Nelson

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 41, 8 October 1903, Page 5

Nelson

A Nelson correspondent supplies us with the following particulars regarding the late Mr. Patrick O'Connor, of Appleby, whose death was briefly reported in our last issue :— On Tuesday, September 22, there passed away the oldest representative of the Catholic faith in the Nelson district. At the advanced age of 87 years, Mr. Patrick O'Connor, ' Hednesford,' Appleby, was called to his reward. For some years the deceased gentleman had been ailing. It is only quite recently, however, that his infirmities confined him to his room. He received every attention and care at the hands of his children. The priests of the parish had been assiduous in attending him. His infirmities were borne with great Christian resignation, animated with a most lively faith and fortified with continuous prayer. His love of prayer was evinced by his frequent aspirations in the Celtic tongue. He deligMed to recite his prayers in Irish— the same prayers he had learned four score of years ago at his mother's knee. 'Twas thus in an atmosphere of prayer and meditation, strengthened with every consoling rite of Holy Church, the good man peacefully passed away in the midst of his children. His funeral took place on Friday, September 25. A Requiem Mass was celebrated at SS. Peter and Paul's Church, Appleby, by Rev. Father Clancy. Prior to the absolution the celebrant addressed a few words to the congregation. Commenting on the text chosen from St. Paul's Epistle to St. Timothy : l I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith,' he pointed out how St. Paul, in writing his own epitaph, did not glory in his eloquence, or his miracles, his election to the apostolate, or his being raised to the third heaven, but to the simple fact that from the day of his allegiance to Jesus Christ he had played the good soldier, covered with wounds and scars got in His service fighiting for the extension of His kingdom. He bares his breast and arms like another veteran, and boasts not of the blows he has given, but of those he has taken. His course is now ended : his career is closed and crowned, for destpite the allurements of the world, the weakness of the flesh, and the strength of the devil, he has kept the faith. In conclusion Father Clancy hoped that a like epitaph might suit all those listening, as it fitted him who now slept in their midst, and thus all would lay up for themselves a crown of justice which the Lord, the Just Judge, would render to them. After the absolution the coffin was borne by the sons and grandsons of the deceased to the grave where, amidst a large concourse of people from

the surrounding districts, the remains of the late Patrick O'Connor find their last resting place.— R.jl.P.