LATE FATHER O’HARE WAS BELOVED PRIEST.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18959, 3 January 1930, Page 5

LATE FATHER O’HARE WAS BELOVED PRIEST.

MANY MOURNERS ATTEND SOLEMN REQUIEM MASS.

Solemn Pontifical Requiem Mass for the happy repose of the soul of the late Rev Father Alexander O’Hare was celebrated in the Catholic Cathedra! yesterday morning. His Lordship Bishop Brodie was the celebrant, Rev Father T. Hanrahan (Riccarton) deacon of the Mass, Rev Father A. Cullen, S.M. (St Mary's), sub-deacon; Very Rev Father A. M’Donald, S.M. (St Mary’s), and Very Rev Father P. Cooney (Lyttelton) assistants at the throne; Very Rev Dean O’Donnell (Ashburton) assistant-priest, and Very Rev Dr Kennedy (Administrator, Cathedral) was Master of Ceremonies. The beautiful Gregorian music of the Mass was sung by a choir of priests, under the leadership of the Rev Father J. Hanrahan and the Rev Father Outtrim, S.M. The. congregation, which filled the spacious building to capacity, included representatives of the Sisters of the Missions, Sisters of Nazareth, Sisters of Mercy, Sisters of the Good Shepherd, Little Company of Mary (Lewisham), Hibernian Societies of the city. Children of Mary (Beckenham),-and all the children of Nazareth House. Taking as his text the words of the Psalmist, “ I will take the chalice of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord,” his Lordship the Bishop delievered an inspiring and impressive address. The sight of the chalice on the coffin of the deceased priest caused the Bishop to first mention the part the chalice played in the priest’s life and the part it had played in Father O’Hare’s life. The priest, the Bishop said, had the chalice placed in his hands on the day of his ordination. The chalice necessarily implied the Mass. ,It was the Mass that had been Father O’Hare’s great desire to celebrate on the morning of his death. Ever faithful to his Mass, the late priest had striven to discharge his sacred duty to the end. When sickness had enfeebled him. he never gave in. but till his last fatal illness he had given his best for his flock. A native of Belfast, the late priest had spent the first twelve j’-ears of his priestly life in the United Kingdom, continued the Bishop. Then he answered the call of the missionary life, and made the supreme sacrifice of leaving all that was near and dear to him and coming to labour in New Zealand. During his twenty-two years spent in the diocese he hald been stationed at the Cathedral, Addington, Ashburton, chaplain of Mount Magdala, at Akaroa, Kumara, Lincoln, and finally at Beckenham. How he had endeared himself to all was shown by the large congregation, and especially by the great number of his late parishioners. His Lordship said that this was a proof of how fruitful his mission had been amongst them. Bishop Brodie reminded the congregation that it was “ a holy and a wholesome thought to pray for the dead,” and he said that it was in response to that admonition of sacred Scripture that his fellow-priests and parishioners had gathered together that morning. In concluding, the Bishop asked the prayers of all for the happy repose of his devoted and zealous priest. His Lordship then gave the absolution, and the body was then slowly borne out of the Cathedral to the waiting hearse. As the coffin passed down the aisle the congregation stood as a mark of respect, and the “Dead March” was played by Miss K. O’Connor. Then to the tolling of the great Cathedral bell the body was carried to its last resting place in the Bromley Cemetery. A great crowd had followed to the grave, where the Bishop gave the final absolution, the choir of priests singing the “ Benedictus.” On Wednesday evening, in the presence of a large congregation, the Solemn Office of the Dead was sung. His Lordship the Bishop presided, and the cantors were the Rev Fathers C. Outtrim, S.M., and J. Hanrahan. Among the priests present at the funeral were the following:—Very Rev Dean J. J. O’Donnell (Ashburton), Very Rev Dean J. Holley, S.M. (Timaru), Very Rev Father T. Gilbert, S.M., Rev Fathers C. Outtrim, S.M., J. Cullen, S.M. (St Bede’s College), Very Rev Father P. J. Cooney (Lyttelton), Very Rev Father A. M’Donald, S.M., Rev Fathers J. Dynan, S.M., Hogan, S.M., A. Cullen, S.M. (St Mary's), J. Hanrahan (Papanui), F. Kerley, S.M. (Timaru), T. Creed (Leeston), T. O’Regan (Akaroa), D. Leen and J. Kilgour (Rangiora), O. Gallagher (Lincoln), Very Rev Father P. J. Smyth, S.M. (Wellington), Rev Fathers P. O’Doherty (Ross), D. Lordan (Kumara). J. Finerty (Hokitika), J. Long (Greymouth), Rev Dr B. J. Chapman, S.M. (Greenmeadows), Rev Fathers P. J. O’Neill (Winton), G. Hanrahan (Riccarton), O. Ardagh (Dunedin), P. O’Meighan (Ahaura), P. Madden (New Brighton), Very Rev Father T. W. Price (Methven). Very Rev Dr J. A. Kennedy, Rev Fathers F. Browne, J. Quinn, Carrol (Cathedral). Very Rev Dean Bowers (Diocesan Secretary), Very Rev Fathers J. P. O’Connor, G. V. Daly, T. M’Keon (Addington), Rev Fathers J. Maguire i.Mosgiel), M. Fogarty (Darfield), J. P. O’Brien (Ashburton).