The Late Very Reverend Dean Thomas McKenna

New Zealand Tablet, Volume L, Issue 28, 19 July 1923, Page 23

The Late Very Reverend Dean Thomas McKenna

REQUIEM AND FUNERAL AT PAHIATUA. Last-week we published an account of the solemn obsequies celebrated in the parish church of New Plymouth .. for the repose of the soul of the deceased parish priest. _ On the following day (Wednesday, July 11) the remains were brought by train to Woodville, and thence in a long funeral procession to the Dean's old parish, Pahiatua" From the station at Woodville to the church at Pahiatua a large number of mourners followed the hearse which bore the body of "Father Tom," in addition to friends • and relatives from the district; many from New Plymouth and Hawera joining in the cortege. In the church wherein for so many years he ministered so faithfully to his flock, the Dean's remains lay in state at the end of his last earthly journey, while the beautiful Office for the Dead was sung by the clergy in the presence of a large congregation. On Thursday morning, at 10 o'clock, a Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated by Rev. Father John Kelly, Father Sweeney (deacon), Father Falloon (subdeacon), and Father McDermott (master of ceremonies). The Right Rev. Mgr. McKenna (brother of deceased) presided in the sanctuary> There was an overflowing congregation, a, great number being unable to gain admission. The music of the Mass was well rendered by a-choir of the clergy, under the direction of Father Stan Mahony. - Father Schaeffer presided at the organ. The church was suitably and effectively draped. A panegyric of the deceased Dean was delivered by Rev. Father John Kelly, taking for his text. St. John, 16th chapter, 11th verse: "A little while and von shall not see me, and a little while you shall see me." He said the voice of God, the voice of men, the voice of experience, tells us that life is short and uncertain. This fact was vividly brought before them that day assembled as they were in the presence of the mortal remains of their one-time revered and devoted parish priest. "It would be vain for him to attempt to describe fittingly the virtues and priestly life of the late Dean McKenna to a congregation who knew him so intimately, and had been the witness of his daily round of parochial duties, for well nigh close on 30 years. He would therefore commend the late Dean to the prayers and loving remembrance of those whom he had so faithfully served during half his lifetime The parishioners of 'Pahiatua had requested that the remains of the late Dean should find a resting place in their midst, hence he did not doubt that the most fitting place for the Dean's burial was in the scene of his former "priestly ministrations and among those people who had loved him so dearly in life and would cherish his memory so affectionately in death. Father Kelly referred to the tender bonds of brotherly affection uniting the late Dean with his brothers, Monsignor McKenna and Mr. James McKenna. To them, might fittingly be applied the words: : "Oh, how good a thing it is to see brothers dwell together in unity." How these brothers loved one another! On behalf of the clergy of the Archdiocese, of the congregation here present, and of the many friends' who had sent messages of enquiry during the illness of the late Dean, he begged to tender his; sincerest sympathy to the Right Rev. Monsignor McKenna and his brother, Mr. James McKenna, and those other relatives present on this occasion. . The Brigidine Order was represented in the congregation by Sisters from Masterton and Carterton, as well "as by the local community. The tasteful draping of the church was due to the local Sisters. •At the conclusion of the Mass, the Absolutions were read by Father John Kelly and the funeral procession started immediately from the church. The cortege which was a very lengthy one, consisted of the children of St, Anthony's school (who wore crape badges), the Sodality of . the Children of Mary, the members of the Hibernian Society, in regalia, the cross-bearer with two. acolytes, then v followed a long line of the- clergy, numbering about forty, from all parts of the Archdiocese, some as far south as Westport, to the extreme northern limits, then came +.he

hearse, followed by fully 100 motor cars. The whole formed a very striking procession. The length of the latter extended well over a mile. The widespread esteem in which the late Dean was held was evidenced by the large numbers which congregated at various points/- Business was suspended as the cortege passed through the streets, which were lined at different points by large numbers of residents. It seemed as if the whole countryside had turned out en masse to demonstrate its sympathy and respect. The funeral was probably one of the largest ever seen in this district. The ceremonies at the graveside were conducted by Rev. Father Cashman, and the choir of clergy impressively sang "The Benedictus." The obsequies were of a very striking and solemn character. Many of the Dean's former parishioners were visibly affected. The crowd at the graveside included residents of Taranaki, Manawatu, Wairarapa Hawke's Ray, and'Wellington.The chief-mourners were Monsignor McKenna and Mr. James McKenna (brothers of deceased); Laurence, Clive, John James, Charles, Patrick, and Michael McKenna (nephews of deceased), Marjory (Sister Evangelist), and Mary McKenna (nieces). The pall-bearers comprised members of the Hibernian Lodge from Masterton, Woodville, and Pahiatua. They were: Messrs. J. J. Beech, D. O'Rourke, O'Regan, Kearins. Goldfinch, and McCool. There were several beautiful floral tributes including wreaths from the following:—"The old parishioners of Masterton, members of the Tararna Club, President a\«! members of the Pahiatua Tennis Club, Mr. and Mrs. V? Sherry, Dr. and Mrs. Paterson, Mr. O'Styke and family, the Mason family and others. The following clergy were present: —Monsignor McKenna, Father O'Reilly, S.M. (Provincial), Venerable Archdeacon Devoy, S.M., Dean Tubman, S.M., Dean Holley, S.M., Dean Lane, Fathers Whelan, C.SS.R., Kelly, Tymons, S.M., Mahony. S.M., Falloon, Connolly, McDermott, Minogue, Cullen, Campbell, S.M., Fitz Gibbons, Duffy, C.SS.R., Long, Hickson, S.M., Butler, Klimeck, Sweeney, Harnett' Lynch, Griffin, Cahill, Bowe, McManus, Guinane, Power, Hegarty, Daly, V. Kelly, Devlin, Doolaghty, Doherty, Walsh, McDonald, S.M., T. Lenehan, and Cashman.