PRESENTATIONS.

New Zealand Tablet, Issue 31, 3 December 1897, Page 19

PRESENTATIONS.

VERY REV. FATHER DEVOY, S.M , V.G. (From our Wellington correspondent ) November 27. Aw entertainment was held in Sfc. Patrick's Hall on Thursday night for the purpose of welcoming- the Very Rev. Father Devoy, V.G., on his return from Australia. Mr. Robert O'Connor preside-i. Among those present were the Very Rev. Dr. Watters, Rector of St. Patrick's College ; Rev. Father O'Sullivan, Rev. O'Shea, Rev. Father Ainsworth., Messrs. T. J. Davis, Doherty, Walsh. Devlin, Inspector Pender, et3. . In the interval advantage was taken of the oocasion to make a presentation to the Vicar-General. The chairman, in the course oE a humorous speech, said it had been suggested during Father Devoy's absence that a presentation

should be madeto him on his return. With this 1 object a meeting had ' been held and a committee formed, and after consideration it was decided that ' the presentation should take the form of a purse of ' sovereigns from* the parishioners of Te< Aro. It was unnecessary for him to refer to the great work' done here by Father Devoy since his appointment seven years ago. The churches had been enlarged and improved, ''schools had been built, and th 6 financial position of the parish had' been put on a sound basis. He had done wonders, and they were proud of their saggarth aroon and proud of their fine parish. They were proud of their priests, and they were equally proud of their college — for . St. Patrick's was second to none in the colonies. They were proud of the Rector of St. Patrick's and the talented professors by whom Dr. Watters was so ably seconded. He mentioned St. Patrick's College because Father Devoy had been on the professorial staff before his appointment to Te Aro, and he had taken an active' part in the founding of the college which had done so much for the Catholic youth of New Zealand. Not alone was it engaged in fitting out the young men for the battle of life in the secular world, but it was there that many of our young priests received their education — two of whom were in charge of the parish during the Vicar-General's absence, and he would say that they were proud of the many priests who had been educated there. In conclusion, he said that the people of Te Aro were exceedingly well pleased with the able manner in which the affairs of the parish had been managed during the past seven years, and he hoped that the Very Rev. Father Devoy would be spared for very, very many years to administer the affairs of Te Aro, and he now had the pleasure of handing - him a purse of sovereigns as a small token of the esteem in which the Vicar-General was held by his people (applause). The Very Rev. Father Devoy, whose rising was the signal for long continued applause, said that he was very grateful to the chairman, committee, and ladies, and to the parishioners generally for what they had done in his absence. He was thankful to the priests in charge of the parish during his trip, as they had done everything to make the holiday an enjoyable one. He enjoyed his holiday — the only real one he had since he came to the colony — in fact, he had come back a new man. He was very grateful to them for their testimonial, which would pay his travelling expenses by sea and by rail, for he would tell them that he took full advantage of his trip to see a great deal of Australia, and consequently travelled about a great deal. He had no hotel expenses, as wherever a priest goes he is sure of a hearty welcome from the priests of the parish, and he had experienced the greatest kindness wherever he went. While in Sydney, he was the guest of the Very Rev. Father Le Rennetel of St. Patrick's, who, with the priests of the parish, did everything to make his stay there a, very pleasant one. On leaving for Melbourne he was induced to indulge in the luxury (?) of a berth in a sleeping car, but his experience of such was that it was the only item of expenditure that he regretted. Before the train journey was half over he was glad to betake himself to the more solid accommodation of an ordinary carriage. Whilst in Melbourne he stayed with the Vincentian Fathers, to whom he was deeply indebted for the consideration shown him. As to the ceremonies connected with the opening of St. Patrick's Cathedral, words failed him to describe their grandness and expressiveness. The elite of Victoria were present — Catholic and non-Catholic — including the Governor, Lord Brassey and suite, Ministers of the Crown, judges, consuls, etc., in faot, the immense congregation at High Mass on the first day showed the great respect and veneration in which that great prelate — Archbishop Carr — is held by all classes and denominations in Victoria. This ceremony would leave a lasting impression on his memory, for neither had he nor many of those present ever seen anything to equal it in any part of the world. The sermon in the morning was preached by Cardinal Moran, and although a very learned discourse, lost a good deal by being read. Arohbishop Redwood preached in the evening, and he (Father Devoy) was not expressing his own opinion but that of many of the clergy present, in saying that it was the finest sermon ever heard in a Victorian church. It was simply magnificent ; every word could be distinctly heard in all parts of the immense cathedral — in a word, it was the sermon of the occasion. Some idea of the generosity of the people could be obtained from the statement of Arohbishop Carr that prior to the opening there was a debt of £9000 on the cathedral, and that on the conclusion of the ceremonies this amount had been reduced to £1000. Ballarat aud Geelong were also visited, and everywhere there was unmistakable evidence of the vitality and progress of the Church — cathedrals, churches, convents and schools. On his return to Sydney an excursion was made to the famous Jenolan Caves, the beauty of which was indescribable. Father Devoy also wentjto Brisbane for a few days to see some friends, and here he was struck with the many evidences of the prosperity and numerical strength of the Catholic community, Brisbane being the most Catholic city of any in the colonies. In conclusion, he had again to thank ttie priests in charge of the parish for the admirable manner in which everything was done during his absence, contributing thereby to the pleasure of the holiday, also the Fathers of St. Patrick' s : College for their assistance. He also thanked th« parishioners for 'the testimonial, and being a new man after his trip, he was now prepared to spend himself on their behalf for the next five or six years, when he hoped to be able to get another holiday. (Applause.) During the evening songs and instrumental selections were given by Misses Pender, Kersley, Gallagher, Sullivan, Lawless, and Mr. Grilfen. VERY REV. FATHER J. McKENNA. The popularity in which the Very Rev. Father McKcuna, Masterton, is held by all denominations was very clearly demonstrated on Thursday nigiit by the immense attendance at the drill hall, where a conversazione was held to welcome him on his return from Australia. It was a striking proof of the esteem in which he is held, for there were present a larger number of non-Catholics than those of his own flock. The first part of the programme con-, sisted of vocal and instrumental selections, the concert being of a

