PRESENTATION TO Father Murphy, Riverton

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIII, Issue 34, 24 August 1905, Page 18

PRESENTATION TO Father Murphy, Riverton

A large and enthusiastic gathering, representative of the priests of the diocese and the Catholics of St. Joseph's Cathedral parish, was held in St. Joseph's Hall on Tuesday evening for the purpose of making presentations to the Rev. Father Murphy, recently appointed successor to the late Very Rev. Father Sheehan as pastor of Rivertom, and who had acted as Administrator of the Cathedral parish for some eight years past. The enthusiasm of the gathering, the number of presentations, and the generous response to the appeal for subscriptions were in themselves significant ami forcible illustrations of the board which exists between priest and people in this diocese, and an undeniable testimony to the esteem in which Father Muiphy is held by his fellow-clergy and by the Catholics in Dunodin- When it became known that Father Murphy was appointed to Rherton the priests of the diocese decided to acknowledge the many kindnesses t'lvey Qiad leceUcd fiom him during their visits to tho city by making a special presentation. The laity of tho city, on their part, felt that tho severance of the close ties that had bound pastor and people for so long a period should not be allowed to take place without some tangible token of the warm place -which 'he won in their hearts by his singleness of purpose and selt-sacrilicinp; zeal. A few weeks ago, at a general meeting of the parishioners, it was decided to take steps to make a presentation to Father Murphy, and a committee (of which Mr. J. B. Callan was chairman, Mr. T. J. Hussey lion, secretary, and Mr. P. O'Neill lion, treasurer) was set up to carry out the wishes of the meeting. It is almost unnecessary to say, considering Father Murphy's great devotion to tho spiritual welfare of the people and his open■hand'ed generosity to the needy, that the committee had the most willing co-operation of the Catholic people of the city. As a result of their labors they were in a position on Tuesday night to present him with an illuminated

Address and a Purse

containing a very substantial sum. .Many of the societies and confraternities of the parish, who owed their success, and in some cases their existence, to Father Murphy's zeal and guidance, decided also to show their appreciation by making special presentations. Accordingly the St. Vincent de Paul Society, St. Joseph's Ladies' CWb, the Confraternity of Our Lady of Pcrnetual Succor, and the Children of Mary were to the fore on, Tuesday night with practical evidence of their esteem, and of recognition of whai Father Murphy had done for them. In addition to all this, on yesterday

(Wednesday) evening a social was tendered to fiini "Vy the Ladies' Club and on this (Thursday) . evening entertainments and presentations in his honor take place under tne auspices of the Cathedral choir and the Children of Mary, and on Friday evening \to tine St. Joseph's Men's Club. ' r

The presence of Father Murphy in Dunedin. in'connection with the Month's Mind of the late Father iSheehan, was taken advantage of to make the presentations referred to at the opening of this report. As already mentioned, those functions took place in the presence of a crowded gathering of the clergy and laity in St. Joseph's Hall. The arrival of Father Murphy in the hall was greeted with loud and prolonged applause. Mr. J. B. Callan presided. On his right was the Rev. Father Murphy. The platform was also ocpupied by the following clergy : The Right Rev. Mgr. Mackay (Qamaru), Very Rev* Mgr. O'Leary (Lawrence), Very Rev. J. O'Neill (Milton), Very Rev. P. O'Donnell (Gore), Rev. P. ODea (Ophir), Rev. W. A.y Macmmllan (Ranlurly), Rev. Jk J. Lynch (Palm-erston), Rev. P. Hearn (Port Chalmers), Rev. J. Ooftey, Adm. (Cathedral), Rev. J Geary (Lawrence), Revs. J* P. Delaney and M. Ryan (Holyi Cross College), Revs. J. O'Malley, W. Corcoran, and H. W. Cleary (Damedin). The members ol the committee also occupied seats on the platform. Mr. Callan, in opening the business of the meeting, said they all knew the object of} the gathering, which was to bid Father Murphy farewell and wish him <3-od-speed in bis new mission. They deeply regretted Ms departure from Dunedin for the simple reason that his name had become a household word amongst the people amd was associated in their minds with all that was worthy! of a devotoa Catholic priest. (Applause). It was to show their respect and attachment that they inMted him there that evening to make him a presentation, for Father Murphy had the respect, esteem, and affection of the Catholic laity of Dunedin. (Applause). Ho "had gone to a new parish, and although they regretted his departure, , they should remember that he will in tho future have the opportunity of exercising those many admlira/hle Qualities which endeared him to the people of this city. He (Mr. Callan) was sure that he echoed the sentiments of all that Father Murphy would be p hig|hly successful in his new sr>n,ere,of labor and that (J-od would bless him. (Applause. Mr. Callan then read the following address from the laity of Dunedin :— Reverend and Dear Sir,—

We,, the Catholic laity of Dunedin, leaned with unfeigned regret that you were leaving us. During your long residence here, extending over a period of fourteen years, you have gained the respect and esteem of us all. As Administrator of the Cathedral, you have always labored in an unostentatious manner, but we wish to assure you that your unselfish and unwearied devotion to your sacred duties, especially to the care of the sick' and poor, is well known and highly appreciated by the entire congregation.

