Presentation to Rev. Father Hickson, S.M.

New Zealand Tablet, Issue 17, 25 April 1907, Page 23

Presentation to Rev. Father Hickson, S.M.

(Prom our Christchurcli correspondent.) : There -was a large gathering in the Art 1 Gallery on" last Thursday- evenings representing the congregation of St. Mary's Church, Manchester street, and friends of the Rev. .Father Hickson, S.M.-, on the occasion o£ a complimentary valedictory social and presentation, to him prior to his departure for . Europe as a delegate to the Chapter of the Marist Order, to be held in Belgium, this year, and as" a mark of esteem and appreciation of his devoted labors in the interests of the parish during the recent absence of the Very Rev.- . Father Marnane. Among the audience were the pastor •of the district (the Very Rev. Father Marnane, 5.M..), and his assistant, the Rev., Father Hoare, S.M. An excellent musical programme "was contributed to by Mesdames C. Kiver, and F. - O'Brien, Misses Pender and O'Keefe, Messrs. * (_!. (Joggin, J. R. Hay ward, and' jO'-Keefe. Mr. S W. Raymond was an - efficient _ secretary, : and several Hidies acted as accompanists. ■ Mr. W.Hayward, jun., in. asking Father Hickson'a ! acceptance .of a well-filled / purse of sovereigns, expressed pleasure at the numerous attendance, and gave ~i apologies for the absence of se\eral prominent well- • wishers. Referring to the e\ents of a year ago, when ;the parish 7- was left in the charge of two - strangers, results p-roved the wisdom of the "selection, and that -the distract could not have.' been .placed in better .keeping. " He recounted the various important works - undertaken and accomplished, and ,of others brought to a successful issue owing to the energy and 'business ■ability displayed. By his excellent management, their revered pastor- had been , enabled >to en.oy " a miuch .needed rest. Father Hickson had well earned their enduring esteem .and gratitude. On relinquishing his charge their best wishes and prayers would follow him, and he -could rest assured that wherever he «might be the people of St. Mary's "parish would ever cherish a warm regard" for him. The Rev. Father -Hici^son, who was very warmly received, said he was sure his hearers would pardon him.' for feeling somewhat- -embarrassed. There were two feelings uppermost in his- mmd — regret and pleasure, and it was difficult to say winch held the higher place. In two things the people of SI. Mary's, excelled— to f welcome the coming, and to s^eed the parting guest.' When • leaving a few weeks .ago, he nad not the remotest idea it would fall to his lot to. be honored- in being selected as a delegate to 'accompany two" of the senior, priests of the Order to Europe in " connection with -the. Marist Chapter. Al; hough it was twenty years since, he left the Old Land,- .it • was, only natural, to suppose he would derive a great, deal of profit and enjoyments from a re-\*isit, and renewal of old associations. Their kindly {hoinght fulness rendered ■ possible, therefore, a pleasurable - and entertaining journey. Whilst regiretting that his term at St. Mary's was "brought to a close, .his leaving did-- not necessarily mean a severing of all bonds of friendship. He was very grateful for this, testimony of their - esteem, " accompanied, as_ it was, by the presence in such large numbers. In accepting th:s tangible mark of their esteem, it was a satisfaction to know that an^ efforts on his part had met with tinnr appreciation. He had not been hampered in any way in the affairs of the parish, Father' 1 Marnane "having given -him -a- free hand from' the -'outset to" do whatever h-e thought best in the interests _ of the parish, expressing, the conviction ,at .the same- time- that all s would, go well. -He haxl also received great support from the assistant— his superiors had luckily left him, and there was a. no more loyal and painstaking: assistant" in any parish than Father Hoare. From, the congregations of the various churches, in the parish in all local- undertakings he had received, loyal, generous, and practical co-operation. He "would carry awaj r tender memories of St. Mary's, which had great prospects in the City of the .Plains, ► and had the makings of a great parish- In saying good-bye he would always remember them very kindly, and always in his prayers, and in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. — The Very Rev. Father Marnane, in appropriate • terms', added his tribute of thankfulness.- to. the zeal and ability exercised by Father Hick son in the administration of the paiissn '"during: his (Father Marnane' s) absence. A resume of the good work done had already been well expressed. He congratulated Father Hickson on his- well-deserved promotion,, and, ' on behalf of himself and the people of St. Mary's, wished him an enjoyable time, a happy and pleasant journey, and a safe return!