RETURN OF THE REV FATHER O'REILLY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 21, 21 September 1894, Page 11

RETURN OF THE REV FATHER O'REILLY.

(From the Thames Star )

The Rev Father O'Reilly returned to tbe Thames on Tu°s<iay night, 4th inst, from his holiday trip to Australia, and received a most enthusiasticwelcome. On Wednesday afternoon he was accorded a hearty reception from the scholars attending the parochial school. The interior of the building was very tastefully decorated, whilst in the centre was the motto, " Welcome Home." The Sisters of Mercy bad the children all nicely arranged, and tbe proceedings were opened by a choru°, " Welcome home to our pastor," numerous beautiful bouquets of flowers being appropriately tendered by the j performers. A greeting by jureniles followed, each having in its I band a letter, aad when all »tood in a line before the rev gentleman ( the word " Welcome" stood out most prominently, and it is needlesß to state that the effect was exceedingly pleasing. At this stage Miss Mulligan stepped forward, and read the following address, which was beautifully illuminated :—: — " Very Reverend and Dear Father O'Reilly,— Tt is with joyful and gratefult hearts we welcome you home, and sincerely trust your health has beeu benefitted by the chpnge of air and scene you have enjoyed for the pant few months. It is needless to say how we missed your welcome visits to our school, to which we loosed forward with such pleasure each day, particularly many of us w v o have for years past experienced the unremitting care and earnest solid udeyou evince for our temporal and spintaal welfare. Djar Father, be assured it is fully appreciated, and we constantly hope it may please God to spare you for marjy years in health and energy to instruct and guide tte flock committed to your paternal ere. We nek you to pray that we may all li«« bere so ihat after death we will meet in heaven, and there in bliss to separate no more. May your life on earth still blessed be, ar.d a sparkling gem in St Patrick's crown for all eterni'y, is the fervent wish of your devoted children of tbe Parochial School. ' Tbe Rev Father O'Reilly, in very feeling termp, thanked the scholars for their kindly expressions, and trusted that the harmony at present existing would cor.tump, aod that conjointly they migbt live long and work en^rgetical'y in the cause of the Lord. The rev gentleman th«n r. f 'rred to bis visit to Australia, which he said he enjoyed very muth and which had bi'Defitttd his health conaidersbly He again thanked the school for the welcome they had given him t and for the go>.d wishes expressed relative to health and labour. The programme, which was then continued, was as follows :—: — Chorus, " Angels of each couctry," illustrative of each country c'aiming a crown for their meritorious deeds. This was rendi red by a number of the children, each having a flag representing the diff. rent countries. Recitation, " Barbara Frietcbie " ; dialogue by three girls, " Tbe wonderful echolar." The gathering was brought to a close by the singing of " God save Ireland " At Bt Thomas' School, Willoughby street, on Wednesday night, an excellent programme w-is gone through, whilst in the course of the proceedings the following address was presented to ihe. rev gentleman :—: — •' Rev and Dear Father O'Reilly, — It ii with loving hearts we welcome you once more to our milsi afer a well-merited holiday, which we are pleased to learn has been very beneficial to you. We thank God for having restored your health, and we pray that he will spare you to us many years, and reward you for your untiring zeal in the cause of educatun and tbejinterestsof the parish committed to your care. Though only children, »c can appreciate the unselfishness and devotedness which characteiue your actions, and we lope that when -we shall have bade adieu to the schoolroom, and have entered the boay arena of life, we Bball ever prove our gratitude to you. We are indebted to the Rev Father Golden for his kindness to us daring your absence, and for conveyiDg to ub the tidings of your improvement, which was a source of conßolatioc to up. Wishing you Cead Mile FailU, aod thanking you and the Rev Father Golden for your pre-

sence here to-night, we remain, your devoted children, the pupils of St Thomas' High School." The address was read by Miss K. McDonald. The programme was as follow?, every itsm being deservedly well received :— Duet, "Qai Vive " Misses McDonal 1 aod Garvey ; chorus, " Welcome " ; solo, " Ventre a Terre," Mias Garvey ; song, " Tbe idol of my hear," Miss J. X jefoed ; duet, "Bind oa the pier," Misses Aahby and Walsh ; chorus, " The Harp " ; solo. •• Ab del Kader," Miss E. McDonald; chorop, "All Hail Z-alandia;" dance, "Hunter's Fling," Miss Walsh; solo, " Chilperic," Miss McDonald; drama " Birthplace of Pjdgors ; " chorus, " God defend New Zealand." Father O'Reilly feelingly responded, and in referring to his travels said he had received marked attention and kindness in the southern parts of New Zealand, Melbourne, Sydney, and other parts of Auitralia. For this he must acknowledge his indebtedness to bishops, priests, and people alike, but his own flock were first in his mind, and he was anxious to reach home aB Boon as his health permitted. Hs now thanked God his health had been restored, and he waß very happy to be back with his people again. He also wished to thank bis old friend, Father Golden, for the zsal and attention he had bestowed on the parish. He felt §ure while away that everything was in safe hands, which served not a li tie to make his mind happier. In conclusion he thanked the children for their beiutifnl address ar.d for their welcome entertainment, and also the audience for their presence, notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather.