OPENING OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH WAKEFIELD.

The ceremony of the Blessing und the Dedication of the above Church took place on the 14th and 15th ultimo, as had been announced previously. Saturday was one of those sunny days which Nelson generally enjoys ; and early in the morning a great number of people, who had volunteered to make proper preparations, wore on the spot, somo cleaning the church, others removing what was in tho way, and eomo others fixing up tho tent which had boon kindly and gratuitously lent for tho occasion. At ten a.m. everything was ready j conveyances began to make their appearance, and other visitors coming on horsoback or on foot, the place was soon filled and rather crowded, though not to excess, as it was on a Saturday, a business day. At eleven a.m. the bell announced that tho ceremony was going to take place. Tho Rev. Father Garin, in full canonicals, and tho Rev. Futlipr Chareyve assisting him, in surplice, preceded by tho cross and torches, began tho ooremony by sprinkling holy water over tho walls outside of the church, whilst the 50th Psalm was recited. After Bomo otlior prayers, the meaning of which, as well as of tho other coromouies, had been explained before tho ceremony commenced, Father Garin opened tho door, entorod tho church, followed by tho faithful, who came in procession to take their places in the pews, and completed tho blessing of tho insido of the church, and that of the altar, during the Litanies of all tho Saints. Mass was then colebrated, the choir of St. Mary's, Nelson, who had kindly offered their services for the puvposo, singing, with much feeling ond effect, the Invitatory of Manner's, tho Kyrie and Christa of Mozart's Mass (No. 12J, and the Gloria Credo, &c, of Van Brees ; the whole of the Mass was played in the best stylo. Shortly after Mass, tea was served. About 250 eat down at tho tables ; and whilst tho adult portion of the assembly were entertaing themselves with the subject of tho ceremony, tho juvenilo part wero diverted by athletic sports, and by a shower of lollies which Fathor G.irin showered over the children in remembrance of tho opening of the church, and also of this very day, tho 7th of May, which was, by a singular coincidence, tho twentieth anniversary of the revorend genfclunon's coming to Nelson, also the thirtieth year of his preaching tho Gospel in Now Zoaland, and tho sixtieth year of his age. Tho following day (Sunday), was not so brilliant ; for tho rain, which bogun to pour in the night, continued heavily during all tho day. This occurrence proventod many from coming to the festivity ; nevertheless tho church was marly full, as several parties from Nolson, along with their friends of the country, camo in defiance of tho bad weather to offer their prayers and thanks in tho house of God. Mass wns ui'lebratod at eleven, a.m., the singers singing Winters Mais. Vo-ipors wero pun& soon after, and followed by tho D.dioalion of tlw Church to St. Joseph, and tho Bonodiction of tho Most Holy Sacramont. During tho two days, at tlio services, appropriate Bormons and instructions wore given, in order to explain to tho faithful the moaning of tho ceremonies, tho reason why a church should be blessed, and dedicated to a saint, At 1 ., &c. Thoso who havo assisted at tho ceremonies during the two days did not fail to reiuurk tho good feelings which prcviiil amon<r tho inhabitants of those district.-) ; how the)" all joined in thoso foHtivitioH, though belonging to different persuasions j how kindly many of them assi>tecl with thoir offerings. Tlio zeal and generosity which tho Catholics have displayed for the erection ol their ohuroh is also a feature worth noticing. Mr. Stowart, the architect, drew the plan of tho church, and mtvlo a present of it to tho committee. Mr. Good, tho contractor, osccutod it in an excellent stylo. Messrs. James Tomlinson, and Edwin Fowler, jun., made tho pows, which attracted so much tho attention of tho visitors ; and Mr. Stewart, jun., tho tabernacle and tho exposition. Those who did not contribute in work dkl it with their purso, in a very efficient mnnnor. The building is of gothic ptylo, and built with tho best timber of Now Zotiland. It is the most substantial and tho best finished building of that kind in tho province. Tho collection and tea,, on tho first day, amounted to £47 10a. 10i!., and on tho eccoml day (Sunday), to £6 14i. &d t — Communicated,