Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1913-11-14
PASTOR TRANSFERRED.
Rev. j. D. Shannon Goes TO Bel
lows Falls.

Shannon, made the announcement of
his transfer, by the Rt. Rev. Bishop
j. ]. Rice, to the church of ST. Charles
Borromeo, at Bellows Falls, the change
to take effect at once. The announce
ment came as a distinct shock, not only
munity at large. to whom Father Shan
non has become endeared and respected
to an exceptional degree during his
fourteen years of labor here.
The change of pastors in the diocese
of Burlington was made necessary by
the retirement of the Rev. FIR. Rey-
nolds, rector of the church at Bellows
Falls, whose 33 years of labor had
caused his breakdown. The Rev.
Thomas j. Leonard of st. Johnsbury
came here this week to assume the
charge made vacant by the removal of
Father Shannon. The pastorate of st.
Charles church of Bellows Falls is in
way larger position, promotion, as
it were, for Father Shannon, a position
where he will achieve even larger re-
suits than here, having more to work
with, as Bellows Falls parish is numeri-
cally larger, and has, beside the church,
a parochial school and a convent, for
which new building operations have
been planned for which particular
work he is peculiarly well adapted.
AS the retiring pastor would depart
for his new field on Tuesday morning,
rapid work was done by the parishioners
in the meantime, and farewell recep-
tion was planned, which was held at the
town hall on Monday evening, at which
time the hall and gallery were crowded,
all gathered to say last word and take
farewell of Father Shannon. This
assemblage comprised not only the
parishioners, but townspeople generally,
and others, vino came as far as from
Burlington and Bennington for the
occasion.
AS chairman of the gathering, DR.. P.
l.. Dorey called to places on the stage
Judge j. E. Weeks, Dr. E. H. Martin,
Prin. A. S. Hartman, Prof. A. w.
Eddy and |. H. LaFleur, esq. An eX
cellent orchestra had been provided for
the occasion, and on the arrival of the
pastor he at once made the rounds of
the entire structure, bidding farewell
to each individual present, from the
oldest to the Youngest, amid manifesto
tions of sincere grief at his departure
The occasion was an edifying one,
and not soon to be forgotten. Though
unexpectedly called upon for remarks,
the gentlemen upon the stage paid
splendid tribute to the character, the
ability and the goodness of the man,
the faithful and jealous public servant, !
and the loving and sacrificing pastor of |
his church. Each speaker has served |
in some special capacity with Father
Shannon, and each eulogized the worth |
and sincerity of his labors, in whatever |
sphere of activity he wa] placed, char
acterizing as unique his ability, his |
activity and spirit of sacrifice. A sub
stantial purse was presented by DR..
Dorey as token of appreciation from
the parishioners.
In the most feeling response made by
Father Shannon he stated thathe haddo
extraordinary, had only done !
his simple duty as priest. He paid
tribute to the energy, good will and
generosity of not only his parishioners
but the good citizens of other churches,
who had from the first been his cham
pions and assistants in every work. He |
said that the town and vicinity was i'm
proving steadily, and to go on and up,
not being discouraged, doing everything
for the cause of righteousness; to live
for God, to do nothing for mere praise,
and to be apostles of temperance in all
things. His plea was for the activity
in the community of the God fearing
man, who would work for the common
good, and his simple address. with the
background of his life and example
bore an uncommon weight with his
hearers.
During the evening, the announce
ment was made by DR.. Dorey that the
removal of the household of Father
Shannon would make another vacancy
in the good work of the parish, and that
in recognition of the good and faithful
work of Miss Mary Flynn as organist
and choir leader in the parish, the choir
If the church had a remembrance to
present to her, which was a fine silver
toilet set and $40 in gold.
1t was long after ten clock when the
assemblage dispersed. On Tuesday
morning another informal gathering
was at the railroad station to take
last farewell, a large crowd being there,
the leave-takings continuing till the
departure of the train. The events of
the two days served but to emphasize
the fact that such a man and pastor as
Father Shannon, in doing his ordinary
duties in an extraordinary way stores
up fund of love and respect far in ex-
cess of his own realization; and it is at
such times that the faithful pastor