FAREWELL TO REV. FATHER MURPHY, S.M.

New Zealand Tablet, 30 August 1917, Page 22

FAREWELL TO REV. FATHER MURPHY, S.M.

~ ■ A crowded and enthusiastic gathering of Catholics was held in the School Hall, Craigie avenue, last Wednesday , evening .to ‘ wish farewell to' the Rev. Father Murphy, S.M., who has' labored in the Sacred Heart parish, Timaru, for the past eight years. - The overflow was sufficient to fill the ■adjoining classrooms, and the spirit manifested showed without spoken word that the departing priest has won the widest popularity among his. people. Among those present were the Very Rev. Dean Tubman, S.M., P.P., Timaru, Very Rev. Father Aubry, 8.M., P.P., Waimate, and Rev. Father Stewart, S.M., Waimate. " 't' The proceedings partook the nature of a family at home. A choice orchestra under .Mrs. N. D. Mangos played selections at intervals. Vocal numbers were contributed by Mesdames Clemens, P. Lindsay, and T. W. Lynch, and Mr. G. H. Andrews, and the Rev. Father Herbert, S.M., gave a recitation. Mrs. N. D. Mangos was accompanist. •Dr. Loughnan, who was chairman of the presentation committee, read a large number of apologies from friends and well-wishers of the Rev. Chaplain, scattered all over South Canterbury, and at a later stage of the proceedings said he thought that when Father Murphy stepped into Timaru, he also walked into the affections of the Catholic people. His going away was a personal loss-to them all. and the big-gathering, whilst a tribute to his sacerdotal office, still expressed the personal note on his departure. When he returned the welcome awaiting him would be equally hearty. (Applause.) Mr. T. W. Lynch then read the following address :, —• “The Reverend Michael Andrew Murphy, S.M. “Dear Reverend Father, — We, the Catholics of Timaru, have gathered about you, to-night, to honor you, and wish you God speed in the new sphere of duly to which you have recently been appointed. For wellnigh eight years you have been laboring in our midst, and so remarkable has been your unflagging zeal, allied to cheerful piety, that we have long since learned to admire you, to reverence you, and love you. 1 11 every department of priestly work you have been true to the high spirit of your Christ-like mission, hastening ever at the clear loud call of duty, far or near, by day or by night, to give the needy and the suffering the benefits of -your sacred ministrations. Yours, dear Reverend Father, is a truly enviable record, and we who arc proud and privileged to have possessed you as pur own Soggarth Aroon, shall rightly hold you in everlasting remembrance. As military chaplain, on laud or sea, you will find congenial and fruitful work to be done, and quite a large scope for your abundant energies. Needless to add, we wish you a goodly measure of success, firmly convinced, all the while, that for the glory of God, the credit of the Church, and the spiritual welfare of those assigned to your pastoral care, you will achieve splendid results. Parting from you now, dear Reverend Father, with unfeigned regret, with none but fond and salutary memories of your happy sojourn in our midst, we yet rejoice to think of the great good you will surely accomplish and the place of honor and love you will win in the minds and hearts of those whose ‘friend, philosopher, and guide’ you will be. We beg sincerely to thank you for all you have done for us; we promise to give you unfailingly the aid of our prayers, and while asking your blessing, we request you to accept from our. hands this tangible and practical proof of our esteem, our affection, and grateful appreciation.’’ Signed on behalf of the parishioners —Dr. Loughnan, J. B. Crowley, T. Cronin, W. An gland, T. Lynch, C. Costello, P. Mahoney, N>D. Mangos, Mrs. N. D. Mangos, Mrs. O’Rourke, Mrs. Ardagh, Misses K. and M. McGrath, Miss K. Doyle. • ° Mr. T. Cronin then handed the guest of, the evening a cheque for slightly over .£2OO. After the presenta* tion a number of spontaneous tributes were paid by different parishioners to the departing priest.

Very Rev. Father Aubry stressed the help whichthe Rev. Father 'Murphy was every readyto, give -to neighboring; parishes- The Mikikihi portion of - the Waimate parish had .often .-been indebted, to him for services rendered at, great personal inconvenience. He considered, that the departing priest: was a fearless exponent of cheerful Christianity, and he felt that he was specially fitted for brightening the dark -hours in the lives of the wounded soldiers at the front or on the hospital ships. (Applause.) i . The Rev. Father Murphy, who was apparently much overcome, and had some difficulty in replying, gratefully acknowledged the ■ substantial present given him, and also the sentiments expressed in the address, which he said he valued most of all. He entirely reciprocated those feelings, and because of this he had difficulty in thanking those who had helped him so much in his life’s work. The money would be very useful in providing the necessary vestments and sacerdotal requisites, and also in lending a helping hand to any of the boys who required a lift along. Those who had spoken had set him up as ideal, but he regretted the many opportunities for fuller service he had let go by. On the outbreak of the war three years ago he had offered his services because he felt it was his duty to go, but he had not attained his object, and since then he had been brought up as a shirker and called in the ballot. (Laughter.) A chaplain duty on a hospital ship is not hard work. If I had my way 1 would be in the trenches with the . boys. lie said that he would do his best for the good of the souls amongst whom his lot was cast. “If the worst happens,” said Father Murphy, “and I do not come back, well, what does it matter, so long as on© is prepared, but I do hope that when I am discharged I shall be permitted to return to Timaru. You have promised in the address to give me unfailingly the aids of your prayers well, 1 ask you for them, for I will need the grace of God to do my work well.” He concluded by once again thanking everyone for their kindness to him. and assuring all that the Timaru pastorate would ever be in his thoughts. On the conclusion of Father Murphy’s speech much loud and very prolonged applause arose for the hero of the evening, and three cheers were given. A substantial supper was then handed round by the ladies, and was very much enjoyed, and this exceedingly jolly gathering, with that touch of sadness occasioned by the priest’s departure, was brought to a close with “Auld Lang Syne.”