DEATH OF REV. FATHER McCORMACK, AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Tablet, 8 June 1916, Page 39

DEATH OF REV. FATHER McCORMACK, AUCKLAND.

(From our own correspondent.) The news of Rev. Father McCormack's death, although not unexpected, caused deep feelings of sorrow to the many friends he had made since he landed in New -Zealand. His own lovable character, together with the sad circumstances surrounding his arrival in the land of his adoption, endeared him to all who had the least acquaintance with him. The deceased was Born in Birr, King's County, Ireland, less than 27 years ago. At an early age he felt the call of the great High Priest. Responding to the great vocation, and following the supreme desire of his heart, he began his collegiate course in 1906 at the new college, conducted by the Cistercian monks at Roscrea. Here he imbibed more and more that spirit of solid piety and holiness that shone forth so brilliantly in him- in his maturer years. Before the close of his five years' course in St. Joseph's, we find him electing to break forever with all ties of home and fatherland iir*erder to devote himself to the service of the Lord in the faroff land of New Zealand. Having completed his course at St. Joseph's, Father McCormack passed on to St. Kieran's College, Kilkenny, for his philosophical

THE LATE REV. FATHER McCORMACK. and theological course. Here again lie was the ecclesiastical student par excellence. Of average ability, he excelled in devotion to work and in the exact compliance with every rule. At length the long-wished-for day came round, and with joy that no words could utter, he stood at the altar, a priest forever. It was during the subsequent holidays that the fatal malady first appeared. He consulted physicians and specialists, and was assured that there was no cause for alarm, on thei contrary, that the sea voyage would benefit him considerably. But notwithstanding all, he was stricken down when only five days out, and lay betwixt life and death for the remainder of the voyage. He received every care and attention from his fellow-priests on the vessel, and was nursed with devotion by the two young ladies who were coming out to enter the Convent of ■ Mercy. ■ On arrival in Auckland he was taken to the Mater Misericordiae Hospital. £ If Father McCormack was away from home and friends in a foreign land, he certainly found } a new home among the good -Sisters at the Mater Hospital. Every care was lavished upon

him. In a short time, by their devoted nursing and scientific treatment, he showed a marked improvement. Even great hopes were entertained that a life so valuable would be spared. But a change for the worse appeared about four weeks ago. With great fervor and resignation he received the last Sacraments, and prepared to meet his God. At length, in perfect peace and resignation, he calmly breathed forth his soul into the arms of the Master Whom he had loved and served. Surrounding his' death-bed were many of his fellowpriests, as well as the devoted Sisters/ ■A Solemn Requiem Mass, at which the Right Rev. Mgr. Mahoney, V.G., presided, was celebrated in the Cathedral for the repose of the soul of the deceased. Rev. Father Taylor was celebrant, Rev. Father Dunphy deacon, Rev. Father Kirrane subdeacon, and Very Rev. Chancellor Holbrook master of ceremonies. There were also —Very Rev. Fathers Buckley_and Cahill, Rev. Fathers Murphy, Adm., O'Malley, Carran, O'Flynn, and Blakely. Monsignor Mahoney gave the Absolution at the catafalque. The choir and the Rev. Fathers Forde, Spiering, Kelly, Furlong, O'Hara, and Brothers Hippolyte and Dionysius sang the music of the Mass, and Mr. P. F. Hiscocks conducted. As the remains were being removed from the Cathedral, the organist (Mr. H. Hiscocks) played the ' Dead March' from ' Saul.' The interment took place in the Remuera Cemetery.—R.l.P.