Pleasant Point

New Zealand Tablet, 15 February 1912, Page 32

Pleasant Point

' (From an occasional correspondent.) * , ; * February 10. ' On Monday evening, February 5, the Catholics of Pleasant Point gave a farewell social to the Rev. Father P. Fay, S.M., who, much to the regret of all, is -leaving this parish for Blenheim on the 12th inst. Mr. Wall, of Sutherlands, presided in a very able manner. The social began with a short concert, organised by Miss P. Geaney, the programme of which was as follows: —Overture, J Tancredi,' Miss P. Geaney; "song, 'Echo/ Mrs. McWhirter: song, 'The 'rustic ■bridge,' Mr. Williams; recitation, 'The sermon,' Miss Mailing; song, There's a land,' Miss A. Geaney; song and chorus, 'Chiming bells,' Mr. Williams; recitation, 'Not understood,' Miss Moriarty; song, ' She's far from the land,' Miss P. Geaney; Japanese love song (in character), Misses Dossett and P6rniskie. The various items on the programme were interspersed with speeches by the visiting clergy and prominent local townspeople, One and all spoke in praise of the Rev. Father Fay's good qualities, and of the genuine sorrow his parishioners felt at his unexpected and all too early departure from this district, the following being among the principal speakers: —Very Rev. Dean Tubman (Timaru), Rev. Father Henri de Boutteiller, and Messrs. Wall, Williams, K. Brophy, 11. Dossett, J. Stewart, and C. Byrne. The last-named gentleman had the honor of presenting a purse'of sovereigns to Father Fay, contributed to, not only by the Catholics of Pleasant Point, but also by many generous members of other denominations, who thus showed their appreciation of the worth of the guest of the evening. / ■■ >i. Refreshments were then handed round, and Rev. Father Fay took this opportunity of going through the hall: and of paying a few friendly > words to each one present. He then returned to the platform and made his farewell speech to his people. He began by thanking,them .for their goodwill and generosity towards him he went on to express the deep sorrow he felt at leaving the parish, and asked the prayers of all. He said he would never forget the people of Pleasant Point when :at the altar, and concluded by assuring them he would return with joy to them, were it God's will, whenever he might receive the offer from his superiors of so doing. A very pleasant evening was then ended by all present joining in the singing of '■■' Auld lang syne.'.