Chrsitchurch Hibernians and Father O'Connell

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVI, Issue 9, 5 March 1908, Page 23

Chrsitchurch Hibernians and Father O'Connell

(*rom our Christchurch correspondent,) • There -was an exceptionally large attendance of members of St. .Patricks branch of the H.A.C.B. Society at the usual meeting on last Monday evening >m the Hibernian Hail 1 . At tihe conclusion of the ordinary -bjusiness the ' President, Bro. R. O'Shau'ghnessey, referred to the Rev. B'at^r- O'Comnell's resignation, of the position of chaplain to the branch, owing, to his impending departure fromi Chrifcitiehurcih. We have known Father O'Connell, he said, from Wis boyhood, and wiith much interest watched his progress at school, college, and semiri a ry, and with intense 1 satisfaction his ordination to the Priesthoodi Owing to the whole-hearted efforts, on bc-' h If of the Cathedral, he has earned the lasting gratitude of th.3 whole diocese and lessened very, materially, the burden born;* by our beloved Bishop." Notwithstanding h s arduous tas s, Father O'Connell has never relaxed his interest in . Hi/berniaiMsm generally, and this - bra/nch in particular. In his travels through the diocese - he never failed to visit the va-iious branches advocating the oUjects of the Society, and with friendly advice aiidei greatly in fostering! and advancing the good work. He, en behalf of the members of ,the branch,- asked' Fa-^ ther ' O'Comneirs acce;tance of a purse of sovereigns which, he trusted, would in a small way tend to show their appreciation ' of his past sen ices, and as an expressions of -the sincere esteem and regard felt towards mm by the membe s in Christchurch. ' Bra F. J. Doolam (secretary) said that as a Hiber- 1 B : an- he well knew ths keen interest taken by Fatluer O'Connell in -their regard. The Waimate branch came into, existence mainly -through his ardent, work and able aivoca.cy. He was the first president : of that branch, and the large amount of la^or, strenuous effort, and- delcat? matters tactfully dealt with, had kept the branch in existence from the outset. ~" Bro. J. R. Hayward said all recognised the great services rendered to'the branch by Father O'Connell. All must recognn.se that Father O'Conrtell was certainly an • example as a toy, youth, man, and priest, and the posi--tirn he" had attained was a. distinct proof of personal wcrth and -ability- He wished Father O'Connell thn greatest success, long life, and happiness in his new career. In reply, Father O'Connell assured those presenthow deeply he appreciated the kind sentiments expressed towards him ; it was for them, however, to take the responsibility of the many flattering remarks applied to l.im. He was proud of Ms connrctim with Hibernianism, .and always rinsed to be amongst them. He had: ben interested very deeply in the Waimate branch, anil tho send-off gi "en him by that brinch had greatly impress. d h ; m. Tonight he flt a still greater - pride in the compliment being paid) him by the large local branch. Here 'in. his native town was the very Inart of the society in the diocese, which gave rise to branches throughput Canterbury and Westland. It was a consolation, to •■now that the work he had tried +. o do as a Hibernian had teen appreciated. He had plways been deeply inter- ' estrd in th? society, and lo^'cd as a toy to see his father wjea'Fin; the creen. and raoud of other members o the family wearing its colors. They wem all proud of those p-ip-ears of faith and fatherland—these rapi), who esta/bl/ished the soci ty. Py, 'its influence, its good fellowship, and organisation the hateful barriers of . a then existing detestable national prejudice were for all ume b-roten down., ami "the Jr : sh enaMed to' occupy an honored and influential place in every part of the'Dommon. Rief erring to -the honor board in the branch meeting room, containing names dating from 1873, he 'said it ' Was a glorious record at energy. jl'vck r and self-sacri-nce These '.were the men who stood up for faith and UUnrJand. Ma.ny h~d teen called away- -tfut some still r maimed:. The<-e veterans of the goal fieht were wonder ng what the- young men of New Zealand will do to £Pro,d the cherished n->me of Hlhern'anism. He trusted he JV done someth'nnr to merit so milch kindness, T and thanked- the H.A.iC.B. Society most sincerely for theirthoughtful pitt. He would not te forgetful of the Sociea? eir klin ' dini eS3 to' him on innumerable occasions ' and he would -always teei a r-ride in the fact that every mo'ement undertaken wrtli tbe co-o,peration. of the Society ttnd proved' successful. ~" Bro. 'Jas. McCbrmiick pres-nt'-d, as a personal' frifr. a Teautiifully wor v ed past president's collarFather O'Cormpll said he w-"s depplv . gm.teful "for the teautiful-gift and the spirit which- accompanied it. Rros. J. Power, Olßrien-, and McOo'iaih, on behalf of Hawaii, also spoke euloKistically of the guest of the c ening. . . (Owning to pressure on* our space we have been o. li«?e<j 0 curtail our correspondent's report.-— Ea. «N.