Presentation to Father Howard, Milton

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVII, Issue 12, 25 March 1909, Page 462

Presentation to Father Howard, Milton

On Monday evening the Catholics of South Dunedin assembled in very large numbers in the parish schoolroom for the purpose of presenting the Rev. Father Howard, who was recently appointed to Milton, with an address and substantial tokens of their esteem and appreciation of his labors during the three and a half years he had labored in their midst. The chair was occupied by Mr. J. J. Marlow, who was supported' by the other members of the presentation committee. Among the clergy present were the Rev. Father Coffey, Adm., Hey. Dr. Cleary, Rev. Fathers O'Malley, Hearn,' O'Reilly, Corcoran, " and- D. O'Neill. Mr. J. J. Marlow, before reading the address, said they were assembled that evening to present Father Howard with a slight token of the appreciation and esteem of the Catholics of South Dunedin, amongst whom he had labored with such zeal and success during a period of three and a half years. He was placed in a difficult position that night, as they all knew how much Father Howard disliked any reference to his good qualities and 1 his good work. 1 If there was one thing more than another that Father Howard practised, and^ one lesson which he impressed upon his people, it was that his right hand-should not know of the good that was done by his left hand. Mr. Marlow then, referred to the great interest taken Father Howard in' the welfare of the youth of South Dunedin, and said that if he had been left amongst them for a few months longer a more suitable meeting-place for their young men's club would have been provided. For this reason alone he felt doubly sorry for Father Howard's departure. Father Howard had the consolation of knowing that the people of South Dunedin fully appreciated his worth and work. Mr. Marlow then read the following address : — ' Rev. and Dear Father, — During the years- you have Jiabored in our midst we have learned to highly value and esteem your kindly disposition and your many other sterling qualities. You have evidently taken as your gxiide the highest' traditions of the priestly state. In all matters affecting our holy religion you have always proved a wise counsellor and a true friend, while those in affliction have ever been helped and consoled by your advice and sympathy. Your zeal in ministering to the sick and dying, your charity to the poor, your warm and untiring labors for the young men, your energy and wholehearted enthusiasm for any project that you deemed useful for our spiritual advancement, have endeared you to us, and stamped you as a true priest and valued friend, and will cause you to be remembered in our prayers for many a year to come. Whilst regretting your departure, we are pleased at your well-deserved advancement to the important parish of Milton, and we earnestly trust that your labors there may be such as to reach "even your own high ideals. We ask you to accept, with the accompanying purse of sovereigns, our best wishes that your future may ever be brightened with the happiness that knows no alloy. ' We beg to remain, Rev. and dear Father, on behalf of the Catholics of South Dunedin, affectionately yours — James J. Marlow, chairman; J .Saunders,- hon. secretary;

T. Meade, hon. treasurer; 0. A. Shiel, J. Donlan, M. McKey,-'P. Fitzpatrick, W. Meade.' I On the conclusion of the reading of the address, Mr. Marlow handed Father Howard on behalf "of the Catholics of South Dunedin a cheque for £81 15s. He said that he had never been associated with any movement which had been taken up greater enthusiasm than, this one, and no testimonial which was subscribed to with stich generosity, and spontaneity than the present, the contributions being accompanied by the heartfelt good wishes of the donors. Mr. Marlow, acting on behalf of the Children of Mary, presented Father Howard with a' valuable rug, as a memento of what he had done for the confraternity. ' Mr. Atwill presented Father Howard, on behalf of the Young Men's Club, with a brief bag and a handsome inkstand, as a sliglit recognition of what he had done for the club, and Master Marlow read an address from the altar boys. Mr. C. A. Shiol also bore testimony to the zeal and energy of tho Rev. Father Howard, and to the good work done by him whilst in South Dunedin. - - The Rev. Father Howard, who on rising to reply was greeted with prolonged applause, said he had to .thank them very heartily and sincerely for tho good wishes andx kindly feelings which they had expressed towards him and for their kind presents — a return for his poor efforts amongst/ them, and which were altogether beyoud his deserts. On looking back over the three and a half years ho had spent inSoutl^ Duuedin, there were two feelings which wore prominent in his mind. Tlie first was a sense of the constant -and invariable kindness he had received from tho people, and the other a sense of many imperfections on his part, connected with the undoubted hard work which necessarily falls ' to the lot of the Administrator of South Dunedin. He felb that a great deal more might have been attempted than he had, and what had been done might have been better done. He recognised by the generous treatment they had meted out to him that they had made up their minds to forget his faults and condone his shortcomings, and it was very consoling to him to know.. that, in spite of the imperfections of which he was very conscious, lie carried away with him their cordial goodwill, which they li&cl expressed so warmly towards him that night. A* a matter of fact the goodness of heart which had brought them there that night was only a continuation of the kindness which 11 icy had always shown him, and which always falls io tho lot of the humblest priest. The closeness of the tie between priest oud people in the Catholic Church was one of tho common places • of history, and is now so well known as to be almost regarded as one of the minor notes of the Church. Meet him where you will, lot it be in the old world or the new, wherever the son of Erin is %o be found you will find him loyal and true to his soggarth aroon. The people of South Dunedin have been no exception to this rule. There had been plenty of hard work here, but there had been plenty of hearty, willing workers to bear a share of everything that had to be done, whether it was a bazaar or concert, whether it was for orphanage, school, or church the call had only to bo made and there was an immediate response. And in addition to the general band of woi-kers. there were always those who were ready to load the van -and take from off the shoulders of the priest the chief burden of responsibility and hard work in connection with any undertaking. In proportion to its size he did not know of any congregation that had so many capable workers, so many men that are capable of conducting an undertaking as the South Dunedin congregation. And Avhen Mr. Marlow, who had done such yeoman service for the Church here, and whose name was a household word amongst them, was associated with an undertaking it was a sure and certain guarantee of its success. . Reference was made in the address to the work in connection with the youths and young men of the congregation. There 1 were certainly few parishes where that work was more important than in South Dunedin. There was a larger proportion than is commonly the case of young lads connected with the congregation, and the problem had always been how to keep them m touch with Church influence, and keep them off the streets. They had faced the problem by trying to continue in the successful and attractive linos of the excellent club established by Father Coffey, and the men of the congregation, both by money contributions and personal service, had given the greatest possible assistance to the work. It had been sometimes a trying and uphill work, but at least they had kept the flag flying ; they had kept the club going even when the circumstances were the least encouraging. He knew that the work would be continued with an energy ,zeal, and ability which he could not command, by the Rev. Father O'Mallcy, and he felt that they would extend to his successor that hearty • co-operation they had always given to himself. There was no section of the community that required so much- looking after as the young men. If the Apostles were here to-day one of the first things he believed they would do would be to form young men's clubs, and everyone who gives his time and energy to keep alive such" institutions is engaged in a truly Christian and apostolic work. In conclusion ho thanked them once again for their kindness and generous presents. He wished them every blessing, and ho assured them that wherever in future his lot was cast he would never forget the true hearts and faithful friends left behind him in South Dunedin.

Mr. Marlow, on behalf of .the Catholics of South Dunedin extended a hearty welcome to Rev. Father O'Malley, who briefly replied. After a few words from the , Rev. Father Coffey the proceedings ■ were brought to ' a close,. - ■ - During the evening songs were contributed by Mrs. Saunders, Miss Heffernan, Messrs. McGrath, McNamara, and How.ard, Rev. Father O'Reilly, and, recitations by Mr. AtAvill -and Master Max-low. The accompaniments were tastefully played by Mrs. J. Woods.