THE SILVER JUBILEE OF THE VERY REV. DEAN CAREW.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 36, 7 September 1899, Page 27

THE SILVER JUBILEE OF THE VERY REV. DEAN CAREW.

ENTHUSIASTIC DEMONSTRATION AT GREYMOUTH

CFrom our special correspondent.)

It is not often that the people of Greymouth witness such a demonstration as that which took place on Wednesday evening, August 30, when a conversazione was held in the Opera House in honour of the silver jubilee of the ordination of Very Rev. Dean Carew. It might be truly raaid that all classes and creeds joined in the proceedings, for Dean Carew is not only bsloved by his own flock, but he has the esteem of members of other denominations. Another tribute to Dean Carew's popularity was the presence at the gathering of priests from other parts of the Colony, amongwhom were the Yen. Archdeacon Devoy, V.G., (Wellington), Very Rev. Dean Martin (Hokitika), Yen. Archpriest Walshe (Westport), Very Rev. Dean Mahoney (Nelson), Rev. Father McNamara (Reefton), Rev. Fathers Marnane (Christchurch), King (Ahaura), O'Hallohan (Kumara), Malone (Greymouth). Among the laity were visitors from nearly every district on the West Coast, many of whom had come at considerable personal inconvenience to show their respect for the popular pastor of Greymouth. The proceedings began with the first part of an excellent musical programme, the itemß of which were contributed by Misses Pike, Galloway, Guthrie, Easson and Kettle, Mrs. Jones, Messrs. Daniel, Doogan, Guthrie, Moss, Philips, E. A. Burke, the Convent pupils, and St. Patrick's choir, the accompaniments being played by Mesdameß Kirkpatrick, J. W. Easson, and Miss Hannan. During the interval an artistically illuminated address, accompanied by a gold monstrance and a purse of sovereigns, was presented to the Very Rev. Dean Carew by the congregation. Addresses were also presented by the children of the Greymouth and Brunnerton convent schools, the pupils of the Marist Brothers' school and the Children of Mary. Prior to the presenting of the address, Mr. Felix Campbell, chairman of the church committee, addressed the meeting. He said that a letter had been received from his Grace the Archbishop of Wellington, in which he expressed his regret at his inability to be present. It waß almost needless for him to call attention to the matter that brought them together, which was to offer their hearty congratulations to Dean Carew on the oelebration of his silver jubilee. Their presence that evening, in such large numbers,

would convey to their worthy parish priest the esteem in which he was held. They were glad to be able to offer their respectful congratulations to him for so large a meeting. They expressed publicly their keen appreciation of the work and worth of their pastor. There were very few, if any, present who could not speak of the kindness of the worthy Father. It was nearly twenty years ago that he (the speaker) had made his acquaintance in Reefton, and he at once recognised in him a sterling man, and during that twenty years his sterling qualities had been proved. Out of that twenty years, fifteen had been spent in Greymouth, and it was impossible for him to enumerate all the good works, the kind deeds, the noble acts of their worthy parish priest. As soon as he commenced his duties there he had recognised the necessity for a better church, and at once set to work with vigour, with the result that they had now a church of which they were justly proud, and one that was a credit to the town of Greymouth. This church cost something like £ 0,500 That, perhaps, was not a very large amount, but it was a large amount when they considered what a thin and scattered population the Reverend Father had to collect from. Father Carew's energy had not ceased in Greymouth. When he took charge of Brunner there was no church there, and in Brunnerton there was very little of ways and means for their worthy pastor, but with his zeal and help they could see what was there now. Another good work was the introduction of the Marist Brothers. Their worthy pastor, indeed, deserved their heart-felt thanks, and he was sure he had it for thus conferring these benefits upon them. Dean Martin had received a letter from the Bishop of Christchurch, and when it was read they would see that it conferred additional honours upon their worthy parish priest. They were pleased to see and welcome on such an important occasion two classmates and fellow -priests of Father Carew, who had come from Wellington and Nelson to offer their congratulations, also to those Fathers who had come from all parts of the district to express their congratulations to their reverend Father.

LETTER PROM BISHOP GRIMES.

St. Joseph's, Temuka, August 22nd, 1899. My Dear Dean,-— I regret exceedingly I cannot possibly be present at the celebration of the silver jubilee of dear Father Carew. Though most reluctantly compelled to be absent in body, I want you to assure him and the j übilee committee that I am with you in spirit, in heart, and desire. I will ask you to be my interpreter in publicly proclaiming' my deep esteem for the one to honour whom you are gathered on this memorable occasion. My first acquaintance with Father Carew carries me back over a period of thirty years or more. A diligent and successful student he was then, as he has shown himself ever

