Funeral Obsequies of Father P. O’Neill, Winton

New Zealand Tablet, Volume L, Issue 27, 12 July 1923, Page 31

Funeral Obsequies of Father P. O’Neill, Winton

As we went to press on the morning of ‘funeral of the lamented pastor of Minton it was impossible to obtain a full or accurate account of the ceremonies which attended the interment in the Southern town where he labored and died. We notice also that the names of Very Rev. Father O’Donnell, Gore; Rev. Father Farthing, Lawrence; and Rev. Father Howard, Milton, were omitted by some mistake from the list of priests who were present. The Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated in presence of a large congregation by Father AlacMullen, Ranfurly;' the Deacon was Rev. dames Lynch, Wrey’s Rush; the subdeacon, Rev. P. O'Neill, South Dunedin; and the master of ceremonies, Rev. James Foley, Adm. A choir of the clergy rendered the beautiful Gregorian chant lor the Mass and for the Absolution at the catafalque. , At the end of the ceremonies in the church, the Very Rev. Dean Burke pronounced a panegyric on the deceased priest. In a'short address of masterly taste' and simplicity he told the people of those virtues which made Father Neill not only a model pastor hut also a shining example to his brother-priests. The apcslolate of good -example was peculiarly his. His daily life, his conversation, his meekness, his devotion to Ids flock, , his whole-hearted interest in his'parish, were things known to all the clergy, and not lost on them. t His life was his best preaching, and it bore splendid fruit. It was so from the beginning; in St. Colman’s College, in Mount Mellaray Abbey, in St. John’s College where he was ordained. In the halls of the latter institution there was a tablet on which was engraved for the warning and encouragement of the clerical students, the solemn words of the Council of Trent concerning the spirit of the priesthood. These words, always before the eyes of the students, sank into Father O’Neill’s heart and* were never forgotten. They reminded him constantly of the dignity of his vocation; they bore fruit in his life as a missionary priest, of whom it could be said at the end of his labors that he had been an example to us all. After the ceremonies in the church, the.funeral started for the cemetery. In the large congregation present we had already %n indication of the esteem and affection in which Father O’Neill was held by the Catholic people, not only of Winton, but also of the neighboring parishes. As the solemn cortege passed along the streets it was remarked that the shops were closed along the route as a final mark of reverence for the deceased. Another beautiful tribute to his memory was paid by the band which marched in the procession, playing the solemn “Dead March” in “Saul” until the graveside was reached. The Last Prayers were read by Fathers James O’Neill and P. O’Donnell, and the Benedictus was sung by a choir of the clergy.—R.l.P. i ,