PRESENTATION TO DEAN CAREW, GREYMOUTH

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5, 4 February 1909, Page 183

PRESENTATION TO DEAN CAREW, GREYMOUTH

A very large audience assembled in the Town Hall, Greymouth, on Friday evening of last week, whon tho Catholics of the toAvn and district presented the Very Rev. Dean Carew with an illuminated address and purse of 100-sovereigns in token of his devoted ministrations during the past twenty-five years. It was probably the most successful function of the kind ever held on the West Coast. ,To say the least, it was demonstrative and representative to a degree, and it passed off without a hitch of any sort (says the Greymouth Evening Star). The proceedings opened with a concert, all the items of which were of a high-class character, and were voluntarily rendered by members of all tho various congregations m town. The programme was contributed by the following ■ Misses Kemple, Wobor, E. Hannan, Kathleen Hannan, Mrs O'Hallbran, Messrs. F. McCarthy J. E. Allen, G. T

Moss, W. B. Cadzow' J. Berti, 0. Egden, and Master E. Moss. At the interval liis Worship the Mayor (Mr. T. Eldon Coates) took the chair^ being supported on his right by the guest of the evening, the Rev. Father O'Connell, Rev. Dr. Kennedy, Rev. Father Taylor, Rev. Father Goodman (Ahaura), the Hon. A.- R. 6uinness,_ several prominent members of the presentation committee, and leading citizens. ■ - " The Mayor/ before opening the proceedings, read several apologies. One that was much applauded, was from the Yen. Archdeacon York, who conveyed his "sincere rogrefc ab not being able to be present to do honor to his sincere friend, Dean Carew, whose work stood out boldly as that of a man who devoted himself to the best interests of his fellows. Unfortunately a prior engagement .entirely prevented him from being present to testify to his respect for Dean Carew. Apologies were also read from Mr. E. A. Burke, -Hon.: J. Marshall, M.L.C., and Mr. E. J. -Scantlebuxy. The Mayor, in expressing his hearty congratulations to Dean Carow' on having been in charge of the Greymouth congregation for twenty-five years, conveyed to him his own poisonal respect and esteem. He had known Dean Carew for a great many years, and could say that the Dean bad proved himself a most ardent worker. This was shown by the fact that when he came to Greymouth there was only the little church in Arney street," while now there stood tho magnificent structure in. tho shape of Sb. Patrick's Chinch and tho block of buildings at the corner of Alexander "and Chapel streets, in which the schools wore doing good and useful work. Speaking of Dean Carew as a citizen of" Ureymouth, he recognised that nothing that was for tho general good of the community was over "ovorlooked by tho Dean, who was ever ready with h]s advice and assistance in furthering any such movement. lie then called on Mr. Fogarty to read the following address: — ' Dear Very Rev. Dean, — On behalf of the parishioners of St. Patrick's parish, it is with feelings of love and gratitude that we tender you our heartfelt congratulations on the completion of the twenty-fifth year of your ministry amongst us. During that long period you" have, by the sanctity of your life, sot us a steadfast example of Christian piety, and thereby won the esteem and admiration of all sections of tho community and the undying devotion of your own flock. We feel "it unnecessary to dwell at length upon the many great works you have accomplished during tho time you have been in charge, of this parish. Our beautiful church and well-equipped schools stand as monuments for this and future generations, to' bear witness to the zoal you have ever displayed in the cause of God and His holy church. In asking you to accept this address and the accompanying testimonial as a - slight token of the love and good-will of your devoted parishioners, we trust that God, in His infinite mercy, may spare, to us for many years the blessings cf your wise counsel and saintly example. — We remain, dear "Very Rev. Dean,- on bohalf of the parishioners— P. M. Griff en, M. Phillips, D. Slioedy, Dr. J. Mcßrcarty, P. Deere, M. Casey, F. McCarthy, M. Peat/ Mr. Fogarty having read the address, little Miss Kathleen Hannan handed Dean Carew a purse containing 100 sovereigns, and the Mayor remarked that he hoped he would onjoyjong life to enable him to spen/1 another twentyfive years in Greymouth,-. before which time ho hoped to hoar him entitled to be called ' His Lordship the Bishop of tho diocese.' Mr. D. Sheedy, as "one of the pionoer^Catholics in tho district, said it Avas a matter of pride and ' pleasure to him to have been able to come out to do honor to a man of such sterling worth as Dean CareAv. He was gratified to see so many present to testify to .the good work performed by Dean Carew during the twenty-five years ho hftd boon a. resident in Greymouth. He had proved himself a man to be respected, and one whose life' was a pleasuro to follow. -The respect that was borne towards him was not confined to his own flock, but was general throughout the community. He looked upon Dean Carew as an ideal priest, possessed of Christian charity, without which any . • religion was no good. He trusted- that Dean Carew's life would be long spared to' set ,the noble example that he had set for so mony years to the young men and women of tlie parish, 'and that he would enjoy the good wishes of the congregation and townspeople who loved him so well. The Rev. Father O'Corrnell, who had come over from Christchurch to be present and to represent his Lordship Bishop Grimes on the occasion, congratulated Dean Carow on having been the recipient of such tokens of appreciation of love and devotion after twenty-five years of dovoted work in Greymouth. He had won .the golden opinions not only of his people, but of tho whole community, and thoroughly 1 deserved the present tribute which had boon paid him. Ho would assure Dean Carow that_his Lordship would have been very pleased- to have been present on this glad oc-

