OUR ROMAN CATHOLIC FRIENDS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 30, 28 September 1912, Page 5

OUR ROMAN CATHOLIC FRIENDS.

FATHER TREACY : S WORK

On Thursday last the Rev. Father Treacy handed over the Stratford Parish to the Rev. Father Maples, having three months ago, owing to ill—health, resigned the cure,.much to the deep regret of his Hock. It is nearly twelve years ago since the Rev Father came to Stratford as Parish priest, though last June was the yist anniversary of his admission to the priesthood. Before coming to Tmranaki, Father Treacy, laboured in m:Miy different parishes in New Zealand.

In ail Weathers. Until quite recently, the Stratford district was much larger in extent tha.ii at present, when it is now so closely settled, and this entailed a. great deal of rough travelling in all weathers. Many times Father Treacy has 1 id narrow escapes from accident, and even from loss of life, and had never shirked his duties, no matter how severe the weather conditions. It is no wonder that illness overtook him and compelled his retirement, for he had indeed a strenuous time. His People's Love. When it became known that the Rev. Father was giving up active work, .a. considerable sum of money was at once readily forthcoming for the purpose of making a presentation to him as a mark of the high esteem in which the parish holds him, but a whisper of this matter coming to his ears, he at once requested that the collection be stopped, as he declined to accept any personal mark of this description on the grounds that during his term of office the generosity of the people of the par.'sh to the good works he had instituted had been more than enough to prove their love and goodwill towards him. :,•.:'

It is with the general approbation of the parish that Father Treacy is still to live in Stratford, quite close to the church v at which he has for so long officiated,- and hopes are expressed that 1 he may yet so for recover his normal health as to again possibly resume duty. Monumsms to His Zeal. Father Treacy: has done a very great amount of work in Stratford, and has left many monuments of his indefatigable zeal.i When he came here, he met a debt of nearly £IBOO on the parish', and, without going outside, he has collected the whole of.this. All the splendid and well appointed buildings belonging to his, Church are now in the proud position of being absolutely, free of debt. Other important works he carried out are the collection of £BSO for a bell, and the more accent additions to the church and church furnishing. The parish school lias .also been enlarged twice, and is a very different building to-day to the small, almost shed-like affair, he took over when he came. The grounds, also were in a very primitive state, but they have been well fixed up. These additions and the levelling and preparing of the ground and providing additional furniture ,for thetschool jco&t: no less, than £550. The'Presbytery J: has also' been enlarged and renovated throughout at a cost of oyer £300,:; making it a comfortable residence. The* additions to the Convent have been extensive, and the improvements were made at a very considerable expense. Also, during. Father Treaty's term the grounds now used for the school play-ing-ground, have been made up, and are now in good condition. His "Winning Way." Though the amount in the total which Father Treacy has collected for parish work is so large, it is evidence of Father Treacy's "winning way" that, though the, whole of the money

came "from within his domain, it was raised without the .help of bazaars or art unions. Recruiting, Recently the Rev. Father Treacy took nil extended trip to the Old Country, with the hope of recruiting his health, but after a little while found it was impossible for him to cany on his duties. Latterly he has had much valued a<ss : stance from the Rev. Dean McKenna and Father O'Bcrne, of New Plymouth. His Successor. The Rev. Father Maples lias come to a church which is admitted to-be one of the most picturesque the Catholic community possesses in this Dominion, and he will have the satisfaction of knowing that there is a substantial credit balance at the bankers, on which to start.