The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1919-11-19
Presentation Was Made at
Close of Celebration of 25
Years in Barre Church
LARGE ASSEMBLAGE
PAID HIM HONOR
Rev. Eugene Cray Was One
of the Principal
Speakers

| Mchenna over st. Monica church IN
Barre. which was started yesterday
morning by the celebration of pontifcal
high mass by Bishop j. j. Rice of the
Burlington diocese, was concluded last
night with a reception at Rowland hall,
at which 600 friends and admirers of
the honored priest assembled to con
gratulate him and wish him well. Not
only did they come with their words,
but they presented him purse of
So 800 as token OF their love and
appreciation.
The assemblage in the hall included
many people and priests from other
parts of Vermont, and a part of the
generous purse was sent from former
parishioners of Fr Mckenna at Nor
wich, Conn, where he was located rs
eurate for the four years just prior to
his arrival in Barre.
The evenings program, consisting of
musical selections and speaking, had
been prepared to harmonic with the
wishes OF the honored guest. Shortly
after s O'Clock, when nearly every seat
had been taken, group of l3 priests,
led BY Rev r. NJ. Mckenna, marched
to their seats in the front part of the
| hall At either side OF the guest of hon
or walked former curate of Barre,
Rev Eugene Cray of Brandon and Rev.
j. +. Lacouture of Burlington, who
were the companions of Rev Fr Nc
kenna in the tribunal arch Forming a
semi-circle and near the orchestra sat
Rev Arthur Nolin of Rutland, Rev.
Charles Howard OF Woodstock, Rev.
Patrick Long Of Montpelier, Rev. Fran
els Welch Of Orwell, Rev. Thomas Lid
dey Of Burlington, Rev. Charles Regan
of Hardwick, Rev. Thomas Mcmahon of
| Fairfield Rev. Bernard Mcmahon of
Pittsford, Rev. G. 4. LEVER of Ran.
dolph, Rev John Kennedy of Ludlow,
and Rev. d. II. Leonard of Middlebury.
A male quartet consisting of James
Bennett, Charles Premier, John "Cud-
| die" Duncan, and John Nelson opened
the program with very favorable hu
morous songs. Accompanying them
al the piano was Miss Ruth Nelson.
The first number of the evening
called from the audience Attorney S.
1 Hollister Jackson to say a few words
in regard to the occasion. He related
how his friendship dated back to his
boyhood days, when lie made his first
appearance in Barre with his father,
who was a minister of the Protestant
faith. Mr.. Jackson, at his fathers sug
gestion. made the acquaintance OF Rev.
Fr. McKenna and from that day until
this has been an intimate friend of his.
Mrs. Charles Smith sang two fine So
prauo solos, accompanied by pianist
Miss Ruth Nelson, and Arthur Splitter,
violinist. of Carrolfs orchestra
Rev Patrick Long OF Montpelier was
called upon to say few words in con
nection with the affair, and responded
in the most humorous speech OF the
evening. Charles Premier, for many
years faithful member of St Mon
ieas choir, sang and was applauded
until he returned with the second
number
Rev Fr Lacouture, who excused him
self from a very lengthy address on the
ground that he was no master of the
English language, expressed his senti-
ment towards his fellow clergyman.
Dr. NJ A. Meagher next appeared for
two vocal selections.
| Meanwhile Chairman Kelly was cast
| ing his glances about the hail in search
OF William Barclay, an old friend of
the honored guest, but it seems that
Mr.. Barclay was called away on anoth-
er engagement. Douglas Barclay, who
also has for many years been an ae-
quaintance of Father Mckenna, was
called on. He, too, could express only
profound admiration for the clergyman.
| He remarked that he had sought his
counsel at various times and at every
time was highly profted by his advice.
Alderman Michael O'Keefe, one of the
pioneer builders and supporters of st,
Monica's parish, responded to Chairman
kelly's request for few words. James
Benefits tenor solos gained the ad
miration of the audience Just before
the spokesman Of the evening started
to deliver a speech that expressed the
mind and heart of every person of the
parish This was made by Rev. Fr.
Cray, formerly curate under Rev,
Fr. McKena.
Rev. Fr. Cray's Words.
Rev. n. Cray's words were in part
"We are here tonight to greet Father
McKenna, with gladness that is deep
and with gratitude that is supreme in
our hearts We gather around him to
give public expression to that esteem
and respect that we have so long enter
tanned for him. To me, as a former
curate, has befallen the privilege and
great honor to be your spokesman. My
commission tonight is to express TO
him your gratitude, your appreciation,
your affection and your loyal support
in recognition for work well done for
five and twenty years
Though the task is a pleasant one,
/ though it is pleasure, yet to me, who
knows so well in jubilarian it is a diff
| fcult one, for ], perhaps, more than
any of YOU, know his natural modesty,
know his dislike for anything that
would SAVIOR of commendation or com
lpliment. But tonight we must give
him recognition; we must say few
words of this appreciation.
"For twenty-five years, Father Me
/ <enna has done much for the welfare
of this fair city of Barre, in instilling
/ into the people the great principles of
morality and righteous living, in teach
ing them to obey law and order. His
motto, like the motto of every priest, is
For God and Country He has spent