PRESENTATON TO DEAN O'DONNELL, ASHBURTON

New Zealand Tablet, 4 January 1912, Page 32

PRESENTATON TO DEAN O'DONNELL, ASHBURTON

For some considerable time past the health of our much respected and highly esteemed pastor, Very Rev; Dean O'Donnell, has not been:. what his i parishioners would desire, consequently the opinion of his medical advisers that absolute rest was imperative came as no great surprise. When this became known by his parishioners, a deputation waited on s the ' Catholic " Young Men's Club with the object of taking, steps towards assisting Dean O'Donnell to take a very necessary rest from his arduous duties. " Strong committees Were formed, and collectors appointed in every portion of the parish, an executive committee being presided over by Mr. M. J. Burgess, with Mr. S. Madden as secretary. Due praise for the very successful result must be. given to Mesdames W. Soal and D. McCormick, these two ladies collecting the greater portion" of the money subscribed. The executive committee decided on the presentation being more of a private character, consequent on their desire to relieve the Dean of any undue excitement. On Sunday, December s 24, ' the executive officers and interested friends met in the schoolroom for the purpose of making the presentation of an address and a well-filled purse of sovereigns to our esteemed pastor. ";■'■"'

In making the presentation, the chairman (Mr. M. J. Burgess) expressed his sincere regret for Dean O’Donnell’s ill-health, and earnestly hoped that their worthy pastor would rapidly improve, so that ere long he would resume his place among his flock who esteemed him so highly. Mr. Burgess concluded by handing the Dean a handsomely filled purse of sovereigns from his parishioners in all parts of the district, accompanied by the 7 following address:—‘Rev, and dear Father, — We the undersigned parishioners learn with regret that your health has been' so unsatisfactory for some time that your doctor has advised you to take a lengthened rest in order to recuperate. The duties involved in the working of this large parish have, we recognise, materially assisted to impair your health. During the 20 years that you have labored in Ashburton as our parish priest, you have been unable to take any adequate rest, and we wish to express our sympathy with you and , appreciation of your long and devoted service, by asking your acceptance of this small gift. It is our fond wish that you may have an enjoyable and beneficial rest, and we look forward to your return, restored and invigorated, to long labor amongst us. ‘ Be beg respectfully to subscribe ourselves, Rev. and dear Father, your devoted people, M. J. Burgess (chairman), S. Madden (secretary), F. J. Pender (assistant secretary), A. T. Robertson (treasurer), P. Hanrahan, sen., L. Hanrahan, H. P. Madden, F. K. Cooper, N. Fitzgerald, Mrs. McCormick, Mrs. Soal.’

Dean O’Donnell, in replying, thanked one and all for their handsome gift. He could assure them as the result of .a few weeks’ stay, he had just finished at Hanmer, he already felt much better in health. For many reasons he desired to be ever near his Ashburton friends, consequently he would not be leaving the Dominion on this occasion. lie had received nothing but the greatest kindness from the people of Ashburton, words, failing him to express his gratitude. In conclusion, he trusted to be soon again amongst them, and wished all present the joys of the festive season'. ■ Dean O’Donnell left Ashburton on Friday for Fairlie, thence journeying to Mount Cook Hermitage, where he intends sojourning for some little time.