SILVER JUBILEE OF FATHER COFFEY

New Zealand Tablet, 24 June 1915, Page 23

SILVER JUBILEE OF FATHER COFFEY

PRESENTATIONS FROM THE LAITY ' It was only by the merest chance that the Catholics of Dunedin found out a few weeks ago that the silver jubilee of the ordination to the priesthood of the Very Rev. Father Coffey, Adm., St. Joseph’s Cathedral, .would, occur this ' month. A meeting was held, during his absence from Dunedin, for the purpose of nTarking in some measure the important event in the life of their pastor, and of showing him how much thh people appreciated his zeal for their spiritual welfare and for the temporal affairs of the parish. It was necessary to proceed quietly in the matter, as it was felt that if the jubilarian heard of the proposed presentation he would immediately veto it. The result was that it was considered inadvisable at present to- give a monetary presentation, and 'it was decided that the occasion should be celebrated by a social gathering and the presentation of a gold chalice. The event took place in St. Joseph’s Hall on Wednesday evening, when there was a very large attendance, and the utmost enthusiasm was shown. His Lordship the Bishop attended, and among the priests present were Rev. Fathers Delany, D. O’Neill, Mdrkane, Collins, Corcoran, and Kavanagh, The stage was arranged in the form of a drawingroom, and looked very attractive with its decorations, screens, pot plants, etc. The decorations of the stage were carried out by Mesdames Jackson and Foster, and Miss Heley, assisted by Messrs. McNamara and Yule. In the front of the stage were the dates in silver letters —‘lß9o-1915.’

■ Mr. T. J. Hussey presided, and supporting him were Messrs. J. Hally, J. J. Marlow, J. O’Neill, and P. Carolin. A musical programme was given, and the presentations were made at an interval.

Mr. T. J. Hussey said that as chairman of the presentation committee he had been asked to say a few words before reading the address. It was not necessary for him to say much, as they all knew Father Coffey, and what he had done and was doing in the parish. It was said that what the British Empire required was strong men, the Catholic Church wanted strong men too, and the Catholics of Dunedin were fortunate in having a strong man in Father Coffey. He had been a considerable number of years in the district— l 7 years altogether in South Dunedin and at the Cathedral, — and he (the speaker) did not think there was anybody present who was not aware of the good work which their rev. guest had done during that time. When the question of marking his jubilee was considered it was felt, considering the many calls made just now on the people, that it would be inadvisable to make a public appeal to the people for a monetary testimonial. The committee felt, too, that any such appeal in these strenuous times would be very repugnant to Father Coffey. Later on, when there was no war in progress, and when it was likely Father Coffey would take a trip to the land of his birth, such an appeal would be made, and this would have the most earnest and whole,hearted support of the Catholics of Dunedin. Here in this city they had evidence of his courage and ability in the way in which he had undertaken the work of erecting the Christian Brothers’ School, which it was expected would be opened free of debt. This was only one of the.many works which he had carried out during the short period that he had been here. Not alone was Father Coffey highly esteemed by his own people, but ; also by non-Catholics, for there was no clergyman in the city who had won the respect of the citizens to such an extent. ‘ Father Coffey’s zeal and devotedness as a priest appealed most strongly to his people, but it often occurred to the speaker that if their rev. guest that evening had not entered the sacred ministry he would have made his mark in business, or even as a politician (laughter). , With these few words, he would read the following address from the Catholic laity of Dunedin to til® Very Rev. Father Coffey;

THE ADDRESS. ‘Very Rev. and Dear Father, - -rv : • ‘The laity of St. ; Joseph’s Cathedral parish, Dunedxn and of the adjoining parishes of South Dunedin, North-East Valley, Kaikorai, and Morningtoh, offer you their sincere and affectionate congratulations on the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of your ordination. You have spent nearly the whole of the last twenty-five years in this diocese, and during the last seventeen, years the parishes in arid’around Dunedin have been so fortunate as to have been the sphere of your labors. How much these parishes owe to you it is impossible in this address even to indicate. The life of a priest is always strenuous yours as Administrator has been full of unceasing and responsible work, undertaken with cheerful courage and performed with marked ability, energy, and success. No task has been too great to deter you, or too trivial to escape your attention. We have had in you a public representative in philanthropic work, whose abilities have reflected credit on the whole Catholic body. Succeeding generations of Dunedin Catholics will admire the enduring effects of your tireless efforts for the various Catholic institutions in our midst; and there is hardly one of your parishioners that has not to acknowledge individually the benefit of the unceasing interest you have taken in all of us. Your work amongst us has earned for you the respect and confidence of the whole community and the enthusiastic affection and admiration of your own people. ' ■' '

‘ We ask you to accept from us, as a small memento of your jubilee and a token of our feelings to you, the accompanying chalice. During the many useful years that we trust are before you we ask you to remember us in your prayers, as we promise to remember you in ours.

