PRESENTATIONS

New Zealand Tablet, 10 March 1910, Page 379

PRESENTATIONS

REV. FATHER TREACY, STRATFORD (From our own correspondent.) ’ On Sunday morning the Rev. Father ’.Treacy presented his final balance sheet, which showed a credit of *£ls 15s 6d, after all expenses had been paid. He thanked the people for their generosity and the splendid support they had given him .during the time he had been amongst them, particularly during the past eighteen months, in which they had subscribed over £BOO. He congratulated them on having now one of the finest churches in New Zealand. He was leaving them in the hands of a worthy priest, the Rev. Father O’Dwyer. After the 11 o’clock Mass Mr. Malone, on behalf of the congregation, presented Father Treacy with a purse of sovereigns. Reference was made to the splendid work that Father Treacy had done during the past nine years; how he had wiped off the heavy debt that was then encumbering the parish; how he had enlarged and improved the school, made a garden of the wild waste that surrounded the school and presbytery, and had devoted a large portion of time and labors to the education of the children,' who would sadly miss him. Every day Father Treacy could be found in the school instructing the children. * The continued strain had affected Father Treacy’s health, and he was now about to enjoy a well-earned and much-deserved holiday in the hope that he would return improved in health to continue the good work he had so ably performed in the past. On his return he would meet with the same loyal support of his people as he had received in the past. To the Rev. Father O’Dwyer the congregation extended a hearty welcome and a pledge of fidelity and support. The Rev. Father Treacy, in replying, said that the generosity of his people overcame him. He had ministered in the parish during the past nine years, but he never posed as a public speaker, and they would therefore excuse him on that occasion if he could not express himself in the terms he would like. He could not find words to give expression to his feelings, but they could rest assured that deep down in his heart he felt the generous and loving spirit that had prompted them to make this gift. Three years and a half ago, when he had completed his jubilee as a priest, and when at their invitation priests had attended from all parts of the Dominion to do honor to him, they presented him with a beautiful testimonial and a substantial purse of sovereigns. On that occasion he thought they had done all that a loving people could do, but to-day he was laid Under another obligation, and when, during the next few months, he would be resting under the roof-tree where he was born his thoughts would wander back to Stratford, and his prayers would ascend to heaven in their behalf. In all humility he would like to have gone away quietly, and he had tried to keep his departure secret from his people, but it could not be done. He accepted their generous gift, and he would during his travels be with them in spirit and in prayer. ‘ He had a great consolation in knowing that he was leaving them with a good priest, the Rev. Father O’Dwyer. He again - thanked them, and asked for their prayers so that he would be enabled to return, to them and continue his labors amongst them. The Rev. Father O’Dwyer thanked one and all for the kind and hearty welcome they had given him. He was afraid the Rev. Father Treacy had given him top much praise. He was proud to be appointed even for a time to such a magnificent parish. With them he wished Father Treacy a pleasant voyage and a safe return, and again thanked them for their kind welcome. REV. FATHER LYNCH, INVERCARGILL There was a large attendance in St. Joseph’s schoolroom, Invercargill, on Wednesday evening, March 2 (says the Southland Times), the occasion being a farewell conversazione in connection with the departure of the Rev. Father Lynch, who has spent nearly five years in the parish, and who is about to take up his residence in Gore. The Rev. Father Kavanagh, who occupied the chair, referred to the sterling qualities of the guest in his work as a priest, and wished his name to be included with those of the Rev. Father Lynch’s well-wishers. The speaker then called upon Mr. J. Shepherd to make the presentation, which took the form of an illuminated address and a purse of sovereigns. The address was as follows: * Dear and Rev. Father, —On this the occasion of your departure from our midst, we, the members of the Catholic community, in common with the rest of your parishioners, take the opportunity of expressing our deep sorrow at parting with you, and at the same time of placing on record our , appreciation of the great amount of spiritual work done by you during your brief stay'amongst us, and your wise counsel which was always cheerfully given; and also to the ready and practical sympathy which you invariably extended to every movement for the spiritual, welfare of those committed to your care. You have by your zeal and energy in the cause of holy religion endeared yourself to the hearts of the people of this parish; in fact, your

care and attention have been so lavished upon us in the interests of our spiritual welfare, that we are filled with sorrow and regret at your leaving, but at the same tune . our sorrow and regret are somewhat tempered from the fact •n^i W< i know that you are not going far away, and we will look forward with delight to an occasional visit from you. In conclusion we would ask your acceptance of the accompanying gift as a slight token of our esteem and love, and we all unite in wishing that you will long be spared in health and strength to carry on the good work to which _ you have devoted ; your life, and that that work may receive the Divine blessing. Asking of you a kindly ■remembrance of us in your prayers, we remain, etc. — Signed on behalf of the parishioners: H. Searle, J. Shepherd, Jas. Collins, F. G. O’Beirne (of Invercargill), C. Tulloch (Bluff), P. Joyce (West Plains), M. Maloney (Makarewa).’ Mr. Shepherd referred to the efforts of the lady collectors, who were met with spontaneous generosity. The amount of £SO was contained in the purse contributed by Greater Invercargill, Bluff, West Plains, and Makarewa residents. musical and other items were rendered—songs 'by Misses Kempton (2), Shea, and Mr. P. Stokes (2), and a recitation by Master Joseph Shepherd, and all were much appreciated. After others had spoken cordially, the Rev. Father replied. He said: ‘No words of mine can adequately convey to you my gratitude and thanks for asking me here this evening. Invitations of this nature always convey to my mind the idea of a parting between friends and friend, and hence the human heart, being the centre of man’s affection, must naturally feel it. Therefore, I think I am correct in saying that no sentiments of mine expressed in words would fully convey my gratitude to you in this respect. You express your gratitude in two manners of ways, first, in the very flattering words in which you speak of me in the address, and secondly, in a still more tangible way by your very substantial gift of a purse of sovereigns, which is the strongest and most sincere way of showing your good nature, your great generosity, your unselfishness, and your .goodwill. Fellow feeling .makes us wondrous kind. It is said of three very distinguished Roman pagans that they sought honor and glory from the people in various ways. • Mark Antony sought it in love, Brutus in glory, and Caesar in dominion of power. Each of them found the reward that he looked for in different ways. Antony found it in disgrace, Brutus in disgust, and Caesar in ingratitude. In none of these ways should man seek his reward in this life and much less in the life to come. For the five years that we have been working together in a common cause, you in one sphere and I in another, I have found you personally exceedingly kind, good natured, hospitable, and generous. Hence I return most sincere thanks to you all for your kind feeling, great generosity, and unselfish spirit.’ The Rev. Father concluded by stating that in future, wherever his lot was cast, he would be pleased to meet the friends he was leaving behind, and would endeavor to do his best for them, and their friends also, if necessity arose. He wished his hearers every happiness and bid them farewell, and a last goodnight.