very high order. Miss Pimier journeyed up from Wellington and contributed a couple of items, which it is needless to say were given in her usual finishe.l style She also took part in a duet with Mra. A. R. Bunny, the item being 1 warmly applauded. Mrs. M. C. O'Connell. who appeared for the first time before a Masterton audience, scored a decided Biiccess with a vocal contribution. The other singers were Miss Sheeu and Messrs. Langton. Mead >ws, nnd Hall. Miss Sellar played a pianoforte solo \iith much taste and Candy's orchestra also assisted. At the close of the concert Mr. A. R. Bunny, in welcoming Father McKenna back to Masterton, said he was pleased to see such an immense audience present to greet their popular pastor on his return from Australia. Father McKenra's mission to the other side had b^en mainly in the interests of education, and he was certain his labours would be rewarded with success and that thereby an impetus would be given to education in the district. Father McKenna, in reply, thanked one and all for the r* cpption given to him and said if one thing was wanted to complete the pleasure of his holiday it was the greeting accorded to him that evening 1 . Whilst in Australia he hal made arrangements for introducing the Sisters of St. Brigid to Mastertou for teaching purposes. They would be here about the end of next year. He had not completed the arrangements for their reception, but knowing his people as he did he had no fear but the necessary assistance would be forthcoming. Mr. R. Darragh, on behalf of Mrs. L. Ross, presented Father McKenna with a chastely-worked candelabrum, and on behalf of Mrs. M. O'Connell with two very fine vases. In the course of his remarks Mr. Darragh said that Father MoKenna had been ten years in Masterton, and although he had made many friends in that time he had not made a single enemy. Later on in the evening Mr. A. R. Bunny, on behalf of the parishioners, presented Father McKsnna with a purse of sovereigns. Father McKenna heartily thanked the donors of the gift- and the purse, and also those present who had accorded him so hearty a welcome. The success of the conversazione was in a large measure due to the energetic secretary, Mr. J. B. Dolan. who was ably assisted by a committee of ladies, consisting of Mesdames O'Connell, O'Malley, Hourigan, Coyle, McMullan, Leahy. Misses Pearcy, Richards (2), Cashim, Carrick, Popplewell, O'Connell, Stempa (3) and Leary.