Greymouth

New Zealand Tablet, 2 August 1917, Page 30

Greymouth

(From our own correspondent.)

July 23. Ihe West Coast was favored with a visit from his Lordship Bishop Brodie, who journeyed to Hokitika to attend the jubilee celebrations at St. Columkille’s Convent. His Lordship was the guest of the Very Rev. Dean Carew, S.M., on Friday last, and during the day he visited the parish schools at Runanga, Brunner, Cobden, and Greymouth. His Lordship left by Saturday morning’s express for Christchurch.

The Rev. Father Menard, S.M., who has been transferred back to Ohakuue, speaking at the send-off tendered him on Sunday last at the St. Columba Hall, referred to the excellent educational facilities which the parish of Greymouth possessed. He said, that as far as he knew, there was not another parish in New Zealand which possessed such excellent schools, and great credit was due to the Very Rev. Dean Carew for the splendid work he had accomplished in the parish. VALEDICTORY. At the conclusion of devotions at St. Patrick's Church on Sunday evening, July 22, the parishioners assembled at the St. Columba Hall to bid farewell to Rev. Father Menard, S.M.. who is under orders to return to Ohakune, the parish in which he labored for several years. The Very Rev. Dean Carew, who presided, said that he regretted very much losing the services of such a zealous priest as the Rev. Father Menard had proved himself to be during the very short time he had worked in the parish. He was pleased, however, that the Rev. Father was returning to Ohakuue to complete the great work he had commenced in that parish. He (the speaker) felt sure that if he displayed the same zeal and energy as he had shown during his short stay in Greymouth his labors would be crowned with success.

Speaking on behalf of the parishioners, Mr. H. F. Doogan said that although Father Menard’s stay in the parish had been very brief, still during the few months he had worked here he had succeeded in endearing himself to the whole of the parishioners. He had worked in a quiet, unassuming way, and, although his work here was appreciated, it was also appreciated in Ohakune, as his late parishioners did not rest content until they had secured his return. This was, he thought, the best evidence of the Rev. Father's zeal and devotedness, and he could assure him that the parishioners of Greymouth deeply regretted his early departure from their midst. Although it was the Rev. Father’s ambition to leave here in the same quiet way as that in which he had carried out all his work, the parishioners thought otherwise, and on their behalf, he had great pleasure in asking Father Menard to accept a well-filled purse, which he hoped would be used by him to further the good works which he had had in hand at. Ohakune. The Rev. Father Peoples, S.M., also spoke in eulogy of the zeal and devotedness of the departing priest. ° Master McSherry, on behalf of the altar boys, presented Father Menard with a parting gift. The Rev. Father Menard, in response, spoke of the kind and generous treatment he had received from the Very Rev. Dean Carew and the people of Greymouth. He thanked them all for their generous gifts, which would be devoted to the cause next his heart—that was the education of the children. He would put the money towards the erection of a school at Ohakune, which parish did not enjoy any of the facilities Greymouth enjoyed, and he hoped to place the purse under the foundation stone at an early date. He sincerely thanked the parishioners, and he hoped to again be able to renew their acquaintance. The singing of “Auld Lang Syne” brought a very pleasant and successful function to a close.

During the day the Rev. Father was the recipient of presentations from the Children of Mary, Altar Society, and the Brunner parishioners.