RIVERTON

New Zealand Tablet, 2 July 1914, Page 25

RIVERTON

SILVER JUBILEE OF THE REV. FATHER MURPHY.

(irom our own correspondent.) An event of considerable interest to the Catholics of the parish ot Riverton, which includes within its hounds the important centres of Otautau, Flint’s Bush, Riverton, Orepuki, Te Wae Wae, Tuatapere, and Orawia, look place at St. Columoa’s Church and Schoolroom on Wednesday, June 24, when the parishioners met in large numbers to do honor to their inspected pastor, the Rev. Father Murphy, on the occasion ol his silver jubilee to the priesthood. At 11 o clock High, Mass was celebrated, after which an adjournment was made to the schoolroom, where a sumptuous luncheon was ’ laid outthe work of the ladies of the Riverton congregation. When all had partaken of the good things provided, the chairman (Mr. M. O’Brien) proposed the toast of ‘The Pope and the King.’ *

The chairman then read a cordial letter of congi atulat ion irom his Lordship Bishop Verdon, and a number of telegrams and messages of congratulation from priests and laity of Otago and Southland, wishing lather Murphy every success. Continuing, he said he was pleased and honored to preside at such a gathering, which had met to do honor to their beloved priest, lather Murphy, on reaching live silver jubilee of his ordination. .twenty-five years ago he was ordained by the Abishop of Dublin" (Dr. Walsh), and in August of that. \ ear the late Bishop Moran (of happy memory), being at home seeking priests tor his diocese, Father Murphy accepted the call. 11 is first appointment in New Zealand was that of curate at Invercargill to the late \ cry Rev. father Walsh (so well known in this parish). Ills ability as a. priest was soon recognised, and he was transferred to Dunedin to the Cathedral parish. I he important works that he inaugurated there are a testimony to his zeal. From there he was transferred to Riverton, and they that day knew the work he had done. Working late and early, in fairweather or rough, over bad roads, he had not spared himself to keep his appoint merits. Tie had built churches, cleared oil liabilities, founded congregations, and lifted Catholicity in (his parish to a high plane. But his crowning work had been the establishment of a fine convent and school and the introduction of the Sisters of Mercy. 1 is people have rallied royally around him, but he (the speaker) would say that the large measure of support they received from those outside (he Church was solely due to the high esteem m which Father Murphy was held.-—(Applause.) The gathering that day was an appreciation of the work that their beloved priest was doing among them. Mr. J. Geary then read the following address;-—-Reverend and Dear Father,—-Twenty-five years ago, by the imposition of the Bishop’s hands and by the gifts of the Holy Ghost, you were made a member of that great soc.fety—the everlasting priesthood of the living God. Twenty-five years ago the chalice of Benediction was placed in your hands and you were empowered to offer sacrifice for the living and the dead. Then a successor of the Apostles gave you the power to forgive sins, to administer the Sacraments, to bless, and to preach the Gospel. Then you were clothed in a.lb, maniple, stole, and chasublesymbols of clean, perfect chastity, of labor and weariness, even to tears, of (he yoke sweet but deeply responsible of a high sacred office, of the patience and charity of the .Cross. Then, standing at the foot of the altar for the first time as an ordained minister of the sanctuary, with the confidence and hopes of youth, you pronounced those hallowed words. “ Introibo ad ml tare Dei”—(“l will go unto the altar of God: even unto God Who gladdeneth my youth”). To-day, the twenty-fifth anniversary of your ordination, your own mind and the minds of your friends will quite naturally travel back to that beginning of your priestly career, and, naturally too, all

