Onehunga

New Zealand Tablet, 16 October 1919, Page 19

Onehunga

.A very enjoyable musical evening was held in St. Mary's Parish Hall, Onehunga, on Tuesday, September 30, for the purpose of presenting an address of welcome to Rev. J. J. Byrne, who has been appointed as assistant, priest to Right Rev. Mgr. Mahoney (writes a correspondent). The following contributed to the programme, the: various numbers being received with much appreciation:Overture, Miss Owens; songs, Miss Ruby Leahy, Messrs. Higgins and Houston; duet, Miss Ruby Leahy and Mr. McDermott. During the evening the following address of welcome was read by Mr. Shaldrick, and presented to Father O'Byrne, who suitably replied: Dear Rev. Father,We, the Catholics of Onehunga, have much pleasure in extending to you a most hearty welcome to your new sphere of duties. Although this is the first time we have had the pleasure of meeting you personally, you are well known to us as a man of cult a e and literary attainments, and not afraid, when occasion arises, of publicly using your talents in defence of Faith and Fatherland, always maintaining that Ireland has the same right to self-determination according to her own ideals, as the other small nations of Europe. You liavo the reputation of being a preacher and lecturer of no mean ability, and we know that we shall often have tho pleasure of hearing you from the pulpit, but would esteem it a favor if you would give us an occasional lecture on the history of Ireland or some of her patriotic men of the past,subjects we know you are capable of doing ample justice to. We are indeed grateful to his Lordship the Bishop for the happy choice he has made in asking you to take up the duties of assisting our esteemed and highlyrespected pastor, the Right Rev. Mgr. Mahoney, whose task of doing full justice to the parish has been for some years a heavy one. Onehunga is one of tho oldest parishes in the diocese of Auckland, being established 69 years ago, and it stands unique in having only its third parish priest in the person of our worthy Monsignor. The parish is well equipped with parochial buildings, having a handsome and substantial church and presbytery, together with convent, schools, and two halls, all of which, we are pleased to say, are free from debt. Tho undersigned representatives of the various societies connected with the parish have every confidence that you will give them the benefit of your valuable experience, and that by your counsel and assistance the membership of the respective societies will increase. In conclusion, we pray God that Ho will grant you health and strength to assist in carrying on the good work, and we on our part promise our hearty co-opera-tion in all your activities for the welfare of the parish. Signed on behalf of the parishioners Shaldrick, chairman Parish Committee, Onehunga; B. McLaughlin, President Catholic Federation, Onehunga; D. McCarten, President H.A.C.B. Society, Onehunga Branch. "In concluding the programme Monsignor Mahoney expressed his pleasure in the choice of his Lordship the Bishop in appointing Father O'Byrne as his assistant.