know you but to love you
None name you but to praise.
After the meeting had been adjourn
cd, the entire party gathered in front
of the church and gave three rousing
cheers for the new pastor at Volun-
town as he was borne away in his new
AUTOMOBILES.