SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION

Hokitika Guardian, 2 March 1921, Page 1

SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION

FAREWELL TO THE MARIST ORDER. AND FATHER O’SULLIVAN WELCOME TO REV I)R KENNEDY.

St Mary’s Club rooms were filled to the doors on Monday evening, when the parishioners assembled to bid. farewell to their departing parish priest, Rev Father O’Sullivan. Mr F. Groufsky presided. On his right sat the guest of the evening and on his left Rev Dr Kennedy, who takes charge of the parish as from March Ist. The proceedings opened with a musical programme as follows: Piano selection, Misses A. Daly and M. Dcvanoy ; solo, “That Old Fashioned House,” Mr W. Stopfortli; solo, “Why do Summer Roses Fade,” Miss 1. Dale; solo, “Coming Home,” Miss E. Hatch; solo, “Memories,” Miss E. Reid ; solo, “Believe me if all those Endearing Voting Charms,” Miss M. Jones. The Chairman in explaining the object of the gathering, said that such functions were altogether too numer-

ous. In Hokitika tbev bad bad many

changes, changes which brought about partings they were sad to make. The speaker referred to the great work of

the Marist order of priest in Westland and assured their departing guest that the great achievements of his order would never lie forgotten here. The Rev Father O’Sullivan had done great work in this parish, short though his stay with them had been. lie concluded a most appropriate s|X'celi by wishing their guest good luck and God Speed in the future sphere of liis noble work. He then called on Mr J. P. Ward, the Secretary of the Church Committee, to make the presentation. Mr Ward said they had met that evening for a dual purpose—-to farewell their parish priest and to say good-bye to the last representative' of the Marist order in Westland. He referred at length to the long list of Marist Fathers who had served in Hokitika, of the great result of their ardent labours ami ol the kind remembrances that would ever hind the .Marist order to the Coast. Sentiment was that evening playing a big part—it was the exit of the Marists, the handing over of their valuable asset and the incoming of the secular order. While deeply feeling the departure of the pioneer order, they wished the new one success. The many fine buildings of the parish would, hear silent testimony of their 60 years of labour. The speaker referred in most praiseworthy terms to the revd. guest’s ability, and great organisation. work in the parish, lie wished both himself and the Marist order all prosperity and happiness in ike Inline and asked his acceptance from the parishioners of Hokitika, Kanieri, Kokatahi and Am burn, together with several non Catholic friends, of a well filled wallet —a token of their esteem and a small gift in recognition of his many good services. Mr Geo. Wormington in endorsing the remarks of previous speakers voiced fiis admiration of the quiet and tin- | ostentatious manner in which their departing guest carried out his mane duties. Tfe would miss him irersonally, for in the short space of nine months he-had indeed become their licioved pastor. He joined in the sincere wishes extended that evening to their departing parish priest and to the Marist order of whom Rev. Father O’Sullivan had the honour of being the last repre- 1 seniative in Hokitika. i Mr W. Jeffries said he spoke lkith as j a parishioner of Hokitika arid an old pupil of Father Sullivan’s. He gave many humorous instances of their persona! associations in college. The speaker gave a most interesting account of

ic work of the grand old Marist order

in this country, telling liow they began with the pioneers and now seemed to be leaving with them. He spoke of the sadness of this parting with the older generations and gave many instances ot the great self-sacrifice of Marist priests in this district He referred especially to the works of Rev. Dean Martin, Tattlers Ainsworth. Clancy. Aubrey and ther present pastor. He urged young parishioners to take up their duties as their parents had done and complete the works they had begun. He wished Rev Father O’Sullivan and his fellow Marist priests both health anil happiness in their future spheres and that- they would be spared long life to enjoy their declining years. Mr Jeffries also extended a hearty West Coast welcome to

Rev Dr Kennedy. He had done great work in other places. He was a West Coaster, his parents residing in Grey-

mouth and he felt sure that he would soon fill the place of the Marists and concluded by wishing him every success Air J. Cahill also eulogised the worjc

of their departing priest, specially inch tinning his great attention to the sic’; anil dying. On behalf of the Hibernian Society he asked his acceptance of a photo of the lodge. He concluded by extending to him all good wishes for the future. Mr C. Sellers, also an old pupil of Rev Father O’Sullivan, voiced his regret at the latter’s departure from Hokitika, and joined in wishing him health and happiness in the future. Rev Father O’Sullivan on rising ti respond, was greeted with long rounds of applause. He said that far toi many good tilings- had been said nboul him. He wondered when they woulc finish. He did feel deeply gratified t< them one and all. He was especially pleased to hear of the number of non Catholics who had assisted with tin handsome presentation they had jus made him. He spoke of his coming ti Hokitika and how at first he was in dined to regret it, thinking he wn going into the backblocks where h would hear very little of the outsid world. A friend of his had told hit that lie was going to the finest place i the country, and he wished that ever mg to pass those beautiful words alon to Dr Kennedy as the honest result c his experience here. Of course he wa

hound to obey his Provincial, but lie would dearly wish to change places with Dr Kennedy. He had nob worked any marvels in the parish. He gave all the praise to those five members of the Church Committee whom, at his

request, the parishioners had elected to i assist him in the financial management - of the parish. Undoubtedly their position at the present was good, hut the credit lay with the people. To-day they had a church which lie hoped would soon he finished. When completed it would he a most beautiful structure ami would he spoken of by scores of visitors who would come to the flourishing Coast through the Otira Tunnel. Ho knew that with Dr Kennedy’s assistance the church would soon be finished, and he would watch every step from his future station with the greatest interest. He was deeply grateful for their reference to his attention to the sick and dying. It was his greatest pleasure and he did feel sure that no one had been neglected, lie could not say very much more. He especially thanked his parishioners for the large attendance there that evening, lie appreciated their attendance most, lie also thanked them for their handsome gift and concluded by wishing them all God’s blessings in the future. (Prolonged applause). Rev. Dr. Kennedy in replying said that he sincerely hoped this would lie the last farewell in the Club Rooms tor many years. He was very pleased to . he present to note the united feeling of good will he had heard existed here and which lie was now confident did exist. Although a Diocesan priest he had received his first spiritual training from Marist priests in the neighbouring parish of Greymouth. He quite understood their feeling. I’le could assure them that respect for and gratitude blithe fruitful ministry of members ot the Alarist order in this parish wim'd never die. Fie wished Father OASuHivan a happy future. Personally hr thought he had grasped the position of affairs as they stood that evening and with the parishioners ti - they would soon complete their !nm<

some Church. He thanked Un-in i : and all for their hearty welcome, wlii- h. being a West Coaster, lie fully appreciated. (Loud Applause). Cheers were then given for botn priests after which Auki Lang SA 111 ' yvcs sung with great enthusiasm. The lad i e s then handed round a dainty *•■ upper.

The guests of the evening then spent ; pleasant half hour in taking leave i f etc friends and making new iicquniiU»nct*s Rev. Father O'Sullivan left by Tues-

day morning’s car for Lyttelton