; Signed on behalf of the Catholic laity of Dunedin, ‘ T. J. Hussey, John Hally. ‘ Dunedin, June 15, 1915.' At the conclusion of the reading of the address the audience rose and sang ‘ For he’s a jolly good fellow,’ and gave ringing cheers for Father Coffey. The address, which was artistically illuminated, and framed in oak, was accompanied by a gold chalice. Other presentations were also made. Mr. Poppelwell/ on behalf of St. Joseph’s Choir, made a presentation of a handsome umbrella; Mr. J. Hally presented, on behalf of the A.M.D.G. Guild, a surplice with beautiful Irish crochet, the work of the members, and Mr. Carolin made the presentation of a picture from the Children of Mary. Mr. J. J. Marlow said he had been deputed by the people of South Dunedin to offer their hearty congratulations to Father Coffey on this auspicious occasion, for they had in that district many striking monuments to his energy and business capacity. When he was appointed to South Dunedin there was no convent, and the church was only partially completed. When he left a convent had been erected, and the church was completed and furnished. In carrying out this work Father Coffey displayed marked ability, and - the people did not forget it. Twenty-five years did not seem a long time when we looked back on it, but it was not so when we looked forward; still, he hoped that Father Coffey’s next twenty-five years would be crowned with every blessing, and that his golden jubilee would find him hale and hearty.

- His Lordship Bishop Verdon said he had been asked to say a few words, and he had the greatest pleasure in complying with the request. The priests of the diocese were closely united in the bonds of fraternal charity, they discharged their duties faithfully, and therefore the people appreciated their efforts and entertained for them sentiments of love and reverence. Father Coffey had been Administrator of the Cathedral parish for ten years, and he and the other priests had worked most zealously, and had always been ready, day or night, to labor for the spiritual welfare

of the people. They had known Father Coffey for many years, and were aware of what he had done in the parish. The people • had responded to the '* call of their priests, and the result, was that the churches were well attended, and the ■ people fulfilled their religious duties. A silver jubilee was a time of rejoicing, and the people made it an occasion of making their priest a presentation as a mark of their love and esteem. * Father Coffey deserved all that the people had done for him, as he had labored with great zeal and success, and they had only to look about-them to ; see the works he had carried out. The erection- of the Christian Brothers’ School would be- a lasting memorial to him. In conclusion, his Lordship said he had attended that evening with very great pleasure, and he heartily appreciated the spirit displayed by the people in showing their love for Father Coffey, who, he prayed, would be given strength and vigor, and length of days, so that, „at the end of another twenty-five ‘ years, he would celebrate his golden jubilee. FATHER COFFEY’S REPLY.

Very Rev. Father Coffey, who, on rising to reply, was received with long continued applause, said that in the first place he had to thank his Lordship the Bishop for his attendance —an honor which he fully appreciated. His Lordship had been blessed in having such a loyal and devoted body of clergy. The intimate relations which existed between the priests of the diocese was due to the example of the older men, who were here when he (Father Coffey) arrived. There was among them a spirit of 'unanimity and fellowship which ’ was always shown when they were called upon to assist any good cause. They were always ready to assist one another in the interests of the Church and Catholicity in general. He thanked the neighboring priests for their presence that evening, and those of the Cathedral for their good workbetter workers could not be found. The priests of South Dunedin were always ready to assist at the Cathedral when required, and he desired to thank the priests of Holy Cross College, who, since the college was founded, had always been most willing to give their services when called upon. Such assistance and good fellowship were a great consolation to the whole of the priests of the diocese. The priests live lonely lives, and are often in need of encouragement, especially the young men when they come out to the Dominion, and have few friends. Ho had always received the greatest consideration from his fellow priests, and it was his greatest happiness to look back on the twenty-five years he had spent in the diocese, and recall the amicable relations which had existed between him and the other priests, and the many kindnesses he had received at their hands. lie was afraid that the expressions regarding his worth and work in the speeches and address were too flattering, as without the generous co-operation of the people he could not do much. With regard to the presentations, he considered that a public appeal at the present time would be cruel. He had carefully concealed the fact that his silver jubilee occurred this year, so that no appeal should be made, and no one was more surprised than he when the priests of the diocese sprung their presentation upon him. It was only a short time ago that an appeal was made on behalf of the building fund of the school, and this met with a splendid response, and he hoped, as predicted by Mr. Hussey, it would be opened free of debt. It was stated - by Mr. Hussey that he had displayed great courage in undertaking the erection of the. school, especially at the commencement of the war when the financial outlook was anything but encouraging. He could not take all the credit to himself in collecting for the school, as he had received valuable ■ assistance from the Cathedral priests. - The school, which would be finished in a few weeks' would be a monument to the generosity of the Catholics of Dunedin, and would be one of the best of its kind in the Dominion,’ taking into account the number of children that it was supposed to accommodate. He,'-expressed: his pleasure at seeing so many of the ■ South (Dunedin people present, as he had always a warm;.scibifner his heart for 'them. In his work there he*. had received considerable assistance in regard

