WREY’S BUSH

New Zealand Tablet, 25 June 1914, Page 29

WREY’S BUSH

SILVER JUBILEE OF VERY REV. FATHER LYNCH.

(From an occasional correspondent.)

A quarter of a century is a considerable span in the life of a priest, and such a lengthened period of active service m the priesthood of the Church brought many congratulations on the attaining of the silver jubuee 01 his ordination to the Very Rev. Father -Uynch, of Wrey’s Bush. The parishioners had been pieparing to show their goodwill towards their pastor in a tangible manner, but at his request the demonstration was in the meantime dropped. Thursday, June 16, being the anniversary 01 Father Lynch's ordination, an entertainment was given by the pupils attending the Convent School for the purpose 01 presenting Father Lynch with a congratulatory address. During the proceedings several musical items were rendered by the pupils. At the conclusion of the concert programme, Master J. Driscoll read the address, at the end of which ho asked him to accept a small token of their esteem in the shape of a set of carvers. Father Lynch feelingly replied to the address, and, in thanking the pupils, remarked that their entertainment was a practical proof of the thorough and superior training which they received from the devoted nuns, the Sisters of Mercv.

In the evening the members of St. Patrick’s Club and the members of the sodality of tlie Children of Mary assembled in the schoolroom to honor and offer congratulations to their pastor on the attainment of the silver jubilee of his ordination. The building was beautifully decorated for the occasion by the Sisters of Mercy. Very Rev* Dean Burke (Invercargill) and Rev. Father . Murphy (Riverton) were present, the former presiding. After light refreshments had been partaken of, a very enjoyable musical programme was given by Messrs. Egan, Boyle, and Cusack brothers. During an interval Mr. P. Cusack, secretary of St. Patrick’s Club, was called upon to read the following address, whjch was beautifully illuminated:

'Very Rev. and Dear Father Lynch,We, the members of St. Patrick's Club, cannot allow this day to pass unnoticed. You would not permit the body of the parishioners to present yon to-day with an address and testimonial as they desired ; but you cannot prevent us from somehow marking the day with some little ceremonial. We desire to express now our sincere appreciation of all you have done, not alone for our society, but for the parish generally : so many means of religious worship and of mental culture provided : new buildings, and others added to and improved. But we would like to sav that wo appreciate still more your regular, careful, and efficient preaching, your unremitting teaching of the catechism in the Catholic and Stat© schools ; your edifying life and priestly conversation and manners. By reason of these the spirit of piety, the unity of Christian charity, of Catholic aims, the vastly increased frequentation of the Sacraments, and the habits of family prayer, are growing so steadily in this parish. Tho Fathers who have given missions amongst us have repeated that Southland is fast becoming ' the garden of New Zealand ' in the matter of sterling faith, of Catholic spirit, and true practical unity. Humanly speaking, a good deal of this happy hope for the future must bo attributed to the character, ability, priestly lives and habits of our Southland clergy, and in these happy Qualities of the body to which you belong, we are pleased and proud to say you eminently share. Wishing vou twenty-five years more of pastoral life equally edifying, happy, and fruitful. 'We remain, your faithful friends and members of St. Patrick's Club—'James F. Egan (Vice-President). 'Peter A. Cusack (Secretary).'

Mr. Cusack then presented Father Lynch with the address, and a. handsome travelling rug from the members 01 the club.

Mr. James F. Egan, on behalf of the members of the sodality of the Children of Mary, said : We congratulate you on the attainment of your jubilee, and regret tHat we cannot herald it in as we would wish. Wo art' consoled at- seeing you looking so well, after those years of strenuous work and anxiety. We desire to acknowledge with grateful hearts the blessings of your kindly, spiritual ministrations, especially your lucid and .eloquent instructions, which we so appreciate and admire. My few words only faintly portray the veneration, love, and esteem in which you are hold by the Children of Mary, or our gratitude to you for the great work you have done since coining to the parish, and our fondest hopes and fervent prayers arc that kind Providence will grant you at least another 25 years of good health and happiness, fraught with all those blessings that have attended vour ministry in the past.

Mr. Egan here called on the n resident of the sodality (Miss K. Fordo), who banned to the Rev. Father a case of cutlery from the Children of Mary. Rev. Father Murphy, in a lengthy address, said he had known Father Lynch for 25 years, having made his acquaintance on board ship when coming to New Zealand. Since that time they had practically been always together. For a number of '.ears he (Father Murphy) was in Dunedin, and Falter l.vnch in the

Palmerston parish, while at pr sen! t Lev held the adjoining parishes of Riverton and W rev's Bush. He regretted that the parishioners could not give a practical demonstration 011 this occasion, but he trusted they would show their appreciation in other ways and means. He congratulated the parish in possessing such a good and zealous priest, and said, it was indeed a great blessing for any parish to possess such a pastor as Father Lynch. It was quite evident from the words of the address that the people of Wrey’s Bush had learned to know many of Father Lynch’s good qualities, but ho (Father Murphy) could assure them that Father Lynch possessed many qualities yet unknown to the people of this parish, but which they would certainly learn in years to come. The parishioners of Wrey’s Bush should feel proud of their priest, whoso generosity and zeal were unstinted. Possessed of all those great qualities of mind, Father Lynch might be styled a true ‘ Soggarth Aroon.’ Father Murphy concluded by thanking the members of the club for their kind invitation.

Mr. John Boyle said it gave him great pleasure to be present that evening and regretted that the parishioners were not permitted to do justice to their pastor's worth. Mr. Bovlc said lie thought it would bo unnecessary and 'superfluous for him to say anything after what had been embodied in the address. He hoped Father Lynch would continue in his present good health to do further good wo\'k in the parish. Mr. M. P. Egan said there remained little for him to say. He would endorse all that had been said regarding their pastor. Since taking charge of the parish, Father Lynch had had a hard time, but never spared himself. Now that their beloved pastor had freed the parish of debt, he (the speaker) hoped Father Lynch would be able to have an easier time, and thanked the Rev. Father sincerely for all he had done in the interests of the parish.

Mr. John Cody, in the course of his remarks, paid a high tribute to Father Lynch. lie said he was delighted to listen to the beautiful words of the address, with which he heartily agreed.

Very Rev. Father Lynch suitably acknowledged the presentations, and spoke in feeling terms of the steadfastness in the faith of the people of the parish. ‘ It would be (he said) mock modesty on my part to say that I do not deserve some of the praise contained in your beautiful address. A great deal has been done during the past four years, but with your noble cooperation, I hope to do still more in the future. When I came to the parish, I realised the importance of the great task before me, and had always endeavored to do

my best.’ He thanked the Children of Mary and members of the club for their handsome presents. The young men of St. Patrick’s Club had greatly assisted him m recent undertakings, and he was pleased to sav they were always delighted to assist him when required. He had excellent young men and women in his jiarish, and with such material at hand, all work could bo made comparatively easy. It afforded him great pleasure to accept the address and the sentiments it contained, and he thanked one and all for their good wishes and congratulations.

In acknowledging a vote of thanks, proposed by Mr. J. Egan, the Very Rev. Dean Burke spoke of the importance of Catholic federation, and referred to the greatly improved condition of Catholicity in Southland. His experience in Southland dated back to 1883. Since that time, great changes had taken place, and at present Southland was regarded as one of the leading Catholic centres of the Dominion.

At the call of Dean Burke three hearty cheers were given for Very Rev. Father Lynch. The singing of ‘ Faith of our fathers ’ brought a memorable evening to a close. The Sisters of Mercy are to be congratulated for the exquisite taste shown in decorating the schoolroom.