PRESENTATION TO REV. FATHER BARRA, S.M. WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Tablet, 19 October 1916, Page 56

PRESENTATION TO REV. FATHER BARRA, S.M. WELLINGTON.

-. St. Joseph's Church, Buckle street, was filled to its utmost capacity on Sunday evening, the occasion being the farewell of the congregation to the Rev. Father Barra, S.M., for some years assistant priest of that parish (writes our Wellington correspondent, under date October 7). The Rev. Father Hurley, speaking immediately after Benediction, made reference to the recent departure of the Rev. Father Barra for Reefton, and said that the French Government must have been informed of the many good qualities of the Rev. Father Barra, for no sooner had that worthy priest settled down to his new duties at Reefton when he was called up to serve his native country as a soldier of France. Thanks to the timely intervention of friends, together with the fact that the Rev. Father was already a chaplain in the New Zealand Forces, permission had been granted by the French authorities for the rev. Father to proceed with an early Reinforcement in his proper sphere of duty. No doubt the Rev. Father Barm's intimate acquaintance with the language and customsof the people where the troops were now on service would be of great value to the New Zealand soldiers and authorities. The congregation desired the rev. Father to accept a portable chapel, fitted complete in every detail, and trusted that the rev. Father would be spared to minister the comforts of religion to many Catholic soldiers, and that he would be permitted to return to New Zealand in the best of health, and -oncluded by assuring him that the congregation of St. Joseph's would remember him before the Throne of Grace. The Rev. Father Hurley then requested Mr. J. J. L. Burke to present the gift referred to on behalf of the congregation. Mr. Burke said that a few months ago the congregation assembled in the church to bid farewell to the Rev. Father Barra, who, in the course of duty, had been ordered to another parish in the archdiocese. At that time they parted with much regret from one who had been a zealous and devoted pastor, and had endeared himself to every one of the parishioners. Mr. Burke made passing reference to the historic associations of France and Ireland upon the battlefield, and humorously stated that it was owing to the Rev. Father Barra's association with the Wanganui Irish Rifles that the Government of France had consented to the rev. gentleman being allowed to serve with the New Zealand troops. Mr. Burke concluded by asking Father Barra's acceptance of the gift of the congregation, and trusted that while offering the Holy Sacrifice, he would sometimes remember the boys from St. Joseph's parish who were now in the trenches, and more especially those who had made the great sacrifice or might be called upon to do so. Mr. W. F. Johnson, at the request of the Rev. Father Hurley, expressed the thanks of the Catholic Federation to the Rev. Father Barra for the interest that he had always shown in the work of St. Joseph's Parish Committee. He stated that St. Joseph's parish was exceptionally well represented at the front, but in almost every other case there were home ties, and ties of kindred between the soldiers at the front and the people here. The rev. Father had no ties of that kind, but his home was in the hearts of all who knew him. It was a great relief to the parishioners when they found that Father Barra had been permitted to go with the New Zealand soldiers. . He felt sure that a warm welcome awaited the rev. Father from the boys in the trenches, and was sure than he would be equally delighted to meet the boys once more. Mr. Johnson concluded with a tribute to the valor and the imperishable glory of the soldiers of France, and wished Father Barra health, happiness, and a safe return. The Rev. Father Barra said that he felt very much the parting with the people of St. Joseph's, where he had so many friends, and where some happy years had been spent by him. He never realised before that it would be so hard for him to leave New Zealand, in fact it was as hard for him as leaving his native land | many years ago. He was proud to wear the uniform of the New Zealand soldier, which had been hallowed

by the blood of so many of New Zealand's bravest sons. He had been quite prepared to answer the call of his native country, and put on once more the uniform of the French soldier, but he was happy to serve in his own sphere as a chaplain, and to be of service to those who may need the consolations of religion. New Zealand had taken its place beside the veteran armies of Europe, and the bravery of its soldiers was the admiration of them all. The speaker referred to the appropriate gift from the parishioners, and promised to remember the congregation daily in his prayers. He concluded by inviting those present to give him the names of their lads at the front, when he would do his best to get into touch with them immediately upon his arrival. The whole of the congregation filed up to the sanctuary to bid Father Barra a personal farewell.