REV. JOHN NEALE

     In the various pastorates in which he has served the Rev. John Neale has uniformly met with more than ordinary success, building up both the spiritual and temporal interests of his parishes. He combines unusual zeal with a clear understanding of the needs of the modern world and has ministered wisely to his people. He is now rector of St. Rose's Roman Catholic church of Meriden and priest of the parochial school of the same name. He was born near Middletown, Connecticut, June 24, 1864, a son of Patrick and Elizabeth (Connelly) Neale, who were born in Ireland but about 1830 emigrated to Connecticut, where both passed away. There are three daughters in the family: Julia, who is keeping house for her brother, Rev. John Neale; Mrs. Mary McGann, of Brooklyn, New York; and Mrs. James Curran, of Hartford, Connecticut, the mother of Father Edward Curran, of Hartford.
     Rev. John Neale received his early education in the public schools and his preparatory work in St. Charles College, from which he was graduated in 1883. He then pursued his phil-osophical studies in St. Mary's Seminary of Baltimore and in 1884 was granted the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts from that institution. He subsequently entered St. Bonaventure's College, matriculating there to take his theological course. As he was still too young to be ordained he devoted a year to study in St. John's Seminary at Brighton, Massachusetts, and on the 21st of June, 1888, was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Williams. He was at once made assistant in St. Augustine's Roman Catholic church in Bridgeport and was given charge of the work of the parochial school. Later he was transferred to St. Patrick's church at Norwich, where he was likewise assistant and also principal of the school there. He remained at Norwich for eleven years but at the end of that time was given charge of the Church of the Immaculate Conception at Terryville, Connecticut. The parish was new and to him fell the labor of organizing the church and establishing its work on a sound basis. He remained in the parish for ten years, during which the church membership increased from three hundred members to eight hundred, and in addi-tion seven hundred were transferred to another parish. He built a well appointed rectory, also erected a lyceum, which was a popular recreation center, being provided with gymnasium, bowling alleys, lodge rooms, auditorium and attractive parlors. In August, 1910, Father Neale was given charge of St. Michael's church at Westerly, succeeding the late Father James Cunningham. He remained there until January, 1914, and although he had charge of that church for less than four years he greatly extended its work and largely improved the church property. He left it free of debt.
     Since the 28th of January, 1914, Father Neale has been the rector of St. Rose's Roman Catholic church at Meriden and has been appointed permanent pastor. His work in this community has gained him the respect and admiration of not only those of his own faith but also of non-Catholics, and his duties are so heavy that he has been assigned two assistants, Father Francis Keough and Father John McGrath. The church has a membership of thirty-three hundred. There is a Holy Name Society with a membership of seven hundred men and an organization known as the Holy Name Scouts with a membership of one hundred and five boys. He has established and personally financed an athletic field open to all boys of all creeds which is in use practically all the time and provides a suitable place for basketball, football and baseball games according to the season of the year. The church has been remodeled and enlarged and now seats fourteen hundred people. During Father Neale's pastorate three marble altars, a new pipe organ and stained glass windows have been installed in the church, new pews and other furniture have been provided and the total improvements have cost ninety thousand dollars. The church is said to have the finest and richest interior of any in the diocese and the congregation justly takes great pride in its beautiful house of worship. The school has also been remodeled and there are now six hundred pupils taught by twelve Sisters. Father Neale is principal of this institution and gives careful supervision to its work. The rectory has been redecorated and refurnished and a fine veranda has been added, thus enhancing its attractiveness. The total church property is now worth almost two hundred thousand dollars and the material prosperity of the parish is but a reflection of the splendid condition of the spiritual work of the church. Father Neale is now giving his attention to the enlarging and beautifying of the cemetery.
     He votes independently, believing the qualifications of a candidate rather than his Party alignment should be considered by a good citizen. In serving well his church he has also been the servant of the community and it is generally recognized that conditions in Meriden are better because of his labors here. Father Neale is one of the six permanent rectors of the diocese of Hartford and the degree of LL. D. was conferred upon him by St. Bonaventure's College, his alma mater. He is vice president of the Connecticut State Conference of Charities and Corrections and is also a director of the Connecticut Mental & Hygiene Association. For two years he also served as a director of the Chamber of Commerce of Meriden.

(Photo attached)