PRESENTATION TO REV. FATHER MORRISSEY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIV, Issue 42, 11 February 1887, Page 11

PRESENTATION TO REV. FATHER MORRISSEY.

(Hawera Star, December 4 )

In view of the appro,. ching departure for the old country of the Rev Father Morri>sey— who has been engaged in this parish for the past two years — step* were recently taken to present to him some memento of the respect in which he is held by those amongst whom he has laboured. As a consequence he was on Monday evening invited to Mrs. Gallagher's Hawera Hotel, where a number of ladies and gentlemen had assembled to meet him. Mr. L. Milmoe was voted to the chair, and he commenced proceedings by calling upon Mr. F. McGuire, who, he said, knew more about the matter than he did. Mr. McGuire, addressing the assembled company, said they had met there that evening for the purpose of making a presentation to the Rev. Father Morrissey on the eve of his departure from amongst them. The presentation consisted of an address and a purse of sovereigns. The address would be something for the rev. father to look at, so that when he was far away he would remember the sympathetic and kindly feelings which the Catholics of Hawera held towards him ; while the purse of sovereigns would speak of their generosity ; and both together, he thought, formed a suitable present. The illumination of the address, he might say, was the handiwork of a young gentleman of this town, and the artistic manner in which it had been finished certainly reflected great credit upon the young artist. It had appeared to be a labour of love with him, and he must be congratulated on the successful manner in which he had performed his task. The young gentleman was Mr. Morrissey, jun. [The speaker here exhibited the address framed, and its production was received with applause.] The purse of sovereigns was like thousands of others, and the sovereigns similar to what had been seen in the days of yore before they went out of circulation on the coast. (A laugh). Before making the presentation he should like to say to Father Morrissey, on behalf of those present as well as on behalf of a number of friends who, though in hearty sympathy, were not possibly able to be present that evening, that it was with sincere regret they had learned of his intended departure from amongst them, more particularly when they learned that he had no intention of returning — that he was leaving New Zealand for England, or, as he might put it, Young England for Old England. They hoped, however, that wherever he went prosperity and success would attend him. During the time he had been amongst them he had done his duty faithfully, zealously, and well, and he had not come into contact with any parties without at once securing tbeir respect and esteem (applause) ; while those who knew him best and most intimately had seen that he possessed many latent good qualities that were not so apparent on a cursory acquaintance, qualities which some day would give him a proud position in the historic Church to which he belonged. (Applause). They all wished tbat he might be spared to a long life of usefulness and good works, and even as a layman he might be allowed to offer a short prayer that the Almighty would reward Father Morrissey abundantly for bis piety, his humility, and his fidelity, three of the greatest charms in a 'priest of the Church, and in which Heaven itself must most delight He would now call on Mr. John Morrissey to read the address. (Applause.) The address was then read as follows : — " Hawera, December 13.— T0 the Rev. Father Morrissey.— Rev. and dear Father,— We, the undersigned, on behalf of ourselves and the Catholic congregation of Hawera, are anxious to express our deep and unfeigned regret at your sudden departure from amongst us. As a good, zealous priest, a warm-hearted and generous friend, you have been, and ever will be, regarded by all who have had the happiness of making your acquaintance ; and as such you have deservedly won not only our esteem and respect but our sincere gratitude and affection. During the last two years which you hare •pent amongst us you have proved yourself a true Sog garth Aroon, Before wishing you farewell, permit us to offer you a small token of affection and esteem — a purse of sovereigns. In conclusion, we fervently wish you peace and happiness in whatever new field you may be called to, and we beg of you to accept the accompanying gift as a very trifling memorial of these feelings towards you,'vwhich we have in these few words so inadequately expressed.— We have the honour to be, rev. father, your faithful friends." Signed by Messrs. F. McGuire, J. Malone, B. O'Shea, W. Morrissey, E. Cullinan, P. Donnelly, P. Dolan, L. Milmoe, T. Mullins, A. Haughey, and Rev. A. X. Cassidy. Mr. M'Guire then handed the address and the purse of sovereigDß to the rev. father, Baying that on behalf of those present and those absent, he wished the recipient a pleasant voyage across the ocean,

and safe arrival at his destination in health and spirits to commence the great career before him. Rev. Father Morrissey, in reply, said the address with which he had been presented inspired him with mingled feelings of sorrow and joy. It was painful indeed to think that he was now separating himself from a people who had shown themselves so generous, so warmhearted, and so affectionate to him ; but, on the other hand, it was a priest's greatest consolation to find that the people among whom he had laboured loved and respected him. During his short stay here he had received nothing but kindness and friendship. He knew that, owing to his many duties and to other circumstances over which he bad no control, he had not been able to show them that attention which he felt they deserved, and which he had been anxious to show, but he hoped that at least they had had sufficient evidence that be had been their friend. So much he could say ; but as to the compliments which had been showered upon him in the address he could only say that he hoped he deserved them, for be had as far as lay in hie power striven to the best of his ability to discharge his priestly duty. This beautiful address and the substantial gift in the shape of the purse of sovereigns showed that his endeavours had beeD appreciated more than they deserved. He might say that this had been the first address he had received in his public life, and he should always look upon it a 9 very dear to him ; it should always occupy a a high and lasting position in his heart. He was afraid it was beyond him to give expressiom to the feelings of gratitude which he owed to them, not less for the many kindnesses shown by them during his stay, than for the presentation that evening. He felt the separation keenly, but there were nothing but ups and downs in this world, unions and disunions, and he supposed these separations were little cups of bitterness that must be drunk amid the pleasures of the world. He knew that this separation was the will of God, and he wondered if it was intended to remind him that he was beginning to love the people too well However, he hoped they would meet again It might be that some of them would meet agiin in this world, but at any rate all would, he hoped, meet in the next. He prayed that the great and merciful God would shower His blessings down upon them and upon their children ; and it would be his constant desire to hear that they were prospering. He again thanked them for their generous presentation. (Applause.) Mr. Milmoe spoke of the deep feelings of regret with which the parishioners, young and old, had heard that the Rev. Father Morrissey was leaving the district and the Colony. He hoped that in the land which he was going: to he would distinguish himself, and he was sure that the rev. father would do it. His zeal and piety were great, and must make him a useful priest ; and might Gjd give him His blessing and continue it to him all his life. (Applause) Rev. Father.-Morrissey repeated his acknowledgements. In their chanty thf-y ovei looked his failings, and gave him more praise than he deserved. For an hour or two thecorrpany engaged in conversation, the proceedings being enlivened by contributions of vocal and instrumental music by several ladies and gentlemen.