casion, as also would tho Very Rev. Father Regnault, but his Lordship desirod him to assure the Dean that .if not present in person he would be Avith them all' in spirit and in his prayers. He desired him (Father O'Connell) to say that he rojoiced in the good work the Dean had done, and sincerely wished him continued health and strength to continue in his successful ministrations. His^Lordship had marked the occasion by appointed Doan Carew ' Dean of Westland.' Father O'Connell read the Bishop's letter as i'olloAvs : — 'On the occasion of the celebration in honor of ''the fruitful twenty-five years of the Dean CareAv Rectorship, I Avant you to assure him that I most cordially congratulate him, and Avish him many years-of health and strength and continued success in the ministry, and to inform _him "and his flock that on the auspicious anniversary I have much pleasure, firstly, in changing his title from Dean of Greymouth to that of Dean of Westland. Secondly, naming him Vicar Forane; and, thirdly, Ecclesiastical Superior of the Religious Sisters of Westland. I enclose the official documonts setting forth his rights and privileges, etc. Bo good enough to take cognisance of them, and hand them to him eoram publico, and assure the Dean and his loyal flock that thoiigh I am forced to be absent in body, I am with them in heart and desire by my earnest prayers.' -Father O'Connell also conveyed the cordial greetings of Very Rev. Father Regnault (Provincial), Fathers Galerne and Henry (of Reef ton), and the Rev. Dr. Clear y, editor of the Nexo Zealand Tablet. He further explained that under tho order of things Dean Carew Avould be in charge of all the churches in Westland, which would give him increased responsibility and work. He again congratulated the Dean on tho enjoyment of such devotion as was evident on the occasion. Tho Rev. Dr. Konnody said it afforded him the greatest pleasure to bo present and to listen to all the good things that had been said of Dean Carew, and to sco the earnest devotion that the congregation of St. Patrick's had toAvards him. ILc would like to remind them that tho presentation Avould not only redound to their credit, but it would bless those avlio gave it as avcll as he who received it. He could interpret thoir fool ings on this occasion, because Dean Carew had ahvnys folloAvod the high code to Avhich they in the priesthood endeavored to Ha'c. up to. The Dean had lived up to it according to the best traditions of the Irish priesthood, and it Avas a noble thing to think that he and' his d orgy had striven for such a high ideal. They had alAvays received the greatest encouragement from the Dean bolh by letter, by visits and presents. On behalf of the priests of the diocese, he cordially congratulated the Dean on the success Avhich had attended his efforts, and he could say that his Avork Avas - knoAvn and acknoAvledged throughout Noav Zealand and in many parts of Australia. Tho Hon. A. R. Guinness said ho had the pleasure of Dean CareAv's acquaintance for over thirty-two years, as he kncAv him first at Reef ton ; but what had ahvays pleased him Avas to soo tho wonderful manner "in which he had administered tho affairs of his parish in Groymouth, and how he had always assisted in any movement for the general good of the community outside of his oavii flock. The Dean was ever ready with his advice to help those Avho wanted it, independent of creed or sect. Ho recalled the little old church \n Arnoy street, and, comparing it with the magnificent'structure that thoy now possessed, he said it Avas a. _ standing monument to the zeal, energy, and dovotedness of Dean CaroAv. Thoy also possessed a splendid trophy in the convent aud Marist schools, and he Avas glad to join m congratulating Dean CareAv on the great work he had accomplished. Everyone -with Avhom the Dean had come in contact rospected and honored him. He likeAvisc congratulated him on tho additional honors conferred on him by the Bishop, and concluded by expressing -i;he hope that lie would be sparocl to continue his life of usefulness and successful administration of the district. Mr. James Kerr spoke of almost a lifetime's experience of Doan CareAv's noble Avork, Avhich he remembered ?s a school boy, and he had seen hoAV that Avork had "prospered year by year. He had consequently begun as a boy to highly respect the Doan, and that respect had groAvn and docpened as the years had gone on. He took it that all classes of tho community Avere vicing Avitli each other in paying him respect. Speaking as a young man, he Avould say that the Dean's high example had been a great factor in Greymouth, and had an influence for good with the young people of the place. He Avas pleased to take part in such a function as the present, and hoped the Dean would live to see fifty years of ministration in the district, and that he Avould be blessed from on High Avith all tho blessings the Great Ruler could bestow on him. Mr. E. Casey spoke on behalf of the young men of Groymouth, who had such a noble example set them by Dean CareAv. They would never be able to repay the debt of gratitude they OAyed him, but they Avould always have his noble life to look up to. On their behalf he desired

