PRESENTATION TO THE REVEREND FATHER DEVOY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIII, Issue 5, 22 May 1885, Page 13

PRESENTATION TO THE REVEREND FATHER DEVOY.

WednrsdAt, the 6th of May, will be a day not easily forgotten by the Catholics of this parish (Timaru), it being the day on which they took a public farewell of the most beloved of pastors — the Rev. Father T. Devoy. It hiving-been been decided to present him with a testimonial on the eve of his departure, the committee elected arranged to give as much eclat as possible to the occasion by combining with the presentation a vocal and instrumental concert. The boy's school hall, a spacious room seventy feet long and thirty-five feet wide, was chastely decorated with ever-greens and flowers by Mr. Harney in his usual good taste, and presented a most pleasing appearance. Long before the hour of commencing arrived, the room was packed to excess, and many ladies preferred even to stand during the proceedings, rather than lose the last chance of bidding farewell to their departing friend and pastor. At 8 o'clock sharp the committee left the hall and proceeded to the Presbytery, and requested the Rev. Fathers Devoy, Foley and O'Halloran's presence at the hall. On their entering they were greeted with deafening applause, and following the committee proceeded to ascend the stage and took their ksats, the Rev Father Devoy being supported on his left and right Jk Fathers Foley and O Halloran respectively, and the gentlemen of the committee taking their station at the back of the stage. Mr. M. J. Lynch then came forward, and having stated the reason of their meeting together, called on Mr. W. Gosling to read the following address, which had been beautifully illuminated, in the old mediaeval style, by Mr. M. de H. Duval : — " The Rev. Father Thomas Devoy, S.M. " Reverend and Dear Father, — Words cannot express the deep regret and sorrow which filled our hearts when from your own lips we received the lamentable newa that His Lordrhip the Bishop had decided to remove you from our midst. Having to obey your superior, we must not demur ; but we cannot refrain from expressing our deep sense of loss. At all times genial and affable, we have found in you the sage counsellor, the sympathetic comforter, the parental friend, and truth's noble advocate. Your untiring efforts for the spiritual and temporal welfare of your flock showed how deeply you were always imbued with apostolic zeal. Your love for and constant interest taken in the moral welfare of our children have been truly emblematical of that Master in whose service your holy calling has placed you. Your successful efforts in the cause of their education are exemplified by the efficiency and harmony of the

schools under your bare. The system initiated by you of raising the necessary funds to defray the expenses of our schools, and which has been such a success, is likewise a proof of your far-seeing and keen intellect. It would indeed be difficult to enumerate the many good works performed by you during your too short stay amongst us. The chaste and beautiful decoration of our church will be a lasting memorial of your good taste. The useful societies initiated and I established by you will always call forth our warmest expressions of thankfulness. As a slight token" of oar deep gratitude, and in appreciation of your services, we beg respectfully to ask you to accept the accompanying purse of sovereigns, And now, dear Reverend Father, we wish to bid you good-bye. We hope and trust that you will remember us when offering the Holy Sacrifice, and we on our part will ever pray for your welfare. On behalf of the parishioners, we beg to subscribe ourselves your obedient children in Christ." After concluding the address Mr. Gosling handed a parse of sovereigns to Father Dovoy, remarking that it was given moat heartily as a gift from all. Father Devoy on rising was loudly applauded. He said:—. Ladies and Gentlemen — I cannot say much to you this evening as my heart is too full. I have already thanked you in the church for the ' many acts of kindness you have shown me since I came to Timaru, and now this act oE kindness this evening is . another proof of your goodness of heart. lam indeed pleased and very grateful for the very kind and flattering address which has been read before me. It is flattering because it is beyond' my merits. Since I came to the parish I have only done my duty, and I bare always found the people of the parish very ready and willing to give me their assistance. In fact we were always united in everything ; and union ia held as of the greatest importance by members of the Catholic Church — Catholics and their priests all over the world are one. They understand each other thoroughly and work heartily together. Since I came here we have, it is true, done many things, and, I hope, done great good for our Church and schools, but you must remember that what has been done could not have been accomplished but for your aid. I have had good priests to assist me ; one especially who has gone away lately, and to whom I am deeply indebted, and who is entitled to much of the credit which has been bestowed upon me. I cannot speak to you much longer, but before concluding, I must state that your new pastor I have known for sixteen years, and you will find that he will carry out the work of the parish zealously and with care, and I am quite certain all of you will unite with him in doing everything to the honour and glory of God, He will take care of our schools, over which we have masters who rank second to none in the whole world, and where in addition to a good secular education our children receive sound religious instruction. I hope, dear brethren, you will rally round your pastor, and do everything in your power to keep up and carry out successfully all good works. I thank you all most sincerely for this beautiful address and for your handsome present, and I assure you I never will forget the kindness you have displayed towards me, nor the great pleasure I have derived during my stay in Timaru. (Loud applause.) " The Rev. Father Foley, in acknowledging the reference made to him, said that the splendid manifestation made by the parishioners that evening towards their departing pastor, had certainly made a profound impression on him. He had just left with tears in his eyes his friends and parishioners at Blenheim, but he felt proud to be ia their midst that evening, and to witness such truly Catholic spirit, and it gave him every confidence as to his work amongst them, but he likewise hoped that they would pay heed to what Father Devoy had said to them. Father Devoy, in replying, said he wished to publicly thank not only his own parishioners, but those of other denominations, from many of whom he had received the greatest kindness. He fully appreciated the services they had rendered him in the discharge of his duty. Many had spoken very kindly of him, and he could asaure them no one more highly appreciated their remarks than he did, and he hoped he would always continue to merit their esteem as also that of all good men all over the world. The entertainment was commenced by the Hibernian Band in very good style playing a selection. Mr. J. McGuinness then sang very creditably that ever popular song " Our Jack's Come Home." The song " Gates of the West" followed, and was very sweetly rendered by Miss Mills, the pianoforte accompaniment by herself being faultless. The " Muddle Paddle Porter," a comic song by Mr. Rowe, was the next item and proved highly entertaining, especially to the young people present. The Band who were again called on, contributed a fantasia, which was played ia a style which showed plainly the vast and rapid improvement they have lately made. The next piece, however, as the theatrical critics say, " brought down the house." This was the comic song "The Widow Malone," rendered in character by Mr. T. J. Kennedy. The " make-up " ' proved resistless, and the applause was universal at the conclusion of the song that Mr. Kennedy had to respond to an encore. He gave an old favourite, the " Private Still," and was as equally successful in its rendition as of that of his first number. Later on he gave .by special request " Will you ever go Home," in which he made several capital local allusions, and concluded by saying should the Rev. Father Devoy be spared to visit Timaru again, he would get a " Right welcome Home." Mrs. Filmer and Mr. Bowe very pleasingly sang the duet, " What are the Wild Waves Saying,' and Mr. Lynch sang nicely "Eileen Mavourneen." Before the Band played the final selection, Father Devoy again thanked ■fill, and hoped that" those of his parishioners whom he had not had time to personally bid " good-bye " to would forgive him, aud accept that puolic farewell. After the selection all separated to their- homes more or leas overcome with sorrow at parting with their priest, 1 whom they had learned to love and revere so well. On the following morning before half-past seven fully two hundred people and children were at the Railway station to bid the good Father a last good-bye, and as the train moved away and the' last glance of the sweet, kind, genial face was to be seen;- all tnnretf - away with heavy hearts, many with deep sighs and tears.