SILVER JUBILEE OF LEAN O'DONNELL, ASHBURTON

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIII, Issue 27, 6 July 1905, Page 3

SILVER JUBILEE OF LEAN O'DONNELL, ASHBURTON

As was briefly stated in our last Lssue, the siher jubilje of the Very Key. Dean O Doimell, Ashburton, was celebrated by the presentation of an illuminated address and a purse of soieieigns for the purchase of a luunor car. The Oddfellows' ii a ll was crov.ded on the occasion, many cf those present being members of other denominations, who had joined with their lellow-Cath-olic citi.-tns induing honor ix> a woitliy and esteemed priest and a j opular lesident of the di^tn.t. Among those present were the Kitfht Re\ . Dr. Gnn.es, bishop of chrUtchurch, Very He\ . Lean Uoweis (Ueraldme), Re*. J. K. O'Donnell (Queens. /own), Re* . Kitbxr hyland (Rangiora), Re\. Father Ahem (barhild), Ko\ . I< atiier O'l uini 1 (.Chu Uhuich), Rev. Dr. Kenned., (Akaroa), Re.. Father (.reed ( Ashburton). Among the i lonune-nt nun,-C'athohc residents present on the platiorm weie the Major (Mr. 11. Da is), ex-Majors Messis. h. 'lhomas, R Fncdlamler, aiTcl \V. 11. Co luis. and Dr. A. b liojd. All parts of the extensile mission oi As'luburton were represented. Tl.ere were also representatives of the Catholic laity horn C hristi hu'.eh, LaiLeld, and other parts of Canterbury. 'I he functi n took the form of a coinor^a/ione. The hall was famished with a n.imle of tables for the conwnience of the guests, who could thus', during the internals between the musical items of an evcell «nt, programme, engage in comersation or pa^s the tin:o l m lleasant panics, etc. '1 Tie s-tagc, which was handsomely furnished, was surmocnttd by a < croll in green and gold, bearing the words—' Siher Jubilee of' the Rev. J. J. O'Donnell, 1880-1905 The arrangements were in the hands of the following committee, who discharged their duties in a manner that won universal commendation :— Messrs. M. J. Burgess (Chairman), T. O'Carroll, L. Hanrahan, W. Fouhy, J. P. McQuilkin, P. Ha.nrahan, D.. McDonnell, J. A. Carney, M. Lagan, R. D. Johnston, S. Madden, Demis McKendry, D. Fitzgerald, and A. J. Muller (Hon. Sec.). Apologies for unavoidable absence were received from Very Re\ . Dean Ginaty, Mr. J. McLachlan, M.H.R., Messrs, P. Pender, Hugo Friedlander, T. Bullock, and H. McSherry (Pahiatua). Telegrams and other messages of congratulation were received frdfri clergy and laitjy all over New Zealand. The following was tne musical programme :—Orchestral selection, Misses Elsie Fletcher (piano), M. Brick (harmonflum), E. Cullen (first violin), and' W. Brick (second \iolin) : song, ' Asleep in the deep,' Mr. J. Healy ; song, ' The last rose of summer,' Miss M. G. O'Connor ; song, ' The storytellers' club.' Mr. F. Healy ; violin duet, ' Erin's wreath,' Miss E. Cullen and Miss M. Brick ; song, ' Let me like a soldier fall,' Mr. M. J. Burgess ; Irish jig, Mr. P. Wilson ; song, ' GaUlre.' .Miss Winnie Brick, her encore item beling ' The vale of Avoca "; comic songs, Messrs. P. and J. Healy.

