BISHOP LYONS

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26124, 29 May 1950, Page 3

BISHOP LYONS

FAREWELLS IN CATHEDRAL

LARGE ATTENDANCE AT SERVICES The largest crowd seen for many years in the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament assembled yesterday morning for the Pontifical Mass celebrated by Bishop Lyons, who, in a few days, will be leaving to take up his new office as Auxiliary Bishop to his Eminence Cardinal Gilroy, Archbishop of Sydney. The music of the Mass was sung by the children of Nazareth House and the sermon was preached by the Rev. Father J. Galvin, of the Cathedral staff. Bishop Lyons presided at the Throne. During the Mass he was assisted by the Very Rev. Father T. Liddy (the Cathedral administrator). the Rev. Father T. Hanrahan (parish priest at Riccarton), and the Rev. Father T. C. Curnow (diocesan inspector of schools). The deacon and sub-deacon were the Rev. Father J. Curnow and the Rev. Father B. Pearce. At the end of Mass Bishop Lyons gave the Papal Blessing. In the evening the Cathedral was completely packed for the liturgical farewell to Bishop Lyons, who presided at the Throne for the evening devotions. It is thought that the congregation. which numbered about 3000, was one of the largest ever to assemble in the Cathedral. After the Rosary had been said, the Rt. Rev. Monsignor J. Kennedy. D.D.. I parish priest at Beckenham, extended ' farewell greetings and good wishes from the priests and people of the l Diocese. The Rt. Rev. Monsignor J. Hanrahan, parish priest at Addington, j read a special address for the priests I and presented a chalice to Bishop ! Lyons, the priests’ gift to his Lordship. Diocesan presidents of the Holy Name Society, the Society of St. Vincent de I Paul, and the Hibernian Society presented on behalf of the laity of the diocese an address to Bishop Lyons. The special music for the evening ceremony was provided by the choirs of St. Mary’s Girls' College and Sacred Heart Girls’ College. "How glad I would be if I could but find words with which to thank in some adequate way the priests and people of the diocese, who. by their understanding and ready co-operation in every possible way, and by their warmhearted friendship have made I my life and labours in Christchurch so I pleasant and happy,” said Bishop I Lyons. “During the six years in which I have had the privilege of being your bishop much has been achieved for God and precious souls, redeemed by His Divine Son; but I feel humbled as I listen to the priests and people giving me credit in their affectionate and loyal addresses for what has been done, since I realise fully that no bishop I could begin or develop any work I without God’s blessing, or without the I wholehearted support of the priests I and. people, which I have had in abundance in the diocese of Christchurch. “Though the Holy Father has called me to other duties in Australia, I shall never forget, nor shall I forget to pray for the good and kind people of Christchurch. and for their zealous and faithful priests.” said Bishop Lyons. After returning his thanks to priests and people for their farewell greetings and good wishes Bishop Lyons gave solemn Benediction of the I Blessed Sacrament. CHILDREN’S MASS TO-DAY Bishop Lyons, who went to Dunedin on Wednesday to bid farewell to Bi-hop White and Bishop Kavanagh, returned to Christchurch on Thursday. This morning the children of Christchurch and their religious teachers will attend a Mass at the I Ca h 'dral of the Blessed Sacrament, I which will be said bv Bishop Lyons. I At the end of the Mass the children I v. JI present an address of farewell I fi d a spiritual bouquet to the bishop. I B: hop Lyons will leave ChristI church on Thursday and. after spendI ing an evening in Wellington and I Auckland to bid farewell to ArchI b shop McKeefry (Wellington) and I Bishop Liston <Auckland). Bishoo I I - ns will reach Sydney at the weekend.