MOSGIEL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIV, Issue 1, 30 April 1897, Page 18

MOSGIEL.

A very pleasant social was held in the Mosgiel Oddfellows' Hall on Fri lay evening (says the Taieri Advocate of April 14) for the purpose of saying good-bye to the Rev. Father Ryan, and at the same time making him a presentation on the occasion of his severing his connection with the parish to take up hia duties in Dunedin. The Very Rev. Father O'Neill occupied the chair and there was a large attendance of members of the congregation. A good programme was gone through, including pianoforte selections, step dances and children's choruses.

During a short interval Father O'Neill said he had a pleasant duty to perform, as the representative of the congregation, who felt that they could not allow Father Ryan to leave without giving him a slight souvenir to remind him of the happy days they had spent with him. Father Ryan had been four years connected with the parish and during that time they had worked harmoniously together. He very much regretted that they were losing- him, though he believed it was for Father Ryan's own benefit. Their loss would be Dunedin 's gain. Of Father Ryan it could truly be said that he reflected credit on the profession which he adorned, showing as he did that in the same person could be combined a cheerful disposition and genuine piety. During the four years which had gone since he came among them the time had passed pleasantly. His ministrations had been received with gratification by all and people had appreciated his high character He would refrain from any further iremarks, but would content himself with presenting Father Ryan, on behalf of his Mosgiel parishioners, with a handsome gold albert and cross. He might also mention that the congregations in the other part of the parish intended to present him with a gold watch.

The cross was inscribed as follows : " Presented by the Catholics of Taieri to the Rev. Father Ryan. April, 1897." Father Ryan, in reply, said he had to thank them sincerely for the honour they had conferred on him. It was the custom in some parts of Ireland when a poor fellow was going to America for his neighbours to assemble and have a night of it. They usually bucceeded in making the parting so hard for the poor fellow that he would have been better staying at home. In Tipperary, where he came from, these functions were called American wakes, and he supposed that this was his Dunedin wake. Father O'Neill had said so much in his praise that he did not know how to thank him. He could say with truth that they had worked smoothly together, and he had received the greatest kindness from Father O'Neill and the people of the parish. He was conscious of his own weakness and shortcomings, but he was not conscious of having done anything to entitle him to the honour they had conferred on him. He could not help feeling flattered at the kind words, and also at their handsome gifts. He should always treasure them as souvenirs of four of the happiest years of his life. In return, he would say that if in the future he could do anything to advance their parish he would be happy to do it.