POPULAR VICAR

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 66, Issue 5602, 7 April 1943, Page 2

POPULAR VICAR

REV. M. G. SULLIVAN FAREWELLED HIGH TRIBUTES PAID The function arranged for the purpose of farewelling the Rev. M. G. Sullivan, who is going overseas as a chaplain to the Forces, was held on Monday night in the Parish Hall, and there was a very large attendance. Mr M. H. Williams, people’s warden, acted as chairman. All the speakers referred to the high esteem with which Mi- and Mrs Sullivan are regarded in the parish. Mr J. G. Wynyard, vestry secretary for the past twenty years, said they had learnt to esteem Mr Sullivan as a vicar and as a man. In obedience to the call of dutv he was now leaving the parish to serve overseas, and he knew how much his help would mean to the men there, who were offering their lives in the fight against paganism. They were all sorry to lose the vicar’s services, but they were proud he was e-oing, and would look forward to the time when he would be welcomed home.

In endorsing Mr Wynyard’s remarks, the treasurer,, Mr H. C. Date, said the parish would be kept open for Mr Sullivan; and he assured him of a hearty welcome back. Mr Date paid a tribute to the splendid work done by Mrs Sullivan for the parish. Mr H. A. Swarbrick. vicar’s warden, said that although they would miss Mr Sullivan’s ministrations in the parish they would not begrudge the men overseas his spiritual help. It would be a rich and deep experience for him, for he would find that on the battlefield, when men became - aware of the realities of life and death, there was no room for atheism. Mr Swarbrick predicted a great future in the Church for their vicar, and assured him of a warm welcome home. Mr S. A. Empson said he had been a vestryman for the past thirty years, off and on, and had often given the vicar good advice. During Mr Sullivan’s ministry much progress had been made in the parish, and they had had a very happy time. He wished the guest of the evening the best of luck and a safe return to Te Awamutu. VICAR IN REPLY In the course of a fine address Mr Sullivan reviewed the work of the parish since his appointment as vicar, and thanked all who had helped him in the work of the Church, making

special mention of Messrs Wynyard and Swarbrick, upon whose wise counsel and judgmnnt he had relied. He left happy in the knowledge that the affairs of the parish would be well guarded, and he wished it to be known that it was his intention to return to Te Awamutu. He had no other ambition. ..

At the conclusion of his address Mr Sullivan was accorded a hearty round of applause, and many took advantage of the opportunity to shake hands with him and personally wish him well.