Weekly Caledonian. (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1919-1920, 1919-12-31
$500 IN GIFTS
SHOWERED ON
BELOVED PRIEST
Parish Celebrates 25th Ami
versary of Service of Rev.
Fir. POntbraind

The parish of st. Elizabeth's
Roman Catholic church in Lyndon
vile enjoyed a gathering in the
church hall Monday evening, that
marks distinct epoch in the annals
of this church. The occasion was
the 25th anniversary Of the ordina-
ton of the priest of this parish, the
Rev. Charles l.. Pontbriand, who ma
circulated at the Grand Seminary in
Montreal, and was ordained to the
priesthood in that city OH Dec. %,
1894. For more than 20 years he
has been in this parish, ministering
to the needs of bis people, spiritual
and often material, serving their in
teres,- dcvotedly and unselfishly, in
such n way that he has become not
only invaluable to his own congre-
CATION, but great influence for good
in the community.
II was thought by his parishionerS
that some special mark should be talk
en- Of such an occasion, and some
time ago committee, w. Il. Riley
and Arthur Charland, representing
the younger men of the parish. took
up the matter, and it is owing large
ly to their planning and efforts that
the whole affair was carried out so
successfully. 1t was hoped at first
to make this public, as so many out
side the church are friends Of Father
Pontbriand, but it was found I'M
possible to secure Music Hall, the
only place large enough, and as the
church will accommodate about 403
people about the number Of the mem
bers of the parish. it was made
wholly church affair. OF the 400
people, about 37J were present.
The hall was very beautifully dec
GRATED by the young ladies of the
church, the Christmas colors and
symbols being used. Evergrccns,
holly, streamei's and tinsel, Christmas
trees and fireplace contributed to
the effect. A table was set apart for
the gifts, and the ccnterricce was y
small Christmas tree with unique dec
orations.
White ribbons were glued at the
ends to 90 dollar gold pieces. and
rcd ribbons to new silver half dol
lars, and the effect of these decoIa-
ions were both novel, and very
attractive. The other gifts were AZ
ranged On this table.
The visiting clergy, Father Drou-
hin Of Notrc Dame and Father D|y-
cr CT ST. AloyTius, in ST. Johnsbury,
and Father Uagan Of Barton, were
grouped at one end of the room, and
with them were Thomas Hazel, Eli
Cullier, and Joseph Aubin, represent
ing the older members of the par
ish. The visiting clergymen all
made speeches, in which they prais-
ed the good work and worth of Faith
er Pontbriand, who responded briefly,
being in a rather embarrassing posi-
ton, as taken almost wholly by SUI
prise.
A fine musical program was given
with several vocal selections by the
choir and music by an orchestra in
Guiding Mary Hebert, piano, Alphonse
Aubin and Francis Lachance, violins,
Leo Daigle, comet, c. W. Whitcomb,
drum and traps, and Fred Dolby, clar-
met.
After the program had been car
ried out in a very effective manner,
Mr.. Rosario Cusson spoke briefly,
first in French, then in English, and
presented Father Pontbriand with q
number of gifts from his friends.
The sum of over $500 had been Yais-
ed for this purpose, and from this
the committee bought a chest Of
Community silver, a dinner set Of
Nippon china, table-cloth and nap
kns of fine linen, besides a number
of personal gifts of wearing APP
parel. The rest Of the sum was giv-
en- in cash.
Father Pontbliand was greatly af-
fected by this evidence of the kindly
feeling of his people. Refreshments
of ice cream and cake were then
Mrs. John Cleary having
charge of the commissary. An in
formal reception was then held, and
all had an opportunity to meet the
clergymen and to inspect the gifts,
before leaving with their best wishes.
The occasion was one which will nev-
er be forgotten by pastor OF people.