FAREWELL SOCIAL to REV. FATHER O'MALLEY SOUTH DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVII, Issue 20, 20 May 1909, Page 13

FAREWELL SOCIAL to REV. FATHER O'MALLEY SOUTH DUNEDIN.

(From our Invercargill correspondent.) The Rev. Father O'Malley, who for three years had acted as assistant to the Very Rev. Dean Burke, V.F , Invercargill, and who was lately transferred to the Administratorship of St. Patrick's, South Dunedin, was farewelled in St. Joseph's Schoolroom on Wednesday evening, the 12th inst. The hall was packed to the doors, and Mr. J. Mulvey, who occupied the chair, said the large audience was in itself a tribute to Father O'Malley's popularity. He pointed out that the time which had elapsed between Father O'Malley's notice of removal and that of his actual departure was so short that it was, impossible to say farewell to him then in a manner befitting the occasion. That was the reason Father O'Malley had been invited to Invercargill that evening. Mr. Mulvey went on to refer to the good work performed by Father O'Malley in connection with the various Catholic organisations of the town. He assured him of his popularity amongst all in the parish, and referred to the time and the trouble that had been so voluntarily and gratuitously given to every good work. Mr. Mulvey then read and presented the following address to Father O'Malley: — 'On the occasion of your leaving Invercargill, after three years' ministration, we, the parisnioners, wish to express our sincere sorrow at parting with you, and to express our deep appreciation of the manner in which your duties were pei-formed. Your zeal and energy in the religious and social uplifting of your flock were proverbial, and we believe that' there is not a household with which yon were unfamiliar, and in which your memory is not kindly cherished. Your services have been freely given to the Men's Club and the Hibernian Society, and. are deserving of our warmest thanks, and the young people especially will sadly miss you. One and all join in wishing you Godspeed, and pray that you may be long spared to successfully carry on your 'ministrations.' — E. Columb (president Hibernian Society), J. Collins (president Catholic Club), J. Mulvey (Invercargill), J. Shepherd (Invercargill), F. Fraser (Invercargill), J. McDonough (Invercargill), H. F. Caufield (Rakahouka), Jno. Flannaghan (West Plains), C. Tulloch (Bluff). At the conclusion of the address, the Chairman handed Father O'Malley a purse of fifty sovereigns. Mr. J. Shepherd, on behalf of the parishioners, expressed the regret that was felt by all at Father O'Malley's departure. He paid a high tribute to the labors of Father O'Malley in the parish, and trusted that he would long be spared to carry on his good work.' Mr. J. Collins said he had known Father O'Malley for many years, and found it hard to give expression to his feelings that evening. On behalf of the Catholic Club, he specially thanked Father O'Malley for the great interest he had at all times taken in its progress and welfare. In conclusion, he wished Father O'Malley success in his new parish and a long and happy life. Mr. L. Morton said that Father O'Malley had done a tremendous amount of work in Inyercargill, and they knew, without being told, that everything was done , in an unassuming manner. The Very Rev. Dean Burke paid a glowing tribute to Father O'Malley's work in the parish. No one was more sorry than he (Dean Burke) at this parting. The previous speakers had all in turn wished Father O'Malley success. He thought that unnecessary, as Father .O'Malley was endowed with the qualities* that led to success. Ha was so efficient and so kind in everything he did, and ho did so much — in fact, there was hardly anything for him (the Dean) to do when Father O'Malley was with him, and, what was more, everything was done efficiently and properly. Great work was done by him in the visitation of the parish. Father O'Malley was very successful in getting the parents to send their children jbo the Catholic schools. The Dean went on to say that, apart from these things, in order to know one you must live with him. Father O'Malley and he had lived happily together for three years, and their relations proved the soundness of Father O'Malley's character. He had never seen Father O'Malley put out, had never found him gloomy; but, as it were, always gliding on the ' smooth, even tenor of his way. His prudence, his evenness of temper, his foresight would certainly bring success to Father O'Malley's work in his new charge. The Rev. Father Murphy (Riverton) said it afforded him the greatest pleasure to be present at this farewell to his dear friend. He had been associated with Father

O'Malley in Dunedin, and could endorse the remarks of the previous speakers. He wag' not surprised at the wonders Father O'Malley had worked in Invercargill. This meeting showed the deep Catholic spirit that*existed in Invercargill, and it was pleasing to note that Father O'Malley, who was everything that a good priest ought to be, had been appreciated. Mr. E. Columb (president of the Hibernian Society) said he was sure he was voicing the opinion of the whole of the members of the society when he said they were truly sorry at Father O'Malley's departure. They recognised that the society had lost a good and staunch friend. Father O'Malley, on rising to reply, was greeted with prolonged applause. He said he could scarcely tell them the great pleasure he felt at seeing again so many familiar faces. It was the duty of a priest to be the vigilant watchdog of the House of Israel, to know his sheep, so that they may recognise the sound of his voice. Being the physician of souls, it was the duty of the priest to look after the waifs and strays, and to bring them back to the paths of righteousness. There were certain things which tended to make the life of a priest a happy one, and he had been fortunate in the. people amongst whom his lot was cast. In his daily rounds he was always received with a genuine, hearty welcome, Another thing "which struck him very forcibly about the people of Invercargill was their constant generosity towards t£ie_»_ church building fund. Freely and generously they gave their contribution (sometimes even the widow's mite), thus showing that they were determined not only to clear off the debt, but also to complete the decoration of the church and to make it the most splendid ecclesiastical edifice in Invercargill . Not only were the Catholics of Invercargill practical, but they are also sturdy colonists, efficient citizens, and well able to hold their own in the battle of life. The Catholic young men of this town were pre-eminently deserving of a word of recognition and praise. Their zeal and activity' were known to all. There were in the parish a literary society and an athletic association, and both were in a very flourishing condition. But there were two societies of which the young men might feel proud, the Hibernian Society and the Hibernian Brass Band. The Hibernian Society, though established only a little more than a year ago, had progressed by leaps and bounds and had given rise to four kindred branches, full of life and vigor. The utility and efficiency of the band were displayed a few weeks ago in the unprecedented demonstration of welcome given to his Lordship Bishop Verdon. Within twelve months after its establishment, the Hibernian Band was thoroughly equipped and efficient. Its success, to a great extent, was due to the indefatigable energy of its conductor, Mr. Wills. Invercargill was fortunate in its pastor. Without flattery, Dean Burke was a true specimen of a soggarth aroon and an ornament to the sacerdotal calling. When the wet day came it was a pleasure to enter his rooom, to converse with him on literary or historical subjects, or to disc ass philosophical and theological topics. In concluding he thanked all from the bottom of his- heart. He hoped to see them at his home in South Dunedin, and he would always be glad to hear of the welfare of this fair southern city.

During the evening a concert programme was gone through, to which the following contributed: — Mrs. Matheson, Masses Kirwan, Shea, and Bonner, Messrs. Byrne and Pasco, Masters Arthur and Wills.