The Presentation.; As chairman of the committee, Mr. M. J. Burgess took the opportunity during the interval of stating the object of the gathering. In the course of a Jiappy and appropriate speech he said he desired^ on behalf of the committee and ot the Catholic community of the district, to extend to the Bishop and the Catholic clergy j-reseat,j -reseat, a hearty welcome. They would all feel that it was a high priwlege to have the Bishop and his de\oted clergy present that evening. He understood that one 01 the Key. Fathers there that evening had travelled 350 miles to be present to do honor to Dean O'Donnell. He also desired to thanik all those of the general public who were present or who had suLscrihed in so liberal a manner to the testimonial io be presented to tbe Very Rev. Dean O'Donnell. It said much for the esteem in which the Very Rev. Father was held when he said that many of the sub^ scribeis to tie testimonial belonged to othar denominations. It would perhaps not be <nrt of place to say

something about the oiigtn of the testimonial. Two or tii ice of the nifiii Uns ot tlie present committee were one evening chatting together on current topics, when one of them casually mentioned that Dean O'Dannell would very shortly see his silver jubilee as a priest. Those pro-ient then and there, decided to send out circulars to the whole of the Catholic members of the community and to those of the Dean's -personal friends who redded in other parts of the Colony. A meeting was held in the local patish school — the greatest meeting, without eveeption, el.e 1 . or held in that buildings — and it was there decided that a worthy testimonial should bo presented to the Dean. A committee was formed, collectors wore appointed, and other things necessary were done, with the result that in a short space of tiiire the handsome and liberal manner in which subscriptions bad nourod in had enabled them to carry out the wishes of the subscribers to the very letter. lie n^ain thanked the subscribers for their liberality, and said that he was sure it was the wish of all heic present iha't the Dean might live to see his golden jubilee.

Mr. A. J. Muller then read the address, which was artistically illuminated by the Sisters of the local convent. The lettering was in black and red on a green ground, and was mounted on white satin, ornamented with floral devices. It was enclosed in a frame, very tastefully carved,, also the work of the bisters.' The following 1 " was The Address : ' We, the undersigned member! A the Ashburton CathorftT parish, desire to tender you, on behalf 'of your parishioners, our heartiest congratulations on this occasion o"f your silver jubilee. The twpnty-five years that you have spent in the ministry of God, have been to the advantage of the Ohurch in general, and the Ashburton parish in particular. We hailed your a/dvent to this parish, some thirteen years ago, because 'you were known to the clergy and laity of New Zealand, as a priest possessing in the highest degree qualities of mind and heart, which were a guarantee to us that our spiritual and temporal welfare would be assured under your able administration. Your zeal as a spiritual director, and your extensive learning, have always fitted you to be an able exponent of Catholic truth and doctrine. When you arrived here the immediate needis- of the parish were the erection of a church at Uakaia, the enlargement of the church at Methven, and the removal of the convent to a more central site. These works you accomplished, and they are brieflymentioned to prove your worth as an administrator. When you assumed charge the financial position of the parish was in an embarrassing condition ; and it says much for your financial ability that the debt, which for a number of years had hindered the progress of the parish, is now extinguished. On this memorable anniversary, we desire to assure you of our deep sense of gratitude for the, self-sacrificing manner In which you have carried out many important undertakings on our b°half. Your parishioners (assisted by your many nonCatholic friends, together with your brother diocesan priests) t who desire to add to your personal comfort, ■have much pleasure on this memorable occasion in presenting you with an automobile. We trust tnat your acceptance of it will tend to strengthen the bond of sympathy that already unites you to us. Humbly praying God to grant you strength of mind and body to enable you to worthily continue to fulfil the sacred duties of your holy office, we beg to subsciibe ourselves your djovoted and loyal people.' At -the conclusion of the reading of the address Mr. Muller presented the Very Rev. Dean with a cheque for 300 guineas and two {.ravelling rugs. The Very Rev. Dean Bowers, speaking on behalf of the clergy of the diocese, said he had Known Dean O'Donnell personally foi the past twenty ytvus At all times and in all places, whether he agreed or disau;ieed with the Dean, he had aJwavs found him to be a true man in the bes/t sense of the vvozd. IJe had always been able to nia^e a successfil appeal to Father O'Donnell's sympathies in cases of necessity or destitution. Thero was no priest in the Colony more highly valued and appreciated by the Catholic clergy of New Zealand than Father O'Donnell of Asih burton, and there was no parish in Australasia where Father O'Donnell would not be welcomed. He paid a high tribute to the exceptional business capacity of Father O'Donnell. " lie had met many "business people, contractors, and others on the West Coast, who had assured him that their business dealings with the Dean had been among the most satisfactory of their experience He was present at Dean O'Donnell's ordination twenty-five years ago. Twentyfive years hence the Dean, if God spared him, would celebrate his golden jubilee, and if his parish then decided to give him a flying machine or such improved machine for locomotion as would then be in vogue, the speaker would, if he were still ali\e, come and attend that celebration. The Mayor (Mr H. Davis) said that he was present on bdhalf of the non-Catholic members of the community, and as representative of the Borough of Ash'burton, and it gave him much pleasure to add his quota, to the recognition of Dean O'Donnell's services. The longeir ajnyone knew Father O'Donnell, the better they liked him. He had never known a case where the Father had turned away any poor soul who came to him seeking assistance or advice He also hoped to be present at the Rev, Father's golden jubilee, and would travel fifty miles to see him made a Irish op. Messrs. D. Thomas, R Friedlander, W. 11. Collins (ex-Mayors of the town), also bore testimony to Father O'Donnell's courtesy, unfailing tact, and business capacity, and his general popularity as a citizen oP Ashburton. Tributes to the Dean's zeal on behalf of religion were paid by Messrs. P. Ha-nrahan, J. P. McQuilkin, and L. Hanrahan, as representing his parishioners.

