Presentation to Father O'Malley, Invercargill

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIV, Issue 15, 12 April 1906, Page 18

Presentation to Father O'Malley, Invercargill

A very pleasant function took place in St. Joseph's Hall on Monday evening, whtn a piesentaticn ot a gold watcn, cnain, cross, purse of sovereigns, and illuminated laddrcss was made to the Rev. Father CTMalley, who was recently transferred to Invercargill, alter having laUoud with great zeal for upwards of li\e and a- halt years in 'the Cathedral parish. The hall was crowded with the many friends of the Revr. Father O'Malley, their presence in such largo numibers being a striding testimony of his popularity, and *of the high esteem in which he is held by the people among whom he labored with such marked success. Tho chair was occupied by Mjc M. Ccugdil'an, who had on Lis right the guest of the evening. The other cl'eryv present weie the Rejr. Fathers C'oiley (Adm.), Lleary, O'Reilly, Corcoran, M. Ryan, Liston, Buckley, and Dahdah. There was an apology for unavoidable absence from Rev. Father Howard. Among the laity piesent on the platform were Mes,srs P. O'Neill, L ase> , Fulton, J. J. Dunne, Conway, J. O'Neill. The Chairman said tii:y had met that evening to perform a \ery pleasing duty — to present the Rev. Father O'Malley with a token of the-u respect and esteem, and of appreciation of his labors in the parish. Father OWlallev s good qualities were so wellknown to all piesent that there was no need for him to dwell ojn tjht'in^ — (Ap,pl,ause). The chairman then read the following address: — ' Dear Rev. Father, On behd.li' of the Catholics of the Cathedral Parish, Dunedin, wo beg to tender you the expression of our sorrow at your departure frcm this city, and to testify to you the deep sense of the splendid services which you rendered to religion during your stay of five and a-h,xlt years among us. We desire to express to you our grateful remembrance of your unselfish and \vholc-souled devotion to duty, and especially of your ever kindly zeal and care for the sick and wayward and the children of the parish. We ask you to accept the accompanying gift as an appreciation — although an inadequate one — of your work and worth, and with it the assurance that no gift has ever come more from the hearts of the givers. We remain, dear Rev. Father, gratefully and sincerely yours in Christ, Wm. Fulton, James O'Neill, Joseph Casey, T. B. Conway, J J. Dunne.' The Rev. Father Coffcy, Adm., said this was a very pleasant occasion for the Rev. Father O'Malley, who had thus an opportunity of finding out how the people of the Cathedral parish aopreciated his services. The attendance there that evening was certainly a remarkable testimony of the love, esteem, and affection* which the people had for him. These tokens of regard were very creditable to the givers and very pleasant to the receiver, who had labored in the parish for a period of five and a-haif vcars, during which time it was a matter of astonishment both to clergy and laity how he had succeeded in doing so much work in every twcMy four hours. He taught the clergy a lesson by the zealous manner in which he carried out his duties. He felt great regret when he received intimation that Father O'Malley was to be transferred to Invercargill, but Dunedin's less was the gain of the people of invercargill, where, no doubt, he would be as highly esteemed as he was here, and where he would find many friends. On Wehalf of himself and the clergy present he desired lo bear testimony to the good work done by Father O'Malley in Dunedin, and

they hoped and trusted that God would spare him to labor long m the interests oi the Church, whereever his lot would be cast, and that he would be able to put up a b)ig record of souls saved by his missionary laHors (applause). Rev. Father Cleary said that their presence in such large numbers that evenimg was evidence of the warm place which Father O'Malley occupied in the hearts ot the people of the Cathedral parish, wnere by his zeal, energy, and sympathy he had pro\cd himseli a true 1 soggart aroon.' Key. Father O'Malley, who, on rising to reply, met with a very enthusiastic welcome, expressed, his sincere thanks fcr the warm welcome extended to him, for the valuable presentations, and the kind expressions contained in the beautiful address. The praise contained therein was tco liL'aral, and altogether beyond what he merited. He was not surprised at all this, for he was aware of the aflcction and loyalty displayed at all times by the Catholic laity ol Dunedin for their clergy. It is always hard to part from friends and (acquaintances, but the Bishop, the spiritual head of the diocese, considers that changes arc necessary and that transfers are for the good of the people ; and the priest in doing his duty was sustained by the hope that when the end of life came lie would receive his reward. He regretted that, owing to the many other calls on his time whilst in Dunedin, he was not able To give much attention to the many societies connected with St. Josejh's Hall as he would have wished, but it was not possil le for him to attend to e\ery thing. Father O'Malley then referred to the great consideration md m?ny kindnesses he had received from the clergy of the Calhrdra.l, making special mention of Fathers Murphy, Coficy, and Tleary ; he paid a trfbsite to the work nf fife Christian Brothers, and referred amidst applause to Miss Purton's devoted labors in connection with catechetical and other work in the parish. In conclusion he again thanked the people for the prr<-.cnlal ion made to him, which was as unmerited ?s it was unexpected, and said wherever his lot would Ye cast he would remember with the warmest feelings Ihe many kindnesses he had received from the Catholics of Dunedin. In the words of the poet, ' W 7 here'er I roam hy land or sea, My hetiirt e'er fondly turns to fhec.' Rev. Father O'Malley resumed his seat amid longcontinued applause. A of thanks to the chairman hi ought the proceedings to a close. During the e\cning soni,s cont'ibuted by Mrs. W. Connor and Mr. Fottrcll.