PRESENTATION TO FATHER COLLINS, LAWRENCE

New Zealand Tablet, 18 April 1912, Page 17

PRESENTATION TO FATHER COLLINS, LAWRENCE

A large; gathering of . the members of ■. St. Patrick's :'• Church, Xawrence, assembled in the schoolroom on Wednesday evening, of last week, to bid farewell and to make a presentation to the 4 Rev Father: Collins, who had ? recently been =appointed professorial chair in Holy Cross College, Mosgiel (says the Tuapeka'lHmes). The I Very/Rev. Mgr. O'Leary, who presided, in opening the meeting, said it was with mingled feelings of regret "and J pleasure that he presided over the gathering that evening. He regretted having to part /with Father ?. Collins, who had ' worked with him cordially and zealously for the - last two years. It seemed hard to be obliged to say 'good-bye' to r a colleague just.i when he was beginning to know him. /tHe had been compelled to undergo i such an ordeal no.less ; than times J during the past six years. - It was like haying to make "a fresh start in life. ": On the other hand, he was glad to know that Father Collins's removal/meant promotion, and he was bound to say that he thought 1 the appointment to a professor's chair in his alma mater, Holy; Cross : College, Mosgiel, would; prove a blessing to their young, friend. It would oblige himriot only to revise v his past studies,; but it would also enable him to mature ; arid "expand his knowledge. Any man, whether priest, -lawyer,- or doctor, must . be always studying ; in -.order to keep up : to date. He was sure he was giving expression to the :'; sentiments not only of / those present, but also i to the feelings of. those who . had.come into contact with Father Collins, when he wished him: every success in his future career. As his teachers declare that he is .endowed with more than- ordinary talent and ability, they.would all look forward with high u hopes to his career in the sacred ministry. : - .- ■ .-•>/- - - Mr. J. J. Woods said he had been deputed by the parishioners ■of the. district to make!:a presentation to Father Collins as *;a/ small 'token of their ; appreciation ■ of his labors.during, the .past, two years or more, which he hoped would serve, as a memento of the very pleasant associations that had existed between him and the members of the congregation. Their young and reverend guest t he could well imagine had feelings of >; regret ; and sorrow on leaving the people .among whom he had performed; his,, first missionary labors, and among.whom; he had no doubt found many friends and . helpers in the good cause which he .had. made * his life's / work .- This feeling of regret he assured him was reciprocated ; by the people, but »their sorrow was mellowed, by the knowledge that he had been honored by promotion to 'a professorship in Holy Cross College... -Father Collins had been blessed by Providence - with a strong t and ro- - bust constitution,' and "had never spared himself in working his hardest in the scattered district over which his duties called him, and was ever ready, night or day, to respond to the call of duty, and especially so if : that duty was the most sacred one of ;all to the priest —viz., the sick call. Socially, they would all miss him very much. -In organising and- assisting generally in ;church and school* entertainments > and re-unions, he-was a host in himself, and was an especial favorite with the : ■ children on account .; of his bright and cheerful - manner and the kindly interest he took in ; their recreations and spiritual welfare. On behalf of the people of this district, including the; good .people of.Waipori, who had a warm corner • in their hearts for ■ Father- Collins, he had great, pleasure in asking, his acceptance/ of a well-filled . purse of sovereigns as a memento of their love and respect for 'him; and they hoped' that under Divine guidance he would- be long spared to carry out the sacred, duties of. his office. - " ; * /Rev. Father Collins, in responding, said it was hard to bid farewell to those - who had ; proved 'one's sincere friends: /,- "priest; was no exception, for in the course of his duties/ which brought him into close .touch with the family life . of his. people, with ■ their joys " and their sorrows, he was sure to make friendships which made ;the parting one of regret. o Theirs handsome, gift, the ■• kindness hehad ; experienced at their hands during his two years -^work^amongsti-them,' and • the complimentary remarks made that evening made the parting no lighter to > bear. During his sojourn J in their ; midst

he had entered into their joys and their sorrows, and he had found in them true friends. He had come to rthe district with ,_ some misgivings, for: he had i? heard something of the scattered nature of the parish 7 ; but?his predecessor (Father Morkane) had-assured him he was coming amongst people who would prove and' sincere friends. -. His. life among them had been very happy. In the first place,. it had been his privilege to live with the Very Rev. Mgr. ' O'Leary, and for his kindness, 5 consideration, .and -\ advice he <would be for <ver grateful, and he, took the opportunity of thanking him before them; all for his'generosity towards him. He hoped and prayed that the effects recent illness, which had occasioned them all so much anxiety, would soon pass away, and that -he would once more be .-restored to perfect health. He was badly in need of a holiday, and he hoped that he"would take one at no distant date. The Monsignor had remarked: on the frequency of the changes in his curates, but. he assured him, to use a colloquialism, he had on this occasion the; best\of the deal, for in his successor he had a young man of exceptional ability and one who would prove a faithful and zealous priest—one who would be beloved by the people. : It ; was said that a priest was always more attached i.to the" people of the parish with which he had been first associated, and he fully realised the truth of this, and; he did not think he could ever -forget ; the kindnesses: he : had received and the many friendships he had made in this?parish where he had commenced the work of his sacred calling. He asked them to remember him in their prayers as he would them in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. He concluded by again thanking them for their gift and great ; kindness to him, and ' :: - said the ..best favor he ; would ; wish them was expressed, in the words old : song—'God be with you till we meet again.' r " 7 During the earlier part" of the evening songs were contributed by the Rev. Father Collins, Miss Woods Miss Kelleher, Mr. J. J. Woods, and the Very Rev' Mgr.; O'Leary, while the Rev. .Father O'Connell gave a ; -recitation, h' The exile's return,' which showed the rev. gentleman to : be an -elocutionist of great ability Light - refreshments were ; provided ■by the ; ladies of the congregation. ... - ; V .:.-..-v/'? ■