FAREWELL TO FATHER GOLDEN, KAIKOURA

New Zealand Tablet, 21 July 1910, Page 1135

FAREWELL TO FATHER GOLDEN, KAIKOURA

Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, there was a very large attendance in the convent schoolroom, Kaikoura, on the evening of June 28, to bid farewell to the Rev. Father Golden, who had relinquished charge of the parish. Among those present were several nonCatholics, who desired to show their respect for the Rev. Father Golden. Mr. William Smith (Ludstone) presided over the gathering (says the local Star), and m the course of his opening remarks said they assembled that evening to bid farewell to and to honor their devoted priest, whom all loved so well. The large and representative gathering tended to show the great respect and esteem in which Father Golden was held by the community. He was glad to see some of their nonCatholic friends had been good enough to join in, and he thanked them sincerely for the goodwill their presence indicated, and which had always existed. Unfortunately for the congregation, they were about to lose their kind and venerated pastor, and this loss caused them much sorrow. After,some musical selections, Mr. J. C. Mullane read the following address to Father Golden: Rev. Dear Father, —It is with feelings of deep regret that we, your parishioners, assemble to bid you farewell, and to express the esteem and affection with which we regard you, our generous and devoted pastor, for the last ten and a half years. With grateful hearts we acknowledge the blessings we have received from your long and never-failing ministration to all our spiritual wants, and the high standard of piety and devotion with which you have carried out all the duties appertaining to your priestly office, particularly your zealous and unremitting attention to the sick and dying of both Europeans and Natives. We likewise wish to express our sincere gratitude for the earnest attention that you have always devoted to our school, and the praiseworthy and constant care with which you have taught our numerous children the Christian Doctrine, both those in the suburban and those in the township and Himdalee. We desire to commemorate the zeal and energy you have displayed in the liquidation of the debt on' the' churches, the wisdom and economy that has characterised your management of the church and school funds, of which our present sound financial position is con,elusive evidence; also your collection and verification _ of the several entangled titles to the district church properties, all of which tends to show how near and dear to your heart was the welfare of your parish and flock. Your parishioners regret the unavoidable circumstances which have so long delayed the erection of the.new convent, provision for which has received so much of your valuable time and care, and which, if not so delayed, would now be an accomplished fact. We also .desire to record our admiration of the tact and ability with which you have so promptly defended the doctrine of our holy Church whenever called upon to do so. Our parishioners are mindful of the extra duties entailed by your service on Sundays, of two churches, some distance apart, often in inclement weather; also, owing to the scattered district and dangerous unbridged rivers, the increased difficulty of sick calls, which have always received your prompt and willing response regardless of weather or distance, night or day, Maori or white man. We desire to express our sincere sorrow that you have decided to relinquish your charge of this parish, in which your kindness of heart and fatherly care have won the love and esteem of your flock and the respect of the whole community. We hope and pray that you may be long spared, in perfect health, to continue your priestly career for the glory of God, and the. welfare of .souls, and that you may enjoy a safe and pleasant passage to your destination; Should your steps lead you back to the land of your birth —that land that' has given to the world so many illustrious prelates and eminent dignitaries of the Church—of your charity we beg you to make a memento of this little flock at the Antipo'des when you visit the shrine of our glorious patron, Holy St. Patrick. In conclusion, we beg your acceptance of this purse of sovereigns as an earnest of the esteem and affection with which your parishioners regard you personally, and the ardent gratitude they eutertain for your long and faithful ministration. Finally, we extend to your successor, Rev. Father Johnston, our most cordial welcome, and begging your pastoral blessing. We subscribe ourselves, on behalf of the parishioners.— Smith, Patrick Keenan, Bernard Mackle,' Geo. Eaton, Jas. Mullane, John Curtain, George Smith, John Peoples, members of the church and school committee.'

