Presentation to Father Molloy, Ponsonby

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXV, Issue 48, 28 November 1907, Page 19

Presentation to Father Molloy, Ponsonby

(Prom our Auckland correspondent;) The impending departure" of the -Rey. Father Mollov from the Sacred Heart,- parish, Pomsonbiy, has caused .widespread . regret amongst" those with whom, and for •whom he has' labored so zealously, since, his- arrival from Ireland about eighteen months ago. A meeting of the ,parishioners was held after Jast^Mass on.' Sunday " to bid. him farewell— a meeting which, fry -reason- of' the numbers present, and the intensity of regret shown, will long remain .memorable amiongst " parochial meetings in ■Auckland. . Rev. Father Williams occupied the chair, with Rev ' Slather Molloy on his right, and amongst others present -were Messrs. D. Flynn, Maguire, .Casey, -Brown, Gleeson J. F. O'Brien, Fitzpatrick, P. and W. Darby Prince Simpson, Lowry, Mulawey, McVeigh, and Wright ' Rev. Father Williams briefly opened the proceedings and said that his Lordship the Bishop had expressed -his regret at being unable to attend owing to a previous important (engagement. Tie then called upon Mr. D -Flynn to read the address on .behalf of the parishioners. Mr. Flynn then read an address, expressive of the feelings, reverence, and esteem in which Father Molloy was held by the parishioners, and their "regret at his departure and good wishes for his future. Mr. Flynn then expressed his personal regret, and said that duiina; his time amongst them Father' Molloy had made "a remark•ably deep imp/ession on air "by- his unassuming' but U ntJiring zeaj, and his anxiety for the spiritual welfare of his people, rich and poor. Particularly was Father Molloy respected and beloved by the young men of the parish, and it was amongst them the results of his zeal and personality were most apparent. Esther Mollov was now going, amid their sincere- regrets, to- take charge of a country parish, 'and in his new sphere of labor his old- parishioners wished him every blessing and success. " - Mr. Maurice Casey then presented Father Molloy with a purse of fifty-five sovereigns, on behalf of the people" of the parish, and said that while it was a small material token of their respect for him the true token would be the lasting efficacy in their lives of -his spiritual administrations during the last eighteen months. Messrs. Bryant and Lowry and W. Darby also spol-e Rev. Father Molloy, in reply, said it was nearly two years since he left his home in Ireland a- newly ordained priest to take up his work in Auckland. He could assure them that that day of parting from home and friends alone could compare with'his "feelings today. He felt his parting from the 'people of Ponsonby intensely, for nothing could exceed the kindness, the genertous sympathy, the consolation he had had during his stay amongst them. Their gift came to him as a sacred thing, for he knew it' was the outcome cf their love ; but while from, his heart he thanked them he assured them • that they . had surprised him beyond anything in his - life. It • was only one week since he knew of the impending change, and this, as far as time went, impromptu meeting^ with the nfegnificient present they gave him, filled him with . deep feelings of gratitude and also with 'encouragement, tit made him feel certain' that his work amongst them, if it could beget such a splendid present and such a sympathetic meeting, would surely be crowned- by the. good God with the final blessing oft.permanency. The welfare of the people of Ptonsonby was very dear to him. His parting word to them was— be good, continue in. goodness— that alone was the best and most consoling thing they could do for him.

A retreat for ladies -will begin at- the Convent of the Sacred Heart, Island Bay, Wellington, on January 13. The retreat will be, preached by .the Rev. -Father Kelly, S.J. Ladies will be interested in the summer favorites at Ballantyne>and Cos. Christchurch, such as blouse lengths of Irish lawn, handworked, and muslin robes (unmade) at exceptionally low rates.... What to select as a Christmas gift is a question that will be discussed by many for the next few weeks. The query is easily answered. Give your nearest and dearest friend a box of Hondai Lanlca tea. No more heart-warming gift could be selected, and none more in keeping with the festive season..:. Mollisons, Ltd.,^ Dunedin, call attention to their suits to order at exceedingly low prices. Those of our readers in the country;-who cannot snare time to come to town, should write to the firm for their self mrasurement charts and patterns, which will be forwarded on j application. Patrons have a, large variety of the most fashionable materials from ■which to make a selection....