DEATH OF REV. FATHER O'DEA.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 20, 3 March 1893, Page 27

DEATH OF REV. FATHER ODEA.

The following is taken from a recent number of the Molong Express, New South Wales :— lt wbb with feelings of mingled surprise and regiet that the news was received on Sunday evening last ot the death of the Reverend M. ODea, who, since the early part of January, 1892, had been in charge of the Molong parish during the absence of Bey Father Hanley. At the presentation' to the latter gentleman he spoke approvingly of the earnestness, geniality, and enthusiasm of bis successor, and Father O'Dea's career in Molong bad fully borne out the ecomiums of Bey Father Hanley. Of a retiring disposition, be had been best known inside the circle of his own denomination ; but tboee who had come in contact with him speak most highly of his genial and kindly nature. The Bey Father ODea, who was 32 years of age at the time of his death, was a native of County Clare, in Ireland, and his collegiate career was Bpent at Salamanca, in Spain, at Mill Hill, Brompton, and at Bt Eieran's, Kilkenny, Ireland, his Eminence Cardinal Moran being in charge of the latter seminary at that time. Father ODea was ordained from St Eieran's in ths early part of 1884, and shortly after came to the colonies with a number of other young priests who wsre brought out by Cardinal Moran in that year. His first appointment was Mudgee, and since then he was successively at Parkes, Carcoar, and Wellington, from the latter place comiDg to Molong to supply for the Rev Father Hanley.

The immediate cause of death, we understand, waß heart disease together with an affection of the kidneys. The deceased gentleman had been ailing for two or three weeks, but no immediate serious results were anticipated, and when Mr J. P. Wyne visited him on Sunday morning, Fathtr ODea spoke quite hopefully of being about again in a couple of days. In the afternoon, however, he took a serious turn, and passed away the same evening. Daring his collegiate course Father ODea was noted alike for conspicuous ability and a natural reserve and diffidence which kept him from taking that prominent position which his ability entitled him to, and the fact that he won the good opinions of his superiors is fully proved by his being included with those wbom Cardinal Moran (the late head of the College) selected for the work in this colony. His talent and ability might also be said to be inborn, because three of hia brothers made their marks during their collegiate course, one of whom is now teaching with high credentials in Queensland, while another in the medical profession passed through Queen's College, Ireland, on a three years' exhibition, and the third one entered the priesthood after carrying cff a number of honours in the Imh College of the University of Paris. The funeral took place on Tuesday, and was largely attended by people of all denominations, the cortege being preceded to the grave by the local branch of the Children of Mary in the uniform of their Order, the altar boys who had served nnder Father ODea, and the bishop and visiting pries's in their vestments. The Funeral March was played by Mrs Lohan as the congregation lift the church. Previous to the funeral a Requiem High Mass was celebrated in the church, his Lordship tbe iiight.Kev Dr Byrne, Bishop of B&thurst, intoning the service. Father ODea was a cousin to the Revs M. Bnd P. ODea, of New Zealand, aud of Mr John O'Mahony, of Adelaide, an ecclesiastical student at the Cardinal's College at Manly.

One of the anecdotes told in Mr L»cj'a " Diary of the Salisbury Parliament" has reference to the half-crown wbich Lord Leveson (now Lord Granville) " swallowed among other delicacies at Christmas, whilst engaged upon an amateur conjuring performance. He was," says Mr Lucy, "not a pennj, much less half-a crown, the worsa for the adventure. 'He has gained 11 Ib,' said Lord Granville to a youthful colloague on the front bench, wh > wa« ii quirinp after Lord Leveson's healtn. 'Ah,' said the wify peer, 'tr at tmkea £11 2s 6.1.'" Ano 1 her anecdote is from the Bt>re of Sir Wi.fni Lawsm. whom it y c ncerns. Sir Wilfrid wag rompiug one day in the house of a friend with a In tie boy, to whom he sud, " Well, my boy, we havft been great friends ; but it's odd we wera never introduced ; I don't koow what your name is, and I am sure you have not the slightest idea who I am." " Oh, yes," said the small boy, " I know very well, You are the celebrated drunkard."