to the convent and orphanage from 1 the Sisters of He paid a tribute to the generosity of, and the respect shown him by the non-Catholics of Dunedin. He had assisted with pleasure at the various public functions to which he had been invited, and it was a delight to him to take pact, in anything that called for • his services. No "priests-could have pleasanter surroundings than those of ' the Cathedral parish, and the strong : and earnest spirit of Catholicity of the people made the life of the priests happy. As to himself, he had received nothing but the greatest kindness ever since he Came here. He sincerely thanked the different organisations for the presentations made to him as a testimony of their appreciation. tie was exceedingly grateful not alone to the people of Dunedin but also to many kind friends throughout New Zealand for the help they had given him to erect the new school. At the present time

many of our young men were about to proceed to the front, and it was the duty of the clergy to encourage and help these in every way, and to see that they, and those who were dependent on them, were not neglected. He assured the people from his heart that he highly appreciated their kindness and generosity, and the sacrifices they had made to respond to the calls mad© upon them. If he had succeeded in anyway it was due in a measure to the fact that he had followed in the footsteps of two good men — Fathers Lynch and Murphy who had preceded him. Father Coffey resumed his seat amidst rounds of applause, and the audience sang For he’s a jolly good fellow.’ Those contributing to the programme were : Mr. F. Woods, song; Miss Eileen Murphy and Mr. Poppelwell, duet (‘ Home to our mountains’); Mr. Carolin, song (‘The minstrel boy’); Mrs. E. Mee, song (encored); Mr. E. Mee, song (encored) ; -Mr.- McGrath, song (encored) ;• Mr. Hussey, song (encored.) ; Miss Heffernan, song (‘ Mother Machree ’) ; Miss Foster, recitation (‘ The knight’s toast,’ encored). Mr. Yallis and Mrs. E. Mee played the accompaniments for the singers. The programme concluded with the National Anthem.

CHRISTIAN BROTHERS AND THEIR PUPILS. On Wednesday fiibrnitig-, June 16, the' pupils of the Christian Brothers’ School assembled in St. Joseph’s Hall, Rattray street, for the purpose of making a presentation to the Very Rev, Father Coffey. His Lordship the Bishop, Rev. Fathers Buckley, Corcoran, and D. O’Neill occupied' seats on the platform!.

Rev. Brother O’Ryan, in a few introductory remarks, said that they were gathered together that morning to do honor to their worthy Administrator, who was celebrating the twenty-fifth anniversary'of • his ordination to the priesthood. They ..were there to jubilate with him in the joy which must have inundated Father Coffey’s heart when, he travelled on the wings of memory to the happy day of his ordination five and twenty golden years ago. ■ Their sentiments with regard to Father Coffey would be more happily voiced in the address to be presented to him. that morning than words of his could then express.. Brother O’Ryan then called on Master Charles Woods to read the following

Address. " ‘Very Rev. and dear Father, —We, the pupils of the Christian Brothers’ School, gladly avail ourselves of the occurrence of ’ the silver jubilee of your ordination,' to offer you, in conjunction with the Brothers, our heartfelt congratulations, to wish you most sincerely every blessing, and to assure, you of our affectionate esteem and reverence. We rejoice to see that twentyfive years of arduous labor in the vineyard of the Lord have not impaired the vitality of the splendid constitution with which God has blessed you. We cannot look back on such-a long period of your priestly career, but we know from the attestations of those among whom you have labored that you have been uniformly remarkable for the exercise of the virtues becoming one consecrated to God. Your zeal in fulfilling the’ exacting duties of the sacerdotal state has ever been ' the distinguishing virtue of a life wholly devoted to the spiritual -and temporal welfare of those who come under' your fatherly care. To us it is a subject of pride that- our priests are held in such high estimation by all classes in the community —a happy state of affairs due not only to the holy influence of their lives, but-also in no small degree to the conspicuous ability ’and judgment displayed by you as a public representative of the Catholic body. The occasion of your silver jubilee, which by a happy coincidence corresponds almost to "a day with the completion of our splendid new -.‘school, gives us an opportunity of expressing to you, our deep and lasting gratitude for the part you have taken in bringing such a great and necessary work, which concerns-ms most personally, to a successful conclusion.- As a slight token of "our gratitude, and as an appreciation on our

