THE LATE FR. KINKEAD.

Taihape Daily Times, 7 February 1919, Page 4

THE LATE FR. KINKEAD.

o MONTH'S MIND AT TAIHAPE. On Wednesday, sth February, the month’s mind for Fr. Kinkead was impressively solemnised at St, Mary’s Church, Taihape. At 9 o’clock a solemn Requiem Mass was sung. Rev Father O’Connell, S.M. of Wanganui, being celebrant. Father Bowe of Dannevirke. deacon, and Rev. Matthew Doolaghty of Opunake, subdeacon, Father Cashman. of Marton was master of ceremonies. The Mass was sung by brother priests of Fr. Kinkead, who came from all parts of the Wellington Diocese to pay this solemn tribute to the memory of a noble, energetic and pioua priest.

In tile choir and sanctuary were Rev Fathers O’Connell, S.M. (Wanganui), McManus (Palmerston North). Quealey (Petone), Bowe (Dannevirke), Daffy (Patoa). Cashman (Marton), Guinane (Ohakune), Harnett "'area), Forrestal (FoxfOn), Cahill (Waipawa), Doolaghty (Opunake), Campbell, S.M. (Wellington), Phelan (Masterton), Smyth, S.M. (Wellington), McLoughlln (Takapau), O’Dwyer (Feilding), and Miuogue (Taihape). The church was draped in mourning. The Sisters of St. Joseph, Miss Cecily McLaughlan and Mr. Gifford, of Collinson and Gifford, spared no pains in this direction. The material for the draping was kindly supplied by Messrs. Collinson and Gifford.

From the text, “I have appointed you that you should bring fruit, ah 3 your fruit should remain” (John xv: 16)), Blather Harnett, of Patea, delivered to a large congregation of the late Father Kinkead’s sorrowing parishioners a glowing panegyric. The speaker pointed out how, sixteen years ago, Thomas Kiukead, choosmg a in life, found himself called to the priesthood. Tracing the life of the student, during which Those Many admirable and charming traits of character which endeared - him to all were being formed, until he was a worthily qualified priest, the reverend speaker said Father Kiukead arrived in New Zealand in 1911, since When he has been labouring frequently under almost disheartening difficulties. Taking an appointment in the hospital ship Maheno in 1916, his work brought him in the danger zone, among the dead and dying. On bis return to New Zealand their late priest «came to Taihajte, where he laboured so hard and so assiduously. During his stay here of two years he freed the parish of £I3OO debt; the schools have been put in a flourishing condition; missions havd been given in every part ofTnirparish, and during the period of the disastrous epidemic the Sick and dead have had the ministrations of a genuine apostle, and who saved his flock faithfully and whole-heartedly, at the loss of his life. The Rev. Father Harnett paid an earnest tribute to the character and selfsacrifice of their late priest, both as a man and a priest.

The Absolution and the Catafalque concluded one of the most impressive ceremonies ever held in aTihape.