THE LATE CHAPLAIN-MAJOR McMENAMIN

New Zealand Tablet, 28 June 1917, Page 25

THE LATE CHAPLAIN-MAJOR McMENAMIN

SOLEMN REQUIEM MASSES. On last Wednesday morning at the Church of .the Sacred Heart, Petone, there was Solemn Requiem Mass for the repose of the soul of the late ChaplainMajor McMenamin. The Right Rev. Mgr. McKenna was celebrant, Chaplain-Captain Connolly deacon, Rev. Father Quealy subdeacon, and Rev. Father O’Connor, S.M., master of ceremonies. The solemn office was sung by the choir of clergy, among those present being the Very Rev. Dean Holley, S.M. (Provincial), Very Rev. Dr. Kennedy, S.M. (Rector St. Patrick’s College), Rev. Fathers T. McKenna, Hurley, S.M., McManus, Travers, Doolaghty, Maillard, S.M., S. Mahony, S.M., Smyth, S.M., Mangan, C.SS.R., Bowden, S.M., Dignan, S.M., O’Sullivan, S.M., Forrestal, Guinane, Kimbell, S.M., McDonnell, S.M., Gondringer, S.M., J. J. and A. Cullen, S.M., Ryan, S.M., Outtrim, S.M., Schaefer, S.M., F. Cullen, S.M., Campbell, S.M., O’Beirne, Chaplain-Captains Dore, Minogue, and O’Flynn. The sermon, which was an eloquent eulogy of the deceased, was preached by the Rev. Father Hurley, S.M., from the text “ Thou art a priest for ever.” IT Grace Archbishop O’Shea gave the Benediction at the catafalque, and at the close the organist played the “ Dead March” from “Saul.” The church was draped in black and white.

On last Wednesday morning there was Solemn Requiem Mass at the Basilica, Hill street, Wellington, for the repose of the soul of the late Chaplain-Major McMenamin. His Grace Archbishop O’Shea, S.M., was celebrant, Very Rev. Father T. McKenna assistant priest, Rev. Father O’Connor, S.M., deacon, Rev. Father Quealey subdeacon, and Rev. Father Hurley, S.M., master of ceremonies. The clergy present included all those who attended the solemn ceremonial at Petone on the previous day.

There were also in attendance Mrs. McMenamin, mother of the deceased padre, and members of the family, the Hon. G. W. Russell, and the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke).

The military* authorities were represented by Sur-geon-Colonel Purdy, represen the Medical Service; Major Sleemaxx, representing the Commandant; Captain Hill, Provost Marshal; Captain Cross, representing the Adjutant-General ; Captain Gibbs, representing Colonel Hume; Major A. A. Corrigan, Wellington district; Colonel J. D. Purdy, and Lieutenant Jervis.

Apologies for unavoidable absence were received from Sir James Allen, Acting-Premier, and SurgeonGeneral Henderson. , -

The front seats were occupied by fully a hundred members, of the Forces. Many people travelled from Petone and the Hutt to pay their last respects to the memory of the deceased. The Camp Commandant gave leave to men at Trenthanx Camp desiring to be present.

The music of the Mass was sung bv St, Patrick’s College Choir, under the conductorship of Rev. .Father Schaefer/ Mr. G. O’Meeghan presided at the organ. The occasional sermon was preached by the Rev. Father Gilbert, S.M., M.A., St. Patrick’s College, who took as. his text —" Be mindful, 0 Lord, of Thy ser*

vants, who are gone before ns with the sign of faith and slumber in the sleep of peace.” The discourse was a magnificent eulogy of the deceased and concluded thus; —“We are all the poorer for the death of this noble-hearted priest, but wo are incomparably richer for the memory and inspiration of his noble life and heroic death, for he has proved again that the children of this country are worthy of the traditions of their forefathers ; that we are faithful witnesses to the faith that is in us; has proved again that we can emulate the bravest deeds of the bravest and noblest of any land; has proved again, even in these callous times, that a man may live for Christ’s ideal, and dying, has proved again that ‘ neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor might, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature is able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord.’ ” At the conclusion of Mass his Grace Archbishop O’Shea gave the Benediction at the catafalque.