PRESENTATION TO FATHER O'DEA, INVERCARGILL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 4, 25 January 1900, Page 19

PRESENTATION TO FATHER ODEA, INVERCARGILL.

(From a correspondent.) The Rev. Father ODea, who is leaving Invercargill for the Riverton parish, was, on Friday evening last, the recipient of a purse of sovereigns and an address presented by the members of the Catholic Church and many frisnda of other denominations. The address wa« read by Mr. M. G-ilfedier. M" H.R , and signed by Messrs. W. J. M'Keown, M. Scully, J. Cahill, J. O'Neill, W. Hinchey, T. Grace, L. White, W. Hiahon, T. Leahy, P. Darin, and E. Enright. It expressed the regret felt in the district at Father O'De&'s departure for River too, and testified to the esteem in which he was held by the congregation. Reference was made to his solicitude for the spiritual welfare of the people, and his untiring zeal in the discharge of his duties. The addre33 went on to say that Father ODea could rest assured that he would carry with him to his new sphere of duties the best wishes and prayers of his numerous friends, and requested hiai to accept the accompanying purse of sovereigns. Mr. Gilfedder said that as a resident of Invercirgill he was but giving expression to a general feeling of regret that Father ODea was being removed from their midst; but, as the representative of the Western district, he would cordially welcome the reverend gentleman to Riverton. During the many years he had the honour of Father O'Dea's acquaintance he had enjoyed hit friendship. His zeal and energy had been recognised and appreciated both in Invercargill and Gore. The estimation in which h« was held by the people amongst whom he had lived and laboured was evidenced by the regret felt by the congregation on the new* of his departure, and by the numerous tokens of reßpeot and goodwill that he had received. He would find in Riverton, Orepuld, and Otautau warm-hearted Catholics, with whom it wonld be a pleasure to live, and he (the speaker) felt confident that the same success that had marked Father O'Dea's career so far, would attend his mission in the Riverton parish. Although the Catholics of that district were mostly strangers to the rev. gentleman they knew him by repute, and were pleased to learn that he was going to reside in their midst. Messrs W. J. McKeown, W. Hishon, T. Leahy, J. Cahill, and J. O'Neill also bore testimony to the zeal and energy displayed by Father ODea in the discharge of his duties whilst in Invercargill and the loss sustained by the district in his removal. Rev. Father ODea said he claimed it as an honour to be the recipient of a present from his congregation on four occasion! during the past few years. He thought that was a record for the Colony. He thanked them for their tangible token of esteem and for the kind references made about him. He did not think he wu deserving of these flattering remarks. He had always endeavoured to perform his duties faithfully and well. No one regretted hia departure more than he did himself, but although the people of Riverton were strangers to him he felt conSdent he and they would work harmoniously. He had to think the member for Wallace and the other speakers for their remarks and the congregation for their consideration and kindness. He would always remembar them. The knowledge that their good wishes and prayers would accompany him would give him comfort, encouragement, and consolation in his new field of labour. A large number of friends assembled at the Invercargill railway station on Saturday afternoon to bid Father ODea farewell, ard a few gentlemen accompanied him nearly half-way to Riverton, where the rev. gentleman was met by the Catholics of that place.