Valedictory to Father Peoples, S.M.

New Zealand Tablet, 27 August 1908, Page 15

Valedictory to Father Peoples, S.M.

(From our Christchurch correspondent.) ' The Hibernian Hall was crowded to excess on last Monday evening, on the occasion, of- a farewell complimentary social gathering tendered to the Rev.' Father Peoples, S.M., who, as one of the assistant priests at tho Cathedral, during the past three years, by his assiduous attention to duty, had greatly endeared himself to the people, and who is now being transferred to the North Island. Among those present were, his Lordship

Bishop Grimes, the Very Rev. Father' Price, Adm., Rev. D.. Kennedy. , Rev. Fathers Cooney, -Moloney, S.M., and Hoare, S.M. - A choice- musical - programme was .contributed to ly Misses Moloney, M. O'Connor, and F. Gardiner-, Rev.. Father Moloney, and Messrs. A. Young, W. Schwartz, Hollow, and Hawke Jsongs), and Mr. Munnings (mandoline~ solo).

Mr. E. O'Connor, J.P., who presided, said that some friends ' of the Rev. Father Peoples, feeling that he should not be permitted'to leave the scene of his three years'^self-sacrificing "*snd devoted labors -without at least a modest recognition of his fruitful work in- their midst, had decided upon the present gathering. He felt keenly the difficult and delicate task allotted him. Praise would be distinctly out of place, . as. - Father - Peoples, like- all others in the sacred ministry,; came' to- tio duty, and expected no recognition or reward. In/ the present, instance, .however, some of those duties stood out -in such; strong relief in. their, performance that he felt, in common with all composing the large gathering, impelled to make allusion to them. Father Peoples' attentfon to the sick, and his consoling ministrations to the dying, weie foremost in this connection. He assured Father. Peoples that he left the city : with the .best wishes of grateful friends," whose prayers would g*o with him, and who would, one and all, feel a deep and lasting interest in his future. • Mr. o'Connor___then presented Father Peoples with a. •substantial purse of sovereigns. His Lordship the Bishop said he was pleased to find that Father Peoples had merited- their recognition of his worth and work. To his Lordship's knowledge he was a devoted priest, and time after time, night after night, after his .other duties, and often in the very early morning, when answering a" message,, he had found Father, Peoples already away on a sick call. At

the hospital many a soul owed comfort, strength,, and, conso^ lation to Father Peoples. His chief characteristic" was devotion"to the sick, which was the glory of the priesthood. Even' con- „ tagious diseases were no barrier, _and he had good reason to know that time after time, when the call came, he did not hesitate to reason why, but at ihe call of"duty realised his place to be at the bedside of. the suffering and dying. To his ministrations many souls owed the gift of faith. Whilst tempted ,to~ speak of all Father Peoples had done, he (his Lordship) regretted that circumstances over which he had no control necessitated his departure. Wishing him many years of health and strength in the divine ministry he would from none receive a more hearty and cordial welcome than from himself should he return to theChristchurch diocese

Father Peoples, who was most warmly greeted on rising' to reply, assured the assemblage that this manifestation- of theirkindly feeling came as an overwhelming surprise. A little overthree years ago he came here quietly, and he had hoped he would be allowed to quietly depart, but his hopes in this respect were not realised. He was exceedingly grateful to his Lordship, the Bishop for presiding, and the motives which urged 1 ,- him- to : come that night. He sincerely thanked the committeei.-'who-had so ably organised and carrie*d out- such an- exceedingly pleasant event, and also those ;who had so well assisted in the - musical programme. Looking back as- he did' over his term of service in this city, coming almost fresh from the hands of the ordaining prelate, he felt then " how crude and . unfitted he seemed for the great work before him. With strength. of spirit and undaunted courage the ordeal was faced. Mistakes were made, but these had their advantage in ensuring greater care next time. " The greatest joy and consolation to the Lord's- anointed is to realise they are recognised as such, and also the work carried on by the priests of the Church, These are some of "the consolations of religion. Speaking to the people - here for probably the last time, he would say how much hevenerated those aged ones amongst them whose -years of experience were invaluable, and ■to whom he was- grateful for what •they had_ taught him. There were representatives of all classes, _- Iwhose very presence was a. recognition of sympathy in his <■ work during the past. „ The Bishop of Christchurch had, been a true friend to him, and he could not adequately express his gratitude to him. He owed much also to his fellow-priests, -gjast ' and present, whose kindness and consideration he would never To-night was the N hardesc>-he>4iad ever experienced, harder even than when he first left home, and he keenly felt a pang, of regret at parting. - _*

"Light refreshments were provided in abundance by a ladies' committee, and handed round.