MASS OF THANKSGIVING

and

FAREWELL DINNER

It was with a mixture of emotions that four concelebrants joined Parish Priest, Fr Paul Hart, and nearly two hundred St Mary’s parishioners gathered for 5.30pm Mass at St Mary’s on Friday 27th January 2017. They were celebrating and congratulating Fr Paul Hart on his 46 years as a member of the Diocese of Wagga Wagga NSW, and 20 years as Parish Priest of Corowa – happy and obvious reasons for a joy-filled Mass that featured real music (rather than ‘canned’) provided by Judy McNamara and Dylan Forge on guitars.

The concelebrants were from neighbouring parishes: Fr Brian Carey of Rutherglen, Fr Martin Cruickshank of Finley, Fr Joel Wallace of Albury, and retired neighbour and regular supply to St Mary’s Fr Vin Walsh from Chiltern.

But it was also a Mass that marked the retirement of Father Paul from St Mary’s – a reason why emotions at the opposite end of the joy scale were also present. Nevertheless, the thoughtful choice of Scripture Readings on the priesthood and hymns that captured the complexity of the occasion, ensured a prayerful and meaningful Mass.

All attendees of the Mass received the Mass booklet produced for the occasion as well as a special bookmark featuring a prayer for Fr Paul’s health and well-being, and his future contact details.

The Farewell Committee of Peter and Bernadette Ridge, and Brian and Cathy O’Shea, successfully included participants at different points of the Mass  who clearly represented different organisations within the parish – an element that emphasised the total parish community, and the personal dimension of Fr Paul’s family members bringing forward the Offertory Gifts.

Sincere thanks are due to Fr Paul’s brother-in-law, John Egan, for the outstanding photos of both the Mass and the Dinner. You can enjoy many of them here.

The Dinner was held in the Federation Room at the RSL Club and was enjoyed by all – a dinner that can only have done the Club proud, highlighted by a delicious generous meal, and a very courteous, efficient staff.

Naturally, with Arthur Campbell confidently at the helm as em-cee, very fine  speeches were delivered – all noting the many ways in which Fr Paul has served both the parish and the wider Corowa community.

The speakers were Rev Rex Everett, Rector of St John’s Anglican Church, Mrs Mary Milthorpe parishioner and teacher at St Mary’s School for more than twenty years, Mr Bernard Hart – Fr Paul’s brother, and Mr Peter Carroll who represented the Coreen Catholic Community and made a presentation of a framed photo of Coreen St Pius X church.

Fr Paul then responded, beginning with the quip that he felt so puzzled by the many compliments that he was wondering if he was ‘in the right place’. He said his years at Corowa had been very full and happy

Mary Milthorpe’s script is available here.

Entrance Procession

Entrance Procession

A word of Welcome – Mr Peter Ridge

 Symbols of Priesthood presented: The Stole – Mr Paul Schnelle

Bible and Priest’s Breviary – Mr Bruce Ash

Chalice for the Precious Blood of Christ – Mr John O’Donoghue

Bread – symbol of the Eucharist and Body of Christ – Mrs Faye Brooks

Grapes – symbol of wine to become the Blood of Christ

First Reading of the Mass – Emma Christy

2nd Reading of the Mass – Mrs Annette Norman

Fr Paul reads the Gospel

Prayers of Intercession – Mrs Mary Macqueen

Prayers of Intercession – Mrs Janet McLean

Prayers of Intercession – Mrs Carmel Packer

Prayers of Intercession – Mr Paul Lemon

Offertory Procession – Adrian & Bernard Hart and Maria (Hart) Egan

The Offertory Procession Maria (Hart) Egan presents the Ciborium to Fr Paul

The Offertory Procession – family members pass Wine and Water to Fr Paul

Elevation of the Eucharist during Mass – with concelebrants (L-R Frs Brian Carey (Rutherglen), Martin Cruickshank (Finely), Vin Walsh (Chiltern), Joel Wallace (Albury)

……….