Binoe, a model of sincere unassuming piety, and thorough devotedness to the duties of his state. A quarter of a century ago, on the feast of St. Rose of Lima, the 31st of Aupust, he and Father Foley, another zealously devoted and much esteemed of my priests, were the first to receive sacerdotal unction from *the hands of our Venerable Metropolitian, his Grace the Archbishop of Wellington. A longing to work for the greater glory of God and the good of immortal souls in the foreign mission made the newly- ordained volunteer to bid farewell to his home and family and friends and country, farewell to the nearest and dearest of them on earth and come to far away New Zealand. Masterton and Fielding, Eeefton and Boatman'?, Greymouth, Brunnerton and Barrytown, can speak, and speak most eloquently, of the unqualified success of Father Carew's most fruitful ministry during the last five and twenty years. The wisdom of his skilful administration is shown to a demonstration in the various parochial properties, which he so timely and prudently purchased ; in the churches and schools and presbyteries, he reared or secured in the different localities where obedience had placed him ; the Marist Brothers, whose presence in your midst he made every effort to secure ; the devoted Sisters of Mercy, for whom he has ever proved a true pastor, a loving father and friend. The rising generation of Greymouth, yea, all Westland, will bear me out in the assertion that no priest in this Colony has done more for the noble, the divine work of Christian education. Not a few owe to his enlightened guidance and direction the grace of an ecclesiastical or a religious vocation. How many have learnt from his pastoral zeal to know and esteem and love our holy faith and its salutary teachings, not content with receiving them into the household of faith, has he not carefully followed them along after their reception 1 I know no priest who has shown more eagerness to give his flock the estimable advantage of missions and retreats, whilst the neighbouring districts can attest to his willingness to help his brother priests whenever his help was asked or needed. Never shall I forget his earnest appeals and zealous cooperation on behalf of the great work wherein I am now engaged, the raising of funds for our future cathedral. But what I admire and esteem him for above all is the assiduity wherewith he has so long and faithfully discharged one of the gravest and most important duties of a missionary priest. I mean the great duty of imparting Christian doctrine to the young. The teaching of that little golden book called the catechism he has ever and rightly looked upon as the most solemn obligation imposed upon the pastor of souls. And now my dear Dean and Vicar Foran I wish to give some token of my appreciation of the services Father Carew has rendered during the 25 years of his priesthood in New Zealand, and notably in our Diocese of Christchurch, wherefore I hereby appoint him a Very Reverend Dean and one of my diocesan consultors. You are Dean of Westland and Vicar Foran. The honoured guest of this evening will henceforth be known as the Very Reverend Dean of Greymouth. His deanery will comprise the parishes of Greymouth, with that of Kumara and the scattered district in the important parish of Ahaura. At the earliest possible occasion you will in my name invest him with the insignia of his new duty and office, the silk mozetta and rochet. This investure should take place in the church, as the new Dean will wear his insignia wherever he preaches or presides, and, according to instructions from Rome, whenever he assists his Bishop in the present pro- or future cathedral. I feel confident that this public recognition of our esteem and gratitude will be hailed with delight by you yourself, by the committee of the Silver Jubtlee Celebration, by every single member of the new Dean's faithful flock, by all Greymouth, and by every priest both vrithin and without the diocese of Christchurch. One and all will unite with us in a heartfelt wish and a fervent prayer that God will long spare the Dean of Greymouth to work for His greater glory and the welfare of the souls committed to his keeping. Whether far or near all will join us in the earnest hope that he may enjoy increased health and strength ad multos ct pleitus anno*.— Believe me, my dear Dean of Westland, yours very faithfully in Christ, (Sgd.) J. J. Grimes, S.M., Bishop of Christchurch. THE ADDRESSES. The following address was presented to Dean Carew from the of Greymouth :—: — Dear Father, is with feelings of very great pleasure that we, the of the Greymouth parish, assemble here this evening to

offer you our heartfelt congratulations on the occasion of yoar Silver Jubilee of the priesthood We feel that this is a fitting opportunity to give you a piactical proof of the very great esteem in which you are" held by all the members of your flock. During your long residence amongst us, a period of fif teenyears, you have proved yourself a devoted and zealous priest. The beautiful church in Greymouth of which we are so justly proud is a visible and lasting monument of this. The church and school at Brunner evidence your wide reaching energy. We all highly appreciate the splendid Catholic education provided for our children by the Sisters of Mercy and the Marist Brothers, the presence of the latter being entirely owing to your efforts. Through all these years you have been most faithful in attending to our spiritual welfare, your unassuming charity, piety and genial manner make us recognise in you the true Soggarth Aroon. In conclusion we beg your acceptance of this gold monstrance and its accompanying gift as a token of our respect and veneration. We pray that God may long spare you to continue your fruitful mission in our midst. Signed on behalf of the parishioners, F. Campbell, P. M. Griffen, D. Sheedy, T. W.Tymons, J.McGain, M. Phillips, M. Noonan, J. Creagh, D. Ryall, J. O'Donnell, 6. Whitaker, M. Hannan, J. L. Doogan, J. Mcßrearty, T. P. O'Donnell, J. Byrne. The children of the Convent schools, Greymouth and Brunnerton, presented an address, which was read by Miss Kate Campbell, in which they offered their heartfelt congratulations on the twentyI fifth anniversary of his ordination, and testified their sincere gratitude for the kind, paternal interest Dean Carew had always taken in their spiritual and temporal welfare. The pupils of the Marist Brothers' school in their address, which was read by Master J. Hannan, congratulated Dean Carew on the jubilee of his ordination, and referred to the many works carried out during his time in Greymouth, and concluded by hoping he would be long spared to continue the work which Divine Providence had entrusted to his care. Miss Burke, on behalf of the Children of Mary, read an address to Dean Carew, and also presented him with a costly hall clock, and a handsome illuminated address, in which a glowing eulogy was paid to the zeal and labours of the beloved jubilarian. Besides those presents already mentioned Dean Carew was also the recipient of the following : — Children of the Convent schools, Greymouth and Brunnerton, beautiful hall stand ; the congregation, splendid office desk and table ; Sisters of Mercy, Greymouth, Limerick lace alb ; Sisters of Mercy, Christchurch, handsome stole and tabernacle veil, besides many other useful and valuable gifts from the Convents of Mercy at Hokitika, Westport, and Lyttelton.

