Presentation to Father Fay, Blenheim

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXV, Issue 11, 14 March 1907, Page 13

Presentation to Father Fay, Blenheim

In the presence of a large gathering in St. Patricks Hall, Blenheim, on " Thursday evening, February 28, the Rev. Father Fay, who is about to - take l a trip to Europe, was- presented with an address and' a purse of sovereigns, Shortly atter eight o'clock (says the local "Herald') the members of ' the presentation committee took their seats an the platform, Mr. C. O' Sullivan, J.P., presiding, anid the Rev. Father Halley made a few introductory remarks. It was, said Fattier Holley, a pleasurable occasion, for they had met to wish: Father Fay an enjoyable and successful tour. The leave he had obtained for his trip emphasised the good opinion that he- earned from his ecclesiastical superiors, and the estimation in which they held the work he had done in this parish during the last nine years. Ho himself had. known Father Fay since boyhood, and knowing his worth and his happy disposition, it was with very great pleasure that he had come here to renew his associations with his old friend. He was now still more- ready to recognise Father Fay's' worth, because he knew that the nine years he had spent here had been a period o£ &ard work and duty faithfully carried out under very trying circilmstajnces, . with courage and .patience, and in a manner that had retained for him the goodwill of not only the Catholic parish, but the whole of the community. The proportions that the purse of " sovereigns had reached were proof of what the people thought of Father Fay. For his own part, and on behalf of the people present and many others who were present in spirit, he wished- the Rev. Father Fay good health, and every other good fortune so that he might come back to them benefited and strengthened, with his mind stored with useful knowledge and pleasant memories, to continue 'his labors amongst them. " Mr. J. Terry said that, v on behalf of the parishioners, it was his pleasure and duty to convey to Father Fay on the" occasion of his leaving the district for a time their appreciation of the manner in which he had performed his work amongst themi ; likewise an assurance of the high esteem in which he was held..

The text of the illuminated address, which was read by Mr. F. Shaw, was as follows :—: — * Rev. and Dear. Father,— We the undersigned, on behalf of -the parishioners of St. Mary's, ' Blenheim and districts, 'desire to tender to yciu on the eve of your departure from New Zealand for a visit to other lands, our heartiest wishes for a pleasant -trip, and our cordial desire that you may return safely to our midst. We cannot allow you to leave without conveying to you some slight token of the high esteem in which you are held, and the general appreciation of the excellent work you have done as a priest in this large and scattered district for the last nine years. During that time a period of much activity, stress and struggle — your fidelity - to duty, your Christian spirit and your unremitting labors in the interests of the people among whom you have moved have won a warm place in their hearts, and left an indelible impression of gratitude and love. We ask you to accept the accompanying purse of sovereigns as evidence of the widespread goodwill of this scattered flock towards you, and their sincere desire that you may derive from your trip the largest possible measure of enjoyment and benefit, and come 'back to us renewed in health and strength to continue your devoted laors,' (Then followed the signatures of Mr. .C. O'Sullivan, J.P., and a number of other parishioners). Mr t O'Sullivan announced that the purse contained over £144, and that there would doubtless be an addition from' the proceeds of the social. The Rev. Father Fay, who was given a hearty reception, said he would be less than human if he did not feel a proud man after listening to what had just been said, all of which he did not think he deserved. The good wishes that had been extended to him had affected him very much, for he knew the sterling quality of those who had expressed them, and that they were sincere and heartfelt. The handsome purse they had so kindly subscribed would go a long way towards helping him to become acquainted with those lamds and objects of historical interest that he looked forward to seeing. He had never left his own fair country, so that everything he was to see would be new and of deep interest. It was a t^ip to which he locked forward with much pleasure, and hc\ trusted that it would eventually be of service to those among whom he would work in future years,. He might spend many years -in study at home without deriving the education that he now anticipated. He hoped to come back with broader ideas, broader views, and much better equipped for his work as a priest. Even though the separation was for only a year, he felt parting with them very keenly— so kind had they been to him. They may have heard that he was not coming back to this place, but he assured them, God willing, that he should return, the first place he would make for on landing in Wellington would be Blenheim. He was deeply grateful to those who had made this function such a sucoess and such an encouragement to him. He had to express to his non-Catholic friends — one and all— his d«ep sense of gratitude for their kindness and courtesy. E.ver since he had been in the parish he had received from them uniform friendliness. In conclusion he asked God to bless them all ; he would always remember them in his prayers. He would not s>ay goodbye, but au revoir ; and he hoped that he would be spared to return a stronger, better, and rao-e useful maoi to continue his work in their midst as a priest. Prior to the presentation a short concert programme was rendered, the .vocalists being Mesdames Nash and F. Hale, and the] Rev. Father Holley, Messrs. Fama and James.