FAREWELL TO FATHER FURLONG, DEVONPORT

New Zealand Tablet, 20 April 1911, Page 724

FAREWELL TO FATHER FURLONG, DEVONPORT

(From our Auckland correspondent.) When it became known a few weeks ago that the popular parish priest of Devonport, the Rev. Father Furlong, was about to "leave on a holiday trip to Ireland, the parishioners decided to show their respect and esteem bv entertaining him at a farewell conversazione, and presenting him with a purse of sovereigns. Accordingly, a committee was formed with Mr. W. Moylan as chairman, and Mr. T. P. Gilfedder as secretary. Mr. W. J. Napier presided at the conversazione, and Mr. J. J. O'Brien made the presentation. St. Leo's Hall was crowded on the evening of Monday, April 10, not only by the parishioners, but also by representatives of other denominations. Besides the committee, the following occupied seats on the platform : —His Lordship Bishop Cleary, Rev. Fathers Furlong, Golden, Tormey, Holbrook, Finn, Murphy, and Ormond. The chairman (Mr. Napier), in welcoming his Lordship the Bishop to the parish, referred to the distinguished prelates who had ruled the diocese of Auckland in the past. His Lordship on rising received an enthusiastic reception. He paid a high tribute to the sterling qualities of Father Furlong, and expressed his pleasure on seeing such bonds of attachment existing between the shepherd and his flock. His Lordship read a letter authorising the Rev. Father. Furlong to visit the noted seminaries and ecclesiastical colleges at Home, and procure additional priests for the growing diocese of Auckland. As a matter of personal esteem and regard ho handed Father Furlong a substantial cheque to aid in making his trip to Ireland enjoyable. Mr. E. W. Alison paid a high tribute of respect to Father Furlong and assured him that one and all entertained for him the greatest goodwill. • Mr. Gilfedder read the address, which was beautifully illuminated, and of which the following is the text: ' Dear Father Furlong,On the eve of your departure on a well-earned visit to Ireland, the congregation of All Souls' Church, at Devonport, in which you have successfully labored for the past six years, desire to express to you their sincere,regard and esteem and their high appre-ciation-of the services rendered by you to religion your sojourn amongst them. The. large increase in tli«? number of worshippers since you have been in charge of

this parish bears eloquent testimony to your good work. Your devotion to duty in a widely scattered district, your uniform urbanity and tact, and your earnest efforts to secure religious instructions for the children, have secured for you a lasting place in the affections of the people of the district. We heartily wish you God-speed and a safe return to the North Shore, which we hope will be your permanent home.—On behalf of the congregation, W. l r pier ( chairma »)> T. P. Gilfedder (secretary).' Mr. J. J. O'Brien presented Father Furlong, on behalf of the congregation, with a well-filled purse of sovereigns, and in the course of his remarks concerning Father Furlong s devotion and ability, mentioned that Wexford was worthily represented on the platform that night. On rising to acknowledge the address the Rev. Father *urlon" was accorded a most enthusiastic reception. He thanked his Lordship the Bishop for extending to him the privilege of visiting his dearest friends and his native land and also for the tangible proofs of his Lordship's goodwill towards him. He thanked the visiting priests tor their honored presence, and the large assemblage for the magnificent demonstration accorded him. To leave for home under such conditions of goodwill on all sides was a happy recollection that could never be forgotten. He emphasised the Bishop's remarks as to the attachment of priests and people, and during his six vears' sojourn at Devonport he had met with nothing but' kindness and co-operation at the hands of his parishioners. This state of affairs he earnestly .bespoke for ,his locum tcnens, the Rev. Father Golden, one of the few remaining pioneers of New Zealand. In conclusion, he heartily thanked one and all tor the beautiful address and the handsome gift. j.u The Rev. Father Golden was formally welcomed by the chairman and received with applause. Father Golden referred to the sixties, when . the now beautiful city of Auckland was a country village and Devonport a wilderness. He felt happy to come amongst such kind and warm-hearted people as those of Devonport appeared to be, nidging from the fine farewell accorded Father Furlong. During the evening musical items were given, and the proceedings terminated with three cheers for his Lordship the Bishop and Father Furlong, and the singing of ' Auld lang syne. . During the past week similar functions took place at i\ortncote and Takapuna, an address and purse of sovereigns being presented at each place. About thirtv ■members of_ the Children of Mary Society paid a surprise visit to Father Furlong, and Miss Fogarty (president) on their behalf presented an . enlarged photograph of the members and a deck chair; the acolytes gave a silver-mounted umbrella the convent school children binoculars, and St Joseph s Orphanage a. special gift, The Rev. Father Furlong left Auckland for Vancouver on Apirl 12, a large number of friends giving him a hearty send-off.