NASEBY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume 07, Issue 23, 7 June 1900, Page 18

NASEBY.

(From a correspondent.) June 2. The time has come at last when Naseby is to be the home of our parish priest. For months past the Catholics of this town have been very anxious to learn what new arrangements his Lordship the Bishop would make on hia return from Europe. For the last four months the Rev. Father Howard, from Oamaru, resided amongst us, in order to assist Father Sheehan in providing for the spiritual wants of so large and so scattered a community. Daring the past week his Lordship Bishop Verdon made certain clerical changes, necessitating the return to Oamaru of Father Howard and the appointment of Father McMullan, of Port Chalmers, to the pariah of Naseby. Never before did the laity ol Naseby endear themselves to their pastor as during the short stay of Father Howard amongst them. They earnestly hoped that when the new parish would be formed he would still be left to carry on the good work he had begun, and through whioh he won the hearts of his people ; so when the news came announcing the change it caused general regret throughout the district. During the Rev. Father's sojourn here we were enabled to assist at Holy Mass and evening devotions daily, the choir was reorganised, and if it were nothing else than the training of the four acolytes to assist iv the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, Father Howard will long be remembered by tbe people of Naseby and Ranfurly. His place amongst us will, indeed, be very difficult to fill, bat this consolation remains to us, that his successor is a man after his own heart ; and in wishing Father Howard a long and prosperous life in the discharge of his sacred duties, we also extend to our new pastor a eead mMefailte, and trust that he will receive at the hand* of his people the same good feeling as was extended to his predecessor.