Presentation to Rev. J. O'Connell, S.M.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 254, 11 September 1902, Page 3

Presentation to Rev. J. O'Connell, S.M.

On Tuesday evening fully 250 people, members of St- Patrick's Church and others, assembled in the schoolroom for the purpose of making a presentation to the Rev. J. O'Connell, who was lately transferred to a position in the proCathedr>l, christchurch: The popularity of the reverend gentleman was evidenced by the repreientative gathering, many of the people coming from fifteen miles distant.

The school had been formed" into one largo room .and card tables were distributed all round. Two ping pong tables were also centres cf attraction. At interval songs were acceptably sung by Mr< A. S. Jonos, Miss Kent, Very Rev. Monsignor Mackay and Eev. Father O’Connell. A duet by Miss N. Wall (piano) and Rev Father Aubrey (violin) was also much enjoyed. After a couple of hours had been spent thus The Rev Father Regnault said they had now c ime to the . chief business of the evening, that of presenting a token ot esteem to one who ha 1 been a kind U'icnd to all grosent and a guide and counsellor to many of them. He referred to Father O’Connell. Some time ago they had to part with him, but the memory of his works in the district during th" past four and a half years would remain long with ihe people of the place. He was sum they had all noticed the zeal and energy he had displayed in his priestly ministry; he had been selfsacrifice g and unsparing of himself, to the admiration of the people of the parish. Too speaker believe- 1 that if there was a distinguishing characteristic in Father O'Connell’s priestly life it was his salf-sacrifice. No'hing had been undertaken for the good of the parish but he had thrown into it all his energy. I Among the later instances of this were I the enlargement of St Patrick’s Church and the proposed church at Makikihi. Not only had he boon everything that could be expected from a nriest. but he

UUUHI U? 3 CTAJjrVvVI HUUI it J/HW3L, UUU ilhad endeared himself to all by hia true patriotism. They were told that the feuds of the Old Land should not be brought to these new countries, and with this he agreed. But there was one thing he liked to see in a colonial—the love of the country from which hia parents had sprung, whether they were English, Irish or Scotch. The young colonial wonld be devoid of the finest feelings of human nature did he not love it and help it forward by every gossible means, This the Rev Father O’Connell had done in organising the beautiful demonstration they had in 1898. He had been something more to the speaker ; not only had ho to be grateful for his assistance as a .priest, bur as a cheerful companion and a thoughtful friend during his whole term. There was no happh-r home in the district than that presided over by the Rev Father O'Connell and himself. He had ever been courteous to nil irrespective of rank or creed. His ability and talent r had been responsible for his removal to a higher sphere, where he would have greater opportunities of displaying his talents and working for the glory of God and the salvation of souls, and the speaker hoped Father O'Connell’s inllueno would be felt all over the diocese. He wished to express in the name of everyone belonging to the parish the regret felt at Father O’Con noil’s departure, giving him God-speed, and wishing him every success in his new sphere, of labour. Ho had much pleasure in calling on Mr Goldstnne, secretary of the presentation committee, to read the address to be presented and on Messrs Twomey, Quinn and Hanley to present Father O’Connell with a purse of sovereigns and a bicycle on behalf of the parishioners. (The address, which was beautifully illuminated, was contained in a leather binding, handsomely gilt. Space forbids the fu'l text being published this issue.) Mr A Harris, on behalf of the parish, spoke a few words expressive of regret at Father O’Connell’s departure and wished him every success. Mr G S Mathias, on behalf of the visitors, endorsed what Father Regnault had said and hoped Father O’Connell would meet the success to which his abilities entitled him.

Dr Barclay referred to the popularity of Father O'Connell in the parish, He had seen a number of places where the deepest grief waa shown when his departure was spoken of. He was not only kind to those of his congregation but to everybody and he spared neither time nor trouble ; n endeavouring to do his duty. Of his social qualities they all had experience and the only consolation in his departure was the fact that he had such a worthy successor in Father Aubrey. Father O'Connell, in replying, was much moved. He expressed himself very grateful to those present for the honour done him by their attending in such numbers. When the news came to him that he was to leave Waimate to go to Christchurch he felt very sari. He fe;t that his place was in Waimate, that he had won the affections of the people, with God's help doing a great work, and that if lefc here he would continue that good work. But they knew that in the priesthood there was discipline; the moment a priest was told to go to a place, like a good soldier he must obey, whether he liked it or not. They saw what he did. When he came to Waimate four and a half years ago he was a raw recruit straight from the seminary, full of high ideas that he was able to undertake great things. He had found a good general and guide in Father Regnault, and if he had successfully attained any groat result that was due in no small measure to the advice and training he had received from Father Eegnault. Naturally enough one expected that the head of any institution would exercise to the fullest extent his authority, but he found Father Eegnault willing to share it. He had endeavoured to show that the great confidence reposed in him was not misplaced, ad he did his duty to the best of his ability. It was a great pleasure to him to knov/ that the work he had done had met with their approbation. He had thrown his whole heart into the parish work as every priest must do to help those over whom he is placed. It was pleasing to know that he had so many friends, in fact, he might say without hesitation that he had not a single enemy in the whole of the Waimate district. He had ever striven to act impartially and though at times he might have had a hard word to say or a seemingly unkind act to perform, he believed those who listened recognised that he was doing nothing but his duty. It was a great pleasure also for him to see there a great dignitary of the Catholic Church in the person of the Right Rev Monsignor Mackay. It was a great compliment to him to see one who took so great an interest in the work of the Catholic Church and. was known throughout the whole of Now Zealand, He had come to show them that he appreciated the work done by Father Regnault and the assistance he himself had given. It was pleasing also to see gentlemen holding prominent positions in the town, showing not only by their presence but by their words that they recognised him as one who was always willing to be a fr< "•* r 1 a good citizen, and .thai s '" '" one who took ar his holy 'jfik'» place in tho state ,wher< would nc had reor irresp wou' to r

during their four and a half years I companionship. On many occasions, nfl would like to say, when Father Regnaul might have taken the lead ho had kepi in the background, and so it happened that the speaker waß often c»lled upon tq do works which brought him credit and] kind remarks which were by right dua to Father Regnault as head of the parish,! la endeavouring to have the parish church enlarged and to getoneatMakikihi he was doing nothing but his duty. He thanked Father Regnault as a dear friend, one on whom he could always rely for sound advice. In his place they had received Father Aubrey, by whom their interests would be well looked after ; he was a scholar and well fitted to-be their guide. It would be the speaker'sprivilege to visit them,'and ho hoped he would find them the same united people. Father O'Connell resumed his seat amidst loud applause aud hearty cheers called for by Father Regnault. Mr Cosgrave and the Revs Father Regnault and Aubrey said a few words, and the formal business was over.

The la lies of the parish handed round very acceptable refreshments, and the gathering broke up before midniaht. Yesterday the Rev Father O'Connell visited St Patrick's school, and made eacli scholar a small present, and also gave them a holiday in honour of the occasion.