2017 MAJOR EVENT: Farewell Fr Paul Hart – PP for 20 years

 

dsc_3092-copy   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.

DSC_2989.JPG

Entrance Procession

DSC_2990.JPG

Entrance Procession

DSC_2993.JPG

A word of Welcome – Mr Peter Ridge

DSC_2994 - Copy.JPG

 Symbols of Priesthood presented: The Stole – Mr Paul Schnelle

dsc_2995-copy

Bible and Priest’s Breviary – Mr Bruce Ash

DSC_2996 - Copy.JPG

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

DSC_2997 - Copy.JPG

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

DSC_2998 - Copy.JPG

Grapes – symbol of wine to become the Blood of Christ

DSC_3000.JPG

First Reading of the Mass – Emma Christy

DSC_3002.JPG

2nd Reading of the Mass – Mrs Annette Norman

DSC_3003.JPG

Fr Paul reads the Gospel

DSC_3004.JPG

Prayers of Intercession – Mrs Mary Macqueen

DSC_3005.JPG

Prayers of Intercession – Mrs Janet McLean

DSC_3006.JPG

Prayers of Intercession – Mrs Carmel Packer

DSC_3007.JPG

Prayers of Intercession – Mr Paul Lemon

DSC_3008.JPG

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

DSC_3009.JPG

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

DSC_3010.JPG

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

DSC_3014.JPG

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

dsc_3021-copy

Fr Paul with Family at the RSL Farewell Dinner

DSC_3023.JPG

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

DSC_3018.JPG

Fr Paul’s brother Adrian Hart and cousin Frank Sullivan

DSC_3028.JPG

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

DSC_3029.JPG

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

DSC_3030.JPG

Thanksgiving Mass and Farewell Dinner organizers – Peter and Bernadette Ridge

DSC_3031.JPG

Paul and Kate Schnelle

DSC_3032.JPG

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

DSC_3035.JPG

Rev Stephen Fong (centre) of St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church and Rev David Biddle (rt) of Corowa Baptist Church DSC_3036.JPG

Nicole Smith  with Leanda and Tony Jones

DSC_3060.JPG

Chris and Janet McLean

DSC_3037.JPG

Maurice O’Donoghue with Alex & Gwen Spencer

DSC_3025.JPG

Carmel Butts, Fr Paul, Ray Gawen

DSC_3039.JPG

Carmel and Robert Packer

DSC_3040.JPG

Pam and Joe Svarc

DSC_3041.JPG

Terry Fitzgerald and daughter, Fr Brian Carey, Judy McNamara

DSC_3042.JPG

Pat Whitty and Mary (Whitty) Milthorpe

DSC_3034.JPG

Jan and Russell Lowden

DSC_3045.JPG

Nell Sheridan and family members

DSC_3046.JPG

Mrs Margaret Rhodes and …

DSC_3047.JPG

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

DSC_3048.JPG

Carmen (O’Donoghue) Hanrahan, John O’Donoghue, Cathy (O’Donoghue) McKenzie, Kevin FreemanDSC_3049.JPG

Frank Sullivan, Graeme & Judi Garvie

DSC_3050.JPG

Arthur and Mary Campbell

DSC_3051.JPG

Michael and Maree Seymour

DSC_3052.JPG

Marian Skehan, Norma Rippingale, Bruce Ash

DSC_3054.JPG

Nicole Forge with sons Dylan and Jayden

DSC_3055.JPG

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

DSC_3057.JPGKate and David Hanson – Elise & Roo (standing) and Nathan & Christine Sandral

DSC_3058.JPG Helen Bruce and Emma, Meredith, Ian and Brendan Christy

DSC_3061.JPG

Arthur Campbell – Em-cee for the speeches

DSC_3062.JPG

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

DSC_3065.JPG

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

DSC_3063.JPG

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

DSC_3066.JPG

Mary Milthorpe speaks on behalf of St Mary’s parishioners

Mary’s speech is available here

DSC_3069.JPG

Peter Carroll speaks on behalf of the Coreen Catholic Community

DSC_3071.JPG

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

DSC_3072.JPG

Fr Paul responds to the tributes

DSC_3075.JPG

From Albury:  Jenny Baker, Dot Taylor, Carmel Moloney

DSC_3076.JPG

Mary Macqueen, Mary Tomlinson, Annette and Don Norman

DSC_3077.JPG

Terry and Sandra Drum with Cathy Sutcliffe

DSC_3078.JPG

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

DSC_3080.JPG

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

DSC_3082.JPG

Pat Fitzgerald with Fr Paul

DSC_3083.JPG

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

DSC_3085.JPG

Bruce and Irene Arnold, John and Genevieve Knobel

DSC_3087.JPG

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

DSC_3089.JPG

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

DSC_3090.JPG

Kevin Sandral

DSC_3092.JPG

Fr Paul cutting the Farewell CakeDSC_3095.JPG

Brian O’Shea presenting Farewell Gifts offered by parishioners

DSC_3097.JPG

Brian O’Shea, Fr Paul, Joe Svarc

…….

Godspeed, farewell and enjoy retirement, Fr Paul.

……………………………………………………………………………….

Advertisement