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SUDDEN DEATH of REV.
DANIEL HORAN.
THE above sad event occurred on
Friday afternoon, 15th inst., about
5 o'clock, at St. Bernard's presby-
tery, Bacchus Marsh. Father
Horan had been in poor health for
some time past, but felt better that
day almost up to the moment he
expired. He was talking in his
verandah with Mr P. O'Hagan,
and went to his room. A few
minutes afterwards Mr O'Hagan
heard an exclamation and went into
the house, where, with Father
Horan's housekeeper, he found him
in a state of collapse in his bed
room, to which he had retired. He
muttered a few words, and was then
lifeless-heart weakness being the
cause. He was in his 56th year.
Dr O'Sullivan and Dr Vance had
warned him of his danger some
months back.
Father Horan was widely respect-
ted, as he was diligent and kindly,
but unobtrusive, and unpretentious.
Several persons who knew him in-
timately have stated that he never
said an unkind word of anyone;
and that was mentioned by Dean
Phelan, on Monday, when conclude-
ing the church ceremonies in St.
Bernard's church before the funeral
procession set out for Maddingley
cemetery, where the deceased was
buried.
The church was crowded on Mon-
day morning, when some 85 priests
were present, in white surplices.
Archbishop Carr could not attend,
as he was absent at Berwick hold-
ing a confirmation service. Dean
Phelan, Vicar-General, presided,
and Rev Father Collins, of South
Melbourne, was principal celebrant
of high mass. He was a fellow
student with Father Horan. The
service was sung in Latin, and was
very impressive, also pathetic, on
that bright sunny morning, with
birds flying in and out the open
doors and windows. The strong,
unaccompanied, voices of the priests
had a solemn wailing effect. The
polished oak coffin was placed with
in the altar rails, with three candles
on either side; and the gold chalice
presented to Father Horan was on
the coffin.
The altar was draped in black.
At the conclusion of the lengthy
ritual of service for the dead, which
included requiem mass and high
mass, and solemn absolution, with
the use of incense and much sing-
ing and marching by the clergy
grouped round the coffin, the Ven-
erable Vicar-General, Dean Phelan,
in a few impressive sentences, urged
the congregation to continue the
arduous work so assiduously carried
out with abundant kindness and
good-judgment by their late friend
and pastor, the Rev Daniel Horan,
for 22 long years. He had left an
imperishable memorial in church
and presbytery, convent school and
church, and churches in other parts
of his large parish. Silently, with-
out pause or ostentation, he devoted
his life to his church and congrega-
tion, and especially to the young
people. He had met him upon
many occasions, and discussed many
subjects intimately associated with
the duties of his office, and never
heard him speak an unkind word
of anyone. His work would do
him infinite credit for generations
to come. Their prayers were due
to him for the rest of their lives,
and in the holy services of their
church they had ample opportuni-
ties of offering them.
A similar service, called the
month's mind, will follow in a
month.
The procession to the cemetery
was over a mile long, and included
113 vehicles and 20 horsemen. All
denominations were represented,
and the Rev. C. A. Brewer (Church
of England) and Rev. B. Williams
(Presbyterian) were present. They
had also made commendatory refer-
ences on Sunday to Father Horan's
character. The children of St. Bern-
ard's school, also the Hibernian
Society, walked in front of the
hearse all the way to and from the
cemetery. Fortunately the day was
beautifully fine. Mr C. F. Hegarty
was most useful, as he always is in
all church matters, in supervising
the arranging of details. Mr C. E.
Wynne was undertaker.
Among friends present was Mr
Coomber, the well-known choir
master, who frequently assisted
Father Horan's concerts.
The service at the cemetery was
brief, and consisted only of chant-
ing by the priests.
Father Horan built up the Cath-
olic cause in his parish (or mission,
as it is sometimes called) more than
any of his predecessors did; and it
is estimated that up to £10,000 has
been expended during his pastorate.
He gave great attention to main-
taining the day school conducted
by the Sisters of St. Joseph; and
several groups of children who
passed through St. Bernard's school,
and are now out in the world, are
much indebted to him and to the
Nuns for the foundation of secular
and religous knowledge they secured
for them.
The first priest at Bacchus Marsh,
we have been told, was Father
Hooligan, who came of a good
family, and he left Australia about
25 years ago. The Catholic church
in his day was situated at Hope-
toun (where the only consecrated
Catholic cemetery remains.) Mr
Leahy gave the land, and is buried
there. Leahy's hotel is now the
Hopetoun homestead of the Miller
property. Another authority says
that Dean Dowling, of Keilor, was
in charge of Bacchus Marsh in early
50's, and perhaps Father Hooligan
was an assistant. Other priests
have been Father O'Connell, who
died here; he collected the first
subscription for the present St.
Bernard's church; Father O'Calla-
ghan (now dead) then of Gisborne,
completed the church; Father W.
O'Brien followed; Father Ryan
came for a short time; and then
Father Horan; his assistant at the
present time being Father O'Sulli-
van, a nephew of Dr O'Sullivan.
It is expected that he will have
charge for a time, with assistance,
until a permanent appointment is
made, which is a matter for careful
consideration, as the work is heavy
and financial responsibilities great.
Father Horan's relatives are a
brother at Woodend, and his family.
Also a widowed sister and her
family, in Ireland. He was born
at Golden Vale, Limerick, being a
farmer's son. He emigrated to
Victoria as soon as he was ordained,
and served at Sale under Dean
Hegarty for three years. He then
came to Bacchus Marsh.
He visited Ireland about three
years ago, his parishioners making
a present of sovereigns at the time.
He died a poor man, his charities
being considerable, and generally
took the practical form of a supply
of flour.
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