The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-05-05
Supreme K. Of C.
 Officers Also
 Eulogize Prelate
Monsignor John ]. McGivney Guest of Honor at Bridgeport Testimonial - Dr. M.J. Lawlor and Judge Finn of This City Among Guests Last Evening

tributes from Governor Wilbur l.. Cross, supreme officers of the T Knights of Columbus, Mayor E. T. Buckingham and other prominent officials featured the testimonial to Tt Rev Monsignor John J. Me- Csivney. at the Stratfield Hotel In Bridgeport last evening to signal- ize his recent elevation by His Holiness Pope Pius.
 Among the guests at the speak ers table were Dr Michael J. Law Tor and Judge Edward J. Finn of Waterbury.
 The Bridgeport Telegram in re-. porting the event which excited statewide interest, commented Tn part as follows: affection in which he Is held letters an dteIegrams from distinguished alaymen and >cIergymen in all parts of the country were read and eulo- gies were delivered for his lifelong services in the parishes where he has labored. Responding to the 'tri- butes, Monsignor McGivney ex- pressed .his gratitude but said he felt his success was attributable as much to the faithfulness of his par .ishioners and the steadfast 'deyeo- ltion of his friends as to any merit he himself might have. ...,
 Prominent Speakers Hcard
 Y Distinguished speakers represent ing the church and men profpinent in official life sat on the dais with Monsignor McGivney to do him honor. The speakers were: Cover. nor Wilbur l.. Cross, Mayor. E. T. Buckingham, !. Gerald .lsPhelan, grand knight of Park City Coun- ell, Knights of Columbus: Coroner John J. Phelan, one of the early supreme knights of the order; John F. Kennedy, associate editor of Col Hers and historian of the order; Mrs John Lavey state regent, and, Judge John E. Swift, supreme dr. rector of the order. tS
 2! The dinner was under the au- spices of Park City Council, No l6, K, of C. and Court Reina Christina, No 51, Catholic Daughters of Amer ica. iA. N
 Never in his experience said Governor Cr0ss, had he had more pleasure in paying tribute to pre- latN thar, in the case of Monsignor McGlvney. q. knew him intimately in New Haven.' continued the gov-,. crnor. T knew him when he was u parish priest struggling to build 4 n church. was associated With him on the public library commit tee whose. duty 1t was to select books We used to sit on opposite sides ofSthe table apdI was always impressed with his keen common sense and outspokenness.
 II remember once in his parish It was necessary for him to repEi- mend q boy for q minor offense. It was the most sensible talk ever heard given to boy and l said to myself, There Is 6 parish priest In line with the finest traditions of the church to which he belongs" ~ Governor Cross in quoting lines from Chaucer which he said were applicable to Monsignor McGivney, recalled q story. 1T am fond Of Chaucer," he said, "and in my in- augural address I quoted these same lines from him. One, of the legislators present asked compan- ion Who Is thls man Chaucer" The companion replied. I don't know exactly, but think he is one of them priests at Wethersfield. But to get back to Monslgnor Nc. Givney. We are all proud that His Holiness the Pope saw fit to ele- vate him to his new eminence. The only sadness have in regard to| our honored guest is that he left New Haven to come to Bridgeport,
 Coroner phclan's Tribute
 Coroner Pheian said he had known the McGivney family since 1855. He said 1t was q distinction for family to have three brothers in 1t who were priests. and that two of them should be elevated to the rank of monsignor, one of them to be the founder of the Knights of Columbus.
 The coroner recalled that 1t was In 1885 Father McGivney founded the order and after his death Fa- Sther Patrick J. Mc(iivney was later to become U monsignor and dis tinguished worker in the order.
 "The McGivney family Is to be complimented as being an .extra- ordinary family" said CorQnr Phe- Ian. "The present Monsignor Me- Givney in upbuilding St Charles church and St Charles hall has giv- en Connecticut one of the finest pieces of church property In the state"
 Mayor BuckingIlam's Remarks
 Mayor Buckingham said:
 Bridgeport is fortunate that 1t has in It's midst such man as Monsignor McGivney. We are proud 10 call him our citizen. It is a tri- bute to the great order that his brother Michael founded that he should receive q distinguished fa- vor from the Pope. As mayor of the cit, pay my respects to him ]