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A CHAT WITH A CHAPLAIN.
FATHER O'HARE'S EXPERIENCES.

Rev. Father Peter O'Hare, C.P., who recently returned from Egypt after serving there as a chaplain for nearly two years, left for Sydney by the express on Monday evening. He spent his furlough in this State with his relatives in Parkside and the Passionate Fathers at Glen Osmond, He also visited Peterborough, where he was born, as the guest of Bishop Norton, Jamestown. Gawler, and Mount Gambier, where he met many old friends and former fellow-students at the C.B.C. College, Adelaide.

Prior to his departure, a representative of "The Southern Cross" had an interesting chat with Father O'Hare on his experiences. Father O'Hare said:—.The work was very strenuous during the two years, hut it was a grand thing to work among the boys as a Catholic chaplain. He left Melbourne on the Aeneas in 1917. Three hundred of the boys were Catholics,and nearly all approached the Sacrament during the voyage. This fact should serve to console many of their relatives, as many of them, were never destined to return. Father O'Hare's relations with the military authorities were always most cordial. They always did everything they could to assist him in ministering to the boys. The captains on the transports even surpassed the. military authorities; they always loved to assist the Catholic priest. During the voyage the catholicity of the Church was the arresting object lesson. Passing into the Panama Canal the stately parish cathedral towers and the multi-coloured buildings were prominent, and at Colon, the coal port, Catholic churches abound. Again at Trinidad,in the West Indies; the Holy Ghost Fathers from Blackrock have a stately college, and the beautiful cathedral, where Archbishop Dowling, O.P., lives, and many other churches exemplify the strength of Catholicity in the western world.

The voyage home was uneventful, and after a short furlough in Ireland Father O'Hare was stationed at Salisbury Plain. There much work had to be done. Father Hayes (W.A.) and himself had the hospital and ten training camps to look after. Results were most consoling. Many of theboys were most exemplary Catholics. War either makes or unmakes one. Some Catholics, in an environment that fosters indifferentism follow the way of the flesh, but the good Catholic becomes a hero.

After a short stay in France, where Father O'Hare had the pleasure of saying Mass at Paray-le-Monial, he was transferred to Egypt, serving as Catholic chaplain for many months in Cairo and Port Said at the 14th A.G.H., besides acting as naval chaplain in the Cabal zone.' The Franciscan Fathers were most kindly, placing their magnificent chapel at his disposal on Sundays. There was a great collection of war Catholics—naval officers, sea captains, sailors, army officers, and men of various units, men who on the morrow would go out into the Mediterranean, perhaps to death, at the call of duty.,

Father O'Hare found Egypt a trying climate. Infectious diseases were widespread, whilst the malaria fever undermined the strength of many. There was always plenty to do for the chaplain. Besides, he was visiting chaplain to No. 2 G. Hospital, Moascar, 60 miles down the Canal, and to the training camps round about.

The great event of the year was the Catholic congress in Jerusalem on August 15, Two thousand Catholic soldiers, from Gen. Western, to the private, accompanied by 20 Catholic chaplains, visited the Holy Places, which they were instrumental in liberating from the terrible Turkish power. It was a memorable sight, officers and men shedding tears at the sight of the sacred places, and realising something more of the wondrous Life of Our Lord.

Armistice Sunday was another greatevent. Then, on New Year's Day, 1919, Cardinal Bourne came to Egypt and received a right royal welcome. He preached to the Australian boys at Cairo. He admired their splendid physique and great bravery, saying they were the men the Germans never got under, in spite of ail their efforts to crush them. Advance Australia is indeed a worthy motto. The Cardinal was a charming personality, and the boys will always remember his coming to Cairo.

On St. Patrick's Day last, Father O'Hare had the proud privilege of preaching the panegyric on St. Patrick to ithe Irish troops (10th Division) at the Citadel Israel. He will never forget their great faith. The revolution in Egypt had then broken out, and he had to get to the citadel with an armed escort, but there was no ugly incident.

The voyage home from Egypt was made on the Dorset. Unfortunately there was an outbreak of influenza on board, and among those who died were four Catholic seamen. As a consequence Father O'Hare had to undergo a week's quarantine at Torrens Island after arrival.

In conclusion Father O'Hare said he was proud to have served as a chaplain, but was glad to be back again in his native land. He desired to acknowledge particularly the very great kindness and consideration he had received from non-Catholics, both officials and civilians, in Egypt and Australia.

Southern Cross Adelaide Friday 18 July 1919 page 15

Among the Dorset's troops landed from quarantine at the Outer Harbor on Wednesday was Chaplain the Rev. P. O'Hare. Father O'Hare was well-known in connection with the work of his church in Sydney, and for some time was connected with the Roman Catholic Church at Marrackville. For three or four years prior to joining the forces he was engaged In mission work. He joined up as a chaplain in Melbourne two years ago, and has seen active service in Egypt and France. He has landed in South Australia for the purpose of meeting his brother, and will stay at Glen Osmond. He expects to leave shortly on duty in connection with returning troops.

The Advertiser Thursday 12 June 1919 page 4

The Rev. Father Peter O'Hare, C.P., who left for the front as chaplain in October last, after a trip to England and Ireland, was transferred to Egypt, and was doing duty at the Port Said Hospital when last heard of. He travelled through the Continent from England, and visited the picturesque spots of France and Italy en route.

Freeman's Journal Thursday 30 May 1918 page 10