Presentation to Father P. O'Neill, Wrey's Bush

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVII, Issue 14, 8 April 1909, Page 543

Presentation to Father P. O'Neill, Wrey's Bush

A^large number of- the members of the Catholic community (says the Oamaru Mail) met in St. Joseph's schoolroom on Wednesday evening, March 31', for the purpose of expressing in a "tangible manner their appreciation of the services rendered by the Rev. Father O'Neill while in Oamaru. Mr. T. .O'Grady presided, and there were also present on the platform the Rev. Father Delany, Messrs. J. Cooney, J. Cagney, J. B. Grave, and H. Curran, and the guest of the evening. ■ _ _ Mr. T. O'Grady, in opening the proceedings, said that on other occasions he occupied a similar position, and had regretted very much to have to occupy the chair to mark the removal of some good priest from their midst. They had met to 1 make a presentation to the Rev., Father O'Neill on the occasion of his departure to Wrey's Bush. All were aware, he said, of the great and good work Father O'Neill had done during his stay in the_ parish. On behalf of the young men of blio parish especially were Father O'Neill's efforts full of zeal. His efforts in every possible way to do good were noticeable not alone by the Catholic community, but by others who did not belong to the Church. He had no doubt that' Wrey's Bush would benefit greatly by Father O'Neill's presence. He had been connected with the Boys' Club, and in this connection they hoped for many good things from Father Farthing, but the latter would have to work very energetically indeed to get on level terms with Father O'Neill. He (Mr. O'Grady) knew many little instances where Father O'Neill's charitable disposition had been in evidence, but Father O'Neill was a modest man, and did not care to let his left hand know what his right hand was doing. He asked Mr. Cooney to make the presentation. In handing Father O'Neill a well-filled purse of sovereigns, Mr. Cooney said that a good many outsiders knew more of Father O'Neill's good qualities than his oavix people did, on account of his connection with the school. Mr. O'Grady tlien presented Father O'Neill with a token of regard from the Catholic Young Men's Club. He said the club had been established under circumstances somewhat difficult. "When the formation of the club was suggested Father O'Neill became the mainspring of the - movement. And not only had Father O'Neill attended the meetings, but he had taken part in them, and there was no doubt that the young men had benefited by the interest taken in .their, behalf. He had much pleasure in presenting Father O'Neill with the following address: — ' Rev. and Dear Father, — On this, the occasion of your departure from Oamaru, we, -the members of -the Catholic Club, desire to place upon record our appreciation of your whole-hearted services which have been so willingly given in the interests of our club. It is nearly three years ago since the club was instituted, during which time you have been one of its members, and the successful issue to which- the club has arrived is due in a great measure to your zeal and perseverance. Although you have severed your connection with us, still your memory is not forgotten, and we ask you to accept this address and the accompanying gifts as a token _pf our esteem for you personally, and as some slight recognition of your efforts in our behalf. Wishing you every happiness and success in your new sphere of labor, We are (on behalf of the club), Yours faithfully— T. N O'Grady, M. F. Cooney (hon. sec), J. R. Wallace (lion, treas.).' • Messrs. J. R. Wallace, M. F. Cooney, Mulvihill, and H. Curran also expressed 'appreciation of Father O'Neill's work on belialf of the club, and their regret at his depart ture from Oamaru. , . ' , . \ Rev. Father Delany said a good many things had just \ Been said in praise of Father O'Neill, but he (the speaker), \who knew Father O'Neill much better than anybody present, knew that not one half had be_en said of what ought \b have been said. The speaker and Father O'Neill had teen boys together at school, they had studied together in the stae ecclesiastical college, and now they were priests to- • giher. As a priest, he (Father Delany) yielded to no mai in his regard for Father O'Neill's character. Father O'lleill was a priest who would be found wherever his du«es called him — at the sick bed, amongst the children, andW the Young Men's Club. He was pleased that FathV O'Neill had been so successful in his work- among the yung men. - -....,, TSft J. Cagney also paid a tribute of praise to the zeal olOiather O'Neill. Thdßev. Father O'Neill, on rising to reply, -was greeted W>li loud and prolonged applause. He said he

did not expect sucli praise would have been given to him, but he knew that much of "what, had been said had been said out of kindness of heart- and. that his good deeds had been magnified. He had been praised and over-praised till he had almost come to the conclusion that what had been said was true. Reference had been made to his connection with the club,- but .the speakers seemed to forget that it was- as much a part of his duty to attend the club as it was to preach, from .the pulpit or seek those ~\vho were going astray.' The care of the club was one of his chief duties, and if he had not -done it he would have been, guilty of neglect of d.uty and , worthy of- blame. Mr. Mul vihill, had given him much , praise, but Mr. Mulvihill had -worked 'liard in the interests of the club. Mr. O'Grady and Mr. Cagney also deserved the thanks of the club for the interest they had taken in it. Father O'Neill said he did not forget the generosity of the congregation. There were many -things he had done and many things he .had nob done, but his faults had -been" overlooked. He could not be human and forget the kindness he had received 'ii Oamaru, and .wherever he went he would look back -with grateful .feelings on the encouragement he had received. He thanked Father Delany for the kind expressions that he had made. Father O'Neill said- it might be- presump-tion-on his part to ask a welcome for Father Farthing, for he had -already received a welcome. It was not necessary to- ask the congregation to be kind to Father Farthing, because they could not be anything else. Father Farthing would be successful where he (Father O'Neill) had failed. _ Nothing would obliterate from his memory the Oamaru people and their kindness. He asked that ' he should be remembered in their 'prayers. Before concluding, Father O'Neill said he could not leave Oamaru without making some" public acknowledgment of the good feeling that had always existed Between himself and the Right Roy. Mgr. Maokay, whom he had learned to honor for his great worth and sterling character. He thanked the pt»rformcrs who had helped to make -the gathering a success. His last remark would be -a formal good-bye. "During the evening ■ instrumental and vocal, items were given by Miss O'Grady, Miss Barry, Miss Cagnefo — , Miss McGhie, Rev. Father Farthing, and Mr. Curran, . and Mr. Barry gave a recitation.