Valedictory to Father O'Shea, Dannevirke

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVI, Issue 9, 5 March 1908, Page 33

Valedictory to Father O'Shea, Dannevirke

A very pleasing function (says- the N{ Dannevirke Advocate ' of February 19) took place in the Oddfellows' Ball last evening, when a presentation of an address and a purse of sovereigns was made to the Rev. Father O'Shea, who is leaving Danne\irke to take up his duties at Hawera. Mr. M. Power, the chairman, opened the proceedings lay eulogising taie work of Father O'Shea, both as a priest and a citizen. He hoped that Father O'Shea would find renewed health in his new sphere, and that they might often have the pleasure of seeing him. The first part of a musical programme was then 'given, items being contributed by an orchestra, Mrs. Neagle, Misses McDermott and Barnett, Messrs. E. Adams, E.^ Dunne, R. Whittaker, Kclleher, J. Kelly, and Rev. Father O'Shea, after which Mr. M. Lyons read the following address • — Dear Father O'Shea,— We the parishioners of Dannevirke, on the eve of your departure for Hawera, beg to express to you our appreciation of the good worlc you have done in this parish during your residence amongst us, and the esteem in which you are held by your congregation. When you came here there was no organisation, no presbytery, and the church was too small. Your zeal and energy have overcome these difficulties, and mow you can luok back with satisfaction and note the improvement that has been made. A presbytery has been purchased, and the church has been enlarged and improved. We would also express our thanks for the fine bell, which is the admiration of everyone. We regret that "your health has comiplelled you to seek a change of climate, and less onerous duties, and we trust that you will benefit by the change.— Wo remain, dear Father O'Shea, yours sincerely, on behalf of the parishioners, M. J. Power, M. J, Lyons, Georgo Power, H. R. Shanly, E. Dunne, Jota Petitt, R. Whittaker, a nrt Frank Kellehcr. At the conclusion of the reading Mr. Lyons presented Father O'Shea with a purse of sovereigns, and expressed a hope that the Rev. Father would long enjoy health and prosperity. The Mayor said he had great pleasure in .being present to show his esteem for Rev. Father O'Shea. He had heard of the works performed by hirm, and had interestedly watched his movements. Father O'Shea had looked after his parish well, taking a great interest in at socially, and had taken Interest in all things for the prosperity of the town. He was extremely sorry to learn that the climate was too severe for Father O'Shea. Mr. Magnusson and Mr. E. Dunne also addressed those present. Father O'Shea, in reply, said he was very pleased aaid gratified with the proceedings, and he could not possibly say otherwise. They had given him credit in the address for three distinct woa:tas — of organising* the parish, extending the church, and the presentation of the bell. Only one of these works could he accept credit for, namely the latter. For that work he was deeply indebted to gentlemen of other denominations, and he took that opportunity of thanking them, and he assured them their names were engraved mi brass. In regard to organising the church and extending the church, he only claimed a man's share. The parishioners had loyally co-operated with him. He thanked them for their loyalty and unswerving allegiance. They had generously overlooked his faults, and brought, out his good points— if he had any. Dannevirke was a very scattered district, and he found that his health would not permit of him doing it justice. He thanked his paiislvioners for the generous help they hud rendered in. pushing things aJuead. He very much appreciated their broadmindedness. He was deeply indebted to the members of the community, and was glad of the opportunity of thanking them. As . the song had it, he had been a wanderer in many lands on the face of the | earth, and he had not met a more cosmonolitan and genial people than those of Dannevirke. He was • extremely sorry that it was necessary to leave them 1 . He had looked forward to several large works, the most I important being the erection of a convent and school, I and the building of a new church. ' He thankied I the Mayor for his kind remarks, and could truthfully I say he had heen on very friendly terms with all the I clergymen of Dannevirke. He concluded his address thanking all those, who had helped with the prefreshments and the music that evening. I Father Johnstone, of Waipawa, then said 'it gave him I pleasure to be able to 1 re-echo .the remarks of the I Mayor and other speakers. Father O'Shea had enrI deared himself to the people of the town. A beautiIful 'testimony to this was the large number of persons I from other denominations who were present that evenI in &-