POPULAR PRIEST FAREWELLED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 18 April 1939, Page 7

POPULAR PRIEST FAREWELLED

PRESENTATION TO FATHER .1. .1. . CULLEN. S.M. EARLY TRANSFER TO WELLINGTON ! St. Mary’s Hall was filled to capacity j i last evening when the parishioners of i | Mary’s Parish gathered to bid farewell j j to their popular parish priest. Father J. J Cullen. S.M.. who is leaving Nelson I ; to take up his duties in Wellington at i St. Mary's of the Angels. Boulcott 1 | street. Upon the platform with the guest of ; j the evening were Rev. Father Garahy l(Motueka). and Father Eagan. Mr M. | O’Sullivan (chairman). Messrs O'Sullij van (Richmond and Wakefield). J. H. ■ i Ralfe. J. Armstrong, V. Vitetta ! | community). I t All speakers in turn spoke of the good qualities possessed by the depart- » ing priest. > Mr M. O’Sullivan, on behalf of the t parishioners, presented Father Cullen I with a well-filled wallet. I Oi rising to reply Father Cullen was s greeted with musical honours and

rounds of applause. He stated that the choice of leaving Nelson had been entirely his own. as he had felt that in many respects he had ‘‘let his people down.” and pointed out how the various activities within the parish functioned without any lead from him. He thanked parishioners for their kindness and generosity. After the presentation a supper was served by the ladies’ committee, and Father Cullen took the opportunity to mix with his people and say farewell. During the evening the chairman also presented a handbag to Miss O. Miles, who for many years past has been Presbytery housekeeper, and spoke of the great work done by her. Items were rendered by Miss Moran (Highland dance), Miss B. Aydon (song), pupils of the Sacred Heart College (part songs), and pupils of St. Joseph's School, whose rendering of •'Auld Lang Syne” by their newly-form- j ed band, received favourable comment. J