VERY REV. DEAN McKENNA, V.G.

New Zealand Tablet, 9 April 1914, Page 53

VERY REV. DEAN McKENNA, V.G.

y ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME HOME. The Very Rev. Dean McKenna, V.G., who, in company with, his brother. Father T. McKenna, of Pahiatua, arrived in Masterton on the 26th ult., after a twelve months’ tour of Europe and America, was accorded a very hearty welcome by his parishioners and friends in Masterton. At the Carterton railway station the Dean was also welcomed by a large number of friends assembled on the platform. . The Wairarapa Age of March , 26 gives the following particulars of the reception at Masterton: On arrival at Masterton, the Dean and his brother were met by members of the Catholic clergy, prominent members of the Church, and a representative gathering of Masterton residents, and a right royal welcome was extended to them, three hearty cheers, called for by Mr. ‘M. C. O’Connell, J.P., being lustily and enthusiastically given in their honor. A procession was then formed, and the gathering escorted the Dean to St. Patrick’s School, where another welcome awaited him, the Sisters of the convent and the school children according him three hearty cheers. The gathering being photographed, an ad- . dress of welcome was read by Master Claude Hodgins on behalf of the school children, the address expressing pleasure at the Dean’s return. Reference was also made to the loss of his mother, the deepest sympathy being expressed. The Dean, in replying, expressed pleasure at being again amongst his own people, and said the reception accorded him might make any man feel proud. His work had been ably carried on during his absence by the Rev. Father Harnett, assisted by Rev. Father Guinane. Referring to the success attained by the pupils of the school at both the examinations and sports, he said he hoped that success would continue. The happiness he experienced on arrival in Ireland was not excelled by that felt on returning to Masterton. In reference to the dignity conferred upon him, he said the position of Vicar-General entajled responsibilities, and he looked to his people to help him to carry out his duties. In conclusion, the Dean said 1 that while in Rome he had obtained a Papal blessing for the people of his parish, and this would be given on Sunday next. The Concert. In the evening the Town Hall was well filled by a representative and enthusiastic audience, and, apart from the addresses of the Mayor, who presided, and the Dean, a most enjoyable programme was rendered, a number of well-known local artists taking part. During an interval in the proceedings, his Worship the Mayor (Mr. J. ,M. Coradine) performed the pleasing ceremony of presenting the Dean with an address from his parishioners and friends in Masterton. In making the presentation, the Mayor made a happy speech, in which, amongst other things, he referred to the great pleasure the people of Masterton felt at the, Dean’s return. He was sure that he voiced the wish of everyone in expressing the hope that the Dean would be long spared to carry on the good work which he was -.responsible for during the past twenty-five years, not only on behalf of his own parishioners, but of the town as a whole. It gave him the greatest pleasure to present the Dean with an address of welcome from his people. v The Address. <1 The address, which was handed to the Dean amidst loud applause, read as follows:-; To the Very Rev; Dean McKenna, V.G’. * Reverend and Dear Father. —Your parishioners 'desire to express the pleasure they have in welcoming -you on your return from your trip to Europe. ; * They trust that you have greatly . benefited by jibe 'change, and that your health, which caused very

much concern to your parishioners and friends before your departure, has been fully restored. v ■ * It must have been a source of great comfort and consolation to your revered and aged mother; to % have jou and Father .Tom once more with her, and (how thankful you must both 'be that you reached homo before her death. We sympathise with-you both in your bereavement. ' ; L ■ We. offer you our hearty congratulations on the honor which was conferred upon you in your absence, in appointing you Vicar-General for the Archdiocese of Wellington, and hope that you may long be spared to fulfil the responsible and onerous duties - attached to that office, for which you are eminently fitted.,V' 1 c You will be pleased to know that during your absence the spiritual welfare of. your parishioners has been well cared for, in the person of your locum tenens, the Rev. bather Harnett, who has latterly, been ably assisted by the Rev. Father Guinane. We appreciate the way in which they have, in the exercise of their priestly office, administered to our wants during this period. r ■ In conclusion, we feel sure that you, on your part,'are delighted to be back amongst us again, to take up the arduous duties of this large parish, which you have so ably conducted during the past quarter of a century during which time you have earned not only, the lasting gratitude of your own parishioners, but the admiration and esteem of the Catholic clergy and laity of the archdiocese. ‘M. C. O’Connell, H. J. O’Leary, J. Bradbury, S. Connell, J. McCarthy, ‘J. Clune, A. R. Bunny, J. C. Cooper, J. Percy, J. C. McKillop, A. J. Percy, J. A. McEwen (Secretary).’ The Dean, on rising to reply, was received with prolonged applause. He could not, he said, express in adequate terms his feelings on that occasion. If he were able to give voice to his thoughts, he would keep them there for a long time. During the quarter of a century he had spent in Masterton, there were many things they had to be thankful for. The development of the parish had been great, and the progress made by Masterton was most remarkable, the population having almost doubled itself in that time. It was most gratifying to him to know that his labors had been so much appreciated, not alone by the people of his own parish, but by the townspeople of Masterton as a whole. This was borne out by the very fine reception accorded him and his brother on their arrival at the railway station. In regard to his health, the Dean said he was pleased to be able to state that he never felt better. ‘ You have only to look at me to see that!’ he said, amidst applause and laughter. He thanked them all very sincerely for their sympathy in regard to the death of his mother, who, he said, was greatly comforted by the visit of her two sons from New Zealand. In his address, which was prolonged and deeply interesting, the Dean dealt with the honor conferred upon him in * being appointed to the Vicar-Generalship, the responsibilities of which he trusted his people would help him to carry. In reference to his locum tenens , he said that his work had been carried out. during his absence in a most satisfactory manner (applause). The Dean then proceeded to give a detailed and interesting account of his trip Home. The audience greatly enjoyed the recounting of the many matters of interest met with on the long voyage from New Zealand to the Old Country and back again. Touching on Home Rule, the Dean said the people of New Zealand, on reading the cabled reports, had no idea of . the feeling in Ireland in regard to this great question. The majority of the Irish people were intensely-earnest in their desire for Home. Rule- While ,in Ireland it was pleasing to meet old friends, and join with them in the hope that their country would be soon a free land. In concluding a most interesting address, the Dean said he hoped he would continue to work for the people of Masterton as a whole, as he had done for the past' quarter of a, century (applause) . '

During the evening, items were rendered by the following: —Overture, Orchestra;, song, Mr. G. Ball; musical monologue. Miss N. Hogg; song, Mr. F. Hunn ; recitation, Mr. A. L. Tressider; piano solo. Miss McKenna; song, Miss Jamieson; song, Mr. W. Iggulden.