Mr. A. J. Muller said tbiat the fact that the address to Father O'Donmell was signed by several of the leading members of the congregation spoke for itself. There was no doubt the address truly represented the feeling of the congregation taken as a whole, and of the Catholic community throughout Ashburton. He was plea.sed to be able to say ithat with the exception of, one case he had not to ask any person, Catholic or non-Cath-olic, for a subscription towards the testimonial ; yet he had recened £00. The success attending the committee's efioiU was a striking testimony to Father O'Donnell s popularity among all classes. The second subscription of hive guineas which the speaker ieceh©d was gi\en by, a non-Catholic. It had been decided not to purchase for the Rev. Father an automobile, but'to'hand o\ er the money to him and let him mtake his own selection. The sipeaker joined with previous speakers in trusting tha.t the Dean would live to see his golden jubilee, and hopefl that when the time came for the, celebration of that event, it would find Father O'Dpnnell still amongst his Asihburton congregation. His Lordship Bishop Grimes said he was present to show Ms appreciation of the act so well performed, not only by the Catholics, but by the citizens of Ashburton and the surrounding district. He at first intended to convey his sentiments by telegram or by letter, as it was not the custom for bishops to attend functions of this description. He might state that this was the lust occasion on which he had been present at a presentation to any priest in his diocese. It had given him deep gratification to listen to the speeches made in honor of Dean O'D/onnell. He had appointed Father O'Donnell one of the first Deans in Canterbury, and his position that evening was, therefotre, a proud one. To find many leading citizens who were not Catholics presient at a. gathering held in honor of a Catholic priest was very gjnatifying to a Bishop. When the speaker came to Christchairch as the first Catholic Bishop of the diocese, Father O'Donnell had already done great work in the diocese of Wellington, to which the Ohristchurch diocese was then attached. He gave Father O'Donnell his first appointment in this diocese, having heard of his work on the West Coast. Since then "he had seen, with his own eyes, what Father O'Doinnell bad done. He outlined the career of Father O'Donnell previous to coming to Ashburton. When the Dean first came to Ashburton there was a very large debt hanging over the parish. The speaker had been asked to take the responsibility for this debt on to his own shoulders and make it a diocesan liability, but although he was then a 'new chum,' ho was hardly 'green enough to do that. Under Dean O'Donnell's able administration this debt had been wiped out, and the finances of the Church in Ashburton were now in an eminently satisfactory condition, lie was pleased to hear a remark from Mr. Thomas which one would hardly have expect e3 from anyone but a member of the Catholic Church. lie referred to the suggestion that Ashburton needed a new Catholic church. He would be very pleased, if <(iod spared Mm, to lay the foundation stone of a new Catholic church for Ashburton, and would also like to see Father O'Donnell installed in a new presbytery. Doubtless these Improvements would be effected some time in the future. Should he be spared to lhe twenty-five years longer, even though he would then be a very old and warp-out loinld of man, he would be glad to 'be present at Dea.n O'Donnell's golden jubilee. Dean O'Donnell in Reply. On rising t o reply the Very Rev. Dean O'Donnell was recehed with long-continued applause. He said': I should be & great deal more than human if I were not deeply gratified to-night, and at the same time I should be a great deal less than a man if I were not highly pleased at the splendid demonstration got up by the members of my congregation, and the fine testimonial r resented to me as a token of their regard. I have sometimes felt inclined to sneer when the recipient of some such testimonial as this has said that ' words failed him to express his feelings,' but I shall never sneer again, as I feel to-night that no words could adequately express my feelings. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. What more can I say ? I'am deeply grateful to you for your kindness to me to-night There waa hardly a priest ever ordained who, when the Bishop's hands were laid upon him and he was given his sacerdotal powers, did n"t make great olans and resolutions for the future work of his life for the glory of Cod and the furtherance of his religion. I was, perha»s, no exception to this rule, but no one knows better than myself how far the performance has lagged behind th* intentions. I might be able very easily to discount the many complimentary things said aftout. me this opening, but I find it impossible to discount the fact that a very handsome cheque has been pnesented to me,

