REQUIEM MASS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 439, 3 December 1930, Page 6

REQUIEM MASS

THE LATE FATHER GILBERT WANGANUI AND WELLINGTON SERVICES. TRIBUTES TO A FINE MAN. Solemn Requiem Alass for the repose of the soul of the Rev. Father T. A. Gilbert, S.M., ALA., Rector of St. Bede’.* College, Christchurch, was held at St. Mary’s Church Wanganui, yesterday morning. There was a crowded congregation. The late Father Gilbert, who Was parish priest in Wanganui in 1928, endeared himself to all. The celebrant of the Alass was tho Rev. Father C. La Croix, 8.M., Rev. Father D. Milligan, S.M., war deacon, and the Rev. Father P. L. Alridge subdeacon. The Alaster of Ceremonies was the Rev. Father R. J. Hoarc, S.AI. The music of the Alass was rendered impressively by the pupils of the Sacred Heart Convent, St. John’s Hill. At the conclusion of the Mass, the the Rev. Fother Hoarc paid an eloquent tribute to the deceased. He said Father Gilbert was chosen by God to spend his life in the cause of Catholic education, and in course of time his great talents as scholar, teacher, and leader gained for him a foremost position among educationists. He did not labour in vain, but brought forth fruit in abundance. For over 20 years he was engaged in the work of training Catholic youths—a work most dear his heart and one for which he eminently fitted by his talents and nobleness of character.

“No single man laboured more assiduously, or with greater success for the youth of this fair land,” said Father Hoarc. “And what was the secret <-f his success! Why had he been called by God to do this great work! Why had he spent himself and gone down to an early grave in the service of God? It was due to his piety. God chose him because with natural talent he combined piety with noble devotion to duty. He worked for no earthly reward; but it was a joy and a source of pride for him to see the fruit of his labours pass from under his fatherly care to go fortn into the world to acquit themselves as true Catholic gentlemen should. His own example was ever an inspiration to others.’’ Father Hoarc spoke of the great work Father Gilbert did at St. Patrick’s College. In response to religious obedience, he became parish priest in Wanganui in 1928, and he had accomplished much in the short time ho was here. In 1929, again following the call of obedience, he was appointed rector of St. Bede’s College, Christchurch, ami he commenced his duties there in henniary of year. While there he helped to widen the ii.fluence of the New Society, and took an active part in the summer school of Catholic fitudies nt Timaru. Last year Father Gilbert was appointed by the Catholic Hierarchy to be their representative to compile a statement with a view of placing it before the Parliamentary Bocess Education Committee. These duties he discharged to the complete satisfaction of the Hierarchy and with the greatest credit to himself. Father Gilbert was also responsible for the new devotional chapel at St. Bede’s College and on the anniversary of its opening, November 24, 1930, his earthly life came to a close. Father Hoaro concluded with the following prayer for the repose of the soul of the departed priest: “O God. who was pleased to raise thy servant Thomas to the dignity of priesthood, vouchsafe, we beseech Theo to admit him to the fellowship with Thy priests for evermore. May his soul and the souls , all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen."

AT THE BASILICA.

Bequicni Mass for the Father Gilbert was celebrated at the Basilica. Hill Street. Wellington on Monday. His Grace Archbishop • Redwood and His Grace Archbishop O’Shea were present in the sanctuary. The celebrant was the Rev. Father P Kane. S.M.; deacon, Bev. Father T. ciearv S.M., of St. Bede’s College; sundeacon', Rev. Father P. J. Smyth S.M.; master of ceremonies, Rev. Father J \ Higgins. S.M.; and there were also present the following members of the Hergy:—Rev. Father D. Kennedy, S.M..' Provincial of the Society of Mary; Rev. Father J. Gilbert, of Sylnev' brother of the deceased; Rev. Father Cahill, C.S.S.R.; Rev. Father Garden. C.S.S.R.. Rev. Fathers, McCrae, Dillon, Power. Fitzgibbon, Finnerty, J Kcllv, V. Kelly, L. Daly. Fisher, Griffin. 'Evans; and the following clergy of the Society of Mary: Very Rev. Dean Hollv, Rev. Father Timmins, Rev. Fa I ther’Dowling,-Rev. Father F. J. Ken nedv, Rev. Father S. Mahony, Rev. Fa McHardy, Rev. Father Stewart, Bev. Father J. Bell, Bev. Father Lysaght, Bov. Father Geaney, Rev. J ather Moore.

His lute's Work.

The Rev. Father F. S. Bartley, S.M., M.A., said they were not met to mourn Father Gilbert, nor yet with barren words to praise him, but iu friendship and gratitude they remembered him where remembrance was best before tho altar of God, and to pray that his soul might be vouchsafed tho peace that “passeth all understanding.” It was a coincidence passing strange that on the day that brought the news of his death he read in tho daily paper tho verse:—

I hold it truth with him who sings To one clear harp in divers tones, That men may rise on stepping-tones Of their dead selves to higher things.

Almost thirty years ago ou a Hawkes Bay hillside, his dear friend Father Gilbert unlocked his heart to him with those lines. The “In Memoriam’’ murmured in his mind and heart, as tho song of the sea dwelt ever in the shell from the shore. The quotation was the late Father Gilbert’s favourite, and “to higher things” marked him in the beginning, as it,stayed with him to the end. As boy and man, as student, schoolmaster, and priest, his aim was the best that material and circumstances could allow. The very good never contented him, as long as he felt that it was not his very best. AU his life was a pilgrimage to perfection. That was the secret of all his success. Ho was a great headmaster because he threw heart and son! into his work; because ho was a man of vision, and explored every avenue of possible better incnt. Tho history of education in New Zealand would know fev. brighter pages than those that told of the life work of Thomas Andrew Gilbert. . I The music was supplied by the choir lof SO. Patrick’s College, and amongst the t»«<rcgation were tho students ox 'st. TMrtck’s College. Tho service- was concluded by the playing of the Dead MaNt in Saul.”