Intercolonial

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXV, Issue 11, 14 March 1907, Page 35

Intercolonial

The Very Rev. • Father O'D'onofooe, the administrator of the parish of Hamilton, in the Maitjand diocese, and- one of the most popular priests* in Australia, had 1 a royal welcome home from his travels recently. People gathered from all parts of -the trict, and the Sacred Heart schoolroom ,was quaDe unable to . accommodate the numbers that thronged to his reception. " . ' The Right Revf. Dr. Olier, S.M., Vicar- Apostolic' of Central Ooaa-rfica-, ha^ re/turned to Sydney Jroim ".'his visit to Rome. He is accompanied by three" priests, one for his own diocese," and two for the missions under the "control of the Very Rev. Father Bertre'ux, S.M., Prefect-Apostolic of the Southern Solomon"._lslands. Dr. Olier will remain -in Sydney fora : month before resuming his * voyage to Tonga. : ' Mr. T. Jl 'P'itzpatricJ-, well -known in , life assurance circles, has returned to Sydney after"" an absence off nearly six years in the United Kingdom, during which- time he held an important position as organising inspector for one of the large offices. On leaving London Mr. Fitzpatrick was presented with a very handsome illuminated address and pair of silvermounted field glasses by the members . of the Irish Club. Tihe Re/.' Father T. O'Reilly ,~ of Parramatta, received a very warm welcome home after an absence of a year in Jtuurope and America. The demonstration too'ri the form of a gathering in the grounds of the "presbytery, which were brilliantly illuminated. Over a thousand persons were present, in fact/ nearly all the parish was there, as well as representative townspeople of all denominations, and several priesfls from neighboring parishes. Camipbellto'wn turned out with all its enthusiasm to welcome, the' Rev. Father James Dunne, P.P., home after his twelve months' holiday i tour . in Europe, America, and Isew Zealand. He 'was publicly welcomed at the Town Hall, the Mayor (Alderman F. Moore) presiding over an attendance that filled the building to "overflowing. An address to Father Dunne was read, and the Mayor presented it, together with a cheque for £100. His Lordship, Dr. O'Connor, Bishop of Armidale, had a splendid reception- on his return to his diocese from his trip to the old world. People gathered from far and near to greet him, . and messages of welcome home • were forwarded from all parts of the Commonwealth. The presentation from the laity exceeded £1000, the . priests' gift of a carriage, cost £200, and the nuns' gift of harness and horses^ and a magnificent silver tea and coffee service amounted to about £150. The public reception took place in the Armidale Town Hall, and was a night long to be remembered. The movement for the presentation of a purse of sovereigns to the Very Rev. Father Connelly prior to his departure from' Broken Hill on his projected trip to India, Ms native land, has says the " ' Barrier Miner ') had a most successful issue. The response t/hat has been 'made to the suggestion of the presen-' tation is an eloquent testimony -to the high esteem, in which Father is held by people of all creeds 'and classes in the city in which he has lived and worked so long. The purse, which consisted of 100 sovereigns, was presented to Father Connelly .at the Town Hall, where the Mayor (Alderman T. Ivey) presided. The Bishop of Wilcannia (Dr. Dunne) and several non-Catholic clergymen and prominent citizens were present/ . • ' -'-jf--' , His Lordship Dr. Dunne, Bishop of - Bathurst, • on his return from his visit to Europe had a gne'at welcome at the Bathurst Railway Station,' but refused the public demonstration which the people of the diocese desired to tender him. The pupils of St. Mary's * College, of 'his cathedral city, prepared a qmiet little greeting, to which his retiring disposition coiild take no exception, but which at the same time "would demonstrate their joy at" having their 'beloved, Bishop among them once again. This greeting toot the shape of a musical evening, in which Celtic tunes and airs predominated. After ■ the music ' his Lordship the Bishop warmly thanked the children for their -welcome; and he said that he was never so happy as when he. was at 'home in Bathurst. He, now felt tqjuite -young and full of life and vigor, and he hoped he^ would be long spared to minister among them. On the Sunday following his return at SS. Michael and John's Cathedral Dr. Dunne furnished a large congregation, with an 'interesting account of his travels.