Parish of Whangarei

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LI, Issue 30, 16 July 1924, Page 25

Parish of Whangarei

RECEPTION TO FATHER STEWART, S.M. ' FAREWELL TO FATHER O’DOHERTY. Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather there was a good gathering of Catholic parishioners at the Convent Schoolroom last evening (says the Northern Aden cote for July 1) to extend a welcome to the Rev. Father J. Stewart, S.M., who has been recently appointed to the parish of Whangarei, and also to bid good-bye to the Rev. Father W. J. O’Doherty, who has been stationed here for the past 16 months. Father O’Doherty opened the proceedings and at the outset wished to apologise for the absence of Bishop Cleary, who had returned to Auckland on important business. He extended a welcome to Fathers Spiering and O’Callaghan of Dargaville, who had come over to join in the welcome to Father Stewart. The object of the gathering, said the speaker, was to extend a welcome to their new priest, who was a. member of the Marist Order, and his appointment was somewhat in the nature of a homecoming because it was in the early days that the Marist missionaries first started their labors in the North Auckland District in the year 1838 Father Stewart’s family had given many laborers in the interest of the Church, one of his sisters being in charge of the Mater Miscricordia Hospital at Auckland. Whangarei was indeed fortunate in securing the services of such a fine and zealous worker. Mr. W. Woods, on behalf of the parishioners, extended a hearty welcome to Father Stewart, and said he was sure that all were pleased to see him in their midst. It was the duty of the parishioners to see that his stay with them was made comfortable. The number of presentations that Father Stewart had received on his departure from Christchurch proved that he was held in high esteem. Amongst those presentations was' a gun, and the speaker hoped that the Christchurch Catholics did not think that he was coming up among a lot of savages. (Laughter.) He, the speaker, could assure him it was not so. His reverence would hud that in Whangarei he would have a good homo in a prosperous town which was situated in pleasant surroundings. Whangarei also was possessed of many great industries including the big cement works, and in this connection he reminded his hearers that this commodity would he greatly wanted in connection with the building of a new church. They were indeed fortunate in having a. man of the calibre of Father Stewart assigned to the Whangarei parish. (Applause.) Father Stewart, on rising to reply, was greeted with sustained applause. At the outset lie thanked the various speakers for their kindly references, but he was sure that some of them “had kissed the Blarney Stone more Than once.” He specially thanked Father O’Doherty for what he had done for him since his arrival. The loss of Father O’Doherty to the district would be a big one but he wished to be disassociated with any blame in the -an tier. He had simply been told to come to to Whangarei and as his first duty was obedience he had now made his appearance. He again thanked the parishioners for their splendid welcome and hoped that in the near future a new church would ho erected. (Applause.) . Mr. Woods said his next duty was somewhat painful in that he had been deputed on behalf of the Catholic community to bid goodbye to Father O’Doherty-.,, Since the reverend gentleman came here he had displayed a very winning way and had endeared himself to. one and all. With Father Brennan he had been very attentive .to their wants and had looked after them in every possible way. Father O’Doherty’s work had been very arduous by having to travel over bad roads in all kinds of weather and so expert had he become in driving a car that he, the speaker, would back him to drive a “tin lizzie” anywhere. On behalf of the parishioners he asked Father O’Doherty to accept for himself a travelling rug and solid leather travelling case as a memento of esteem from the Catholic community. Ho also asked that he accept .on behalf of Father Brennan a travelling rug and a case- of pipes. x ‘ ''

Father O'Doherty said that the presentation came as a complete surprise. He said that whatever vice or virtue Whangarei possessed they certainly had that of concealment as he had no idea that they intended to make him a presentation. He thanked them very much because it was quite undeserved and emanated wholly from their own generosity and kindness. He asked that his successors overlook any of his defects that they may come across. He always left a place with regret and he had never met better and trurer friends than in Whangarei. He valued their friendship very highly, specially since the departure of Father Brennan. He hoped that he would never be so mean as to forget the many kindnesses extended to him. He did not know whero he was to be stationed but would bo in close touch he hoped. He trusted that in the work to come

they would give every assistance to their pastor and listen to his appeals both spiritual and temporal, especially in the matter of, the new church which should be a credit to the town. He would keep ever green in his memory his many kind friends in Whangarei no matter where he was stationed. (Applause.) During the evening pianoforte and elocutionary items were rendered by Misses Sheehan, S. Woods, McMasters, and F. Skellern, Father Spiering and Messrs Dudley and F. Durney. A dainty supper was also provided by the ladies’ committee. The proceedings concluded with “Anld Lang Sync,” whilst Father O’Doherty was given a final send-off to the tune of “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.”