REV. FATHER McGRATH, TAPANUI.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume 14, Issue 24, 14 June 1906, Page 19

REV. FATHER McGRATH, TAPANUI.

The most sincere regret was felt throughout the diocese of Dunedin when it berame Known that the Rev. Father McGrath had met his death in the early hours of Friday morning in a fire which occurred at McCann's hotel, Tapanui, where he had been lodging. "When the fire "was partially got under it was noticed that Father McGrath was missing, and a search of liis room confirmed the worst apprehensions of those present. The only consolation left to his friends is that he lost consciousness, and that his end was painless. The late Father McGrath was "born in Dunhill, Waterford, in 1845, and in his early manhood he*was a teacher of considerable attainments, and for some years held a position in the Model School, Belfast, with marked success, his strong r-oint being mathematics. After spending about ten years in the teaching profession, he entered in 1875 St. Jrhn's College, Waterford, as a student for the priesthood, and was ordained in 1879. After his ordination he was appointed professor of mathematics in St. Stephen's Grammar School, which was a .preparatory seminary for the larger College of St. John's. He spent about two years in this position, a^-d in 1881 he came ou-t to Duncd'n in company with the Very Rev. Dean Burke (Invercarglll). He spent about eighteen months in Tnvercargill, and was then transferred to Cromwell, vh^re he remained until immediately before the death of the late Bishop Moraji.

He got sick leave-in 1895 and* proceeded to Europe where he spent about a year and a half. On his return he was appointed to the Cathedral parish,. and from there to Invercargill, -where he spent two years. Then fallowed a year in Gore, from which he was "transferred to the charge of Port Chalmers, where he labored for three years. His health quite bro..e down, and he was obliged to take another journey Home. He' made aT stay in Ireland of about one and a half years On his return hs was appointed to the pastoral charge of Tapanui, where he remained until his deeply regretted death on Friday morning. The remains were brought to Dunedin for interment and on Imwday morning the Solemn Office and Recjuiem Mass for the repose of the soul of the deceased took place in St. Joseph's Cathedral. His Lordship the Bishop presided at the Solemn Office and was celebrant of the Mass, Very Rev. Dean Burke (Invercargill) beine assistant priest, Very Rev.Vather O'Doniiell (Gore) deacon, Rev. Father Corcoran suhdeaeon, Rev Father C'offcy (Adm. St. Joseph's Cathedral) master of ceremonies, and Rev. Fathers Cleary and O'Reilly cantors. The other clergy present were the Right Rev Mgr Mackay and Rev. Father O'Neill (Oamaru), Very Rev Mgr. O Leary and Rev. Father Lynch < Lawrence) Rev.' father Kecnan (Riversda'e), Rev. Father siunt (Cromwell), Rev. Father ODea (Oiliir), Rev. Father Lynch (Palmerston), Rev. Father Murphy (Rivcrton) Rev Father McMullan ißanfurly), Rev. Faihers Howard and Geary (South Dunedin), hey. Fathers Delany M Ryan Liston, and Buckley (Holy Cross College), Rev. Father O'Malley (Invercargill), Rev. Father Ileam (Port Chalmers), Rev. Father O'Neill (Winton), Rev. Father O'Neill (Gore). A number of students from Holy Cross College, under the direction of Rev. Father Liston, sang the Gregorian music appropriate to the Mass. There was a very large congregation, among those present being representative CaUi>lics from the Tapanui district who thus showed by their presence their dtep and sincere respect for the deceased priest. The funeral took place in* the afternoon, when a large cortege of mourners followed the remains to their last resting place in the Southern Cemetery. -His-Lord-£>hip the Bishoi officiated at the gra- eside, and was assisted by the clergy 7 re/iously mentioned. His Lordslip received a number of sympathetic messages from all parts of the Colony, conveying the expressions of regret of the senders at the loss which Ihc diocese had sustained in the sad death of a devoted priest.— R I P