Indeed, you have been so long amongst us, that we bad come to rcg|ird you as inseparably connected Avith the Cathedral ; and it is impossible for us to part with one so intimately associated with the work of the parish, and so dear to us all, without a deep feeling of pain.

We recognise, lio)we|vier<, th(as the needs of tjhe diocese demand the separation. We know that you arc being transferred to a large and growing parish which requires for its head a pasitor of experience and tried worth, and this knowledge helps us to bear the parting more easily. We cannot, however, allow you to leave St. Joseph's without expressing our deep sense of your valuable services, and we would ask your acceptance of the accompanying purse of sovereigns as a token —however inadequate— of our gratitude for your past services, and of our appreciation of your sterling character. Wishing you every happiness ana success in your new sphere of duty,— We beg to remain, Reverend and Dear Sir, Very affectionately yours, J. B. CALLAN, THOS. J. HUSSEY, Hon. Sec. T. DEEI-IAN, D. W. WOODS, P. O'NEILL. On behalf of the laity of the Dunedin parish. Dunedin, August 22, 1905.

sion of hia leaving the Cathedral to lake up parish work. < Applause). Priests read in their office that it is only when life's work is over that a man's work is to be praised. If they were to follow that course in the case of Father Murphy many of them would not be present to see bestowed upon him his meed of praise. The priests had not had as close opportunity of seeing the good wrought by Father Murphy, as the people of Dunettin had, but still they (the clergy) had ample opportunities of judging of his< many admirable qualities of mind and heart. (Applause). The people were aware of the fruitful work he had done for souls during the nwuny years: he was amongst them. It was, therefore, not necessary to recapitulate them there The priests of tfoo diocese had a warm appreciation for Father Murptoy. (Applause). He was always ready to sacrifice

his time for the convenience of clerical vfcsitofs from the country, no matter how busy he was. In saying this he spake from experience, and his was the experience of etvery priest who visited Diimedin. He bad to congratulate Father Murphy on his transference from the administration of the Cathedral to an important parish of his own, and no man was better deserving of the honor thus bestowed upon him. (Applause). He(Monsignor Maokay) wished him every success*; he hoped tihat Father Murphy would have length of days to enjoy the fruits of his labor ; that he would have the pleasure of seeing, Uefoxe long 1 those vast plains and moun lain-sides dotted with farmsteads and cottages ; and that he would see many years of happiness in Ms. present home. (Applause). In conclusion he had much pleasure in presenting Father Murphy with a gold

r An Mdress from the Ladies' Club was read by Mr. J. p. Callan, jtan., who explained that the members had forwarded a •dimnteir-'set to Riverton for Father Murphy. The atildress (Was signed by Miss Staunton (president), and Miss Purton (secretary). The members in their address said that their good wishes and prayers would follow Father Murphy in his new sphere of duty.

The members of the Confraternity of Our Lady of Perpetual Succor presented an address which was accompanied by a handsome set of vestments'. The address was read by Mr. T. Hussey and was signed on behalf of the member^ by Mesdames Haytion and Heley an c d Misses M. Murphy and E. Johnson. In their address the Confraternity expressed sorrow at his departure and appreciation of his untiring zeal and kind-hearted charity in the discharge of the duties of Administrator of the parish. His- noble spirit of self-sacrifice and devotion to duty would be an incentive to, members to reproduce those virtues in their own lives.

Mr. J. B. Callan. jun., read an address from the Children of Mary, which was accompanied by another handsome set of vestments, and was signed by Miss K. Falkner (president), Miss E. Johnson (vice-president), and Miss A. Brady (secretary). The membexs begged to assure Father Murphy that, owing to his removal, they would miss his wise counsel and inspiring example, and that he would have their good wishes and prayers.

The addresses from the societies were illuminated and nicely framed.

