FAREWELL TO FATHER ORMOND

New Zealand Tablet, 25 February 1915, Page 23

FAREWELL TO FATHER ORMOND

(From our Auckland correspondent.) . The announcement that one of the priests of the Auckland diocese had been signally honored by being appointed secretary to his Excellency Archbishop, Cerretti. Apostolic Delegate to Australasia, was conveyed in the following telegram from Kawene, from his Lordship Bishop Cleary to Rev. Father Ormond: — Monsignor Cerretti requires you at the earliest moment in Sydney. I greatly regret that I have to lose you, even for a time, but think nothing and nobody too good for a representative of the Holy See. Cable him the date of your arrival in Sydney.’ On the following day, Sunday, the Right Rev. Mgr. JBrodie, Y.G., announced in the Cathedral Father Ormond’s appointment, and in the evening a meeting of the Cathedral parishioners was held, Councillor P. J. Nerheny, J.P., presiding. A committee was formed, and it was decided to tender Father Ormond a fitting farewell as a mark of the very high esteem in which he was held, and above all to mark in an especial manner the high honor conferred on him in being attached to the Apostolic Delegation in Australasia. Priests and people entered heartily into the matter, with the result that a send-off was given to Father Ormond the remembrance of which will long live with all who participated in it. At the Hibernian Hall on Monday evening, February 15, the function took place. The hall was crowded, and many were unable to gain admittance. The chair was occupied by Mr. Nerheny, and with him on the platform were Right Rev. Mgr. Gillan, V.G., Right Rev. Mgr. Brodie, Y.G., Very Rev. Chancellor Holbrook, Rev. Fathers Cahill, O’Malley, and Hayes (Tasmania), Furlong, Lane, Tormey, Forde, and Dunphy, and Rev. Brothers Phelan, Fergus, Clement, George, and Heinrich. Right Rev. Mgr. Gillan apologised for the unavoidable absence of his Lordship Bishop Cleary, who •was still in the north of Auckland, and who had sent the following telegraphic message;— ‘God speed and

keep you shall miss you greatly affectionate wishes for every blessing and success in your new" work, and hope' to see you soon in Sydney.’ -Y “ ’ His Worship the Mayor (Mr. C. J. Parr, C.M.G., M.P.) wrote as follows:—‘My dear Father Ormond,— Permit me to congratulate you on your appointment to high office in the Church. It is, I assure you, extremely gratifying to Aucklanders to know that one of the city’s sons has been honored as you have. To me personally it is most pleasing to realise that one whom I have always counted as a warm friend should have received such distinction. I trust that you will be very happy in your new sphere of work, and that success will follow you in the future as in the past.’ The reading of the foregoing by Mr. A. J. Woodley, hon. secretary, evoked rounds of applause. The chairman, in his opening' remarks, said that the magnificent gathering before him* so thoroughly representative of the clergy and laity of the city, was indeed a measure of the high esteem in which Father Ormond was held, as well as an appreciation of the distinguished honor conferred upon him. He well remembered the young lad, who left home and kindred seventeen years ago, and travelled thousands of miles to study and fit himself for the holy priesthood. Seven years ago he welcomed back that same young lad, then an ordained priest of the Church. In that seven years he had labored amongst them, and he had endeared himself to all. To-night they had assembled to commemorate Father Ormond’s elevation to a place in the Apostolic Delegation. They rejoiced at the signal honor conferred upon one so dear to them, and he expressed their feelings as well as his own, and wished Father Ormond every blessing and success in his new and exalted sphere. He then asked the Right Rev. Mgr. Brodie, Y.G., to address the assemblage. Right Rev. Mgr. Brodie said that as Administrator of the Cathedral he deemed it a great privilege to be associated with his devoted people in doing honor tc one who had labored in the parish for over five years. The priests of the diocese were as members of one lily, and the honor conferred on one of their number brought joy to the whole body of the clergy. He was sure the guest of the evening would always treasure the memories of his association with the Auckland clergy. The present generation of priests in the diocese could recall the lives of our great pioneers— Paul, O’Hara, and Walter McDonald, and Monsignor O’Reilly, and their work would ever be an inspiration to those priests who had succeeded them in Auckland, and Father Ormond would look back with pleasure to his years in the diocese, where we had the example of such noble pioneers to guide and encourage us. Speaking on behalf of the Cathedral parish, he could say that the. people appreciated Father Ormond’s work. There was no parish where a closer tie existed between priests and people than in St. Patrick’s parish, and as Administrator he would speak of the earnest and zealous labors of those associated with himnamely, Rev. Fathers Ormond and Doherty, and whose loss he felt most keenly. The speaker then happily suggested how Father Ormond could achieve success in his new sphere by impressing on the mind of his Grace the Apostolic Delegate, the charms and beauties of New Zealand, and thus ensure the honor of an early visit of Archbishop Cerretti to our shores. The pleasure of that visit would be enhanced by the fact that Father Ormond would be included in the party of their honored visitor. Monsignor Brodie concluded by saying that he could vouch for the fact that the address conveyed the heartfelt wishes of the people, and the concluding words : ‘ May God bless you and grant you length of days to labor with continued success in His holy cause,’ constitute the prayer of Father Ormond a friends the priests and people of Auckland. , • Right Rev. Monsignor Gillan, on behalf of the clergy, spoke of the honor don© to the diocese in the fact that one of our priests had been appointed to such an honorable post as secretary to the Papal Delegate. The appointment had been unexpected and unsought, and this was an augury of Father Ormond’s success.

