VERY REV. FATHER O'LEARY'S JUBILEE FESTIVITIES AT LAWRENCE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVI, Issue 21, 29 September 1898, Page 19

VERY REV. FATHER O'LEARY'S JUBILEE FESTIVITIES AT LAWRENCE.

(By telegraph from our special correspondent.) The people of Lawrence are holding high festival this week, in honour of the Sacerdotal Silver Jubilee of their revered pastor, the Very Rev. Father O'Leary. On Tuesday evening the fete was opened by a concert which waa given by the pupils of the Dominican Nuns. His Grace the Archbishop of Wellington and his Lordship the Bishop of the diocese, together with come of the clergy, had arrived at Lawrence during the day to take part in the celebrations, and these were present at the entertainment which was given by the pupils in the school, which was beautifully decorated. The performers displayed great ability, and provided an entertainment of a highly enjoyable character. The programme contained several choral numbers, which were excellently rendered by the pupils, and much applauded. The instrumental performances consisted of a pianoforte duetj ' Meeting of the waters.' by Misses King, Moody, and Byrne (2) ; pianoforte duet ' Irish blossoms,' by Misses West (2), and King (2); ' Killarney ' and ' Mattei's valse,' by Miss D. Delany ; pianoforte solo, ' Glittering spray,' by Misses N. West and M. King ; duet, ' Sans Souci,' by Misses Webb, West, King, and Humphrey. A notable feature in the entertainment was a dramatic sketch entitled ' Woman's Secret,' the characters in which were supported by Mi&ses Mary Colgan, Alice Kelleher, and Rose Fahey, who all displayed considerable dramatic skill and were frequently applauded. The Japanese fan drill was performed with fine effects under coloured lights ; and Masters King, Colgan, Byrne, and Oliver danced the ' Sailor's hornpipe ' in capital style, and with great spirit. Tne most interesting part of the proceedings was the presentation of an address to Father O'Leary, which was beautifully spoken by Miss Byrne. Father O'Leary in replying to the address said he would have preferred that the occasion should have been allowed to pass noiselessly and without any demonstration, but fche kindness of the parents, teachers, and children induced him to waive his personal objections. He was the ambassador of Christ, who blessed little children and received their hosannas, and he (Father O'Lnary) could not repel them or reject their congratulations. He paid a high tribute to the excellent training imparted by the Dominican Nuns, and exhorted the children to show their respect, attention, obedience, and gratitude for the self-sacrifice and devotion of their teachers. His Grace Archbishop Redwood, in a few wellchosen words complimented the nuns and performers — especially the boy dancers ; and wished a long and happy career to Father O'Leary. Bishop Verdon also spoke, and in happy terms complimented the good nuns and the children, and congratulated the ! people of Lawrence on having such admirable teachers in their midst. He concluded with a high eulogium on the zeal of Father O'Leary and the great success that had attended his missionary labours. The following is tbe text of the address :—: — ' To the Very Rev. Father O'Leary, on the occasion of his Silver Jubiee. Very Rev. Father, this day is joyous in a very special manlner for the children of your parish. We. who enjoy the fruits of the labours of your ministry, have been taught our duty of gratitude to one whose self-sacrifice, whose whole heartedness is under Providence the cause of the blessings we enjoy as pupils of a Catholic school. " 'Tis sweet to think of labours past When now the haven looms at last." Our traditions, which if not very ancient, are the more certain, tell us how, when all your efforts to procure us a Catholic teacher were unavailing, you added to your other heavy labours the duty of the schoolmaster, devoting your time and energy to the preservation of

the children from contact with evil in the godless schools of an enlightened State. In you we have seen realised the words of the poet : — " Hope like a star gleams in the breast Of him who labours without rest In Truth's sweet service and in Love's." Brave, generous, devoted : Yours is the spirit that has breathed into us love of Faith and Fatherland, pride in the memories that wreathe round the name of our Irish forefathers in the chastened brilliancy of the martyr's aureole ; and courage and consistency in upholding truth no matter what the odds against us. Your life is before us as that of the true priest, whose heart and soul are in God and His people, who has spent himself for them by night and by day, in sunshine and in calm. Your are our friend, constant and true in the hour of trial, the kind Father ever accessible with that I open-hearted bonhovimie that makes timidity trustful, that opens all hearts in affection and confidence. Yes, priest of God, friend, father, pastor, our sag garth aroon — 'tis the jubilation of grateful affection that inspires our acclamation to-day, ad mnltos annos. We are, Very Rev. Father, your grateful children, the pupils of the Convent school, Lawrence.' The address was feelingly responded to by Father O'Leary. On Wednesday evening a social took place, at which there was a full attendance of the clergy and parishioners. Addresses and purses of sovereigns were presented on behalf of both the people and the clergy. A full report of these functions, together with a portrait of the Very Rev. Father O'Leary and views of the interior and exterior of his fine church at Lawrence, specially taken in view of the event, will appear in our issue of next week.