RETURN OF DEAN McKENNA.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 December 1916, Page 7

RETURN OF DEAN McKENNA.

aotrk.sse.s of welcome. At a gathering of priests lield at Inglewood last week and provided over l\v Dean Power, of Hawera, 'an nddress of welcome was presented to Dean McKenna. of Xew Plymouth, cx'irr.—ino their sorrow nt his illness nnd tlieir ioy at' his complete recovery, also promising their fervent prayers that he might have a long life, prosperous, fruitful, happy, and presenting him with a cheque, as a pledge of their esteem and affection, wherewith to purchase some ornament for the Altar that had been the scene of his unwearied labors, The address also stated: "During your thirty years of devoted service to find and to Holy Church, your unwearied labors and your high standard of life have been an example to all who knew you. and your consistent, fraternal kindness to us rersonally has won for you a large place in our afl'etcion?."

Dean McKenna thanked the priests for their kinc'.neAs in coming from the various parishes to welcome him back. He was happy in meeting tliem all after such a prolonged absence. The Taranaki priests were his first anil be!t friends. He was glad to have ended his travels and to have arrived at a resting place in New Plymouth. He knew of the friendship which their common interests produced and made life so pleasant, and their meeting that day cemented that- friendly spirit- whk-li was so helpful to a priest during life On Holiday evening the Catholics of New Plymouth assembled in the Rolland Hall to formally welcome Dean McKenna after an absence of eighteen months owing to ill-health which had been impaired by his 2."i years' work and untiring zeal in the parish of New Plymouth, the most extensive in the. North Island. Mr. McHardy. on behalf oT the parishioners, welcomed the Dean, who liad carried with him on hi 3 prolonged voyage the alfection of his parishioners. The necesity of his departure had called forth the great love which the parishioners bad for the Dean They were alternately rejoiced and depressed as they heard of his varying health. They had watched anxiously for his re-appear-ance in the church and school, and now that the Dean was back again he expressed the sincere wishes of the congregation that the days would add to bis health, and that lie would recover in New Plymouth the health which had been undermined through excessive work and strain. The Dean was ever ready to assist the 'poor, the friend of nil, and always prepared to bestow to the sick the great consolation of the Sacraments. He was endeared to tliem by the remembrances of his great, work on behalf of the parish, and as a sensible token of their esteem he asked the Dean to accept a cheque, which would help to defray the high expenses caused by his illness. He wished the Dean long life and continued happiness in the parish, and hoped that- God would renew his strength that lie might labor the more for God and His Church

Dean McKenna thanked the parishioners for their kind remembrance of him. It was hi-i happiness to work for the people. It was his aim and end in life. He had no other ambition than to spend himself cheerfully for God and his peo pie. The years past were to h'.m-a constant source of joy, as they brought hack to memory the pelasant relation? that 'jl'-vav: existed between the parishioners au-i h:mse!f God had fructified his stfert? for the advance of Catholicity. H.- had sown and reaped in joy, and he assured the people of bis happiness a! being back once more- He was confident of bis restored health. The surgeon, Sir Berkley Moynighan, had removed the cause of his illness, the trip to Ireland had given him new strength, and with God's help he would continue to labor for the Catholics of New Plymouth, who were so evidently grateful for whatever he had done. The bond of love and friendship would be strengthened by time, and God would sanctify his labor for tlie people and the Church.