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New Zealand Tablet, 9 March 1922, Page 19

Oamaru

BEANNACHT BEAT TO FATHER FOLEY. A large and representative gathering of members of the Catholic Church and friends of Father Foley met in the Balfour Tea Rooms last week to bid him farewell. The large room was packed to overflowing, even the staircase being packed. Mr. L. J. Hanley presided and welcomed all present. With the chairman were Father Foley on the right and Fathers O’Connell and Graham on the left. Apologies for absence were received from the Right Rev. Mgr. Mackay, who was called away, and Mr. P. C. Hjorring. Mr. J. Crowley, on behalf of the Hibernian Society, referred to the encouragement the society had always received from the clergy, who had taken jj, practical interest in the welfare of the society. He urged the younger members of the congregation to become members, the benefits received from membership being numerous. On behalf of the society he wished Father Foley every success in his new appointment as Administrator of St, Joseph’s Cathedral, Dunedin. Mr. P. J. Duggan also spoke, referring to Father Foley’s many good qualities. On behalf of the congregation, Mr. J. B. Grave presented Father Foley with a silver mounted engraved walking stick. In doing so, he referred to Father Foley’s long association with the parish and his practical interest in the welfare of the congregation. The Chairman stated that they were losing Father Foley, who had served for six years in the parish, faithfully and well. He pointed out Father Foley’s many good qualities and his interest in the welfare of the large congregation. They were sorry to lose him, but congratulated him on his promotion to the post of Administrator of St. Joseph’s Cathedral. On behalf of the congregation he handed Father Foley a cheque for a substantial amount. Father Graham, who succeeds Father Foley at Oamaru, congratulated the departing priest on his appointment and stated that if Father Foley shows the same zeal in his new position as he had shown while in Oamaru, he would have long years of happiness before him. He hoped that Father Foley would enjoy long years of fruitful service for the Divine Master. Father Foley, who was warmly greeted, said that he had come back once more to take a. formal farewell of his many kind friends. During the six years of his life among them he had had many proofs of their kindness, fidelity, and generosity. The present was a further proof of their appreciation and good-will. Referring to the remarks of the various speakers, Father Foley said he had merely carried on the work of his predecessors, and had sought no reward, save the love and appreciation of a grateful Catholic people. He had been quite happy among the people of the parish, and his removal from them was not of his seeking. He had found in North Otago friends as generous and as loyal as any he had left, even in the Old Country ; whatever sacrifice he made in leaving his native land and his friends had been recompensed by the help and the love he had received in the parishes in which ho had worked. In the fulfilment of his duties he had been stimulated by the love and gratitude of the people amongst whom he had labored, and by the beautiful example set by his beloved pastor Mgr. Mackay, whose life of retirement and devotion to duty, for a period of over 53 J ears had been an inspiration, as well as an example, to a young priest. He thanked Father O’Connell for six years of genial and helpful comradeship and co-operation. A more self-sacrificing and generous priest he had not met. He hoped that they would extend to Father Graham all the help and sympathy he himself had enjoyed. Father Foley deprecated the remarks of previous speakers giving him so much credit where the credit was due elsewhere; he had merely done his duty as a priest. He was (he said) not aware of his possession of any special qualification to administer such an important parish as that of the Cathedral, but, with the fine traditions handed down by his predecessors-Very Rev. Father Lynch, the late Father Murphy; and Very Rev. Father Coffey-he hoped he would carry on the glorious work to the best of his ability. He was going to Dunedin with the appreciation and esteem

of his beloved Bishop, and with the good-wishes of his fellow-priests, and with the prayers of a faithful Catholic people. What more need a priest require to inspire him with a confidence in his work?

The success of the Hibernians was due largely to the indefatigable labors of Mr. Duggan, and the liquidation of the Windsor debt to the generosity of the people. The generosity of the Catholic people oft-times made their priests feel unworthy. Theirs were a love and esteem peculiar to the Catholic Church, and these qualities were as pronounced in this young land as in the older countries. In its enthusiasm for the Church and Catholic education New Zealand could hold its own with any part of the world. He hoped from time to time to come back among the people in Oamaru, and whatever he could do spiritually or temporally for them would be a pleasure to him. While he thanked every member of the congregation for help and generosity he could not help especially mentioning some of his country friends, whose hospitality had made country travelling a journey of joy, specially mentioning Mrs. Macarthy and family, Mr. and Mrs. Spiers, Mr. and Mrs. Conlan, Mr. Taylor (Windsor), Mrs. McPhee and family, Mr. M. Foley, and Mr. and Mrs. Joyce. He would never forget the kindness he had received during the six years he had spent in North Otago, which were among the happiest of his life. He thanked the speakers, the organisers of the function, and the performers. He especially thanked the donors of the gifts for their generosity. Ho accepted their monetary gift in the spirit in which it was made, but he must be permitted (he said) after purchasing a chalice upon which he would have engraved: “From the parishioners of Oamaru,” to apply the balance to certain objects that appealed to him. He had tried to do the best as a priest, without distinction, and he asked for the prayers of his friends to help him sustain worthily his new office.

During the past week death has been very busy in our midst and has claimed four of the best known and deeply respected members of the Catholic community, namely, Mr. O’Connor (Queen’s Flat), Mr. Thos. Moloney, Mr. P. Collins (Reed Street), and Mrs. Falconer, Ain Street (mother of Rev. Father J. Falconer, Rockhampton, and S.M. Liguori, 0.5. D.). To their sorrowing relatives is extended our deepest sympathy in their bereavement IMP.

kt. Patrick concert is looming large on the horizon once more, and Father O’Connell is busy (getting artists and so forth) in order that the concert may be as huge a success as usual. This year it will eventuate on March 15. Mass will be celebrated at the following country stations during the month of March;—On the 12th at Kurow, Duntroon, and Alma; on the 19th at Windsor Park, Ngapara, and Georgetown; and on the 26th at Duntroon, Kurow, and Richmond. —Own correspondent, March 5.