THE RIGHT REV. DR. LENIHAN'S VISIT TO

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIV, Issue 10, 2 July 1897, Page 15

THE RIGHT REV. DR. LENIHAN'S VISIT TO

PARNELL,

On Sunday last Dr. Lenihan paid his first episcopal visit to his old and j former parish, from which he was called and raised to the high dignity of Bishop of the diocese. The parishoners had long looked for the presence in their midst of him whom they had learned to love and esteem as their parish priest, and who now was to appear in their pretty little church not with the biretta but with the mitre. In so short a space of time what a wondrous change. Small wonder indeed that the parishioners of St. John's felt in an especial degree elated at the visit of their beloved Bishop. The Rev. Father Kehoe, P.P., and an indefatigable committee of lady and gentlemen parishioners worked zealously to make the visit worthy of the occasion. His Lordship, accompanied by the Rev. Father Purton, 0.5.8., arrived in the eastern parish about 10 a.m., and met with a cordial reception. Father Purton said Mass at 10.30, his Lordship being seated in the sanctuary. The choir performed in a creditable manner choice music. In the afternoon Dr. Lenihan administered the Holy Sacrament of Confirmation to forty children, after which Mr. A. McHardy read and presented the following address, accom. paniod by a purse of sovereigns, to the Bishop. ADDRESS. "To the Right Rev. G. M. Lenihan, Bishop of Auckland. Our dear Lord Bishop, — \Ve, your former parishioners, take this opportunity of your first episcopal visitation to Parnell to offer our warmest congratulations on your elevation to the great dignity of the episcopate and to the exalted rank of a prince pastor of the Church. Your wise and prudent management of this parish during your many years of residence amongst us, your piety and zeal, your affability and kindness, your deep solicitude tor the welfare and happiness of all, and your becoming, like St. Paul, ' all things to all men' have thoroughly endeared you to us and created a warm and affectionate sympathy in all our hearts. It is with pleasure we recall the fact that your elevation to the See of Aucklaud was the result of the unanimous agreement of bishops and clergy, coupled with the heartfelt approbation of the laity and public ot every denomination. As a token of our respect and affection we beg your Lordship's acceptance of this small souvenir of your visit. Asking CJod to grant you many years of life and health in your exalted career, we sign ourselves on behalf of the parishioners of Parnell and Newmarket,— Father Kehoe, Messrs. Fitz, Hogan, Kilfoyle, Lundon, Mulvany, McCabe, McVeagh, Nevill, O'Sullivan, Richards, Austin, Walsh, E. Darby, Mackle and Lawton, Mesdames Fitz, Hogan, Igoe, McCabe, McCafferty. Austin. Walsh, Mackle and Porter, the Misses Lundon and Agnes Mulvany, committee ; A' McHardy, hon. sec. 2<)th June, 1897." BISHOP LENIHAN'S liEI'LY. His Lordship replied in very feeling terms, and said that though removed from them by the will of God and favour of the Holy Father, yet their spiritual and temporal advancement and comfort were ever before him. He was proud of the progress, they were making, and when they set about enlarging their church, as they proposed to do, he would, as far as lay in his power, assist them. He was pleased to see around him once more his former parishioners as it recalled to him the many pleasant day,- during which they had laboured and lived together, harmoniously seeking to propagate and strengthen our holy faith. In conclusion, he exhorted them all to do still better, and thanked them warmly for thtir too kind expressions of fealty and love towards him. In the evening his Lordship also attended, and gave Benediction, assisted by the Rev. Fathers Kehoe and Purton. Larju* congregations from all parts of the parish thronged the church at each service, to assist in the solemn services and to mark the high appreciation entertained by them all for their kind and excellent Bishop —the Right Rev. Dr. Lenihan. May he long be spared t > rule over them.