He was undertaking his new duties by virtue of obedience to the Holy Father, and that obedience was the best assurance of the success that was to follow. The widespread empire of holy faith was shown by the fact that in the Apostolic Delegation, accompanying the Ambassador of the Holy Father, was a priest from New Zealand, brought up in our own midst, one whom his, brother priests were glad to honor. The Auckland clergy were privileged to be able to show their allegiance to the Holy Father by seeing one of their number associated with the Apostolic Delegation, and Father Ormond’s new duties would constitute an additional bond of affection and devotion between the diocese of Auckland and the Holy See. Very Rev. Father -Holbrook, Chancellor of the Diocese, in making the presentation on behalf of the clergy, recalled to mind the time when the guest of the evening left the shores of New Zealand to go to distant Ireland to pursue his studies for the priesthood. Having spent some years in that land of faith, his steps were directed to Rome, where he spent five years in the famous College of the Propaganda, then returned to his own homeland, * God’s own country,’ where he has labored as a priest for seven years. Now, he was called, to a work, which necessitated his leaving the diocese, for how long ? It was impossible to say. His brother priests would not allow the occasion to pass without marking their appreciation of the honor bestowed upon Father Ormond, and of his many priestly qualities. The gift they offered and the cheque accompanying would serve to remind Father Ormond of his brother priests in Auckland, and the speaker could truthfully assert that the gifts although generous, but feebly represented the deep and genuine esteem in which Father Ormond was held by his brother priests. He concluded by wishing him hon voyage and every success in his new sphere. The address from the parishioners of the Cathedral parish was read by Mr. A. J. Woodley, and was as follows : 1 Reverend and dear Father Ormond,—The notification of your appointment to the important position of private secretary to the Most Rev. Archbishop Cerretti, Apostolic Delegate for Australasia, confers on you an honor which will give pleasure to your parishioners of the Cathedral parish, and to your many friends throughout New. Zealand. We all feel this to be an occasion when we exemplified the wonderful bond existing between our Holy Father the Pope and his spiritual children throughout the world, and we deem it a great privilege that a priest of our diocese has been chosen to be so closely .associated with the representative of the Chief Pastor of Christendom. We know that you are possessed of qualities which will enable you to capably discharge the duties attached to your new office. Your seven years of priestly work in our midst have won for you a high place in our affection and esteem ; your interest in the children, especially in the little orphans, has shown a tenderness and sympathy which have won for you many a prayer of heartfelt gratitude ; your devotion to your priestly work is a safe assurance of the success which we know will ever attend your efforts. Our’ one regret is that your new duties will take you away from the diocese of Auckland, but our interest in your welfare will have with it a strong wish to see you amongst us again. We offer you our hearty congratulations on the honor that has been conferred upon you, and we ask you to accept the accompanying gift as a souvenir of your work in our midst, and of the happy relations which have always existed between you and your people. w ‘ May God bless you and grant you length of years to work with continued success in His holy cause. ‘ Signed on behalf of the parishioners of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, ‘ P. J. Nerheny (Chairman), • i , A. J. Woodley (Hon. Secretary).’ ?• The following address from the Hibernian Society was read by Bro. W. Kane, secretary and past president :

