The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1913-10-29
Home Coming Reception Is
Given to st. Monica's Pas
tor, Absent Nearly Year
ROWLAND HALL
FILLED WITH PEOPLE
His Parishioners Presented
Him Purse of Gold to
Show Appreciation

Apparently stronger, more robust and
thoroughly restored to health did Rev
FIR. P. NJ. McKenna, pastor of st. Mon
ica's church, appear in the Rowland hall
last evening at Homecoming reception
rendered him by the adherents of his
parish on his return from a years ab-
sence spent in the Bermuda Islands and
at his former home in Ireland. About
500 people Of all religious denominations
were present To extend their hearty con
gratulations and to give evidence OF their
pleasure at his return to Barre. As a
mark of the esteem of his parishioners,
Rev. Fr. .McKenna was presented a good
sized purse of gold.
The guest OF honor was escorted from
the parish house on Summer street to
the hall by delega tion OF parshioners,
and when James T. Marion escorted
him to the platform at the front ot the
hall there was prolonged applause y.
NJ. Miles presided over the exercises in
conjunction with the reception.
Among those seated about the plat
form We're: Rev. w. ]. NJ Beattie, rector
of the Church of the Good Shepherds
Rev. A. G. Griffin. who has had charge
of st. Monica's church during the ab-
sence of Rev. Fr. McKenna; C. H. White,
principal of Spaulding high school; Rev
f. +. Newell, pastor OF the Hedding
Methodist church; Rev. Eugene Cray OF
Albany; Rev. p. NJ. MeKenna; Rev. Dun
can Salmond, pastor OF the Presbyterian
church; Rev. J. b. Reardon, pastor OF
the Universalst church; +. NJ Roscoe
superintendent OF the public schools of
Barre, and Peter Desautels.
Preparatory to the opening OF the exr
ercises several selections were played by
the Bruce orchestra under the directions
of Edwin Bruce. Their selections werv
received with appreciation and eneores
were called for. ID. NJ. Miles extended
the address of welcome, expressing the
fluctuations OF the parishioners of ST..
Monica's church upon the return of their
pastor.
At this juncture of the evenings pro-
gram, Peter Desautels made the pres
entation of a purse of gold to Rev. FIR
Mckenna. Mr. Desautels, speaking in
behalf OF the parshioners OF st. Mon
ica's church, extended his congratula
tions and appreciation of Rev. McKen
mas Homecoming He was glad TO not,.
the healthfu glow of his pastors com
pIexion and trusted that his outward
appearance reflected his true health and
he hoped that God would continue to be-
stow health on him in order that he
might long administer Gods blessing to
his parishioners.
Fr. McKenna's Talk.
When Rev. Fr McKenna rose to re-
spond he received great ovation. He
spoke in part as follows: Ladies and
gentlemen, 1t is not fair to call on me
in this manner, as | have been taken
unawares of this reception and am not
prepared to respond with a speech. |
nm out of the habit of public speaking
through ten months cessation of speak
ing. Neither am | in the mood for
speaking. But there always is time
when man can respond to such an oc-
.asion, whether or not gifted with elo
luence and this is such an occasion, for
feel it necessary to express my graft
.ude to the parishioners of st. Monica's
parish. whose esteem for me has always
,een gratifying. When | left st. Mon
cas- church over ten months ago / said
would not return unless my health was
estored and would not return unless |
ould administer to my people under
he necessary requirements.
During my absence the parish has
'een adequately ministered to by Rev.
\. c. Griffin. who is considered a very
ctive pastor instead of acting pastor
s referred to. now feel in good health
nd able to resume the pastorate.
"in my 10 years in charge of st. Mon
cas- church as pastor, ! have always
een treated admirably well by the par
shioners and have always received their
| can find no words adc-
uately to express my feeling towards
hem. And this feeling of good friend
hip has not been confined to the par
but has extended among the
eople of Barre. There has always
this feeling of friendship,
ngardless OF denomination. | feel safe
4 saving that in no city in Vermont
+ in this country, nor even in European
,nds is there a city where there is
,ss bigotry and i'll feeling among the
arious religious denominations than in
ARE. ! have always found the people
-illing to meet me halfway to discuss
nd promote the social works for the
etterment and uplift of the city.
ave always found this spirit noticeable
mong the pastors of all churches and
ne citizens, and nothing but the best of
'eling has existed during my residence
f 10 years in the city. / thank YOU
i very heartily for coming here and APP
reciate your esteem for me.
81 now feel able to resume the work
St. Monica's church. About a month
iter leaving Barre ] very nearly APP
reached my end and my life was in
opardy. For the third time ] have
survived by the aid OF
royidence and will take hold of my
ork with former yigor. thank YOU
ich and everyone of you for this re-
ption."
Fluctuations Extended.
At the close of his speech. Rev. Me-
emma was presented a massive bouqueC
asters by little Louis Solari.
Rev w. j. NJ. Beattie, rector of the