SUCCESSFUL MISSION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 69, 23 March 1931, Page 3

SUCCESSFUL MISSION.

GOOD SHEPHERD PARISH.

PROCESSION THROUGH GROUNDS.

The annual mission of the Good Shepherd parish, Dominion Road, which has been conducted during the past two weeks by the Rev. Fathers O'Leary and McGrath, S.M., closed with a service and procession in the church grounds yesterday afternoon. Masses, held daily at 5.30 a.m. and 9 a.m., have been largely attended, and there have been similar congregations at the evening devotions. Last Sunday week 480 people received Holy Communion, and yesterday morning nearly 600. Powerful sermons were preached by the mission fathers each evening. At the concluding service yesterday his Lordship Bishop Liston was present in the sanctuary, assisted by Rev. Fathers Holbrook and Furlong. The Rev. Father Murphy, parish priest, and the Rev. Father Joyce were also in attendance. Father McGrath gave the instructions, and Father O'Leary preached the closing sermon, outlining the.history of the Catholic Church from the time of St. Peter to that of. the present Pontiff, Pope Pius XL Father McGrath then led in the renewal of baptismal vows by the congregation. There was an impressive spectable as each member held aloft a lighted candle during the ceremony. Over 1000 people took part in the procession of the Blessed Sacrament through the church grounds. It was headed by the confraternities of the Holy Name and Children of Mary, and members of the local hranch of the Hibernian Society. The Blessed Sacrament was borne by Bishop Liston beneath a canopy carried by four of the parishioners, to two altars that had been erected in the open air. The ceremony ended with the giving of solemn benediction at each of the altars by Bishop Liston, the incidental music being sung by the congregation. The church grounds were beautifully decorated for the occasion, and lent greatly to the success of the - ceremoajf.