to congratulate tlio Dean on the honors conferred upon him, and "to assure him of their -entire .devotion to him. He might say' as a member oi : the committee 'that a great deal of- the success of this function Avas due to the ladies of St. Patrick's congregation. Ho hoped they would bo prosont when the Dean celebrated his golden anniversary tAventy-fiye years hence. Dean CareAv's Reply. . - Dean CareAv, whose rising was the \ signal for longcontnuicd applause, said: ' I bog: to thank you very sincerely for the kind-hearted and beautiful address with Avhich you have just uoav presented me, together with the accompanying solid testimony of your friendship. TJio kindly feelings and sentiments or esteem manifested by thorn are only a repetition of Avhat I have always received at your hands during the long period" that.l am with you. For these lam most profoundly grateful. -And I should be hard of heart not to be deeply affected by them. Residing in this district for a quarter* of a century, I have ever experienced, not only from my own congrogation, but from all, an linfailing courtesy and most profound rcspecb which facilitated and made most agreeable the discharge' of all my duties in this place. This shall ever endear you .all to me. You mention the many' works of zeal accomplished by me, whilsb amongst you in' the cause of God and the Holy Church, namely, in the beautiful churches and schools erected in the parish during my time. In this line I have always worked as far as I knoAv to the besb of my humble abilities, and in all difficult matters" I have always sought the counsel of the Avisest I could find amongst you. But I could have done very little without your grateful co-operation. This has ahvays been most RPiioroudy and cheerfully given, and produced most admirable resuHs, in which both you and I now take an honest pride. But it is not so much for the material buildings that I feel so deeply grateful to Clod. They are but the moans to an end. It is especially for the largo number of young men, women, and children that I now see around mo and avlio reside everywhere in this district, Avho have been so thoroughly educated in these buildings in the Catholic Faith. Of you and your loyalty to the Holy Church lam most justly proud. It Avas -to produce such results that I became a priest and emigrated to these parts from the Emerald gem of the Western Avorld. And now I rejoice to s«e around mo in this place the fruit of twontynve years' labor in a most devoted and earnest Catholic congregation of young Noav Zealandors, true in every respect to. the faith of their fathers, chips of the. old blocks, and producing the most glorious results. There are not only faitbful Catholic laity, but many young men of this town avlio are already ordained priests and young ladies aa'lio hare joined many different religions congregations of nuns, and also in the many others folloAving in the footsteps of both. lam glad to see on our platform to-night Rev. James Kennedy, D.D., Rev. Father Ainsworth, Rev. I'athors Hugh McDonnell aud James Tymons ,and others, Avhp are an honor to tho priesthood of NeAv Zealand. You say that during my residence amongst you I have edified you all by my exemplary life. For this indeed lam most grateful to God. If I did not practise Avhat I preached I Avould be no better than a hypocrite. Whon a man of eminent sanctity is about to be canonised in Rome for his virtues, some are told off to discover all his virtues and others all his vices. The latter arc called the devil's advocates. Perhaps I may not pass off amongst you so well if some oi the latter gentlemen were about. But lam glad to say that Avhilst not without fault, so far as 1 knoAv my ministry for the last quarter of a century has not been the cause of scandal to anyone. I iioav beg to- thank you one and all ior your kindness to me during the last quarter of a century. But there is one that I especially Avish 1o thank wlio is here present for the great' services rendered to the great Catholic body of the Dominion iii obtaining at our. request free passes on the Government trains for all our children attending our primary and high schools. That gentleman is our .member of Parliament, Mr. Guinness, Speaker of the House of Representatives. I also desiro to publicly thank the Right Rev. Dr. Grimes, Bishop of Hie diocese, ior the notice he has taken of me in the ecclesiastical titl-es he has conferred on me for Avhat I have done in his diocese.' At the conclusion of the Dean's address the concert programme was proceeded Avith. The function on the Avhole Avas the most successful and enthusiastic held in Greymouth for many years. [It was our intention to reproduce photographs of the Dean of Westland, St. Patrick's Church, etc., in this issue, but as the photographs did not roach us until a few -hours before going to press Aye were unable to get the ongxavings done in time. They Avill appear in next issue.— Ed. N.Z.T.J

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