A POPULAR PRIEST

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 85, 8 February 1928, Page 5

A POPULAR PRIEST

FATHER CAHILL DEPARTS ,/ FAREWELL FUNCTION. The Forresters’ Hall was well filled last night when parishioners and friends assembled to bid farewell to Rev Father ICahill, who has been Parish Priest in Stratford for the last ’ 2 years. Mr. D. J. Malone presided, and on the platform with him and Father Cahill were His Worship the Mayor, Rev. Father McLauglan, Mi\ A. Coleman, Mr. J. Kovai ;ski (representing the country parishioners). Apologies were received from Mr J. C. Robins and Mr. Bretherton.

“AN IDEAL PASTOR.” Mr. Malone in his opening remarks expressed pleasure at the presence of such a large attendance to farewell Father ICahill who was about to leave them. “During Father Cahill’s two years here he has proved an ideal pastor,” continued Mr. Malone, “and it is with regret we part with him. However, the say a s to who shall be our Parish Priest rests not with us but with the church authorities to whose will we bow. I am very pleased indeed to see that His Worship the Mayor is with us (applause), and I can assure him that we appreciate it very much. The attendance of th e Chief Magistrate of the Town is another indication of the high esteem in which Father Cahill is held.”

Mr. Malone then called upon Mr. Coleman to malt© a presentation to Father Cahill on behalf of th© parishioners.

Mr. Coleman said he knew there were many others who by reason of their longer residence or greater work for th© parish, were more fitted to make th© presentation than he was, but he wa-s extremely honoured at having been requested to do so. Father ICahill, Mr. Coleman proceeded, had don© excellent work, all of which had been solid and useful. All would agree that it had been done to the best advantage and the best value obtained for money spent. Mr. Coleman referred to the work; done at the Convent School, the Church wall f grounds and other improvements effected. Father Cahill had struck the speaker as a man Who cared nothing folr popularity, but like many such men he had achieved much more, and had gained the respect and esteem of hi s parishioners.

In th© work of a parish it was inevitable that there must be differences of opinion, but in no case where Father Cahill had differed in his views from others had his judgment been wrong. When Father Cahill knew he was right, he was prepared to act accordingly without fear or favour. That was why he had gained such enduring respect.

“Th© practicability of his worty must be recognised too,” said the speaker, “and had he followed a business carreer h© would have left Henry Ford a bad second.” (Laughter and applause). Mr. Coleman regretted that on account of his health Father Cahill wa s unable to cope with the demands of such a large parish. It was his intention to go to Te Aroha on a health recruiting trip and all would wish him a speedy restoration to health. Once he had regained his health, Mr. Coleman was sure he would soon b© back at work again for he was not the kind of man. to remain idle for long. “Now Father,” Mr Coleman, remarked, in making the presentation, “I have a pleasant task, though it is mingled with regret at your departure. II have tried—somewhat inadequately I fear—to express the regard we feel for you, and to convey to you our great regret that you have to leave us, together with our earnest hope that your good health and vigor will be speedily restored to you. O n behalf of the parishioners, I have much pleasure in handing you this token of or esteem and regard.”

FATHER. McLAUGHLAN WELCOMED. Mr Coleman then extended a welcome to Father McLaughlan, whom he said they were glad to have with them and hoped that hi s stay would be pleasant to him. The speaker was sure it would be profitable to the parishioners. THE MAYOR’S TRIBUTE. “I am very pleased to be present with you, to express my esteem for your parish priest, and my friend,” said His Worship the Mayor, Mr J. W. McMillan, “and I am sure all people outside your church w'ho have met Father Cahill will equally regret his departure.” Mr McMillan said that the departing priest had helped him in various directions in hi s public duties. He had not been too busy to take up semi public work and what he had done in that regard was very useful. Some of Father Cahill’s work would endure for long years in his memory. This wa s particularly true in regard to the “Wall of Remembrance”, that fine tribute to the early pioneers of the Stratford Church. Father Cahill would be assured of a welcome at any time he choose to return to Stratford and Mr McMillan hoped be would be here for the Jubilee. In conclusion the Mayor thanked Father /Cahill for the assistance given in connection with public affairs, and wished him a speedy return to health. Father McLaughlan said he was pleased to be. associated with those) who desired to honour Father Cahill whose work he had seen in many places besides Stratford. He was

one of the pioneer priests and had borne the burden and scars of battle. He had borne Ids burdens and kept his face forward, and his .service of thirty years w<a s , thirty years of honour. Father Cahill set a noble example aa a priest and his priestly qualities would long be remembered with admiration. BLAZING THE TRAIL. Mr Malone with the other and said thejy should not forget that men of Flather ''Cahill’si stamp, had borne the burden of blazing the trail of the church in this country. He had worked amongst the pioneers in days when present day conveniences were unknown. He carried! out his duties in a priestly manner and earned the undying regard of all who: knetw him. The speaker expressed his very great regret, at the departure of a priest whoso friendship was something t 0 ho treasured ''and said all would regret his loss to the parish and wish him a speedy restoration to health. Mr Malone expressed thei hope that in his reply Father Cahill would tell of some of his experiences in the early days. FATHER CAHILL’S REPLY. Upon rising to reply Father Cahill was received with loud and prolonged applause. Ho expressed his deep, thanks for the gift handed to him, and the kind words that had been spoken. He felt however that Mr Coleman with the skill born 01 the practice of his,, profession had made a “good case out of ;l bad one-” (Laughter). He thanked the speakers lor Hie tributes they had paid to illm. Father Oahili also paid a tribute Ho Has AVorsuip the Mayor, and extended thanks to him and the Borough Council for the assistance which had hem lenderod. to him. On occasions' such as in the levelling of Miranda Street when the Wall of Remembrance) was to be erected, excoliefut work had been done by the Borough Foreman, Mr L. B. Da vis, and tliei Borough workmen. and ho would like to say that 1 Stratford was indeed fortunate in ji | BcvouZgh foreman and stall. .

Father Cahill then, gave/ seme, humorous details of, hi s work in the early days iu Australia where he had served at Bourke and Broken Hid. lie laul come to New Zealand permanently do years ago on account of ill health and was appointed assistant priest at llawera, which parish in those days included Opunakc, Ivaponga and Eltham. After that ho had served iu Dannevirke, Carterton, Eltham, Waipawa, Upper Unit and FeUding com mg to. Stratford 3 yeftrs ago. In conclusion, the Kcv. Father, expressed Ins regret at leaving his many friends m Stratford, and said nothing would give him greater pleasure them to hear of their progress and good fortune. He hoped the Jubilee celebrations would be an unqualified success. During the evening items we're rendered by Mrs Clark, Miss Vickers, Messrs Coe. and Uhlenberg, the accompaniments being played by Miss Beryl Masters, Mr Malone extended thanks to the performers and especially to Miss Masters who had "TanoTy given her s ervice s as accompanist.