DEPARTURE OF BISHOP VERDON FOR EUROPE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVI, Issue 7, 20 February 1908, Page 23

DEPARTURE OF BISHOP VERDON FOR EUROPE.

When it became known a few days ago that Ms Lordship the Bishop was about to pay the customary visit 'ad limina ' to Rome, it was decided' by the Catholics of the Cathedral and Soutn Dunedin " parishes that the Bishop should not be allowed to depart on his extended travels without some "manifestation of ~ their respect and esteem. At a meeting held in St.' Joseph's Hall in the early part of last week, and at which the Rev. Father Coffey, Adm., presided, it was decided to entertain Dr. Verdon at a conversazione, which ' was considered the best way of giving the people an opportunity of saying good-bye to his Lordship prior to his departure. A committee of ladies and gentlemen was appointed to make the necessary arrangeonents for, the function, which came ofl In St. Joseph's Hail on Monday evening. On entering the building one could see at a glance that the committee had been very busy in the interval, as the hall "wa,s very taster fully decorated; the' stage being particularly attractive. Long before the time appointed, for the commencement of the proceedings the hall was crowded, and the arrival of- his" Lordship, who was accompanied by the Right Rev. Mgr. Mackiay (Oamaru), Very Rev. Mgr. O'Leary (Lawrence), Rev. Father Lynch (Palmerston- South), the clergy of the Cathedral, South Dunedin, and Mosgiel, was the signal for long continued applause. • The early part of the evening was devoted to a musical programme of exceptional merit. The first itenf was contributed by an efficient orchestra conducted by Mr. W. T. Ward, and consisting of Misses G. Meenan, Ward (2), McCallion, Messrs. Miles (2), Ward, O'Brien, Poppelwell, and Deehan. Songs were given by Misses G-. "Meenan, N. Hall, Mrs. - Power (with violin obligato by Mr." Power), Messrs. P. Carolin, J. McGrath, and Poppet well, and a pianoforte duet by Misses S. and N. Hall. Later on in ■ the evening the -orchestra gave another much appreciated selection. The accompaniments during the evening were played by Misses S. and N. Hall, Drumm, Poppelwell, and Mr. Vallis. 4 At the conclusion of the musical programme the Hon. J. B. Callan, M.L.C., addressed the meeting. He said he desired to congratulate the various performers for the fine musical'programme just given. They were all aware of the object of the gathering that evening, which was for the purpose of bidding his Lordship the Bishop good-bye, a happy voyage," and a safe return .to his diocese. He believed that his Lordship would prefer to leave, quietly, but the parishioners thought otherwise. Instead of presenting him with a printed address, he (Mr. Callan) had been asked to say a few words of farewell on behalf of the laity." He believed that on his return his Lordship would be bombarded with something more substantial than words (applause). His Lordship was not going to Europe for the purpose of pleasure ; he was not goiaig to see new countries and new people ; he was going home on the business of ther diocese. He believed that his Lordship, would far rather have remained here attending to his business than~ to ha.ye to travel over sea and land for 13,000 miles in the interests of -the diocese: It is a rule that every Bishop must make periodical visits to Rome,, and it was in accordance with that rule he was leaving them for a time. It was one of the duties of his Lordship to report on the state of the diocese, and wjiat sort of people he exercises ecclesiastical swa.y over. He did not know what his Lordship would say about hi® people, "but from his characteristic kindliness he would be disposed to think tnat his "Lordship would make the best of them.' (laughter). To vary the words of the poet, he would be 'to our virtues very kind, to our faults very blind. When speaking of his own labors in the diocese since his arrival here his Lordship need not be backward. JAmong the many gcfcd works carried -out by him three stand out prominently— the St. Vincent de Paul Orphanage, the Home for the Aged Poor, and the College for the training and education of students at Mosgiel. Anyone who visits the orphanage at South Dunedin cannot fail to be impressed with the admirable work which is -carried on in that institution. There the waifs and strays are 'taken in hand and brought up as nice children. They are trained, and gxow up useful citizens of the Dominion. The name of the Home for the Apced Poor, sneaks for itself. In that home many a poor fellow in his old ape, after years of hard work, finds himself cared for and tended by the good Sisters. The work of Holy Cross College belongs more to the future than to the present time ; as years go 'by its usefulness will become more apparent. In conclusion he felt he was speaking, the sentiments of the whole of the diocese in wishing his Lord-

ship good-bye, -a prosperous voyage to Europe, and that he' may return safe arid sound again to "take up his • work amongst them (applause). . ■ - His Lordship the Bishop, who- on rising to reply was received with long continued applause, thanked the au-. , ditnce for the 'magnificent send-off which -they had tendered him that evening, and he also desired to thank Mr ' Cailan most cordially for the kind- words which he had said. As Mr. Cailan told them, he had, in the discharge of his duty to pay a visit to Rome to pay his homage to the Holy Father, and give an accpunt of his stewardship. After his arrival in Rome and paying homage to the Holy Father, he would give .a full account of the- state of religion in the diocese. Th&re was no danger that that report would be unfavorable, for the work of the diocese was so a-dmirable that he, as superior, could not speak too highly .of it. They had a noble and magnificent body tk' priests in the diocese, who, without exception, were all thoroughly . devoted to their duty. They labored with the utmost zeal, and had endeavored to erect beautiful ohurches, schools, convents and presbyteries. During the past' years every parish had been enriched by such works. There had been erected a number of new convents, in charge ■ of a devoted body of nuns, who, with the. priests, spread the benefit of Christian education amongst the people. The priests are responsible for the great , work ■ done, and in this 1 they had the aid of a noble and generous people. They had a noble body of people in this diocese, who were animated by a true Catholic spirit, and since he came to the diocese he had /been helped everywhere by their fervor and generosity. He would be able to report to the Holy Father that religion is progressing in the diocese, and- that the priests are thoroughly devoted to their' duty. While on his tra- , Vels in various parts of Euonope he would have the opportunity of visiting m^ny sicred^ shrines, and there he would pray for the spiritual welfare of his people, that God might bless them, and make them happy on earth. He would in every way furl her the interests of thediocpse, and he trusted thst whilst he was away laboring and tr a vell ; n^, tbev "would remember him in their prayers. In conclusion he agiin thanked them most sincerely for thpir magnificent reception, and trusted that in a few months they would all meet again. (Applauee*,.

At the conclusion of his Lordship's -address, light refreshments, nrovided by a committee of ladies, were cKsuensed. Before disnersinp the assemblage said) g,oodbye individiially to his Lord«=Mp.

His Lordship left for Svdn-^y via Auckland on Tuesday aft^-rn^on by the ' Victoria,' and was seen off by th'O visiiing ard' local clergy and a 'representative gathering of the laity.