Welcome to Father Ormond

New Zealand Tablet, 31 December 1908, Page 17

Welcome to Father Ormond

(From our Auckland correspondent.) A very hearty welcome was extended to the Rev. lat her Ormond by his numerous friends in the Hibernian Hall on the evening of December 22. Mr. P. J. Nerheny, J.P., presided, and in addition to Rev. Father Ormond there were also pjesent Very Rev. Father Mahoney (Onelranga), Rev. Father Buckley (Otahuhu), Rev. Father lormoy (Ellershe), Rev. Father Furlong (Devoiiport) Rev lathers Murphy and Wright (St: Patrick's Cathedral), Rev 1 athers Williams and Brennan (St. Benedict's), and Rev' Brother George. The Chairman heartily welcomed Father Ormond, and congratulated him on his ordination to the priesthood and then called on Mr. D. Flynn, J.P. (Hon. secretary), to road the following address :— < Reverend and dear Father —It gives us groat pleasure, on behalf of your friends in Auckland, to extend to you a hearty welcome home after so many years of absence from your native land. It is no tv over a decade of years since, in response to the Divine Call, you left this country and went forth 'to prepare m the Land of Saints and Scholars for the sublime mission of the priesthood. Your lengthy sojourn in the Holy Oity and the educational advantages derived from residence in the world-famous College of. the Propaganda must have imbued you with sentiments of profound at- ' tachment to the Holy See, and that ardent missionary zeal so characteristic of the present reigning Pontiff. During all these years you have labored strenuously to attain your object and now we are happy to rejoice with /you and congratulate you on the fulfilment of your heart's desire A\e feel sure that the noble example of self-sacrifice you have given in leaving home and family and all you held most dear will be an incentive to many of the youth of tins diocese to follow in your footsteps. The joy your good parents must feel at seeing their son a priest we know cannot be adequately expressed, but still, as far as it is possible, we would wish to share in that joy, and we sincerely assure you there is but one desire in our hearts and one prayer xn our lips that Heaven's choicest . hless- ' nigs may attend your future labors, and that your life may be long spared to work for God and humanity' _ beg to subscribe ourselves, your sincere .friends ■ i;lr hCTS^' J- Nerlieny, P. F. Hiscocks, Michael Foley Maurice Casey H Duffin D. Flynn, W. Beehan,Y wiui ' T 9- Mu »*°«ancl, Mary Mahoney, Thomas Buxton William Kane , J. J. O'Brien, William Tole, Maurice O'Coni": nor, Patrick Brophy. ... '" The address was printed upon white satin, with a nice horder in which the harp and fern leaf, typical 'of Ireland and New Zealand, appeared. . \Z**+&--\ Rev. Fathers Mahoney Y Furlong, Murphy, and Messrs Heehaii and J. J. O'Brien also spoke. In replying, Father Ormond said:— 'l would indeedho made of stone if I were not moved, by the warMiofY tlie reception you. have accorded me this evening V Mv ' ; long absence from my native land and f rom'YmV dear - rea e nnnt a^fr fa - mi lT V™?* r6Warded ** S « ch a recep W L Q +' + ! SU^' ce v tly tb . a »k you, .Words fail to express my f^fi' ld& ' -^ hea -I h is too^ftH.'io give utterance to Tts land frJ r 7 fl+ i efer to in holy Ireland-the land of youi fathers, and mine. What a' privilege was mine to set foot on its sacred soil, to see its green hSE refl?ll Ie7 + S ' ? az ° ™™ its ruined shrfnes You lefor alsoto my stay in. Rome— Rome, the city of Christ's nl n ar + n.? in + -£ c'e ' * m Pm<*Ml Rome ;to which; every Cath--oho turns with- fervent heart. .One cannot- mov| there S2£S Zr IDg T nG ° bje^ ° r '**## to axouse within ;S ose pent-up feelings of veneration and love for our Holy Faith f£ ™v! V 1^7 oll „" nbw asa P" est^ of-God's Church, to labor for you with all my strength, this is my. consolation and recompense for the labors of the past eleven years F?om

my- heart I thank you all for this^be&ufciful raddress^ which I shall always treasure. In ah;:'espobial/mahner I thaiik those who have organised the fine/reception.'. '■■' At the conclusion of .the. proceedings "Father Ormond was -invited to the rooms, of tlie Brothers' Old Boys' Association,, where he was .accorded^ a hearty reception.' "•■'■'■•; ' : "'" *■ ■'-■' ■ ■••;-.• . ;;-; rv -;■;,•:.■; - 1, ■..