will reflect on the intervening years and ask how the thoughts and aspirations of that early time have been realised. No doubt, in your self-examination you will think, in your humility and your high ideas of your sacred office, that you have failed in many things. But we, your friends and your parishioners, who have known your life in all its details, feel that we can encourage you to say in thanksgiving: ‘‘What shall I return to the 'Lord tor all He hath returned unto me. I will take the chalice of salvation and 1 will call upon the name of the Lord.” We Catholics honor our priests, in the first place by reason of the dignity, sanctity, and wondrous spiritual powers inherent in the priestly office ; we honor them in the second place for their priestly conduct and personal virtues, for their ecclesiastical spirit and conversation, and for their fidelity to duty. To-day we can say that for twentyfive years you have done a man’s, share in edifying and raising up the religious and public life of the Catholic community in those parishes of Otago and Southland wherein you have ministered. You have always acted the part of the good, virtuous shepherd of souls; you have known your sheep, and they have known you. You certainly have not been as the hireling—more anxious about the fleece than about the feeding of the flock. With generous self-sacrifice you have kept the temporalities of this parish in a sound condition. Against great difficulties you have succeeded in giving our children the opportunity of a Catholic education. It cannot be said of us: ‘‘The hungry sheep look up, but they are not fed.” Whilst preaching so carefully and so conscientiously to the adult people you have not forgotten that the catechising of the little children is the first and most necessary kind of preaching. You have been an inspiration to the young men and women who have come within your influence ; and you are known far and wide as a kind consoler of the old, the sick, and the dying. But those twenty-five cars are passed. For a few moments we have recalled them. The day suggested and justified our reflections. Now, however, like the Apostle, forgetting the things that are behind, we will stretch forward to the things that are to come and pray God to strengthen you in every priestly virtue and in every good work, so that your silver years may ripen into golden years of increasing personal perfection, of further opportunities for welldoing, and of better and nobler achievements. With this prayer on our lips, we ask you to accept this testimonial of our friendship and esteem.—Signed on behalf of the people of the parish by Messrs. John Griffin and Hugh McFeely (Te Wae Wac), T. J. McCann (Orepuki), Edward Deegan and Denis Deegan (Oraki), John McKay and F. McKay (Gummies Bush), Jas. O’Brien (Riverton), M. O’Brien (Otautau), W. Batt (Flint’s Bush), J. Geary (Riverton).’ Mr. Jno. Griffin, J.P. (Te Wae Wae), said there fell to his lot one of the greatest honors of his life, and that was to make a present of a purse of sovereigns to their worthy priest, whom he had known for nearly twenty-five years. He as one who had lived in the backblocks could speak feelingly of how they appreciated the work done by Father Murphy for them, how he had travelled long journeys so that hie people might have the consolation of assisting at Holy Mass. He (the speaker) had much pleasure in handing over the generous gift of the people and wishing, on their behalf, long life and prosperity to their beloved pastor. — (Applause.) Mr. Hugh McFeely (Tuatapere) then read the following address: ‘ Reverend and Dear Sir, —We, the Catholics of the Waiau district, beg to offer you our heartfelt and warmest congratulations on the attainment of your silver jubilee. We feel that we, from an outpost of your widely-growing parish, owe in a special manner our deep and lasting gratitude for many spiritual and temporal blessings. Of long and arduous journeyings in the depth of winter, in snow-storms and rain, we are not unmindful. The sacred edifice in which we worship the Most High, erected during your administration, is but one of the many proofs of the zeal and sacrifice you have displayed on our behalf. Your

example has been an inspiration to all who love our Holy Mother the Church. Ever thoughtful and mindful of the needs of your flock, we, Reverend Father, feel that Almighty God has blessed us in giving us the ideal of the true shepherd. The erection of the beautiful convent and school is, we know, in a very large measure due to your generosity. Its great success we are proud of, and we are confident that it will be the means of building up in this fair district of ours a great Catholic community. By your lofty character and many acts of self-sacrifice on our behalf you have won an abiding place in the hearts of a grateful people. We assure you that you have at all times our loyal co-operation, high esteem, and a very deep sense'of gratitude towards you. That you may be long spared to watch over us and guide us is the earnest prayer of your people.—Signed on behalf of the people of the parish by Messrs. J. Wakefield, P. Forde, Jno. Griffin and Hugh McFeely.’ Very Rev. Father O’Neill (Winton) said he felt deeply grateful for the kind invitation to be present to do honor to their worthy pastor on the occasion of his jubilee. Twenty-five years ago they met for the first time in the capital city of Ireland and formed a friendship that had deepened as the years went on. They might know him well, but not so well as he. IT is zeal for the welfare of souls was one of his crowning works. When in the city of Dunedin he was to be found day and night visiting the sick, the poor, and the unfortunate, and his wise counsel and help gave many a one the opportunity to fill their proper position in society to-day. Your beloved Bishop had paid you a high honor when he sent so worthy a priest among you, one who was fit to .administer any diocese in the world. When he arrived many things were required in this parish, but there was one work your loving priest kept prominently before him, and that was the founding of a school. Tie (the speaker) well remembered, when on a visit to Riverton, they were taking a walk on the beautiful seashore and, oblivious to the sound of the majestic waves breaking along the coast, Father Murphy had turned to him and said : 1 f would wish to sec a convent-school on yonder hill.’ I replied": ‘Can you manage it?” lie said, ‘I think 1 can. My people are good, and they will be behind me when lam ready to move.’ And here you are to-day within the walls of that fine school that crowns the hill. Your worthy pastor has kept the divine command, ‘Take the child and bring him up, and I will give you life everlasting.’ They all knew the great fight between the world and the Church that centred round the child. He had no fear for you old people, who had the faith handed down to you from the great apostle, but he was ever watchful over the children of this generation. Within those walls their children were taught their faith, which would stand to them when thev went out into the world.

