PRESENTATION TO FATHER COSTELLO, WESTPORT.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIX, Issue 12, 21 March 1901, Page 4

PRESENTATION TO FATHER COSTELLO, WESTPORT.

(From an occasional correspondent.)

A presentation of an address and a purse of sovereigns wu made to the Rev. Father Costello on Monday, Maroh 11, in St. Canice's Schoolroom, Westport. The building was crowded to excess, an evidence of the unity of priests and people. The Yen. Archpriest Walshe was unanimously voted to the chair. The venerable chairman said it was gratifying not only to good Father Costello but to himself to see so many present. They had assembled to pay a tribute to one who for the last four years had labored incessantly for their spiritual and temporal advancement. To him (Archpriest Walshe) he wouid be an irreparable loss and to the parish a much greater. Father Costello'B services could not be too highly valued ; he had ever found him of the greatest possible assistance, They were now about to testify in a very practical form their high appreciation of Father Costello, who was about to sever his connection with the parish in consequence of his projected visit to dear old Ireland, a trip which all hoped would strengthen and invigorate him, and thus enable him on his return to continue his good work. The venerable chairman then called upon Mr. H. Pain to read the following address :—: — Reverend and dear Sir,— On behalf of the Catholics of Westport we the undersigned members of St. Cdnice's congregation beg in view of your near departure from amongst us to tender our appreciation of that zeal and self-sacrifice which have been the general characteristics of your labors in our midst, and which have earner* for you throughout the whole parish the deepest sentiments or gratitude, affection and esteem. Our regret at your departure ia the more keenly felt since hearing that your future arrangements make the prospect of your return to this district rather remote. We shall, however, consider ourselves somewhat recompensed for our loss during your much needed holiday, if you are oompletelj restored to health, and wherever may be the scene of your future labors we sincerely trust you will find a bountiful return for that

spirit of self-sacrifice, conscientiousness, and devotion to duty which wrought so much good in our parish. In conclusion we ask you a < accept the accompanying purse of sovereigns, as a slight token -' our good will and esteem which on this occasion we feel we may safely express without any appearance of mere adulation. On behalf of St. Canioe's congregation, we beg to sign ourselves Jas. Scanlan, Jas. Power, Jas. Lawson, Jas. Slowey, Jas. Moloney, M. Reidy, Hy. Pain, A. Sharkey, B. McMahon. At the conclusion of the reading of the address, hia Worship the Mayor (Mr. Jaß. Scanlan) banded to the worthy recipient a well filled purse of sovereigns. He said that Father Costello had been a zealous worker, and at all times was at the disposal of his people. He regretted to say that the chances of Father Costello's return to their midst were remote, but he felt sure that wherever he intended to labor he would shed renown upon his high order. Mr. Driscoll, town councillor. alßo eulogised the good work of their guest, whose departure would leave a blank not easily fiDed. Mr. M. J. Sheahan, J.P., Auckland, as an old friend of Yen. Archpriest Walshe and Father Costello, addressed those present. As an altar boy he had assisted at the ordination in Auckland of the former, and had answered his first Mass, and at St. Patrick's Cathedral, Auckland, he had known Father Costello, and he (speaker) bore testimony to the good work done there by him. His services there were appreciated by Bishop Lenihan, his priests, and people as highly as they evidently were in West port. This union of priests and people, so characteristic of the sons and daughters of Ireland, was ever a worthy and promising feature of our Holy Faith. It afforded him genuine pleasure to be present at this funotion tendered to a good and worthy priest like Father Oostello. Rev. Father Coetello, who, on rising to return thanks, was greeted with rounds of applause, said that it was both encouraging and consoling to be surrounded by so many kind and generous friends. He could not in language express to them his gratefulness. He felt that they, in their generosity, had valued too highly whatever little services he had rendered them in the exercise of his duties. The address, co well read to him just now, if he were permitted to fault find, was too flattering, but he would overlook that because he knew that in their fulness of heart they had always before them, not his many shortcomings, but the many excellencies which they too kindly attributed to him. For this and the very practical token of their esteem manifested by them tonight he from his heart thanked them, He desired also to thank the Yen. Archpriest Walshe than whom no truer friend and adviser he possessed. In every possible way he had assisted, even with his puree, during his labors in this parish. In him they had a good, pious parish priest. He thanked them all from his heart, those who had contributed so spontaneously and generously, those who had collected and put forth so much energy, and to the speakers tonight who had said so many kind things of him. He would not say good-bye to them yet, as he was to remain with them for a few weeks longer. He was about to visit the dear land of Ireland The gathering that night reminded him forcibly of that binding force which always united the priests and people of Ireland. Their joys and sorrows were alike shared, and he felt assured that that indissoluble bond was as firmly implanted as ever. To the people of Westport be would always feel bound, and no matter where his lot may be cast for them he would ever hold a place in his affections. Rev. Father Costello resumed his seat amidst loud applause from the large assemblage. The sum collected is expected to total £200 or over — a truly significant testimony of the people's feeling. The following ladies and gentlemen contributed vocal and instrumental items during the evening ; Misses Flynn, Slowey, Lempfert, Ryan, Slowey (2), Collins, Sontgen, Pain, Mrs. Sontgen, and Mr. Kirk. Miss Pain and Miss Slowey played efficiently the piano accompaniments. A hearty vote of thanks to the Yen. Archprieat Walshe brought one of the most successful Catholic gatherings in Westport to a close.