SILVER JUBILEE OF REV. FATHER CLANCY, HOKITIKA.

New Zealand Tablet, 31 August 1916, Page 41

SILVER JUBILEE OF REV. FATHER CLANCY, HOKITIKA.

(From our own correspondent.) A very large gathering assembled in St. Mary’s Club rooms, Hokitika, on Friday evening, August 18, to make a presentation to Father Clancy, and to mark in a fitting manner the rev. gentleman’s silver jubilee. The rooms were tastefully decorated for the occasion. Mr. W. J. Jeffries occupied the chair. A large number of visitors from Greymouth and Ross were present, including the Very Rev. Dean Carew and the Rev. Father O’Riordap. The chairman, in an eloquent speech, referred to Father Clancy’s long and faithful service as a priest. He spoke of the devotion of the Catholic priesthood to their people, and. how they had under all conditions - watched with unremitting diligence over the souls of those entrusted to their care. Whether the Catholic priest had been called to labor in torrid zones or in Arctic regions, he had pursued the perilous path of duty undeterred by heat or cold, by persecution or disease. He wished Father Clancy a long life of continued usefulness as a priest of the Catholic Church. He then called upon Mrs. W. Keller and Miss K. Foster to make the presentations. Mrs. Keller, in a neatly-worded speech, asked Father Clancy to accept a purse of sovereigns and Miss Foster, in a few gracious words, presented him with a gentleman’s companion. Mr. H. Willialns, in a feeling speech, referred to the dignified intimacy that existed between Father Clancy and his people. He said the rev. gentleman had indeed been a father to his children, and they in return had shown that respect and reverence due to a minister of religion whose advice and example were in agreement. The following illuminated address from the people of St. Mary’s parish was then read by Mr H. Williams: ‘ Dear Rev. Father, —Knowing that you have recently completed your 25th year of work in God’s own vineyard, the glorious Catholic Church instituted by His own Divine Son, we, the favored parishioners of St. Mary’s, Hokitika, cannot allow such an anniversary to pass unrecognised and unhonored. The magnificent church erected under your direction to the honor and glory of God bears silent witness to your zeal and faithful service. Since nothing tangible and concrete marks equally your noble deeds, they would seem to be unnoticed ; but we, the members of your congregation, wish to acknowledge these: your many acts of charity, your acts of thoughtfulness in saving us from heavy burdens, your tactful dealings with all, and your many acts of kindness so unostentatiously done. We beg to wish that you may be blessed with good health, _ that you may long be spared to carry , on the noble work of the ministry, and that in God’s own good time you may reap the reward of the blessed. We beg to remain.—J. Downey, J. Sullivan, E. O’Connor, J. Cahill, W. Jeffries, and J. Mandl (Church); P. Callan, W. Jones (Hibernians); Geo. Wormington, L. Dwan (St.. Mary’s Club) ; B. McQuigan, G. Head (Kanieri) j T. Brown, J. Crowley (Blue Spur) Misses A. Daly, K. Foster (Children of Mary) ; M. Moynihan, T. Crough (Kokataki) ; B. War'd, J. McQuigan (Arahura); Mrs. Devaney, Mrs. Bennett, Mrs. Kortegast, Miss Mandl (Sodality) ; Mrs. Richardson, F. Groufski (Choir) ; Misses J. O’Connor, Burke, Mrs. Keller (Altar Society); H. Williams (Secretary).’ Very Rev. Dean Carew spoke in terms of high praise of Father Clancy. He said he had known Father Clancy since he had been in New Zealand, and during that time he (Father Clancy) had been animated by the deepest devotion to his people and to Holy Church, the tenets of which he had so worthily imparted. The president of St. Mary’s Club (Mr. G. Wormington) was the next speaker. He enumerated the many benefits the Rev. Father Clancy had conferred upon, the members of St. Mary’s Club, and he referred to the rev. gentleman’s insistence upon each individual

member of the club applying to himself the maxim aim high. Mr. L. Dwan, the capable secretary of St. Mary’s Club, referred to Father Clancy’s connection with the club and the progress the members had made during his directorship. - f Messrs. F. Groufski (choir), J. Downey (parishioners), and W. Jones (Hibernians) referred to the Rev. Father’s multifarious interests and the versatility he displayed in actively employing his talents in imparting life and vigor to the many societies connected with St. Mary’s Church. The Rev. Father Clancy, on rising to reply, was greeted with prolonged applause. He said he was deeply affected by the many kind things said of him by the various speakers, and that, combined with the unusually large number of people who had assembled in St-. Mary’s Club rooms, convinced him he possessed a very large circle of friends. The rev. gentleman assured his -hearers that he appreciated to the fullest extent the kindness shown him, and he trusted he would be given the opportunity of continuing to labor in their midst. He concluded his speech with an interesting resume of his life as a priest since his ordination. He spoke of his life in France and Spain and of his many pleasant experiences in those countries, and he concluded with a kindly reference to the courtesy he had always received at the hands of New Zealanders. During the interval the ladies’ committee dispensed suppeiq which was partaken of by all present. A very fine musical programme, arranged by the ladies’ committee, was gone through, the following ladies and gentlemen contributing items:Mrs. S. W. Richardson, Mrs. Richards, Miss Casey, Messrs. T. Stopford, T. Kennedy, and W. J. Jeffries. The singing of the National Anthem and 1 Auld lang syne ’ brought to a close one of the most pleasant functions ever held in St. Mary’s Club rooms.