VALEDICTORY

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 16, 3 February 1937, Page 6

VALEDICTORY

Hastings Catholics Farewell Fat her Stewart WARM TRIBUTES PAID Parishioners of the Gatholic Church in Hastings gathered in the church hall last night to bid farewell to their parish priest, tlie Rev. Father Stewart, who leaves this rnornmg to take charge of the Temuka parish. There was a large assemblage, which completely filled the hall, and the high esteem and effection in which the departing pastor' was held was plainly indicated m the tributes that were paid to his work by menjbers of his parish and by his fellow-priests in the district. During the' evening Father Stewart was made the recipient of a presentation, and opportunity was also taken of welcoming the new incumbent, Father McDonald. Speakers emphasised the fine work that" Father Stewart had performed during his six years at Hastings, and assured him that his efforts had not been in vain. . "We 4re here to bid a regretful farewell to Father Stewart, who is leaving us to take over the Temuka parish." said Mr T. O'Dowd, who presided over the gathering. "Father Stewart came her© six years ago af a very trying and difficult time. It is not necessary to say how Father Stewart faced up to ' those difficulties ; it is sufficient to mention the fact that we hav© just completed a new Catholic School. which speaks of the solicitude that Father Stewart' has for the litUe onee. '-Father' Stewart' will forever be remiembered iby the present generation of children and parents.- We wish him every. success in his neyr. parish," . concluded Mr O'Dowd. The. ..Veiy Itev. Dean Holly. ,of .Napier, said ifc was. with mixed sentiments -that, he had accepted the mvitation ,to/come and honour the departing parish.priest of Hastings, Father Stewart," of beioved. membry. He referred to "- the . huge' nnder taking that Father Stewart had had to face following immediately on the disastrous 'quake oi 1931, * and- said . that they' couid but sfand in; amazement at the manner in ^hiph'.he -had ha,ndled and over come these ?dffficulties. and made reparations. '' *, Held in Admiration.

; /"The^cords'of his heart were rested here, and. this call has been to ' him a diificult one. Wej his brother priests, hold 'him "in • admiration, and look to him as a guidance to us who are left to .labo'ur on/.' continued Dean Holly, who mentioned that, during the day, .ail . the;. priests in Hawke's Bay had gathered to' . bid farewell to Father Stewart.. ','We feel sure.that it is Gbdspeed the , parting priest ' and welcome hia "successof," he concluded. Mr. J. Blake, senr., one of the oldest members tof the parishioners, said thaib Father 'Stewart's departure was a trying ordeal, "I can say, with the utmost coniidence, that Father Stewart has been a niost appreciated gentleman and one of our ablest priests," he said. He mentioned that with Father McDonald in his place it would be a great help and appeasement. "All the parishioners of this parish endorse the remarks made . about Father Stewart's administration^ both temporal and spiritual," he said' ' ' Mr Blake mentioned that during his 50 years as a parishioner in Hastings h© had noticed that they had remarknble parish priests, but lie had noticed a wonderful increase among the parishioners and that greater interest was paid to all the duties entailed by members of the Catholic Church during Father Stewart's term as parish priest. The Hev. Father Riordan said that Father Stewart deserved his meed of praise for his very high standard of zeal and spirituality. Temuka was a fine parish, and he wished Father Stewart the best of luck, and hoped that God. would bless his ministry. The n©w school • at Hastings was Father Stewart's' last'ing memorial, and the edifice th'a't "he had huiit in the hearts of Iiis people would not be shaken down "Father Stewart's nam© will go down with, the long list of wonderful priests of 'this parish," he concluded, wishing Father * Stewart, in Maori, "Good-bye Father. 'Farewell, but come back agdin." ' Presented with a Cheque.

Dr. H. L. A. Kitchen, on behalf of the parishioners, then presented Father Stewart with a cheque. "We, the Catholics of Hastings, feel deeply sad," he said. "How we looked up to Father Stewart after the 'quake. He will ne.ver die in our thoughts. He has been our leader, and carried us through a great crisis. He has borno our burdens and tended his ilock. We extend to him our warmest thanks and encouragement." Dr. Kitchen then made the presentation, wishing Father Stewart all hippiness and long lif© jn which to carry out his great undertakings. "I would rather have gone as I came — quietly," said Father Stewart, in expressing , his thanks and appreciation. fWhat has been said to-night makes me. feel that I have done something— - part of the job that I have set out to i do. What I.have done I hope will be a sound ahd solid link in this parish." Father Stewart reminded his listeners that it was the efforts of suecessive priests and the co-operation of the na.rifij'hintiPTq fliof X-L _ TT «

r — — nau AilclUb Lilfc) XiaStings parish what it was. He recalled his coming to Hastings. When he saw the wreckage • of the 'quake he felt very- lonely and hopeless, but he shook off thisVfeeling of - discouragement as he fOiind hie: parishioners gathering round. Froin all, both Catholic and Protestant, he- had received the greatest of kindness. He expressed his gratitude to the Sisters of -St. Joseph, who did their work so faithfully and so well, the St.- Yincent de Paul Society, who had dpne -and -were doing great work, the Holy N^ine Society, who were always ready. with their assistance, and to all the other societies of the church. To the doctors, nurses and matrons. who were all kind, generous ancj readv in - their assistance, the sick, for their noble example of patience and fortitude, and to the old people of th parish who helped to build up the parish, he expressed his appreciation, 1 " You -have' always been a loyal, faithful and generous flock, and no pastor couid be more proud of his flock,"' Father Stewart concluded. ".I

am tied with the bonds of frlendship and gratitude to the people of Hastings, and I trust that we will meet again anywhere and at any time. I will take with me many happy memories of your fidelity and kindness." He felt sure that Father McDonald and his assistant would do great work in the parish. The gift he had received would speak to him of the loyalty, faith and service of the Hastings parishioners. "God bless you, ' ' he ended. . Mr O 'Dowd then took the opportunity of welcoming the new parish priek, Father McDonald, and his assistant, Father Hegney. Father McDonald had previous knowledge of the parish. He hoped that their labour among the Hastings parishioners would be long, happy and successful. Flther McDonald and Father Hegney both replied briefly, expressing their thanks. The gathering concluded with the singing of "Auld Lang Syne." This morning there was another big assemblage of 1 parishioners at the Hastings railway station to bid farewell to Father Stewart, the train departing amid a mass of streamers and to the accompaniment of prolonged cheering. On the eve of his departure from Hastings, the Rey. Father Stewart, who has been appointed parish priest at Temuka, was met by his Clive parishioners and presented with a substantial cheque. * In making the presentation, Mr T. Burns referred briefly to the good work Father Stewart had done in the parish, especially at the time immediately following the earthquake .in 1931, and to his zeal in the cause of Catholic education, as evidenced by the very fine school which he had been instrumental in erecting. On behalf of the congregation Mr Burns wished Father Stewart God-speed' and best wishes in his new sphere of duties. Messrs Len Jaffray, W. H. Walters, and T. Downing also spoke, eulogising the good work of the departing priest. "Father "Stewart replied, thanking his parishioners for their kindness and loyalty t0 him during the last six years and assuring them.' that "he- would always treasure happy memories of tha people of Clive. . • Father Stewart. leaves for' the «mtb on Wednesflay nest.