Presentation to Rev. Father Mahoney.

Thames Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 9878, 25 February 1901, Page 2

Presentation to Rev. Father Mahoney.

After benediction at St. Francis' Church last evening, an address and purse of sovereigns was presented to Rev Father' Mahoney by Mr. J M. Foy on behalf of the congregation. It having come, to' the knowledge of the people that the Rev Father was to leave the.Thames early aext week, steps were at once taken- to have a suitable address prepared for presentation. The Rev. Father holds a large place in the affections of his people, and in the estimation of the general public. Mr Foy made a few introductory remarks, and read the following address:—

" To the Reverend Father Mahoney,' St Francis' Church, Thames.

1 Dear Reverend Father, —

" We, the Catholics of the Thames, assemb'e here to-night to express our sorrow at your departure from us, and to wish you every happiness in the now and extended sphere of usefulness "to which the voice of" God, in that of your superiors, has appointed you 11 During the short space of time in which, owing to the absence of our revered Pastor on a more important mission, the care of this - parish was assigned to you, we have seen how nobly and faithfully the onerous duties .which that charge entailed have been discharged by you. .Your priestly example has .during these two years been the guiding star of those who outside the Sanctuary gates' strive for the Heavenly crown and your kindly • words have neyer failed to cheer those who have toiled with you, to comfort $ I those on whom God's chastening hand ! has been-laid, and to reclaim to His love and service -the erring children of our holy mother, the Church. Wkilßt assuring you of our hearty appreciation of these services, and wishing you many years of health and happiness to continue your, noble work, we wish also to assure ourselves of your kindly remembrance by your acceptance of the accompanying purse of sovereigns as a token of our good wishes in your regard, which will, we hope, often remind you also of praying for every temporal and spiritual blessing for your devoted children, the Catholics of . the !1 harnes .. ..

" Signed, on their beha'f, &c , &c,"

With the address Mr. Fay handed a .purse to Rev.- Father JMahoney, which., was well filled with sovereigns. In the" course'of his reply.'Father Mahoney said that he was afraid thaj:. the Catholics of the Thames were giving- him credit for. far more than he deserved, as they must not.forget that when he came here he found he would have no difficulties to contend with, for owing to the administration of Monsignor O'Reilly everything wa? in ' perfect order, and so the kindly- con » struction they placed on his efforts was perhaps not so well merited as it would be if tha progress 1 of the parish, were due to .his own initiative He " had come" to the Thames with most pleasant anticipations of his stay here, which- had been most- fully realised, for everybody he 1 met in Auckland who knew the Thames and knew he was coming, promised him that he would like his sojourn among the people of the district. One of the last persons he spoka to. before leaving was an Anglican clergyman of his acquaintance, formerly stationed here, who assured him that he would like the Thames people of all classes and creeds, and be now found that after a stay of two,years that such was indeed the case, for he could not wish to dwe 1 among a more friendly and sociable class of people on the whole .. than those of the Thames, and he could . quite understand Father O'Reilly's reluctance ,to leave them. What he appreciated most about the address and presentation was the cheerful and spontaneous manner in which they were given, and that his people should have shown their esteem for him in such a "substantial way con-* sidering the short time he was among them. : He would never forget their kindness wherever he might be, and hoped that he might yet be perman> ently located among them.