Rev. Father Woods said it gave him great pleasure to be present. Father Murphy was an ideal priest. His unassuming manner hid from view his high ideals and lofty character. He (the speaker) wished to congratulate the parish on possessing such a fine school and beautiful convent. To this school the little children are brought from far and near at early ■ morning and gathered within its walls to receive at the hands of the Sisters of Mercy the only instruction that would satisfy the Catholic mind. . In the time that your worthy priest has been in your midst he has performed a great work. He is an ideal priest, and therefore a loyal citizen, and he believed that if he could, to benefit this town, he would have the first port of call taken from the Bluff and brought to Riverton. — (Laughter.) He had much pleasure in congratulating Father Murphy on attaining his jubilee.

Messrs. T. J. McCann (Orepuki), P. Ryan (Otautau), and P. Fahey (Riverton) spoke on behalf of the laity, and congratulated Father Murphy on the attainment of his silver jubilee. Mr. A. E. Ward (Riverton) said he felt deeply grateful for the invitation to be present on such a great occasion, and as one outside the fold wished to congratulate the Rev. Father Muj*

phy on attaining his silver jubilee, and hoped that he might be spared to celebrate his golden one. In addition to the addresses and purse of sovereigns, the jubilee gilts to Father Murphy included also the presentation of a very beautiful steel engraving of the Virgin and Child from the Dominican Nuns ol the Bluff, a handsomely-bound copy of the Chrivtiun's Manual from the Sisters of Mercy, Mosgicl, and a beautiful Missal from the Sisters of Mercy, South Dunedin.

Iho Rev. Father Murphy, on rising to respond, was received with hearty applause. In the course of a brilliant and sympathetic address, he said he only wished he could express the gratitude he felt in his heart for the expressions of good-will from his brother priests and his beloved people. It would be impossible lor him not to be moved when he looked around at the representative body of men, women, and children who had travelled long distances, from the four corners of the wide parish, on such a cold winter’s morning, leaving their farms, businesses, and daily occupations to do him honor on the attainment of his jubilee. When recounting the works he (the speaker) had done, mentioned in their addresses just read, shame came over him when he thought of what he might have done but had left undone. But all his labors would have been in vain did he not know that he had his good people behind him. They responded generously, and for that he was exceedingly grateful. He would here say that he had to acknowledge the great assistance he had received in his various undertakings from those outside his Church, and therefore at all times he was prepared, when called upon, to do for them, as a citizen, what they had done for him.—(Applause.) He found the jieople of this fair land generous and warm-hearted, always prepared to help one another, and he prayed Almighty God that it would always be so. To his beloved people he was more than grateful for that weighty purse of sovereigns, but to him personally it would be a burden, so to relieve himself of it he would place it there and then as a fund for the purpose of erecting a cottage school, in which the little children of the backblocks, who arc at the present time coming long distances by train, or are prevented from attending, may board from Monday until Friday.—(Applause.) In conclusion he would thank them for their exceeding kindness to the Sisters since their advent to Riverton, and would say that the generosity of the Catholic people was such that tho priest or nun who works in their interests would never want. He thanked them one and all for their gifts, their goodness, and their congratulations.(Applause.)

Mr. P. Fahey proposed the toast of ‘ The Ladies,’ and Messrs. McFeely and Jno. McKay replied, thanking them heartily for the handsome spread they had partaken of. Father Murphy proposed the toast of ‘ The Chairman,’ and paid Mr. M. O’Brien a high compliment for the able manner in which be had filled the position. Mr. O’Brien suitably replied, and before the gathering broke up each and all received a

piece of the beautiful jubilee cake—the work of the Sisters of Mercy. On’Tuesday afternoon the children of the Convent School held a concert in honor of Father Murphy’s jubilee, and presented him with an address and a fine motor coat, lie was also the recipient of a beautiful set ol vestments, the work of the Sisters of Mercy.