FAREWELL TO FATHER CARRAN, ORMOND

New Zealand Tablet, 18 March 1915, Page 45

FAREWELL TO FATHER CARRAN, ORMOND

There was a large and enthusiastic assembly at the Ormond Hall on Monday evening when a farewell was accorded to Father Carran on the eve of his departure to take charge of the .Cambridge parish (says the Gisborne Times of March 10). Mr. T. Quirk presided and there were on the platform Fathers Carran, Lane, and O’Malley (whoj.s succeeding Father Carran), Messrs. W. D. S. MacDPald, D. J. Parker, McLeod, C. Neenan, and G. O’Donovan. 1 lie chairman, in an appreciative speech, referred to the splendid work and many good qualities of Father Carran, and all that he had achieved in the three years that he had been in charge of the parish, making special mention of the fact that during that period the sum of •£BOO had been paid into Church property belonging to the parish. At the same time the chairman extended a hearty welcome to Father O’Malley, his successor. He then read and presented Father Carran with an illuminated address, which was as follows: ‘ It is with feelings of deep regret that we, the Catholics of Ormond parish, learn that you are about to leave us, and we now take this opportunity of conveying to you our heartfelt thanks for your devotion to our spiritual needs, and for the many personal sacrifices undertaken on our behalf. It is now three years since you took charge of Ormond Parish, and when we, consider the difficulties you have had to contend with it is almost incredible that you have been able to perform so much in so short a time. Our parish is one of the largest and most difficult of access in the Dominion, and the amount of travelling that you have had to undertake has made your task a most difficult one. Notwithstanding all the obstacles you have had to surmount you have performed your sacred duties with cheerfulness and with an entire disregard for personal comfort that has earned for you the enduring gratitude and devotion of all classes of the community. The beautiful and valuable section of land that has been secured for church purposes at Ormond will ever stand as a memorial to your foresight and keen judgment. We are deeply grieved that your health has been considerably undermined by the strenuous work while with us. We trust, however, that under more favorable conditions you will be soon restored to your former robust health and vigor, and live many years to enjoy God’s choicest blessings. The work that you have so nobly carried out here will be continued by others, but your memory will be cherished by those who have had the privilege of being associated with you, and your example will be an inspiration to us while we live.’ After the reading of the address the chairman handed Father Carran a cheque for a sum running into three figures. Eulogistic speeches were also made by Rev. Father Lane, Messrs. W. D. S. MacDonald, McLeod, Parker, and Donovan, who spoke of the way in which the departing priest had turthered the prospects of the parish and the high respect he had gained in the three years he had been in the district. Rev. Father Carran replied in a few feeling remarks to the high tributes payed him, and thanked the parishioners for the handsome gifts he had received. The following contributed the musical and vocal part of the programme: —Pianoforte duet, Misses Neenan; songs, Miss Marooney, Mr. G. R. Downey; monologue, Mr. R. Howell; song, Mr. Hobbs (Ormond). The accompaniments were played by-Mrs. Grayson. The chairman, having thanked the artists, on the motion of Mr. MacDonald a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the chairman for presiding. Light refreshments were then handed round, and the audience joined in the singing of 1 Auld lang syne.’