PRIEST’S SILVER JUBILEE

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 78, 23 June 1927, Page 9

PRIEST’S SILVER JUBILEE

FATHER FURLONG HONOURED THE Masonic Hall, Devonport, 1 was packed last night with parishioners eager to felicitate the Rev. Father Furlong, parish priest of Devonport, on the attainment of his silver jubilee in the priesthood. Mr. , Luke McGann presided and welcomed on the platform Dr. Liston, Monsignor Cahill and other representatives of the clerg3 r - Mr. McGann explained that while the wish of Father Furlong had been that any special effort to mark the occasion should be turned to the purpose of clearing the debt off the church, yet the parishioners felt that they could not let pass the opportunity of expressing In some tangible and permanent form their deep appreciation of the work of their minister, and had therefore to ask him to accept a “Silver Jubilee Calendar,” a handsome tray mounted In solid mahogany and, under glass, a calendar in missal style; in the spaces for years, months and days there are inscribed the names of parishioners who have co-operated for many years in the work of the parish. The Hibernian Society, through Mr. Koeford, gave a “smoker’s companion” and Mr. J. P. Wright, on behalf of the parish generally, presented a handsome illuminated address expressing the pleasure the congregation had in congratulating Father Furlong on his long ministry. The Society of the Children of Mary tendered a silver rosary, and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul forwarded a letter officially conveying Its greetings. Dr. Liston briefly extended best wishes from all the diocese. Father Furlong was a priest of whom the diocese was \*ery proud and he was an artist-priest retreating from the world and carving out of the marble of life his ideal of the life perfect. During the afternoon clergy had assembled to offer their hearty congratulations and now publicly he had the greatest pleasure in offering the sincere good wishes of all the people. Further presentations of a set of vestments, a dinner service and a silver afternoon service were made. In acknowledging the gifts Fcther Furlong said he had always avoided the limelight, but now he was thrust right into it. More than he couid express he valued the gifts made him and hoped that he would in some measure be able to live up to the high estimate made of him in the speeches he had just heard. Whatever had been accomplished in Devonport, and they were all proud of what they had been permitted to do. the co-operation of the whole parish had accomplished. A splendid concert programme was supplied by Mrs. O’Sullivan, Miss Jessie Smith, Miss O’Connor, Mrs. Hanson, Mrs. Fleming, Mr. J. Hogan, Mr. Warbrick and Mr. F. Jones. After the ceremony the organiser of the Silver Jubilee Carnival presented the two queens, Miss P. Millar (Land) and Miss K. Tonner (Sea). Supper and “A Time for a Talk” concluded the evening. In the afternoon the clergy presented a benediction cape; the Sisters of St. Leo’s Convent, Devonport, a travelling rug; and the scholars at the Convent School, a silver teapot.