FATHER LEN HAN'S FEAST DAY AT PARNELL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIV, Issue 20, 11 September 1896, Page 20

FATHER LEN HAN'S FEAST DAY AT PARNELL.

Since Father Lenihan's appointment to the parish of Parnell, the anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood has been antiually celebrated by an entertainment in the pa rich ball. This year it was tendered by the young ladies of the parish. The principals were Misses Lund on and Mnlvaney. Special interest was attached to the evening owing to his appointment to the bishopric of Auckland. It partook, consequently, of the nature of a farewell. The ordination took, plac on Sunday, August 27, 1882, at St Augnstine.B Ohnrcb Rampgate, Kent. Coincidences— Father Bdmond Lnck, 0.8.8., was once professor in St Augustine's College and George M. Lenihan was his pupil ; in '82 Bishop Luck ordained him as priest, a fortnight after his consecration— it was his first ordination. Now Father Leniban is his successor in the episcopate. The ball was tastefully decorated. The stage was likewise skilfully adorned. A large audience assembled from all parts of the city— Catholic and non-Catholic. The clergy present were the Rev F. Kehoe, at present in charge of Pamell ; Rev Fathers Oillan (Ponßonby), Bnckley and Mulvihill (Cathedral), and Very Rev Dr Egan, O S.B (St Benedict's. The programme was furnished by the scbool children, adult memberß of the parish and non-Catholic friends. The chorus, " Many happy returns of the day," school children, was very novel and effective. Each child had a gilded rod, bearing one of the letters camposing the legend, " Many happy returns of the day. The Bong, "Whisper and I Bhall hear (Miss McOafferty) and the duet, " Life,s dream is o'er" (Misses Rita Tole and M. White; was well sung. The tableau, " Zealandia " (Miss Robinson) was, with 'imelight, very effective, Miss Winnie Hogan saDg an amusing song in character, "The little Alabama coon." " Daddy " was tastefully rendered by Mrs Blackie, who was in good voice. In the tableau, " Flower of the family," a pretty child (Miss E. Cussen) emerges from a barrel (the barrel was labelled " champion flour "). The song, "I Lombard!" wsb sung by Mons. Cassier with power and drama 1 ie force. The singer was accompanied by Rev Father Kehoe, who also, in his well-known artistic style, accompanied Mr Innes, who gave an e.cceptable flute eolo. Tbe following address, printed on satin in gold letters and mounted on a roller bannerette, was then presented to the Very Rev Fa her Lenihin, parish pri st of Auckland : — " Veiy Reverend and Daar Father,— We, the girls of your parish, nnite most heartily in wishing you many happy returns of this yonr ordination day. We also take this opportunity of congratulating you on the high end dignified position which has been offered you. We take a pardonable pr.de in the fact that our beloved pariah priest has been chosen as the most worthy successor of oar late revered Bishop, Dr Luck. Our rejoicing at the honour bestowed on yon is tinged with rfgret, as we lose the hope we clung to of having you back again amongst us, for not only do we feel for you tbe respect and reverence due to the priest, but you have meritel our warmest t ffection and gratitude by your kindly advice and sympathy at all times and for the interest you have taken in our welfare, both spiritual and temporal, assisting us in all our amusements and entertainments, and in everything that promoted God's greater glory and our salvation. We earnestly pray that, if you are consecrated Bishop of Auckland, that our heavenly Father will shower graces a hundredfold upon you to enable you to fulfil the heavy responsibilities of that high and holy office. Accept, dear Father, this offering which, though small intrinsically, yet carries with it oar gratitude, thanks and I prayers that God will reward you abundantly for all the good which, both by example and precept, you have ever done for us, the girls of your parish. In conclusion, we sincerely hope that Almighty God will grant you many more anniversaries. — Signed on behalf of »be girls of St John's Parish, Parnell, N. Lundon, M. A. MULVANKT." The Very R»v Fa 1 her Lenihan in reply made an exceedingly happy speecn. He expressed gratitude for the entertainment and mentioned the unusual pleasure he experienced in being solely a spectator. He reciprocated their feeling of attachment, and hoped they would give the same encouragement to Father Kehoe, who was in charge. He had been enabled to do a grtat deal at Parnell with their co-op ration, and | he same extended to his successor would e:.ab'e him to do much that remains to be done. Father L>nihan's speech was punc uated with frequent and hearty applause He was the recipient during the evening of several beauuful bouquets and a purse of sovereigns. Ttie recitation in Maori, by Mr A. T. Ngata, was specially given as a compliment to tbe Wry Reverend Father. A Maori of to-day recalled the scenes of the past before the arrival of Europeans. Tbe duat, " I don't want to play in your yard," by Misses Atkins and O'Sullivan, ws prettily rendered The tableau, "Protection" (infant, not trade, protection), by Misses Hogan and Kilfoyle, was effective. The trio, " Where are you g ing to, my pretty maid " (old and new version), by Misses McUafferty and Hogan and Mr Schatz, was well done. A song was iendered with feeling by Mrs H. Wrigh 1 , The recitation (with tableau), "The Changed Cross," was well delivered by Miss F. Robinson. The comic song, •' She wanted souk - thiog to play witb," by Mr Scba'z, was very amasiDg. The sontr, " Marseillaise," by Mojjs. Caßßier, was given with tbe usual Han and power.