SIXTY YEARS IN PRIESTHOOD

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23055, 25 June 1940, Page 7

SIXTY YEARS IN PRIESTHOOD

JUBILEE CELEBRATED VERY REV. DEAN O’DONNELL, OF ASHBURTON The attainment of 60 years as a priest was celebrated by the Very Rev. Dean J. J. O’Donnell, of Ashbur- < ton, yesterday. Dean O’Donnell, who is 83, was ordained at All Hallows ; College, Ireland, on June 24, 1880, and 1 has been in charge of the Ashburton i parish for the last 48 years. Such a jubilee has been celebrated by only two other priests in New Zealand, of whom Archbishop Redwood was one. For the celebrations, there was an at- 1 tendance of about 40 visiting clergy from Christchurch, North Canterbury, the West Coast, Otago, and South Canterbury, including Bishop Brodie, the Very Rev. Dr. J. A. Kennedy (Beckenham), the Rt. Rev. Monsignor J. Delaney (Dunedin), and the Rev. Father K. McGrath, S.M. (Temuka), representing the Society of Mary. Mr T. D. Burnett, M.P., was also present. Solemn High Mass was celebrated at the Church of the Holy Name yesterday morning by Dean O’Donnell, assisted by the Rev. Father J. Maguire (Cathedral), and the Rev. Father J. A. McKay (Rangiora). There was a large congregation from all parts of Canterbury. The choir was under the leadership of Mr T. Purcell. Bishop Brodie delivered the occasional sermon, taking as his text “Brethren, pray that my sacrifice and yours may. be acceptable to the Lord, our God.” He recalled Dean O’Donnell’s long service in New/ Zealand, from a few months after his ordination, which provided a link with the earliest missionaries. He congratulated the Dean on being able to sing the Mass after 60 years of strenuous priesthood. After Mass, the parishioners of Ashburton entertained Dean I O’Donnell Bishop Brodie, and the visiting clergy to a dinner at which the toasts of the Bishop and Dean O’Donnell were honoured. | The children of St. Joseph’s School { met Dean O’Donnell in the- afternoon, j and presented him with an address i and preaching stole, the address

being read by Catherine Cullen (senior pupil), while the stole was handed to the Dean by Bede Cullen (youngest pupil). Dean O’Donnell gave the school a holiday to-day in honour of the occasion. Bishop Brodie gave a short address to the children. Mem>ers of the Ashburton Catholic Club, Hibernian Society, and Children of i/lary assembled later in the afternoon 0 honour Dean O’Donnell. The pres:ntation of a silver tea service was nade by Mr J. Brown (representing he Catholic Club). Mr F. L. Brophy Hibernian Society) and Miss K. Hanjan (Children of Mary) also spoke. V set of vestments and a cope were jresented to Dean O’Donnell by Dr. Cennedy from the clergy of the dioCSC. The feature of the celebrations was 1 conversazione and complimentary ocial at the Radiant Hall, Ashburton, ast evening, when there was an atendance of more than 500, including he Bishop, visiting clergy, represenatives of neighbouring Catholic parshes, Ashburton Catholic orgamsaions, and local bodies. The chairman if the celebration committee, Mr L. Hanrahan, presided. The presentation of a cheque for £2OO and an illuminated address on art paper bound with morocco, prepared ay the Sisters of the Mission (Christchurch), was made to Dean O’Donnell ay Mr James McQuilkin (Eiffelton) ;rom the Ashburton parishioners. Many apologies and congratulatory nessages were received from all parts >f New Zealand, and a number from iverseas. One of the most interesting vas a cablegram from Ireland. ‘Heartiest congratulations from All Hallows College,” the message read. WANT-ADS. "I sold them through ‘The Press’ ivant-ads —and bought these new things ”