Norwich bulletin., 1913-03-31
NORWICH TOWN
Rev. c. T.. McCsnn's Farewell to Sacred Heart Parishioners-Praises Their Piety and Fidelity While Ask ing for Their Continued Prayers Local People at Ledyard Service.

Deep emotion was manifested by the church Sunday when their rector for eleven years. Rev. c. T. McCann, bade them farewell In announcing his transfer Rev Father McCann said:
 My Dearly Beloved People:
 A sad and most painful duty de- wolves upon me this morning. l must tell you, and with reluctance, that this is the last Sunday l shall oficiate as your pastor. 1 have been called by my ecclesiastical superior to another and larger field of labor I have been appointed, as you we'll know, pastor at Manchester, Conn. Although pro- noted ard honored by this circurn- stance, still I would gladly forego these Eonors could 1 remain longer with you. But Providence has ordained otherwise.
 The priest must be ready to go where duty and obedience call him. He is a man of sacrifice; his whole life is entwined with abnegations of self for the greater good and comfort be his only care. no matter where they may be found, whether on the bleak and barren hillsides or in the valleys smiling with plenty and rich hess. The place is of little moment to him who is imbued with the fervor of his calling. When called to give an account of his stewardship the locality will be unobserved, but the number of
  searchingly scrutinized.
 I do not pretend that I am the re- fection of all that these words DOT tray; if I am not. should be, and my only prayer is that God in His love and mercy will not take cognizance of my shortc omings. but will elevate me to that higher plane of saeerdotal holiness which is so becoming in His ministers. To ascend thither. feel the need of other supports in addition to my own I feel that l may presume on your assistance, on your prayers. II they are bestowed with piety and sincerity my success will be assured and God will look with complacency upon all my actions.
 As I review the past, since my ad- vent amongst you eleven years ago, consciousness of duty well performed comes over me Mistakes there may have been. Who is so perfect as to be entirely guiltless of human frail- ties? We all have our faults, but how depths of our nature necessarily flow the waters of forgiveness, obliterating in their course the imperfections of the momenti
 more palpable than at the hour of separation when the ties that bound us together are to be rent in twain, when the hearts that were wont to beat in unison are to be ruthleSsly torn asnnder. Then is it that all our inn perfections are forgotten and only our good qualities appear,
 As regards you, collectively and in dividually, you possess those rare qualities that endear a people to priest-piety, the most profound. sin cere charity, obedience and unself1sh generosity. If there is one thing above another that deepens the gloom of my departure it is the severing of the ties between the children and myself, which, go where I may, can scarcely be so fully mine again How sad then to think that as I stand here looking upon you and you upon me it may be the last time that such an op- portunity may be vouchsafed us.
 Melancholy the thought, sad the spectacle. The heart would fain turn from it, but in vain. The inevitable must be faced, the farewell must be spoken. There is nothing stable here below, says the sage.
 Truer words were never spoken. The dawn of each day brings its changes surprises and disappoint- nients. Although in measure antici- pated, still they often come upon us with suddenness that is alarming.
 Let us then be mindful of this. an chor not our hopes in the sea of life's changes, and disap ppointments, but rather in the serene ocean of Gods unchanging love. There we shall meet to part no more; there our barks, though tempest tossed here shall at last arrive in security in that beautf- ful haven of eternal rest. I bid you then. my beloved people, a final, a sor- rowful, but an afsectionate farewell.