Father Murphy's Reply

The Rev. Father Muxphy, on rising to reply, w^as received with long anfl continued applause. He said they were present there that evening to say good-bye. For foairteen years they worked together in sunshine and suffering, but at the call of duty he bad, as the Sacred Scriptures said; to go forth from his country and his kindred, amd out of his father's house*.,' lie was grieved to le&\e them, for he had always experienced the greatest km'dness from the people of the Cathedral parish ; they were to him father and mother and kindred. (Applause). Since his arrival in Dunodin he had ne\er felt himself a stranger amongst them, and whatever he had done was only reciprocating these cordial feelings which had always been shown him, and the many 'kindnesses which he had received at their hands. In the addresses they bad referred to what he had dc ne in connection with the various societies His only regret was that he hod not dome more, for he leganlcl Catholic societies as the \ery best means of promoting a good, sound Catholic spirit amongst tie \ co/le (Applause). They were living m an age of o1o 1 <v nisatu/n, when men banded themselves together fir wnous reposes. No exception could be taken to t'lat when the means or the objects were justifiable, a-d tlie Church expected them to le united and organised m they srfnti'al interests of her children. Tletc w«s hotlii'i", he could inculcate more strongly than that Ih"y should be affiliated w it'll those societies, lor by joining such societies they were hoLping on the cause of Jisu? Chris! Such societies, like charity, blessed th^ <n\er^ a"<l the receivers. They blessed those who taught and b'e->s(-d ■those who lcmmd. lie desired 1o thaii!. them f.ir the many kini words said tbat e\ening annl frr the ma'cvificent gifts presented to him. As 1o the money, he su i he would not devote a penny of it 1o his peis r >nal ii'-c (Prolonged applause 1 ). In recening it he took it lor the children of his jiarish. (Applause). There was as yet no- Cajt.holjc school in his parish, and he t hanked the donors fo<r a good beginning towards t'li^ o-itablisb>ment of a convent school. (Applause) That night would be a memorable one in his life, because their kind words and igifts indicated "hat their hearts felt towards him. It would be memorable to him in a special way 1 ecause of the honor wh';eh his fellow -priests bad done him. (Applause). It was Iruly a great thine- to be thus honored by the most honorable body of priests in th?> Australian Church (Loud applause). This was an honor ho would never forget, and the only thing be would ask would hie that with God's holy grace lie would follow in Ihe footsteps of the prand pioneers of the diocese of Ounedin. (Applause). When he decided to come out to New Zealand two inducements were held out to him by their late revered Bishop, Dr. Mocan (applause^ : that he would come to labor amongst a devoted people and a self-sacrificing priesthood The longer he lived the more he was convinced of the truth of those words, which he had heard in bis college on that occasion. He could say that the kind words were deserved, and he hoped that as long as he lived be would do nothing to brinn; discredit upon the honorable btody who were engaged in ministering to trie spiritual wants of the people. By way of conclusion he expressed his thankfulness for the kindness he had recived during his stay in Dunedin from those outside the pale of the Church. (Applause )

He thanked the clergy and laity for their kindness, aad trusted he would one day have the pleasure of repaying them for the honor they had done him.. (Prolonged ap^plause).

Another Presentation

The Very Rev. Mgr. O'Leary said that he had to add, an item which was not on the programme. At a meeting of the clergy who had been present at the Months Mjjnd of the late Father S'heehsain it was i decided fo testify their friendship for Father Coffey by making him a presentation. The Very Hey. Monsignor then went on to say that his Lordship' the Bishop deserveS to becoirn-, pLimented on having selected Father Coffey as Administrator of the Cathedral parish. Father Coffey, he had no doubt, would be very successful in his new sphere of labor. During his residence in South Dunedin Father Coffey had always a warm welcome for visiting priests, and his house was always open to them. The country priests were deeply indebted to him for his hospitality. He had mluch pleasure, on behalf of the assembled priests, in hamdimg Father Coffey a cheq)ue.

The Rev. Father Coffey, Adm., who was taken completely by surprise, said if he had the slightest idea that such a matter was in contemplation he would have stopped it. With regard to Monsigjior O'Leary's reference to the hospitality extended by him (Father Coffey) lo visiting priests, he thought it was only from a sense of duty that ho had entertained them, for if they were to do their work well it should be as a united body ar'd not as separate individuals. He trusted it would still bo in his power to continue such acts of kindness, so that as a united body they might all work together in the cause of religion and for the extension of the Kingdom of God. (Applause.) He bad been brought from South Dunodin to fill the place of Rev. Father Murphy, an 1 the longer he was here the more he felt how difficult it was for him to be so successful as his predecessor. He trusted, however, with the hearty co-operation of the laity, to follow at) least in the footsteps of P'ather Murphy. (Applause.) This presentation was a great surprise, and he sincerely than, 1 ed his fellow-priests for their gift, their kindness and consideration, and also Father Murphy Jot many kindnesses shown him (Father Coffey) ever y.ince be had come to South Dunedin. (Applause.)

O:i the motion of Rev. Father Murphy, a hearty ■\ole of than\s was piven to Mr. Callan for presiding

Before the meeting dispersal three hearty cheers vcre pi\en for the Re\ Faihor Mum, by