Death of Father McManus, Rangiora

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVII, Issue 7, 18 February 1909, Page 264

Death of Father McManus, Rangiora

(From our Christchurch correspondent.)

Prior to commencing his sermon in the Cathedral on Sunday evening, the Rev. Father Ainsworth announced the death that afternoon at Rangiora of the Rev. Father McManus, who for some time past had been seriously ill and recommended the soul of the deceased priest to the prayers of the faithful. As a recessional the organist. Mr A. Bunz, played the Dead March from < Saul.' The late Rev. Father Mathias McManus was 1531 5 3 years of age, and was a native of County Leitrim, Ireland. He was educated at All HalloAvs College, Dublin, and was ordained about twenty-six years ago for the then diocese of Wellington, which included Canterbury and Westland. Coming to Christchurch, he was assistant to the Rev' Father Gmaty, S.M. Afterwards Father McManus was parish priest of Palmerston North, and eventually was statiened in other parts of the Dominion. About two years ago he was appointed assistant priest to the Rev. Father liyland at Rangiora, where his genial and kindly disposition greatly endeared him to the people. A Solemn Requiem Mass (telegraphs our Christchurch correspondent) was celebrated at Rangiora on Tuesday morning for the repose of the soul of the deceased iv the presence of his Lordship Bishop Grimes, who was attended by the Very Rev. Dean Ginaty, S.M., V.G. Rev. Father Hyland was celebrant, Rev. Dr. Kennedy deacon' and Rev. Father O'Hare subdeacon. Prior to the Mass the Office of the Dead Avas sung by the assembled clergy. After Mass his Lordship the Bishop addressed the crowded congregation in terms appropriate to the solemn occasion gave the Absolution, and subsequently officiated at the interment in the Catholic cometery adjoining the church. The funeral was very largely attended by all denominations. Among the clergy present were the Very Rev. Dean O'Donnell and Very Rev. Dean Bowers, and Rev. Fathers Cooney, Hoare, Moloncy, Peoples (Wellington), McManus (Now Plymouth), nephew of deceased, Bergin (Westport) Aubry, Tubman, Lee, Taylor, and Walsh (Hutt). RIP '