The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-08-21

Even standing room was at a premium at St MichaeIs parish hall last night, as more than four hundred members of that parish gathered to tender a farewell re- ception to Rev William J. O'Shea, who has been transferred to the pastorate of St Margarets church after serving as pastor of the Wa terville church for more than eight years. This imposing gathering Of former parishioners indicated most effectively the high esteem in which Father O'Shea is held by the peo- pie of St MichaeIs who had come to love him during his services as pastor.
 James T. Calvin, chairman of the executive and entertainment committees, served as master of ceremonies and introduced with sparkling wit the various members of a well-balanced program of en- tertainment drawn with a single exception, whereby from the ranks of talent within the parish. Alder man c. Arthur Dubois presented a purse of money-the gift of the members of the parish to Father O'Shea, as small tangible token of the regard with which the below ed priest is held in Waterville.
 The members of the Ladies' Aid Society and the Young Ladies' So- dality of the Children of Mary had decorated the stage most effective ly with drapes of purple and white and quantities of vari-colored gladioli, while the men of the Holy Name society had put the rest of the hall in order.
 Ronald Bensons Cliff Club or chestra played a delightful pro- gram of numbers while the group was assembling. MT Calvin then presented the new pastor, Rev Michael Heating, who welcomed those present and paid a pretty tribute to his predecessor.
 The entertainment program which followed opened with a group of popular songs by Wee Jackie" Seery who was accom- panied by Raymond Grenier on his guitar. Ruth Martin then went through the steps of fine dance routine. She was followed by Ron- aid Burns, whow as in excellent voice as he sang "One Alone" The toe dance of Betty Seeback was creditably done. Evelyn Seery, who came next on the program render ed a group of soprano solos. A trumpet solo, Kathleen Mavour- neen" played by Ronald Benson, received a flood of well-deserved applause. George Hughes then kept the audience amused with group of anecdotes and humorous stories, delivered in his inimitable style. Mae Clark then appeared in the excellent dance number and was followed by Miss Olive Ahrens, so- prano soloist of St Michaels choir, who sang West of the Great Divide" The Waterbury Hill Billies Steve Ferucci, Michael Daunico and Dom Peter. closed the enter. tainment program with several of the numbers which have made them popular over radio station WATR. MT Ferucci's comedy keeping the audience in an uproar. They were forced to respond tC several encores.
 Chairman Calvin then called to stage the trustees of the church John M. Lynch and Daniel Ryan, president of various parish soci- cities; Mrs Joseph Seery, of the Ladies' Aid Society; Miss Margaret Lapman of the Children of Mary, and Thomas Doyle of the Holy Name society; Father Heating, Rev Francis O'Shea, administrator ot the Church of the Immaculate Con- ception, a brother of the guest ot honor, and Father William O'Shea. The presentation of the gift took place. the speaker first extending a welcome to the new pastor and referring to the qualities which have endea.ed Father O'Shea to his former parishioners. Father O'Shea, deeply moved by the ges- ture of his former flock, responded with d brief statement of his ap. preciation and asked Gods blessing