St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1910-11-09
WARM WELCOME HOME.
Pensioners Gave Rev. T. ]. Leon
ard a Reception and Purse of
Gold.

The parishioners of ST. A1oysius
church gathered in Pythian hall
Monday evening to welcome home
from foreign shores and do honor
to their pastor, Rev. T. j. Leonard.
A full house greeted him and among
those present were the following
priests, Fathers. Marceau, Drouhin,
Levesque, McGeary of Windsor and
O'Donnell of Randolph. James Cos
grove acted as master of ceremonies
and F. K. Lanctot conducted the
musical part of the highly pleasing
and entertaining program.
After Father Leonard arrived and
had modestly submitted to the APP
plause the parish choir of 20 voices
with Mrs. James Cosgrove as. soloist,
sang a song of tsWelcome." A piano
duet by Misses Lena Welch and Miss
Lillian Ryan was followed by one of
the prettiest arranged numbers
ever seen. Fourteen little girls
bearing large letters spelling well
come, spoke lines appropriate to
each letter, finishing with a song
that brought the house down. In
the meantime little Miss Marie
Ram had come forward with huge
bouquet which with neat speech
she presented to her pastor in be-
half of the younger generation of
the church.
Mr.. Cosgrove then introduced
John Mcdonald, the Oldest parish
Toner, who in one of his character
istic, rugged and patriotic addresses
welcomed. the good priest back from
the glories and wonders of the old
world to his home and people under
he CT ho I'm hnh 10 IF hc
whole congregation he presented
Father Leonard with purse of gold
amid applause that left no doubt
as to the place he has found in the
hearts of his people during his few
years here.
In responding Father Leonard
very feelingly spoke his thanks and
appreciation and also treated those
assembled to a short story of his
travels, dwelling particularly on his
audience with the Pope and the
Passion Play at Oberammergau.
The visiting priests spoke in
glowing terms of Father Leonard's
work in reducing the church debt
and the help he had received from
an unselfish congregation.
1.-THE Good Old U. S. A by the
choir finished the literary part of
the program and to round out
perfect evening Caterer Caldbeck
and a competent corps of walters
served coffee and cake. Father
Leonard in company with Father
Delaney of White River Junction
and Father Shannon of Middlebury
left Montreal July 16, and landed
at Liverpool, July "a. Every place
Of interest in Europe came in for a
little attention, especially the places
sanctified by the church. They Wis
tied all the large cathedrals and
tombs of several church martyrs,
and on August 16, we're received by
the Pope. The Passion Play APP
pea1ed very strongly to the travel
ers and the beauties and historical
spots of London, Cologne, Venice,
Florence, Rome, Naples, Vesuvius,
Pompei, Paris, and numerous
places left lasting impression. Re
turning to his native home, Ireland,
Father Leonard visited Belfast,
Dublin, Killarney, and spent
month in Limerick, the place of his
birth.
During Father Leonard's absence
his work in the parish was looked
after by Rev. FIR. Lucas, an instruct
or in st. Michael's college, Winooski
and on Sunday evening the commit
tee in charge of the welcome to
Father Leonard called upon the
supplying priest at the parish house
and surprised him with a gift of a
travelling bag and umbrella.