REV. FATHER O’DONNELL’S SILVER JUBILEE

New Zealand Tablet, 16 July 1914, Page 9

REV. FATHER O’DONNELL’S SILVER JUBILEE

There was a large gathering at St. Patrick’s Schoolroom, Arrowtown* on Thursday evening, June 25, on the occasion of a banquet tendered to the Rev. Father O Donnell in celebration of his silver jubilee. All parts of the district were represented at the gathering, and several apologies for absence were received (says the Luke Count I'ress). After justice had been done to the excellent repast provided by the lady members of the congregation, the chairman rose to propose the most important toast of. the evening. Mr. McDonnell said he had known Father Donnell since the first day he arrived in the district and he (the speaker) was pleased to be there that evening to offer his congratulations to him on having attained twenty-five years in the priesthood. Mr. McDonnell went on to refer to the popularity enjoyed; by Father O’Donnell among all classes of the community, and said that his kindness and warm-heartedness were known to everyone. The pleasant duty had devolved upon the speaker of presenting Father O’Donnell with a purse of sovereigns and an address commemorative of the occasion. The presentation was made amidst cheers and the singing of ‘ For lie is a jolly good fellow.’ . , he full text of the address, which was . read by Mr. T. J. Cotter, was as follows: ‘ Dear Rev. Father, —It is with feelings of grea.b joy that we, the Catholics of Arrowtown, have assembled here this evening to convey to you our heartfelt congratulations and good wishes on the occasion of the silver jubilee of your ordination to the priesthood. Your dear friends in holy Ireland are rejoicing with us in spirit to-day, and no doubt your thoughts have wandered back to the dear old land—- ‘ Though far away from her to-day, Beneath a foreign sky, To her we turn with hearts that burn With love that cannot die. ‘ During the fifteen years that you have labored amongst us, you have made our joys and sorrows your own. The poor, the afflicted in mind or body have found in you a self-sacrificing friend and tender Father. Long distance, the snows and bitter winds of the darkness of the night you defied if one of us, even the least of us, needed you. Owing.to the zeal for the House of God, our little church, which you found in a dilapidated condition, now stands trim and neat. And, above all, the school for our children would have been, but for your efforts, without religious teachers. In fact, so thoroughly have you entered into the daily life of each of us, young and old, that in rejoicing with you to-day seems like celebrating a joyous event in our own lives. ‘ln conclusion, dear Rev. Thither, we beg you to accept these expressions of our gratitude and accom-

pauyiug gift as a mark of our esteem and loving regard. Our most fervent prayer is that God may shower down upon you His choicest graces and blessings, and that your future may he replete with every happiness. * (Signed) T. McDonnell, T. McEntyre, M. Moran, R. Cotter, E. Fitzgibbon. * Arrowtown, June 25, 1914.’ His Worship the Mayor, who was received with applause, thanked the committee for inviting him to be present and said he was pleased to have the opportunity of joining in the congratulations that were being extended to Father O’Donnell by his people. He had known Father O’Donnell for a long period and had always held him in the highest esteem, both as a clergyman and as a man. Father O’Donnell, as a member of the A. and P. Association, had done good work and his subscription and support were always ready. lie extended to Father O’Donnell his best wishes for a long and happy future. Father Corcoran said he was pleased to be in Arrow to assist in the celebrations that evening. He regretted that several other priests who had attended the function in Queenstown two days' previously had been unable to extend their visit to Arrow. He had known Father O’Donnell for about twelve years, and a kinder man he had never met. His first care appeared to be consideration for others, and it was therefore not surprising that he was beloved by his parishioners. Dr. Thomson also tendered his congratulations to Father O'Donnell. He said that Father O’Donnell and himself in the course of their travels throughout the district had met in many out-of-the-way places. Dr. Thomson went on to say that Father O’Donnell and himself had always been the best of friends, and he was exceedingly pleased to be present that evening to offer his congratulations on such an important epoch in his life. Mr. Alex. Mcßride, speaking on behalf of the younger members of the parish, also extended felicitations to Father O’Donnell. On rising to reply, Father O’Donnell was received with loud and prolonged applause. He thanked them most sincerely for the presentations he had just received and for the enthusiastic reception tendered to him that evening. He also appreciated very highly the very kind and flattering references to himself that had been make by the various speakers, and it was pleasing to him to know that he had so many good friends in the Wakatipu. Within the last few days he had received upwards of 50 congratulatory telegrams from all parts of New Zealand, and in addition he received personal congratulations from many friends throughout the district. Referring «to St. Patrick’s Church Father O’Donnell said the completion of the present fine building was as much due to the congregation as to his own efforts. Father O’Donnell wont on to refer to other matters in connection with the local church, and paid a high tribute to the members of his congregation for their loyalty and assistance. After referring to the many changes that had taken place since he came to the Wakatipu, Father O'Donnell expressed regret that they were about to lose Dr. Thomson, who had been one of the speaker’s oldest and best friends. In conclusion, he again thanked them for the honors they had conferred upon him, and jocularly remarked that he hoped to be with them on the occasion of his golden jubilee. Father O’Donnell resumed his seat amidst loud applause. During the evening a number of other toasts were honored, and an excellent musical programme was provided by Misses Jopp and Molly Cotter, Messrs. Healey, Brady, Anthony, and Dr. Thomson. 1 ENTERTAINED BY ST. JOSEPH’S CONVENT PUPILS. There was a large gathering of parents and friends at St. Joseph’s Convent on Thursday afternoon, when Father O’Donnell was entertained by the Sisters and pupils. An excellent programme of music, action songs, recitations, and dances was carried out by the pupils.

At an interval in the proceedings Miss B. Trainor, on behalf of the pupils of the school, presented Father O’Donnell with a surplice, and read an address congratulating him upon the attainment of- his silver jubilee, and expressing to him their deep gratitude for his many acts of kindness to them. lather Donnell feelingly responded, and gave a few words of advice and encouragement to the children. Afternoon tea was dispenged by the girl pupils, and the proceedings closed with cheers for Father O’Donnell.