BON VOYAGE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20066, 25 March 1935, Page 6

BON VOYAGE

. FAREWELL TO VICAR OF ST. MARY’S ' PARISHIONERS’ FUNCTION ! " 1 At the conclusion of the evening service at St. Mary's Church last night, parishioners of the Parish assembled in the hall to say farewell to the Ven. ; Archdeacon H. W. Monaghan and Mrs i Monaghan, who leave this week on a i visit to England. > The function was presided over by Mr R. S. Goodman, parishioners’ ■ church-warden. Before proceedings commenced, Mrs Monaghan was presented with a beautiful bouquet by Barbara Scott. : Mr Goodman said that generally at functions held in the hall, the vicar took charge of the parishioners, but that night the parishioners were going to take charge of him. It was just a little more than seven years since Mr and Mrs Monaghan and their family came to Timaru, and during that time the vicar had endeared himself to all parishioners, and had proved himself a man of outstanding energy and thoroughness. The last 12 months had been very difficult ones, and the vicar had not enjoyed the best of health. He had found it necessary to ask for leave of absence, on the advice of his medical adviser. The Bishop had been pleased to grant leave of absence, and the Vestry had been glad to do likewise. They were glad he was taking a holiday for his own and Mrs Monaghan’s sake, and also for the sake of parishioners. It might appear selfish for him to say for his own sake, but the vicar would know that he meant. Mr Goodman said he knew how interested the vicar was in the work of the church and the parish and that ne would look forward to returning to them again full of vim and renewed vigour, and there would be a royal welcome awaiting him. As the vicar had already told them that night, he was going to make them work harder when he came back, but that would not prevent them from giving him a warm welcome home. Well Deserved Rest. Mr Goodman went on to say that he did not think parishioners fully realised the immense amount of work which fell on the shoulders of the vicar and his clergy, and the wonder was that he had stood up to it so long. There could be no doubt but that he richly deserved a rest. He had always dreaded the time when the vicar would break down, and now that it had come, he was glad the vicar was going away for a well deserved holiday. During his absence, he was sure parishioners would rally round Mr Evans and see that the work was carried on up to the same high standard as the vicar had brought it. They would ask him to go away carefree, and not worry about anything in Timaru. They hoped he would have a good voyage home to see old England, and the many cathedrals, and especially St. Martin’s-in-the-Field. They were also very glad that Mrs Monaghan was going with him to look after him, and see that he did not do too much. Mr Goodman then asked the vicar to accept a rug and a cheque with the warmest wishes of parishioners. Mrs Monaghan was not getting anything but the bouquet, but possibly she would share in the cheque, and she might also get a corner of the rug. (Laughter.) They were all very grateful to Mrs Monaghan for what she had done for the parish, and they were particularly grateful for the way she had helped the vicar with his work. They one and all wished the vicar and Mrs Monaghan a very happy holiday, one full of pleasure, joy and happiness, and they wished them both a safe return. The gathering then rose and sang “For They Are Jolly Good Fellows.” Vicar Replies. Archdeacon Monaghan said that he did not wish to preach another sermon, but there was a passage in the Scriptures relating to Jacob and Rachael which came to mind. It was said of Jacob that he had served for seven years and they seemed but a few days, and it was thus because of the love he bore her. It had always seemed to him that there had been some other factor at work, and there was, because Jacob had been hard at work shepherding his flock. The words came to his mind, because the seven years he had spent in Timaru had been the fastest years of his life. No other years had passed so quickly. The vicar said that he would like to correct one or two things Mr Goodman had said. He remarked that he dreaded the day the vicar would break down, but lie had not broken down. The point was that the doctor had said that if he did not go away he would break down and he had said that he should go away before he did break down. The vicar said that he had a letter to those in charge of St. Martin’s-in-the-Field, and he hoped to have a look round and see if the work was all that it was supposed to be. Jacob’s love of Rachael had made the seven years go quickly, and the reason why his seven years in Timaru had gone so quickly was because he had found so many friends and had found the work so pleasant, and because so many had joined in with him. He had found fellowship, comradeship and friendship in the carrying out of the work. When thc-y had discussed the possibility of a visit to England, he did not think it could be managed, and he thought they might have to go round New Zealand a bit or secure a small parish. Then there had been the family to think of, but through the very great kindness cf friends they found that they could have put up a family twice the size of their own. They were very grateful to the parishioners whose good works and good deeds had made it possible for them to go at all. They were also grateful for the goodwill which had been shown them. The vicar thanked parishioners for having come together as they had done to give them a send-off, and he also expressed his thanks for the cheque and the New Zealand rug, which, he said, would be the envy of the people in England. “May I just say we leave in good spirit and good heart, and we leave good friends whom we fancy may still be glad to see us back in 12 months’ time,” concluded the vicar.

Mrs Monaghan also spoke briefly, stating that after the many gifts she had received the family would be thinking that she was the spoilt one. She would not have much trouble looking after the vicar, because he had a letter of inti-oduction to the president of a golf club. (Laughter.) All knew how very much they appreciated the kindness that had been extended to them, .and it almost seemed worth while getting to the verge of a nervous break-down. (Laughter.) The gathering again sang “For They Are Jolly Good Fellows,” the function concluding with the singing of Auld Lang Syne, and the National Anthem.