REV. N. FITZGERALD.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIII, Issue 1, 24 April 1885, Page 13

REV. N. FITZGERALD.

(From the Matav.ro, Enrig*.)

DIJCD APBXL 18, 1885 ; AGED 28.

It is our painful duty this morning to record the untimely death of the Rev.. Father Fitzgerald, who has been in charge of this Roman Catholic \ mission district for the past tw6 and a half years. The deceased gentleman, was a native of Waterford, Ireland, and was educated 1 in that city, where also he was ordained about four years ago. Even at that time his health was not good, and be was induced to try the climate of ' New Zealand in order to relieve the pulmonary complaint to which he was subject. He was not fortunate; however, in obtaining a mission suitable ior a delicate person, and was never in robust health since he assumed 1 charge of this large and difficult district. But be" was animated by a strong sense of duty and disregarded all admonitions to seek a milder climate until he should have wiped off the obligations which had been incurred by the erection of churches and the purchase of a presbytery. There cau be no doubt that he sacrificed his life to his sense of duty, And his works will be his best monument. In character he was most amiable, and his unassuming disposition and cheerful manner made him hosts of friend? both within and without his own- communion. This was evidenced by the' large number who sought to visit him daring his short confinement to bed, and after his death to take a last look at the remains as he lay in state in the church. All was done that could be done to soothe his last moments, and be was assiduously attended by a few devoted female friends. There are no relations in the ' Colony so far as known, except a paternal uncle, who has been a visitor from Melbourne for the last two months. The Rev. Fathers Newport (Dunedin) and Lynch (Invercargill), were present daring the solemn time, and have made all needful arrangements for interment in Dunedin. whither the body was ooaveyed by yesterday's express, and escorted by a few immediate friends. The deceased was emphatically a gentleman esteemed by all who made his acquaintance, and the loss his own flock have sustained will be shared and sympathised in by all in the district. The sketch of the late Father Fitzgerald written some time ago by our talented contributor " Ch'urchless " will be re-read with especial interest jnst now. It appeared in the Ensign of July 13, 1883, and from it we make the following extract:— "lc is only about six months, since this young, but highly appreciated and respectable priest took pp his residence at Gordon, and tbe work be has accomplished daring that lime has been really marvellous. Mot that it is apparent to a casual observer, but " Churchles9," professes to be more than a casual observer, and wherever the cloth has shown he has kept his eyes and ears open. Father Fitzgerald is, as I have said, a young priest. Perfectly unassuming and retiring in his disposition to a fault, he goes about the highways and bye-ways doing good by stealtb. He is a great traveller and never seems to think he should take that rest which his health really requires. With a 6mall travelling bag he trains it through his district, and when the railway will not take him he does not mind footing it to any solitary cabia where the comfort his presence can give one of his flock is desired. He seems to have no leisure time on his hand, or, if he has, he, like Byron, borrows a few hours from the nighr. When not engaged in tbe more responsible duties of his office he may often be found in the humble homes of bis people instructing parents and children in tbe faith of tbe Fathers of his Church. What little time he allows himself for his own intellectual recreation, must be obtained at the side of the midnight lamp, and to a man of such delicate health this must be trying to bis constitution. But be obstinately refuses to study self. He has been given his work to do, and he will do it heedless of all considerations for his own health or amusement. And he is a man who could join at almost any recreation that offered if he had the leisure. A little bird whispers that he could enjoy a game at billiards, and that he is a cricketer. But he remembers only that he is a priest with a charge committed to his hands and every other thin? sinks into insignificance. A certain nervous affection renders him less attractive and less impressive as a preacher, than as a man, but this is a misfortune which time will cure. Tbe matter he gives his hearers is good, though delivered in plain, homely, understandable language, as discourses of the kind always should be. I have no patience with the man who doles out tbe bread of life to hungry souls in metaphor and anecdote. Give me the plain, honest, manly words that speak for themselves of faith and truth. And these are tbe words the subject of this Bketch gives to his congregation ; something they can grapple hold of and lay to their souls. Private conversation best brings out the man's attainments. Then it is that one learns that he is epeakiug to a man who reads well and who by nature is a student. There is nothing stilted or strained about his information ; he throws it off without any effort or ostentatiou. Every man has his faults, but I must confess that I bare failed in my endeavours to find what are the faults possessed by Father Fitzgerald. If he were a venerable, whitehaired man he would be simply beloved by bis people (if he is not now), and by all but bigots."