Dear Reverend Father ,—, the officers and members of the St. Patrick’s ; branch, No. 81/, H.A.C.B. Society, a few short years ago-tendered you on your arrival from Rome. a hearty “Cead mile failte.” To-day we congratulate you on being chosen secretary to the Papal Delegate, an honor so distinguished that our hearts rejoice with gratitude and appreciation as we behold in it a fitting tribute to your exemplary piety, your zeal and loving Care of all, and especially the orphans upon whom you have bestowed a merciful and

tender care. You have endeared yourself to us by your ardent love for dear old Ireland, to which the majority of us are by birth or descent so ardently attached. Your deep and active interest in our society, in whose ranks we proudly number you as a brother, causes us to rejoice at the signal honor conferred upon you. We regret sincerely your departure from us, but as a priest of Holy Church you have readily responded to the call of duty, hence we are deprived of your eminent services and ever genial presence. ‘ We shall ever cherish fond memories of you, and with unabated interest we shall follow your labors in the cause of our Divine Master. When your mind wanders back to ‘ God’s own country,’ the land of your birth, as it surely will, we ask of you a little prayer: “God’s blessings be upon my dear old friends in Auckland,’’ and in return we shall constantly remember you in our prayers. ‘ Signed on behalf of the branch, ‘ E. T. Miskell (President), A. J. Woodley, • (Vice-president), Very Rev. H. F. Holbrook (Past President), D. Flynn (Treasurer), W. Kane (Secretary).’ Rev. Father Ormond, who, on rising to reply, was received with rounds of applause, said : To state that he was delighted at the manifestations of the clergy and laity shown to him that night but very inadequately conveyed what he felt and thought. He must say that his new appointment meant a very big sacrifice to him, entailing as it did a separation from, his kind friends amongst the laity and his brother priests, and those who were near and dear to him. The

addresses and valuable gifts which he had received would ever remind him of his many happy years as a priest in Auckland. To his Lordship the Bishop and the clergy, he would always feel deeply grateful. Fie availed himself of the opportunity of thanking the laity for their readiness to co-operate with him in the many works with which he was associated. He thanked the members of the various confraternities and sodalities, especially the choir, whose efforts had been to him, as a lover of music, such an inspiration. Wherever his duties might call him he would ever remember tlfe beautiful music of St. Patrick’s Cathedral Choir. The gathering that evening enabled him to say good-bye to his many friends on whom it would be impossible, for him to call. He begged them all to remember him in their prayers, and he, in return, would never forget them. Father Ormond feelingly concluded his remarks with the words: ‘ Good-bye, and may God bless you all.’ ■The following musical programme was given during the evening : —Overture, Mr. Harry Fliscocks ; song, ‘A perfect day,’ Miss M. McCafferty; recitation, ‘One in a thousand,’ Mr. E. Casey; song, ‘Prince Charming,’ Mrs. "Hansen song, ‘My task,’ Miss E. Carrigan; song, ‘ The Bedouin love song,’ Mr. J. 11. Egan. Mr. Harry Hiscocks was accompanist. At the conclusion of proceedings the audience sang ‘ God save Ireland,’ ‘ Auld lang syne,’ and ‘ God save the King.’ At the'call of Monsignor Brodie three hearty cheers were given for Father Ormond.