Return of the Right Rev. Mgr. Mackay

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXII, Issue 15, 14 April 1904, Page 20

Return of the Right Rev. Mgr. Mackay

There was a representative gathering of the Catholics of Dunedin in St. Joseph's Hall on Wednesday evening of last week for the purpose of welcoming the Right) Rev. Mgr. JMackay, who toad returned on the previous day from an extended trip to Burope 11ns Lordship the Bishop and Re;v. Father Munpftiy,' Adm , on behalf of the clergy and people of D'ujiodin, welcomed Monsignor Mackay, as one of the pioneer priests of Otago and as one who had by the example of his life arid his zeal ior the beauty of God's house, done much far t|he advancement of the Church in the diocese duimg the past thirty years. Monsignor Mackay, after returning thanks for his reception, gave an interesting account of his travels. He referred in brief words to the Paciiic paradise of Honolulu, a-ndthen entertained the audience with an account of the scenic splendors through 1 which he passed in his journey through faUO miles of the Canadian Rockies. He dwelt particularly upon the magnificent scenery in and arounld Field, -with its twin soaring heights of Mounts Stephen and Donald. The beauties of the fascinating journey, said he, had been described in language of great eloquence in the ' N.Z. Tablet,' and been read by him wityh the gieatest interest. He said the description that had appeared, m the ' Tablet ' made further reference to the scenic grandeur of those regions 'unnecessary. He would merely add that the description in the ' Tablet ' was by no means overdrawn or exaggerated, but was, if anything, ratjher under than over the mark. He was specially interested in the magnificent expanses of pastoral and agricultural land in Alberta, Assiniboia, and Manitoba, and with the methods of cultivation in those provinces On arriving at the Great Lakes he took steamer at Fort William anti crossed those great ocean-like wateis to Sault Ste. Marie and on to Toronto. From there he paid a visit to the farfamed Falls of Niagara, and then proceeded to Montreal, where one of the first people he met was an old college companion, who had been with him roainy years ago in St. Sulpice, Paris. The Monsignor dwelt at some length on the magnificence of the churches ml Montreal, especially the Cathedral of Notre

Dame. He described Mo'ubt Royal, which surmounts the city, as one of the finest pornl>s of view that he had seen in his long jidumey around the world. He next gave a brief description of his journey to New York by the Adirondack^ and of hia slow and stormy voyage across the Atlantic in Ijhe Ounard liner ' Etruria.' On arriving at Queenstown he found the town veiled in a mist of a tropical downpour of rain. From there the Monsignor proceeded to (Jlonakilty anld Killarney, where he was favored with beautiful weather to enjoy the magnificent views of that far-famed resort. Limerick and Roscrea were next visited, the Monsignor making a stay of some hours at the latter place with the Rev. Father Lynch, C.SS.R., formerly of Djunedm, who was conducting a mission there. Monsignor Mackay was in Dublin during the Gordon-Bennett week, much of his time in the old city on the Liftey being spent in dodging the multitude of motor cars from all parts of Europe t(hat went whizzing through the streets at high velocities. From Dublin he went across to Glasgow and was soon aimong old friends and old scenes in Bonnie Scotland. Lourdes was the next point of interest, and this he described as one of the most beautiful spots he had seen in his ]ourneyings through Europe. Then on to Rome by the Riviera, spending} seven weeks in the Eternal City. During fchat time he was industrious in his ,visits to the thousands of points of interest and attraction in and araunjd the great centre of Christian unity and civilisation. On two occasions he had the ad-vantage of an audience with the Holy Father, the first beilng at a Consistory at which several new Cardinals were created. Monsignox Mackay caused much amusement by the interesting and witty manner in which he described how during each of these audiences, a succession of favoring circumstances combined to place him beside, or almost beside, the Holy Father. He returned to England and Scotland by Mt. Cenis and Chamtbery, and 'after a brief stay in the making of farewell visits, the Monsignor set out on his long journey to Melbourne by the Cape. His remarks were listened to with great interest, and were received at frequent intervals with applause. The reception was organised by the members of St. Joseph's Ladies' CKib, who had alsio arranged an attractive musical programme, which was greatly enjoyed. Light refreshments were also served during the evening. Monsignor Mackay left for the north on Friday morning, and on the arrival of the express at Oamaru he was met at the station by a representative gathering of his parishioners, from whom he received an enthusiastic reception, one and all being highly delighted at having their popular pastor once more amongst them. From the station Monsignor Mapkay was driven in a carriage, drawn by four greys, to his residence, where Mr. O'Grady, in a brief speech, extended to him a cordial welcome on behalf of the Catholics of Oamaru. Monsignor Mackay acknowledged in appropriate terms the cordiality of his welcome both in Oamaru and Dunadin. Monsignor Mackay will be entertained at a social gathering in Oamaru this (Thursday) evening.