Rev. Father Herlihy

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 88, 15 April 1939, Page 2

Rev. Father Herlihy

TRANSFERRED TO WESTPORT ASSOCIATION WITH ST, PATRICK’S After an association, with the parish of St. Patrick’s Church extending over the past eleven years, Rev. Father P. <3. Ilerlihy, who has served assiduously over this lengthy period in his capacity as assistant to Very Rev. Monsignor J. F. MacManus, has been transferred to become parish priest in Westport. At a function held in the Parish Hall this week the opportunity was taken of expressing appreciation of Father Herlihy’s services to the community. The hall was well filled and Monsignor MacManus presided. Items were rendered by tho pupils of tho Marist Brothers’ and tho Convent Schools. Stating that he was pleased to welcome both priests and parishioners at the gathering, Monsignor MacManus said his pleasure was mingled with regret that Father Ilerlihy was departing from the parish with which he had been associated for over eleven years. Father Ilerlihy would be missed by all the organisations and societies in the parish; organisations which owed their existence to his zeal and enterprise. “The Holy Name-Society in particular,” continued the speaker, “will miss their director. In tho society Father Herlihy organised a beautiful choir from the limited material at his disposal. Many educational organisations are due to his energy and will play a great part in the future when men settle down to the teaching of Christian social service. In the words of the poet: ‘What ever he touched he adorned.’ Admittedly, providence had been kind to him. He has got tho ‘five talents’ while most of us have only two; some even only one. He has the ability to fulfil his duties and we have reaped the fruits of that ability. In his sermons, there has been no confusion or platitudes; ho has had everything prepared and has delivered them with sincerity. Long Association. “Father Herlihy,” continued the speaker, “will be missed by everybody, but most of all by me. My association with him has been much longer than since he has been a priest. I taught him his Catechism, but I have since learned many things from him. Ho richly deserves the first step in promotion, a step which will ultimately lead to the top of the ladder. There is no office in the Church that he could not fill with distinction. We will watch with interest the future recognition of his talents and the fulfilment of the promise of his early career in the priesthood. “ The eleven years that Father Herlihy has been in the parish,” said Monsignor MacManus, in conclusion, ‘ ‘ have been years of happiness unalloyed. I had known that he would be promoted and that he would have to leave Palmerston North, but I had somehow thought that wo would have drifted on together for years, but now the time has come and it would be ungrateful to stand in Father Herlihy’s way. I look forward to great things at his hands, for the greater Glory of God and the service of the Church in New Zealand.”

Father M. Broughton said he had known Father Herlihy for a considerable number of years and that he and all the priests of the Deanery regretted his departure from their midst. “I have known Father Herlihy longer than most of tho priests here,” said Father T. Lenihan. “We entered college together and have been tho greatest of friends ever since. Father Herlihy has spent tho whole of his career in Palmerston North for your salvation and the Glory of God.” Wishing Father Ilerlihy every happiness in Westport, the speaker said ho looked forward to meeting him at retreats. Mr. J. J. O’Shea said that during Father Herlihy’s term of office he had done splendid work in the various organisations with which he had been associated, particularly the Holy Name Society, which he founded and for which he worked for years. Those associated with Father Herlihy on tho committee in charge of obtaining funds for the Marist Brothers’ School recognised his organising ability, and after that night’s programme had been completed few would doubt tho results of that ability. Commenting that he looked forward to seeing Father Herlihy in this city again to spend many an evening with old friends, Mr. O’Shea asked him to accept a well-filled wallet. Joy in Service. In his reply, Father Herlihy said that the eleven yearb he had spent here, coming as he did straight from the seminary, had been years of joy and pleasure. As Monsignor MacManus had said, he had known him sinco a child, and it was Monsignor MaacManus who fostered his vocation to the priesthood. If, therefore, some of the things said about him were true, Monsignor MacManus really deserved the credit. The latter had helped him not only morallj-, but also materially while he was at the seminary. “My admiration and respect for Monsignor MacManus have grown during the years I have lived here. It is said that sometimes we learn too much of a man when we live with him; however, tho passing years have been far from dimming my regard for Monsignor MacManus. He has set me an example of common-sense, unconsciously probably, but if I have achieved some measure of success, it is entirely due to him. I will always remember my first parish. It has been said that the things learned while one is young remain longest; and wherever I go nothing will eradicate Palmerston North from my mind. I am happy to be present to witness tho first fruits of tho Brothers’ School.” In conclusion, Father Herlihy thanked all who had assisted him in any way in the execution of his duty and also all those with whom he had come in contact for their beneficial influence.