COMMEMORATION MASS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 261, 4 November 1933, Page 6

COMMEMORATION MASS.

FOR DEPARTED PRIESTS, Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated yesterday at the Panmure Roman Catholic Church for the souls of the departed bishops, priests, religious and laity of the diocese of Auckland. His Lordship Bishop Liston presided, and the Vcn. Archdeacon Holbrook was celebrant. The Rev. Fathers Dunphy and Quinn were deacon and sub-deacon respectively, and the Rev. Dr. Buxton was master of ceremonies. There was a large congregation, Including priests from the city and suburban churches, representatives of the Marist Brothers and other religious teachers. A choir of priests, under Monsignor Ormonde, chanted the music of the Mass.

The Very Rev. M. J. Bleakley, who preached the sermon, referred to the early history of the Catholic Church in New Zealand. lie compared the early struggles of the founders of the faith with the troubles which presented themselves to the faithful of the present, day. The original colonists had difficulties of a pioneer nature, while believers of the faith to-day had difficulties of another kind. Influences which were opposed to Christian faith must be met resolutely by present-day Christians. Only by copying- the virtues of the pioneers would we be able to hand on, enhanced, the heritage that the first settlers had so nobly acquired in this land of promise. At the conclusion of the sermon Bishop Liston, escorted by the clergy, and followed by the laity, blessed the graves.