Presentation to Monsignor Gillan, Auckland

New Zealand Tablet, 11 April 1912, Page 26

Presentation to Monsignor Gillan, Auckland

(By telegraph, from our\own correspondent.): : ■■■■A v ' _ April ■ Mr, George Little presided over a large meeting of the congregation in St. Benedict’s Hall on Sunday evening after Vespers. His Lordship the Bishop, and Rev. Fathers Holbrook, Skinner, and O’Doherty were present, when a presentation of a > purse of sovereigns was made to Right Rev. : Mgr. Gillan, V.G., who is taking a well-earned ' holiday, leaving for Vancouver .next Friday. _ : -r - - • His Lordship highly eulogised the signal services of Monsignor Gillan, whose . labours, under trying physical disabilities, were worthy of the highest commendation. He had insisted on Monsignor Gillan taking a wellearned rest, otherwise ■an inevitable breakdown f would ensue, and so a worthy priest would be lost to his people. This should not be, and he was delighted the people had taken up the matter; and that night he had much pleasure in handing the Monsignor from his people a purse of £165, and wished him a pleasant journey and a safe return, invigorated to carry on his great work here. :: Monsignor Gillan, on rising, was loudly applauded. He said words failed him ,to adequately , express the feelings of * gratitude :he felt to his Lordship' and his many friends for their kindness and generosity to him. Whatever he had accomplishedxhad been * done only by the hearty co-operation of his fellow-priests, ; backed by the people. He hoped to return, and wherever the Bishop would place him he would strive heartily to work for the honor .and glory of : God and for the .people. He would in his travels think of them constantly, and he, from his heart, thanked -them sincerely for their great kindness to him all the time, particularly that .night. , ' \ \ < Short speeches eulogistic of Monsignor Gillan were delivered by Rev.- Brother George, Messrs. Nerheny, Furlong,; Darby, Murray, and Shahan. , Rev. Father Forde . thanked all who worked with him: to make a success of the great function just concluded. Cheers were given for his Lordship the Bishop and Monsignor Gillan, and a vqte of thanks to the chairman concluded the* business. ‘ ;V Xv'r:r r '’ r .'-