DEAN CAREW'S REPLT.

On rising to reply the Dean of Greymouth was greeted with fervid and prolonged applause. He expressed his deep gratitude for the many tokens of friendship presented to him — they were but repetitions of acts of kindness which had been shown to him ever since the day he had come to Greymouth, and he would be hard of heart if he were unconscious and unmindful of it all. He had left Home with the intention of working hard in the Lord's vineyard, and he felt that he had received more than a hundred-fold the Saviour's promise that ' he who leaves all for My sake shall receive a hundred-fold.' Relatives had repeatedly pressed him to return to the old home, but he had a duty, and a blessed duty to perform where God had placed him. He was proud to be their priest. During his stay among them they had, as far as lay in their power, spared him, they had aided him in every possible way, and from all he had received unfailing kindness. Just 25 years ago be was ordained by the Bishop of Wellington. Twenty years of that time he (the speaker) had been on the West Coast, part of the time at Reefton, the greater part in Greymouth in their midst. Mr. Campbell had credited him with church and school building during tha^ period. But he (the speaker) declared that he could not have don* ' it without the cordial assistance of his people. On every occasion on which he had appealed to them, they had right manfully res* ponded. As for the ladies of the parish, no words oould express the work done by them for the Catholic cause. Every Catholic man in this district, too, had done more than a man's work during the time he had been among them. Henoe the magnificent result that had been attained. Alone he (the speaker) declared he could have per* formed nothing ; with God's blessing and their help, much could be effected. He felt sure that when the time comes for the completion of the tower of the church, he would do his part, and that they would do theirs (cheers). He was grateful to see so many there, and gratefully accept their gifts, thanking them again for their kindness and proofs of affection (applause).

H? Archdeacon Devoy was warmly applauded on rising to speak. He claimed to be an old West Coaster, and it grave him great pleasure to be there that evening to take part in the celebration in honour of his old friend the Dean of Greymouth, and to witness the enthusiasm which was manifested on the occasion. The Arohbishop of Wellington had expressed regret at not being able to attend there that night. Had his Grace been in Wellington, he (Archdeacon Devoy) was sure he would have come to take part in the celebration. The speaker in happy terms complimented the jubilarian on bearing so lightly the weight of close on fifty years of life, and hoped that they would all meet again to celebrate his golden jubilee. The zeal of Deau Carew was proved in his parish and people, in the beautiful new church built in Greymouth — one of the most beautiful churches in the Colony, and one which (the speaker thought) had had something to do towards spurring on the zeal of the people of the North Island of New Zealand, who were now about to discard wood and build only in stone, brick and concrete. In concluding he again expressed the great pleasure it gave him to be there present after his long time of friendship with Dean Carew. The Very Rev. Dean Mahoney, of Nelson, expressed the very great pleasure it gave him to be present on such an eventful occasion, and to unite with the Greymouth people in honouring his reverend friend and confrere on his silver jubilee. He said he had come out from Home with Father Carew, and they had ever since entertained for each other the most cordial and devoted friendship. He congratulated the Rev. Father Malone, the committee, and the Catholics of Greymouth, on the success of the grand gathering. The honours and presents given to Father Carew he looked upon as if they were given to himself, but with this difference, however, that he had not the purse of sovereigns to take back with him to Nelson. He congratulated Father Carew upon his well-merited promotion to the Deanery of Greymouth, and hoped he might live to celebrate his golden jubilee in as good health as that which crowned the ceremony this evening. At the conclusion of Dean Mahoney's remarks refreshments were handed round by the ladies and gentlemen of the congregation, after which the final part of the musical programme was gone through, and thus was brought to a close one of the most successful gatherings ever held in Greymouth. The celebration on the whole was a great success, and too much praise cannot be given to Rev. Father Malone for the admirable manner in which he worked out the details, and superintended the carrying out of the entire programme. The committee, and especially the ladies of the congregation, deserve a meed of praise on the magnificent result of their labours.