The chairman then, on behalf of the parishioners, handed to Father Golden a well-filled purse of sovereigns, expressing the wish that it had been ten times more than it was. The Rev. Father Golden, in reply, said:—'l fail to find ; words strong enough and meaningful to convey my thanks for your excellent address with this accompanying purse of gold. The high meed of praise you give my poor efforts is enough to shake the heart and make the mind stumble. The ideal in view by the writer was drawn chiefly from the depths of his own spiritual and orderly mind. Certainly, the ideal he portrays is too exalted for my deserts. Whatever blessings have accrued to you through my ministrations must solely be attributed to an over-ruling Providence, Who employs weak instruments to effect His highest designs. The harvest is the bounteous work of God. • But the priest, as the sower of the good seed and the sentinel on the watch-tower, must be full of zeal and concern for the welfare of his flock. The speedy liquidation of the debt on your churches and the present sound financial condition," for which you give me credit, must rather be set down to your great generosity, without which your pastor's efforts would have been sterile. The new and secure titles to the several church properties cost the church and school committee much thought and careful handling. However, honor to whom honor is due. We must frankly admit that the lion's share of the labor fell to the lot of Mr. William Smith, whose unfailing industry as correspondent is beyond all praise. I wish also to offer him my heartfelt gratitude for invaluable services he has rendered to the finances* of the parish, in the twofold capacity of secretary and treasurer. For me as well as for you it is a matter of much regret that the proposed convent and school structures have not yet been erected. Indeed, I had fondly hoped to have seen the zealous and devoted Sisters comfortably housed in their new convent. However, I am delighted at the news that the plans have been approved, and that the beautiful and commodious site, two acres, will soon be adorned with excellent buildings. Your address makes honorable mention of services. rendered to the sick and dying. In the discharge of this grave and sacred duty a priest must be wholehearted and unsparing of self. No effort and no sacrifice must be spared when there is question of aiding an immortal soul to secure an eternal crown. You have given me credit for constant and earnest care of your dear offspring. Of the manifold duties -of a priest the care of the young is one of the greatest. The rising generation is the hope of the future; therefore its early training and moulding are matters of the deepest concern. In consonance with its spirit the Catholic Church combines religious with secular instruction in her schools, and will never°consent to their divorce. In her scholastic institutions pupils are carefully ground in their duties to their Master and Redeemer, to their parents, and to all constituted authority. Besides this munificent purse, the school children have offered me an excellent travelling portmanteau, which I value very highly indeed, and for'which I am most grateful. Nor must I forget the gifts of the children and the Maoris of Hundalee, where both races have always given me great satisfaction. My very dear and generous friends, I owe and offer you my heartfelt thanks and blessing, and I hope to be ever mindful of you at the altar of God, the most solemn of all places. To the general public outside my congregation I hereby tender my warmest regards and thanks for their marked and unfailing kindness, goodwill, and friendliness during my stay at Kaikoura. Finally, I have to add that Kaikoura shall ever be to me a rich mine of happy memories, and that I bestow this purse on the Sisters of the Mission as my subscription to their new convent and school. They have deserved well of me, and this is only a token of my appreciation of their manifold merits and services.' Mr. Smith, in inviting any of those present to speak, said that the Father's remarks about him were quite; un- . merited, but he valued them and his good opinion very highly. . . Eulogistic references were then made to the zeal, selfsacrifice, and kindheartedness of Rev. Father Golden by Messrs. G. Renner, R. D. Mclver, and E. S. Rogers. The concert programme was then continued, Mrs. Kindley singing three songs, Misses Burland, Hailes, and Mackle playing piano solos, and songs were sung by Messrs.; Kindley,-Burland, and Sepie. Mr. Renner then proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the chairman, and this was accorded with acclamation. Mr. Smith, in reply, warmly thanked all present for their attendance. He hoped that God would keep their departing pastor in health and strength, and enable him to continue his mission of doing good to all. Father Golden said he had received several presentations during his life, but he had never been so deeply touched as he had been by this one in Kaikoura. Cheers for Father Golden, the chairman, the ladies, Mr. Renner (' who had come all the way from Blenheim to be present'), and those who had contributed to the concert, brought the function to a close.