Valedictory to Father Aubry, Hokitika

New Zealand Tablet, Volume 13, Issue 7, 13 February 1908, Page 11

Valedictory to Father Aubry, Hokitika

< On the evening ,of February 5 the congregation of S'th?*7 1 Catnolic Churcih entertained^ the Rev Father Auhry .at a farewell gathering on the eve of his departure for Waimate. The ball, which was crowded (says the ' West Coast Times'), was tastefully decorated.- Among those present were the Rev Dr. Kennedy, Rev. Father Taylor (Greymouth), and Re<\ Father O'Dwyer. • - Mr. J. Downey presided, anH on the platform, with the clergy mentioned, were his Worship the Mayor, Messrs. T: E-." Y. Seddbn/'M'.P:, J. Tobmey,' ,an 4E. O'Connor. The presentations were preceded by a short .musical programme, to which the following contributed: Misses A. Malfroy> Burger, Bourke, and W.ard ■„, Messrs: T. L. Ralfe, Schroder, Malfroy, and McSherry ; ,Convent pupils' string -bland, "and- volunteer band. ' Mr. Downey, in introducing the purpose of the gathering, -said they all gjreatly regxetted to have to say good-bye to their beloved pastor.. He had - been sent to them four years ago, and had endeared himself to them through his ministtriataons to the late Dem Martin. Since -then,* (by' his kindly nature and" good oihoes, he had captured . the hearts, not only of his own congregation but of the community of Hokitika. The speaker instanced, amongst the many good works successfully carried out by Father Aubiry," the sheJter sh-dis at the school, erection of- the late Dean's monument, etc., and' he trusted God would spare him for a long life and bless him with every hanniness. >.

Mr. J. McSherry read the following address :— Dear Reverend Father,— On this, the eve of your departure from amongst us, we, the .parishioners of Hokitika, are assembled to bid you farewell, and wish you God speed in your new sphere of action. Coming amongst us some four years ago, at a time when our hearts were saddened by sorrow (viz.; . the serious illness of our much lamented Very Rev. Dean Martin), you won the hearts of all your people by your tender care and kindly consideration for the comfort and alleviation of the sufferings of one who had been our loved Father and dear friend ; and when the Almighty Father in his own good time' called His steward to Himself to receive the rewards of his labors it was you, dear Reverend Father, who Watched by the bedside and administered' the last consolations of Holy Church to our dear departed pastor. These facts alone, dear Reverend Father, were sufficient to ensure for you the esteem and love of your parishioners ; but when the care of the parish devolved upon you, your untiring zeal and ever ready assistance in all matters concerning the Church and pertaining, to the welfare of your people proved beyond doubt that the love and esteem gained through the sympathy of the people were not misplaced and your owjn good qualities 1 were deserving of such love and esteem. You have been unspairing in your efforts, to bring at regular intervals ;all the consolations of our holy religion to those of your parishioners in the outlying parts of your parish. The establishment of St. Mary's Club in our midst and the goad work it has; accomplished in bringing together our young men and training! them to express their thoughts in fitting speech that they might take their proper places wherever they might be called, has been an object of solicitude for you, and the success achieved' must • be credited to your zeal and example. You have captured the hearts of our chdi'dren, dear Reverend Father, try your tender consideration; for their welfare and your jovial and -pleasant, though flrm, manner of dealing; with them on all occasion®, and having captured the children's hearts, it is only natural that you should capture the hearts of their parents and friends. The good ■works you have accomplished !in the district will always remain as mementos of a loving, zealous, and devoted pastor, and though grieved to part, with you and to say farewell, we rejoice ! exceedingly to know that your superiors have found you worthy of higher duties and a more ' responsible position. We hope dear Reverendi Fatberi, that though called from our midst, we will not be forgotten by you, and that occasionally we may have the pleasure of 'a, visit from you, so that the bonds of friendship now forged may not be severed by the rust of time and absence. We ask you dear Reverend Father, to accept the accompanying gift as a small to^en of our esteem and goodwill to you. In conclusion dear Reverend Father, we-one ' and all-wish you Orod speed, long life and prosperity in God's' vineSigned) on- behalf of the 'parishioners— James Toomey Zj. O'Connor, Gerald Dee, J. Downey, J. McSherry j' J. L._ Burke. Mr. E. O'Connor, on behalf of the congregation, presented Father Aubry with a purse of sovereigns. Miss Shine read an address from the Children of Mary, and presented Father lAubry withi a silver shaving mug, and silver mounted brush. Mr. Toomey addressed Father Aubry on behalf of the Catholic Debating Club, of which he was the founder, and spoke of the warm interest he had always displayed in the Club. He called on Mr Cox to make the presentation, which he did, handing to Father Aubry a handsome silver-mounted walking stick. ' Messrs. M. Daly and F. Sellars also 'expressed regret at Father Aubry's departure. Master Toomey read an address, expressive ;of regret at the departure of their pastor from the altar boys. Mr. .Michel, on behalf of the ' H'okitika Volunteer Band, presented Father Aufory with an eight-day travelling clock. He said Father Aubry had Tjeen in every sense a worthy 'citizen, and many outside his congregation would sincerely regret his departure. As a musician he had done splendid work, and the Volunteer Band would also remember with gratitude the twelve " months or so when h^ siep^ed into the breach as th.-lr lftader.^ On 'behalf of tho people generally tie wished 1 im long life, health, happiness and every prosperity in his new parish. Roy. Dr. Kpimedv addressed those present and w^rMy eulogised the Rev. Father -A uihry. He congratulated Mm on the warm testimony of his faithful services 'exhibited by his parishioners, and he congratulated the peoplp of St. Mary's Church on their recognition of a good and excellent priest. | " i

Mr T. Y. Seddon,, M.P., said that in Father Aubry's departure he felt the loss o! a personal friend, friend. Mr. J. "J. , Breeze, on behalf of the local Dramatnc uluib, wished Father Auifory much prosperity in his new parish. Mr. H, Williams- also .added a few sympathetic-words. • . . Rev. Father Aubry received an ovation on using and was unable to speak for several seconds on account - Oi the applause. To reply justly to the praises Vebfiowei on him he said was beyond his power, and he hoped any shortcomings in his remarks would be excused. He thanned Mr. Michel and the Band for their bteautiful gift, which he would always treasure. Anything he had been able to do for the Band had been a labor of love and the benefit conferred had been mutual, as he learned a great' deal from the Band. He hoped to see the Band members' or other- Hokitika friends in Canterbury sometimes, and he would assure them of a hearty welcome. He thanked jthe school ci:ildr;.n for their address and present, remarking that it ,was one of his consolations in - Hokitika to have such splendid schools and sucdi capable teachers, and he Congratulated those of- the Convent pupils who had just Passed the Junior Ci\il Service/ Examination. He thanked the altar boys and members of the Catholic .^ Club — urging on behalf of the latter that all the young men of the parish should join it. He thanked the Children of Mary, and finally he- thanked the congregation as a -whole. He had been told before coming to Hokitika that he was coming amongst an excellent people, and he had found them golden hearted. Their kindness to Mm had been very great, and the magnificent demonstration of that- evening touched him very deeply. He, thanked his Worship the Mayor for the kind words spoken by him, and said he had strong ties of friendship in HoMti ca, which he hoped 1 would "be strengthened as the years go on. He would never forget his congregation here, and he pray-ed that God would bless " them always. t On th-j motion of Father Aubry, a vote of thanks to Mr. Downey for presiding was carried by acclamation. " -