VICAR INDUCTED

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 53, Issue 3842, 4 December 1936, Page 6

VICAR INDUCTED

REV. MARTIN SULLIVAN. AN IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY. The parish of Te Awamutu has had many changes in administration in its long history. Some vicars have stayed in the parish for periods extending well towards a decade, and others have not stayed as many months. The last vicar, Rev. S. R. Wareing, had charge of the parish for over six years, and now comes his successor, Rev. Martin Gloucester Sullivan, a young man who, it was stated at the welcome social in the Parish Hall on Wednesday evening, it was hoped would stay ten years. The induction of Mr Sullivan took place at a special service in the historic St. John’s Church in the presence of a large and representative congregation. Officiating was Archdeacon G. H. Gavin, vicar-general of the diocese of Waikato, who had come from New Plymouth especially for the purpose. Other clergy assisting were the Ven. Archdeacon Gillespie, of Morrinsville; Rev. G. Chandler, vicar of Cambridge; Rev. R. Coldham-Fus-sell, vicar of Kawhia; and Rev. A. H. Bott, curate of St. Peter’s Cathedral, Hamilton. Impressive and appropriate addresses were delivered, and the congregation made its responses and sang selected hymns, and Mr Sullivan was duly inducted into the charge of this important parish. Then an adjournment was made to the Parish Hall for a social hour, and Mr J. T. North, people’s warden, presided. The vicar’s warden, Mr A. H. Swarbrick, extended the congregation’s heartiest welcome to Mr and Mrs Sullivan, and assured them of real goodwill. The parish of Te Awamutu was a very large one, and the vicar had undertaken a considerable responsibility. It was, however, a parish that, he was certain, would not daunt Mr Sullivan, a young New Zealander who was sure to win the respect and cooperation of every parishioner. Mr Swarbrick added that there should really be at least two curates to assist the vicar in his ministrations, and he was confident that if all would help financially and spiritually there would soon be appointments. To Mrs Sullivan the speaker also accorded the heartiest of welcomes, his remarks being warmly applauded. Mr Sullivan, acknowledging the welcome, said it was very encouraging. He was not frightened of hard work—he said that with all simplicity and humility—and felt sure he knew the large responsibilities he was shouldering. However, he hoped to win the active and loyal co-operation of the people, and that would lighten his task. On behalf of Mrs Sullivan and himself he again thanked the parishioners for the very encouraging reception. Then the vicar and Mrs Sullivan were afforded opportunity for meeting all present informally, and a tasty supper was served.