The Late Very Rev. Father Marnane, S.M

New Zealand Tablet, 9 July 1908, Page 12

The Late Very Rev. Father Marnane, S.M

(From Our Christchurch Correspondent.) Juty 6., - Shortly after «j- o'clock on Sunday evening last the Very Rev. Father Marnane, S.M.-, pastor of St. Mary's, Manchester street, who for several years past Has been a great, but patient, sufferer, passed away. Gradually sinking for some time, he was finally seized in a fit of apoplexy, to which, he .soon, after succumbed. The late Father M. T. Marnane was born in Tipperary, Ireland, in 1856: He was educated first at Rockwell College (near Cashel) and afterwards at St. Mary's College, Dundalk. In 1879 he went to France, studied at the ecclesiastical college of the Marist Fathers there, and also in Switzerland. Subsequently returning to Ireland, he completed his religious education at the Catholic University School of Dublin. Ordained at St. Mary's, Dundalk, by his Grace Archbishop Redwood in 1885, he came to New- Zealand at the end of that year to take a professorship at St. Patrick's College, Wellington. After some years of useful activity in this seat of learning, then~practically in its infancy, he was destined for a missionary career, Coming to the Christchurch diocese, he was at first assistant priest at Barbadoes street (Cathedral parish). Eighteen

months later, when St. Mary's parish was formed, and the Yen. Archpriest Le Menant des Chesnais, S.M., was appointed its first pastor, Father Marnane joined him as assistant, and together, through hardships, inconvenience, and considerable privation, they laid the foundation of the present prosperous parish. In 1895 Father Marnane took, sole charge of the parish, which has meanwhile made marked progress. Through his exertions, aided by the ready response of his parishioners, who were very deeply devoted to him, a splendid presbytery was erected on the site of the old and dilapidated structure which perforce had to do duty long after its days of usefulness were past.. He also erected a neat little ' church (Sfc Michael's) at Hornby, an outlying district of the extensive parish". Failing -health about two years ago necessitated his relinquishing his parochial duties and taking a complete rest and change. With this object he went pn a twelve months' tour through America to Ireland, This, however, had not apparently the desired effect, and although returning somewhat improved, his parishioners were grieved at their hopes of complete restoration , not being realised. The late Father Marnane was the most genial of men, and as a pastor mast -devoted and tactful. He was dearly loved by his people, a generous friend and benefactor to the poor arid distressed. He was greatly esteemed by his fellow-priests, -and 'W«

extreme kindness and hospitality to visitors were widely^ known and correspondingly appreciated. At the Cathedral on Sunday evening feeling reference to the sad event, was made by the Rev. Father O'Hare, who paid a warm tribute to the departed priest, his exemplary life, religious sense of duty, and worth as a citizen. At the conclusion of the service the organist (Miss Katie Young) played the Dead March from ' Saul. '„

On Monday the r-errfains were removed to. St. Mary's Church, where a Solemn Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, at which his Lordship the Bishop is to pontificate, the

funeral following immediately -afterwards. A large number ofthe clergy are expected to be present, including the Very Rev. Father Regnault, S.M. (Provincial), the Very Rev. Dean Smyth, S.M. (Hastings), Rev. Father Coffey (Adm., Dunedin), Rev. Jas. Goggan (Napier). Sympathetic messages have been received from many places. R.I. P.