and I am therefore forced to the conclusion that what was saikl was really, meant. Some of the previous speakers (continued the Dean) had been good enough to refer to what had been done in the district since his arrival there but perhaps it had not occurred to them that in praising the work done duri*g the past thirteen years they were really praising themselves. Although he had been the instrument by which much of the work was done, yet they had supplied the sinews of war, withoiut which he could have done but little. When his Lordship the Bishop entrusted this district to his charge the finances of the parish were undoubtedly in a very bad condition, an«d one of the reasons why he had undertaken the work was that Father Coney, under whose administration "the parish ha,d somehow got into debit, was a friend of his, and he desired to do all he could lo retrieve the situation. He might say that he had never heard an} lone say a word against Fa'tfier Coffey, and he was very glad he had been able to assist in wiping, out the debt. The erection of a new presbytery in Ashburton was more of a crying necessity than the terection of a new chjurch, but if his congregation were able to contribute over £1600 to the Cathedral in Ohristchurch, ana* to give him the veJry handsome cheque he had received tha.t evening, there was no doubt of their ability to raise the necessary funds to erect both a presbytery and a church. He would be pleased to devote the cheque he had received to the purpose indicated by tne donors, and trusted Chat the purchase of an automobile would increase his facilities for the effective administration of the parish." He moist thank all those who subscribed or who worked up the present .demonstration, and would especially mention Messrs. Thomas O'Catroll, M. J. Burgess, and A. J. Muller. The last-named gentleman's dutfes as secretary had taken up a great deal of his time, which was most cheerfully given. He also thanked the performers at the concert, and last, b/Ut not least, he thanked his Lordship the Bithop for his presence. That was an honor he had not expected. He was pleased to see such men as Messrs. Friodlander, Thomas, Collins, and the Mayor there that evening. If people held different views to them as Catholics on the best way to worship Go 9, that was no reason why they should look askance at them. They were all tr7ing to work out their destinies in the way wlTich to them seemed best, and hjs mus,t make a plea for frienaMy relations with all outside denominations. A pleasant feature of the evening's proceedings was the high level of excellence^ reached by the various speakers, the members of the lecal Catholic Debating Society being especially conspicuous in this respect. Before the gjathering dispersed Mr. M. J. Burgess, on behalf of the committee, thanked the performers for Iheir sen ices, the subscribers for their generosity, and the audience for their attendance.