WELCOME TO FATHER MARNANE, CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXV, Issue 12, 21 March 1907, Page 23

WELCOME TO FATHER MARNANE, CHRISTCHURCH

(From an occasional correspondent.) The welcome home to Rev. Father- Marnane - was held, in the Art Gallery on Wednesday, March 13. The hall was crowded with .an enthusiastic audience ' that greeted their pastor in the real Cal/hplic spirit that is prompted by that admiration and respect that a Catholic has 1 for his pastor. E\ery one seemed highly delighted to renew old acquaintances with .their respected Rector,.. who returned to them"\ery much benefited by his sojourn abroad. _ _ The musical programme was supplied by Mrs. Woodward, • Miss- McLaughlan, and Messrs. Petersen and O'Keefe. Miss Egan (Timaru) acted as accompanist.

Father Hickson, in welcoming Father Marnane, said that in the general . order of things ' out of sight ■meant out of mmd f ' but in Father Marnane' s 'case .this rule was distinctly reversed by the frequent and - earnest inquiries that were made respecting the welfare of their esteemed, pastor. ' - • Rev. Father Marnane, " who on -rising was greeted with prolonged applause, thanked them all for - the warmth . and hospitality of their reception. He said he was very glad to be home among the good people of St. Mary!s, who ■ were- always^ before his mind wherever h-e travelled. He spoke at 'some length about the places he visited, especially Jerusalem with its interesting pecipje. The Rev. Father spoke about R-ome, describing it as one of the most beautiful' and most up-to-date cities in the world. During his stay in 1 eternal city he was received in audience by his Holiness Pope Pius X.; .who conferred .on him the power to 'impart ' the Paral Blessing to his congregation on his return. Ireland, the Rev. Father said, has greatly improved since he left" it twenty-two years ago. Everything in that peaceful and hospitable land ' has changed for the better, and if. it receives that fair play that is extended to lands that have not by any means performed a fraction of Ihe part that Ireland has done in .consolidating tKe British Dominions, it will be a bright ornament in Ihe Empire. Passing across the Atlantic to the IMted States, said Father Marnane, one romes to a country' fhe direct antithesis of Ireland. Freedom is the watchword of the American people. The immense wealth of the country and the materialistic spirit," which is taHiwj such a strong hold i of- the pomilation, are having a ' bad effect on the nation, and before many years the accimulation of money will be the only aim, in life „ of the American people. SpeaKing of 1113 anna 1 ling disaster that , befell San Francisco, the Rev. Father remarked that' one' could not gaue;e the vast proportions of this frightful- • calamity unless one personally saw the terrible destruction - that the earthquake and fire had wrought in this fair city. "• - " " -