behalf of your personal worth as a priest and of . your success as a wise and able Administrator, we ask you toaccept the accompanying gift. . , v- ‘ In conclusion, we - again tender you our cordial felicitations on this happy occasion. Our earnest prayer shall be that God may long preserve you to continue your great services to the Church, and that day by day He may shower upon you His choicest blessings. ‘ Signed on behalf of • the Brothers, M. B. O’Ryan. ’ ‘ Signed on behalf of the boys, ‘ C. Woods, L. Salmon.’ After the presentation of the address, Brother O’Ryan presented Father Coffey with a gold pyx. -- -- Very Rev. Father Coffey, on rising to respond, •was greeted with loud applause. He thanked the Brothers and boys for their congratulations and good wishes, and also for the presentations they had made him. He was pleased to be able to tell them that they would soon be able to take possession of the new school which, when fully fitted up, would be second to none in New Zealand. lie urged the boys to remain on in school for a few years after gaining their proficiency certificates. Knowledge was no burden, and the training they would thereby receive would prove of inestimable value in after life, and would prepare them for entering upon professional careers. Father Coffey concluded his address with a, request that the remainder of the day be observed as a holiday. His Lordship the Bishop said that it gave him very great pleasure to be present at such a pleasant function, and to see the boys gathering round their pastor with such evident signs of affection, esteem, and gratitude. Father Coffey deserved their best thanks for his work in connection with the erection of the new school. His Lordship concluded by earnestly exhorting the boys to keep in close touch after their school days with their priests and teachers, whom they would find to be their most faithful friends and advisers.

At intervals during the proceedings the school choir, under the baton of Mr. J. C. Gillies, sang in their usual finished style, several songs, the rendering of which was considerably enhanced by the artistic accompaniment of Miss C. Hughes. Cheers for Father Coffey, and a hearty vote of thanks to his Lordship for honoring the gathering with his presence, brought the pleasant function to a close. THE DOMINICAN NUNS AND THEIR PUPILS. On Wednesday, the 16th inst., the silver jubilee of the ordination of the Very Father Coffey was celebrated at St. Dominic’s Priory. * At the Mass offered in the

Priory chapel by .the rev: jubilarian on the anniversary of A his first Mass, twenty-five years ago, selections r from the Mass for Corpus Christ! were sung by the Dominican Nuns’ Choir, the motet, ‘ Ti prego' being sung at the Offertory. After Mass, Father Coffey was entertained at breakfast by Mother Prioress and the community. - On Thursday morning the pupils of St. Joseph’s School paid their tribute of affection and gratitude to the jubilarian. The short programme which they presented was highly appreciated, as was also their congratulatory address, and the gift that accompanied it— a handsome dressing-case. Father Coffey thanked the pupils for their entertainment, and congratulated them on the fact that their school ranked as one of the best in Otago. The twenty-five years of his life as a priest had, he said, been very happy years, and if the next twenty-five passed as peacefully and happily, he would not have any objection to offer to the fulfilment of the wish expressed by the pupils that he should live to celebrate his golden jubilee. . The pupils of the Sacred Heart School, North-East Valley, entertained .Father Coffey and some of his fellow-priests at a concert held in honor of the occasion. The principal items were some instrumental music, a cantata, ‘ Flower fairies,’ and a play, ‘ The Princess of Meath.’ At the conclusion of the concert, a beautiful mohair saddlebag chair was presented, and the following address was read :

‘ Very Rev and dear Father, — It is our proud privilege to greet you on the occasion of the silver jubilee of your ordination to the priesthood, and to show, as best we may, our appreciation of your devoted labors in our behalf. Since the sacerdotal character was imprinted on your soul twenty-five years ago, you have worked amongst the people of this diocese, setting an example of strong faith, genuine piety, and true disinterestedness. You have not sought popular favor, and yet you have won the regard of all your fellowcitizens, and have shed around you that security which is always enjoyed by those whose lives are set high. . ‘We pray that you may be long spared to continue, in our midst, the work of the Divine Master, and we beg you to accept our jubilee gift as a mark of our love and devotion. ‘The Pupils of the Sacred Heart School.’ Very Rev. Father Coffey thanked the pupils for the afternoon’s entertainment, and for their useful gift, and spoke in terms of high praise of the efficiency of their school.

The children attending St. Mary’s School, Kaikorai, had prepared a number of most pleasing-items in celebration of Father Coffey’s jubilee. Their gift was a silver ‘ 80l a savonnette.’ While expressing their gratitude to Father Coffey for his deep, untiring interest in the welfare of their school, they joined heartily in the wish expressed on all sides that his years might be 'With golden jubilee crowned.’ This (Thursday) evening Father Coffey will be entertained at a musical evening by the students of St. Dominic’s College.

SISTERS OF MERCY, SOUTH DUNEDIN. The Sisters of Mercy, South Dunedin, presented Very Rev. Father Coffey with a suit-case and dressingcase combined. The children of the St. Vincent de Paul Orphanage intended to give an entertainment in his honor, but owing to illness among the inmates this had to be postponed.