Popular Priest Farewelled

Northern Advocate, 19 February 1940, Page 2

Popular Priest Farewelled

A remarkable tribute to his popularity. both as priest and citizen, was paid to Rev. Father Mcßreen after the service at St. Xavier’s Church last night, when about 250 parishioners and friends gathered at the Vinery Lane Hali to bid him farewell. After being assistant parish priest at Whangarei for six years, Father Mcßreen left today to take up a clerical appointment at Wanganui. Last night’s function was presided over by Mr T. Mitchell, who said that Father Mcßreen was held in the highest esteem, not only in his office, but for his humane qualities as a friend. The high regard in which Father Mcßreen was held by the community as a whole was evidenced by the presence of the Mayor and Mayoress. Champion of Northland Father Mcßreen had quickly made himself part of Northland, and had become recognised as one of its greatest champions Convoying general regret at his departure, and good wishes for the imure, Mr Mitchell presented Father Mcßrcc-n with a well-filled wallet ironi the Whangarei and Portland congrogai ions. Associations at the Presbytery over the past four years had been most happy, said Rev. Father Murphy, S.M., the parish priest. Supplementing his personal thanks, Father Murphy conveyed a message from the Bishop of Auckland appreciating Father Mcßreen’s work in the diocese and wishing him Godspeed. From the Children of Mary, Father Murphy presenter) Father Mcßreen with a brief bag. A “Man’s Man” Spokesman foi; the 10 Catholic societies in the parish, Mr R. J. Ryan spoke in the highest terms of Father Mcßreen as a “man's man." Six years ago he had founded .the Holy Name Society, while nearest to his heart was the St. Vincent de Paul Society, meetings of which he had attended whenever possible^. Father Mcßreen’s “Little Cobbers,” the Catholic Boy Scouts, were present in uniform to honour the man who had assitsed them in so many ways. Country church people would feel the severance perhaps even more than those in the town, said Mr T. O’Carroll, who made a presentation on behalf of the Maungakaramen people. Father Mcßreen's pleasant smile, cheery voice and wide fund of interests would be greatly missed among the settlers. Mayer and Mayoress Speak The Mayor (Mr Jones) endorsed remarks made concerning Father McBreen’s standing as a citizen, and

thanked him especially for his part in assisting in arranging the University Extension lectures. His happy disposition had endeared him to all. The Mayoress summed up Father Mcßreen as a “good mixer,” and hoped that he would be appreciated as much in Wanganui as he was at Whangarei. “In leaving Northland and you people whom I have learned to love, I feel that I am making a personal sacrifice, but, like the good boys who are going to the front, I have to bear up under it,’ said Father Mcßreen, who was obviously moved by the spontaneous warmth of the function. Everywhere he had gone in the Whangarei district, he had felt himself to be welcome, there being .a strong interweaving of bonds between priests and people. The beauty of Northland ceople was heart deep. Without kinsfolk in the Dominion he had been accepted everywhere as one of the family. Well Endowed Promise With unsurpassed social and civic amenities, the people of Northland, greatly blessed by nature and nurture, should be supremely happy, and, should it ever be possible, nothing would give him greaier pleasure Ilian to return to the district. Among ihe apologies for absence v-. as one from. Archdeacon Steele. The speeches were preceded by a abort concert programme ,as follows: Procession, band, Convent pupils, -.onducfeci by Marie Sheehan; song, Mr T. O’Leary; four-hand reel, Convent pupils; song, Mrs Aldred; Irish iig. Miss M. P. Curran; song. Master T, Collins: song, Mr J. Birehall. Accompanists were Mrs J. J. Collins and Misses C. Stratford. Valor ie Potter and Mary P. Curran.