FAREWELL to REV. FATHER BOWDEN, S.M.,M.A. LEESTON

New Zealand Tablet, 8 February 1917, Page 15

FAREWELL to REV. FATHER BOWDEN, S.M.,M.A. LEESTON

r fif Eloquent testimony as to the high regard in which ■ the Rev. Father Bowden is- held in the Leeston Catholic parish was afforded by the large and representative : gathering of parishioners which assembled in the parish hall oh last Thursday evening to bid him good-bye on the eve of his departure from the district (states the Lyttelton Times), Father Bowden having been obliged to'resign his position as priest in charge of the parish of Leeston owing to. ill-health. All parts of the district were represented, and ; it- J was evident that the people were -genuinely sorry to have to bid farewell to a priest who had won his way into the hearts of all, Mr. A. T. Robertson presided, and the Rev. Father Hoare, S.M., Father Bowden’s «successor, was also present. . A v musical programme was submitted, tiding songs by the senior Convent pupils, pianoforte solos by Misses Nellie Holley and J. McMahon, a duet by Misses Josephine Holley and P. Smith, and songs by Miss Smaill and Mr. T. Delaney. Father Hoare entertained the audience with some sleight of hand tricks.s ji-'t £ .' ' *?W JK j’- fp*- ' * ... I ,j.. r’’ • f \ i At the’ conclusion of the entertainment several eulogistic speeches were made. . % • The chairman said.that no words of his could,convey to Father Bowden the sense of regret felt by the people at his departure from the district. Father Bowden had endeared himself to all and ho would long be .remembered* for his ministrations amongst the sick and distressed and for his sympathy and practical help. The speaker 'sincerely rpetted that ill-health , had caused their beloved guest to give up his work ,in the Canterbury : diocese, and - earnestly trusted that the change would result in an improvement in health and that Father Bowden would be spared for many years to continue his priestly duties. ' , - Mr. A Twiss voiced the regrets of the Southbridge congregation at Father Bowden’s impending departure. He had always looked upon the departing priest as a dear friend: '' Before Father“ Bowden’s arrival in the district, the speaker had been , told that the new priest was one of the best they could find in New Zealand; in fact, one of the best educated, men in the priesthoodThey had since found that this statement was no exaggeration. I He sincerely trusted that Father Bowden would soon enjoy,' better health. Mr. Twiss extended a cordial welcome to Father Hoare, the , new parish priest. Father Bowden was received with prolonged applause on rising to reply, v He said "it had been a surprise to him to find that they had made such preparations to bid farewell to him, seeing that he had been tarewelled on a previous occasion from the Leeston parish. - He thanked them all very much. It was with sincere regret that he had handed in his resignation owing to ill-health, but he felt that he should do so in justice to his people as well as to himself. They were getting an excellent priest in Father Hoare, who would show greater activity than he , had been able ,to do. They had all heard about the splendid work lather Hoare had done in St. Mary’s parish in Christchurch. In conclusion. Father Bowden said he intended to spend the winter in-the warmer v climate of the North Island. tl^„ Father, Hoare also made a . speech, in the course of which he said that the warm , reception he had received from the people of the Leeston parish" had made him forget that he was practically, a stranger amongst them. They might well be sorry to lose Father Bow'who was one of the most pious and learned priests they had. Father Bowden had taught him at’college, and they had always been the best, of .friends. The presence of such a large number of people that evening L was sufficient to' show their love '' and v fidelity towards their late priest and what they would do for his successor.. Jh??. Supper was served by the ladies in a large marquee, and a pleasant hour or so was spent in social amuse? mmtSi : " . ■