COROWA RSL ‘FEDERATION ROOM’ FAREWELL DINNER PHOTOS

Fr Paul with Family at the RSL Farewell Dinner

Tom, Pauline, and Gerald Mulquiney cousins of Fr Paul, from Albury

Fr Paul’s brother Adrian Hart and cousin Frank Sullivan

Rev Rex Everett, Anglican Rector of St John’s Corowa, with wife Anita

Thanksgiving Mass and Farewell Dinner organizers – Brian and Cathy O’Shea

Thanksgiving Mass and Farewell Dinner organizers – Peter and Bernadette Ridge

Paul and Kate Schnelle

Russell Mitchell family – Marianne teaches at St Mary’s Primary School

Rev Stephen Fong (centre) of St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church and Rev David Biddle (rt) of Corowa Baptist Church

Nicole Smith  with Leanda and Tony Jones

Chris and Janet McLean

Maurice O’Donoghue with Alex & Gwen Spencer

Carmel Butts, Fr Paul, Ray Gawen

Carmel and Robert Packer

Pam and Joe Svarc

Terry Fitzgerald and daughter, Fr Brian Carey, Judy McNamara

Pat Whitty and Mary (Whitty) Milthorpe

Jan and Russell Lowden

Nell Sheridan and family members

Mrs Margaret Rhodes and …

Beverly Barron, Carmen (O’Donoghue) Hanrahan, Mary Fitzgibbon, Marie Cole

Carmen (O’Donoghue) Hanrahan, John O’Donoghue, Cathy (O’Donoghue) McKenzie, Kevin Freeman

Frank Sullivan, Graeme & Judi Garvie

Arthur and Mary Campbell

Michael and Maree Seymour

Marian Skehan, Norma Rippingale, Bruce Ash

Nicole Forge with sons Dylan and Jayden

McKenzie Clan (L-R): Cathy, Lachie, Robert, Emma, Travis

Kate and David Hanson – Elise & Roo (standing) and Nathan & Christine Sandral

 Helen Bruce and Emma, Meredith, Ian and Brendan Christy

Arthur Campbell – Em-cee for the speeches

Rev. Rex Everett, Rector of St John’s, pays tribute to Fr Paul

Bernard Hart – supported by Adrian and Maria (Hart) Egan

The Hart Family – Bernard, Adrian and Maria (Hart) Egan

Mary Milthorpe speaks on behalf of St Mary’s parishioners

Mary’s speech is available here

Peter Carroll speaks on behalf of the Coreen Catholic Community

Peter Carroll makes presentation to Fr Paul of photo of Coreen Church

Fr Paul responds to the tributes

From Albury:  Jenny Baker, Dot Taylor, Carmel Moloney

Mary Macqueen, Mary Tomlinson, Annette and Don Norman

Terry and Sandra Drum with Cathy Sutcliffe

(L-R) Pat Fitzgerald, Helen Bruce, Paul Ginnivan, David & Val Sloane

Denis Ratcliff, Mr R Ampt, Alida Lawrence & Tom, Diane & Robert Freyer, Pat Dwyer

Pat Fitzgerald with Fr Paul

Joyce Tuck, Jan Regan, Dan Dwyer, Jim Regan, Joan and Harry Kearney

Bruce and Irene Arnold, John and Genevieve Knobel

(L-R) Edna …, Fay Brooks, Pat Clissold, Ian Brooks, Kevin Clissold, John & Betty Knight

Leslie Hanrahan, Marie Carroll, Nora Kingston, Loretta Ward, Peg Hanrahan, Mairead Conroy

Kevin Sandral

Fr Paul cutting the Farewell Cake

Brian O’Shea presenting Farewell Gifts offered by parishioners

Brian O’Shea, Fr Paul, Joe Svarc

…….

Godspeed, farewell and enjoy retirement, Fr Paul.

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