THE VERY REV. DEAN M'KENNA.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9046, 12 March 1908, Page 5

THE VERY REV. DEAN M'KENNA.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OF PRIESTHOOD.

NUMEROUS PRESENTATIONS

Yesterday was the 25th anniversary of the Very Rev. Dean McKenna's ordination to the priesthood, and several presentations were made to him to commemorate the occasion. The children of St. Patrick's School presented him with a handsome set of glassware, the Sisters of St. Bride's Convent gave him a silver tray, and the Ladies Sodality of the Children of Mary presented him with a handsome morning service.

On Sunday next special services will be held in St. Patrick's Church to commemorate the jubilee, and will be attended by a large number of visiting clergy. The first Mass will be celebrated at 7 a.m. by Arc.ibishop Redwood, and the second at 8 a.m. by Archdeacon Devoy. At 10. 30 a.m. there will be solemn Hi;?h Mass, at which the Very Rev. Dean McKenna will be the celebrant, Rev. Father Clancy, Deacon, Rev. Father Hickson, Sub-Deacon, and Rev. Father T. McKennn, Master of Ceremonies. The sermon for the occasion will be preached by the Very Rev. Father Keogh, St. Patrick's College, Wellington. Arehbistiop Redwood will preside, and will be assisted by Rev. Dean Renaunt, Provincial of the Marist Order in New Zealand, and Very Rev. Father O'Shea, V G. At an interval in th<s evening services, the presentations and addresses to the Dean, from the congregation and the Hibernian Society, will take place, and the Solemn Benediction Will be given by his Grace Archbishop Redwood. All the visiting clergy will be present at the. evening service. Out of the 25 years that the Dean :has spent in the priesthood, nearly 21 have been devoted to Masterton. There is every reason to believe that the seating accommodation in St. Patrick'sChurchwill be insufficient for the large congregation that will be present on Sunday. Already the Dean has received a large number of congratulatory telegrams from various parts of the dominion.