PEOPLE WE HEAR ABOUT

New Zealand Tablet, 31 October 1918, Page 23

PEOPLE WE HEAR ABOUT

.Word came lately from Rome that the Very Rev. Sigourney W. Fay, S.T.D., who some years ago was received from the Episcopal Church into the true fold, has been elevated by Pope Benedict to ’the rank of Domestic Prelate of the Papal Court, with the title of Monsignor. Monsignor Fay is a son of the late Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Alfred Forbes Fay, and a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania. He was widely known in the Episcopal Church. He was ordained about a year after his submission.'.

Showmen and roundabout proprietors from all parts of England, Scotland, and Wales attended a short time ago the funeral at Preston Cemetery of Mr. Benjamin Mitchell, the well-known roundabout proprietor and showman, who died in Bolton Infirmary (says the Bolton Evening Neiex). There was an extraordinary display of floral tributes from showmen. They filled three landaus and the hearse, while 25 coaches and half a dozen motor cars were required to convey the mourners to the cemetery. The apparel of the mourners was of a varied and most unusual character, ranging from the orthodox frock coat and box hat to the rough pilot jacket, scarf, and clogs. The wreaths covered between 40 and 50 square yards. Requiem Mass was celebrated at St. Ignatius’s Catholic Church prior to the interment.

His Grace the Archbishop of Melbourne (Most Rev. Dr. Daniel Alannix) celebrated the sixth anniversary of his episcopal consecration on Sunday, October 6. The Archbishop was felicitated from every side. His Grace was consecrated Titular Archbishop of Pharsalus, Co-adjutor-Archbishop of Melbourne, cum jute succession is, on October 6, 1912, by his Eminence Cardinal Logue (Primate of All Ireland), and succeeded the late Dr. Carr on May 6, 1917. His Grace was born at Charieville, Cork, Ireland, in 1864. In 1894 he was professor of theology at Alaynooth, of which worldfamed seat of ecclesiastical culture he was in 1903 appointed president. Pius X. created him a Domestic Prelate of the first rank, with the title of Monsignor, and Canon of the Cloyne Chapter. He was appointed Senator when Maynooth joined with the Royal University, and was made a Doctor of Laws. When the Royal University was dissolved the distinguished churchman was nominated by the Government as Senator of the National University, Dublin.

Half a century ago the Very Rev. Canon Flannery, P.P., V.G., Killaloe (uncle of Father Fogarty, Christchurch), was ordained a priest ; and during those fifty years this distinguished ecclesiastic has earned for himself by study, religious fervor, and by his devotion to his sacred calling many honors' conferred upon him by his Holy Church. Since the amiable dignitary’s advent to the historic parish of Killaloe fifteen years ago he has labored unselfishly for the well-being of his flock, and the many improvements executed in the parish under his wise guidance and able direction bear testimony to the toil and zeal of the distinguished prelate and of his Christian and earnest desire to alleviate the suffering poor and improve the conditions of his parishioners. From a very early age Canon Flannery took a keen interest in the education question, and at a later date, as manager of schools, his active mind was concentrated on, and his many efforts directed to, the improvement of school buildings, thereby making the lives of the teacher and children happier and brighter. For the grand old tongue no man has a greater love or reverence, and there are few parishes in Clare where the language is so well and efficiently taught, as in the schools of the Killaloe parish. Though now advancing in years, the Very Rev. Canon’s activities for the moral and material welfare of his parishioners have rather intensified than lessened. Some years ago he undertook the building of a magnificent church at Garranboy, a noble project that must have occasioned considerable energy and mental efforts, and quite recently he succeeded in securing a suitable parochial house—a long-felt —for . the priest of the parish. The Very Rev. Canon is still enjoying good health, and

though his constitution is not so robust as it was wont to be, it is the ever-desire and fervent wish of his parishioners that he shall be many more long years amongst them to be their spiritual guide and director through life. • -