DEATH OF REV. FATHER CALLERY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVIII, Issue 24, 8 October 1886, Page 7

DEATH OF REV. FATHER CALLERY.

(Springfield Herald, August 7.) Never before in our capacity of local correspondent of the Herald hare we been called upon to perform so sad a duty as devolves upon us to-day in recording the death and burial of our late dearly beloved pastor. Father Callery died at his residence at 4.30 o'clock p.m. on Friday, the 30th July, a most peaceful and happy death, fortified by the rites of bis Holy Mother the Church, and attended in his last moments by Father McMahon and some of his dearest friends. The deceased clergyman had been ailing for some time, and during the severe thunder storm which broke over this place the night before his death he experienced a severe shock, but there were no indications that it would terminate so fatally until a few minutes before the final moment came. The sad news spread rapidly, and we have never in our life seen puch deep and heartfelt sorrow manifest itself as that which weighed down the hearts of the parishioners from that moment, until the remains of the departed pastor were consigned to their last resting placq in front of the church, where for the last eight years he performed his priestly duties. At last Mass on Sunday, Father McMahon adverted in a few feeling words to the great sorrow that had fallen upon the pariah, and many a sob was heard from among the crowded congregation. The local branch of the Catholic Knights, and the Father Mathew Total Abstinence Society held a joint meeting

"t* T^ m P? ranc f Hal1 ' at 3 o'clock p.m. Sunday, which was also attended by a large deputation from Haydenville,— of which parish the deceased has had also spiritual charge-for the purpose of appointing ushers m the church for the following lay, and a committee to guard the grave from injury by the crush of the thousands who would assemble there. Those six pill-bearers were chosen, viz — Thomas Her ihy, Thomas Murphy and Pattick Donovan, from the ™« •„■ •' and Frank Connell, James T. Hickey and H 0 O Sullivan, to represent the Father Mathew Total Abstinence Soei'etv' A procession was then formed and marched two deep from the hall" to the parochial residence, and at 4 o'clock the body was removed to the church where it lay in state until Monday. During thid time the church was visited by thousands who came to take a last look at the remains of the departed pastor hewe their final seoulture. The body was encased in a beautiful broadcloth covered coffia, resting upon massive pedestals draped in mourning, and was literally buried in choicest flowers. The church was beautifully draped in mourning and the presence of death spread its gloom over the sacred edifice and its surroundings. High Mass of Requiem was celebrated on Monday, at 10.30 a.m., 73 priests and Bishop O'Reilly participating. The celebrant was the Rev. T. M. Smyth, of Lse ; deacon, Rev Thomas Smyth, of Westfield ; sub-deacon, Rev. E. Toher, of South Hadley Falls ; master of ceremonies, Rev. R. F. Walshe of Easthampton. The excellent Greenfield choir supplied the singin* The Rev. 1 ather Conaty, of Worcester, pronounced an eloquent and pathetic eulogy on the dead piiest, recalling in fitting phrases the many gifts and graces of head and heart with which he had been endowed. To his intimate associates, he said he was a noble-hearted and sympathising friend ; while in his priestly career, the true Christian gentleman was ever recognized in him. Although Father Callery had not been feeling very well for some time past, his death was most unexpected. On Thursday last he was enjoying better health than he had for some time past, and be was making such rapid strides apparently to regain his health, that his friends had most sanguine hopes that he would soon be able to resume active duties -but after events proved that such was not to be the case. Friday evening a terrible thunder storm arose, and at 1.15 a.m. there was a terrific flash of lightning, a crash, and then a peal of thunder. The lightning struck a tree quite convenient to the church. Arising immediately from his bed, it was with difficulty that father Callery could be persuaded that it was not the church that had been stricken. In his enfeebled condition the shock was too much for him to bear, and from its prostrating effects he did not rally until about three-quarters of an hour before he passed away fortified by the Sacraments of the Church. Cnlm and peaceful as his life had been, such was his death. He passed away as if in quiet sleep, without a struggle. Father Cillery was born 39 years ago (Fob. 16, 1847), in Ihe town of Crosserlough, county Cay m, Ireland. His early years were spent in the national schools of bis native place— later oa he commenced his classical studies in the College of Ballymachue, and from there he went to All Hallows' College, where he spent three years In- the year 1870 be came to America, and entered St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore, to complete his theological studies. Id the spring of 1872 he was ordained, and appointed assistant to Rev. R. J. Patterson, of Clinton, where he remained five years, the idol of the' Clinton people. His first pastoral charge was Kasthampton parish. Broken down in health, he returned to the "old sod " to recuperate his strength, and on his return he was transferred to the Florence parish iv 1878, where he has remained ever since, the same energetic and devoted Father to all. When he took charge of this parish, hia flock in Florence were obliged to attend Mas 3, etc., in a hall. Neither did he possess a house of his own, but to-day the beautiful church which he has erected, and the house and its beautiful surroundings, bear testimony to the labours and struggles he must have undergone in order to accomplish what he has in the short space of eight years. As a priest he was a favourite with his people, he was beloved as a citizen, he was most highly respected by Protestants as well aa Catholic*. Not only was he known by his little Catholic parishioners, but eveu the little Protestant children have been heard to say when passing him, " That's Father Callery." Among the clergymen presenL were the following : — Rt. Rev. P. T. O'Reilly, D.D., Revs. J. McDermott, Austin O'Grady, of Springfield ; M. J. Howard, P. J. Haikins, J. K. Murphy, P. B. Phelan, A. B. Dufresne, of Holyoke; C. Crevier, John Kenuey, of Indian Orchard ; Ed. Martiu, of Athol ; Thomas F. Joyce, of West Boylston • James P. Tuite, of North Brookfield ; B. McKeany, of Bondsville • Richard Healy, M. Pelletier, of Chicopee ; P. D. Stone, of Chicopee Falls ; R. J. Patterson, of Clinton; R. F. Walsh, J. M. Pendergast, of Easthampton ; D. F. Feeban, of Fitchburg ; J. L. Tarpey of West Fitchburg ; J, T. Sheehan, of Ware ; P. S. O'Reilly, of Graf ton ; John Murphy, James McLaughlin, of Great Barringtou ; M. fi Purcell, Thos. S. Hanrahan, of Greenfield; E. Toher, of South' Hadley Falls ; James McLuskey, of Holden ; T. M. Smith, of Lee ; Daniel Shiels, of Leominster ; j. F. Lee, of Monson ; M. E. Barry' M. J. Carrol, N. Rainville, of Northampton ; Thos. Murphy, of Otter Kiver ; Chas. Boylan, of Oxford ; E. H. Purcell, of Pittbfield ; T. D Beavens, of Spencer; John T. O'Keefe, Thos. O'Keefe, of West Springfield; Francis Lynch, of Thorndyke ; A. Lamy, of Three Rivers; D. Moyes, of Warren; J. Kedican, of Webster; R. 8. J Bourke, of Westboro ; Thomas Smyth, of Westfield ; John Kelleher' of Boston ; John C'onway, of Winchendon ; D*vid Scannell J B* Drouan, Robert Walbh, T. J. Cona'y, of Worcester ; L. Dervin, of Huntingdon ; R. B. Johnson, Dedham ; Matthew Boylan, Aledway • J. J. McNuky, of South Boston ; M. Ronan, of Lowell ; J. S. Cullen of South Framiugham, and many others. '

Among the laity were Mayor O'Connor and wife, Mayor Delaney, Mr. James Delaney, Mias Mary Conaty, Wm. Sheehan "L M. Dowei, and D. O'Donnell, of Kaathampton ; John O'DoanelL of Holyoke, etc.

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