A Popular Priest Honored

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LII, Issue 14, 15 April 1925, Page 27

A Popular Priest Honored

F All EWELL TO FATHER LONG.

(From ourGreymouth correspondent.)

Prior to his departure oh a twelve months'. ; - holiday visit to the Homeland and Continent, : i Rev. Father Long, who has been Administrator of the parish during : the past' four years, Was.the guest of honor at a large and . enthusiastic gathering; in the St. Columba , all. The assemblage was representative of ' all parts of the extensive parish, including 1 Greymouth, Cobden, Brunner, andßunanga; thus showing the esteem in which their pastor is held by the Catholic community of the whole district.. The adjoining parishes were represented as follow: Hokitika, Rev. Dr. Kennedy; Reef ton. Rev. Father Herring; Ahaura.Rev Father Fogarty; Kumara, Rev. Father Finnerty. The local clergy—Rev. Fathers O'Regan, McMonagle and Madden—were also present. The proceedings opened with a short. but enjoyable musical programme, which was as follows:—Violin duet, Misses Ethel Wallace and Mildren Coburn; pianoforte solo, Miss Kathleen Fogarty; vocal solo, Miss M. Warnes (encored); vocal solo, Mr. T. Clark (encored); recitation, Miss Doreen O'Hallaban. The accompanists were Misses M. Griffen and M. McSherry. Father O'Regan, who presided, paid a tribute to the popularity of Father Long, one whose priestly attributes were fully recognised in the diocese.. The object' of the meeting was not to say "good-bye" to Father Long but to bid him ban voyage. He had been twelve years in the Christchurch diocese, eight of which had been spent in the Cathedral parish, and the balance in Greymouth, in the important position of administrator. The period of four years in Greymouth had been arduous, as it had been * a constructive period, when much work had to be done. The Marist Brothers' School had been built and opened free of debt, the' convent was in course of building, improvements had been made in • Greymouth, and at other parts of this parish. The duties had been heavy and Father Long had faced them, though his health was not always the best. Dr. Kennedy said he had seen many changes in the parish during an almost life-long acquaintance with it; but the thing that never changed was the love of the community for their priest. He was glad Father Long was going on a holiday. It was well deserved and fully needed. It was a coincidence that Father Long ; Was starting out on his journey on St. Patrick's Day, because he bad characteristics in him similar to St. Patrick, which showed themselves in his deep love for the Irish people. Be was about to: visit the scenes of his young days, to meet his people in their own home. It was pleasing to congratulate. the parish in possessing such a priest as Father Long. It was equally pleasing to congratulate their pastor on having such a congregation .as that in this, parish to minister to.

Rev. Father Herring said ; it was always leasing, to observe the esteem,*of a parish for their; priest. He came to pay a personal tribute of. esteem to Father Long, and .also . to bear one from the Reeftpn parish. The < people and his brother priests appreciated his priestly- zeaj; they also appreciated his genial hospitality. •'•"'.'.'•; ';''- ■:\-'A:\ : Rev. Father Fogarty said Father Long , was an old and esteemed friend of his, the best one he had outside the Emerald Isle. . The congregation esteemed Father Long, but if they knew him as he (the speaker) did., they would love and esteem him the more. Going back to the Emerald Isle, the land famed for schools and scholars, churches and colleges, to Limerick, one of the finest and most Catholic cities in the world, Father Long would be once more with his own kith and kin. While away, he would hear the call to "come back"; they hoped he would come back renewed in health and vigor, and much benefited in every way by the trip. Rev. Father Finnerty said that he wished to express his gratitude for Father Long's friendship and wish him a pleasant trip. His absence would leave a. void in the hearts of his parishioners, and also in the hearts of this clerical brethren, and the sooner he was back again the better. Mr. M. Daly, on behalf of the Hibernian Society, said he wished to bear a brief testimony to the society's regard for Father Long, who had done so much for the parish '.: : His ability was evinced in the fact that though a comparatively young man, he hac • charge of an important parish and had main- , tained the traditions of Greymouth. He had sacrificed everything for the people, and it was impossible;, to give sufficient tribute to his sterling worth. % He" trusted the trip would benefit Father Longhand that he would return renewed in strength, after he had spent a. while with- his own people on -the other side of the globe.: ; > Speeches were also made by Messrs. W. P. McCarthy (St. Columba Club), J. O'Brien, and F. ,7. Doogan, the latter; on behalf of the parish, making Father Long a presentation of £340. ;'"'.'•" ■• '■:": ' >p v' Father Long, on rising to speak, was greeted with applause and cheers. 'He said he, did not know how to thank the people for their kind expression of love and loyalty to him. Since his taking charge of the parish four years ago their devotion and loyalty had been remarkable, and filled him with thankful admiration. He came among I the Greymouth people with fear and trembling, practically from hospital, to take over '. the administration of a big parish. The ; doctors had suggested a change from Christ'church to an easier position, ; and the good . Bishop had sent him to Greymouth with Fathers O'Regan and Shore. " Father O'Re- : gan had been with him ever.'since, and he was glad to leave him x in charge of affairs

whilst on his holiday leave. The bounds of •the parish embraced a large territory which took some oversight, and, i u doing as well , as he had, he had to thank the people for bearing with him. He was sensible of many shortcomings, and he could only say "thank you" for this very graceful tribute given that evening to his unworthy self. He desired to thank all who organised the function and the young folks for the splendid musical programme they had given. It was strange how he had first heard of Greymouth whilst a student in Thurles College. He had turned up the map to see where it was, and saw it marked on the West Coast of the middle island of New Zealand. At that time he had no thought that he would one day be in charge of the Catholic community there. He was going to come back, and he had no higher ambition than to work out the rest of his life in the interests of the parish which 'had been so kind to him during his four years' ministration of it. With the kind cooperation of the parish he was going to Rome, and there he would lav at the Holy Father's feet a tribute of loyalty from Greymouth parish, and ask for a blessing on the people. Though he would be in the very heart of Catholicism in Pome, he would say that nowhere would he find a more religious and devoted people than in Greymouth. They all had the same spiritual ideals and standards. When he left his father, who was seventy years old, he had not exnected to see him again on this side of the grave By their generosity he would see him "if he lived a little longer, bent perhaps with his years, but in tolerably good health. He looked forward to seeing his sister, who was laboring among the lepers in Ceylon. He was going to Scotland to another sister, who was in a convent there, and was going to visit Ins mother's grave. She had been one of the finest types of Irish mothers who ever lived. He would doubtless see changes; he would miss a number of the familiar faces of his old friends who had gone to their long rest. St. Patrick was said to have trembled when he stood on Irish soil. He almost trembled with the anticipation of being able to be there once more. I hope to come back to you less unworthy of my high office, and more worthy of your regard, to sne.vl myself for you, and be nearer the ideal priest, the consoler and friend of all. (Prolonged applause.) All rose and sang "Cod Save Ireland" and "Auld Lang Syne," after whim those present wished Father Long good-bye and a safe return to Greymo-ith.