NEW MONASTERY

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 167, 11 April 1932, Page 11

NEW MONASTERY

St. Gerard’s Completed

OPENING YESTERDAY

Archbishop O’Shea’s Address

There was a wild grandeur about tbe scene viewed yesterday from the heights above Oriental Bay, when tbe new Redemptorist Monastery ot ot. Gerard’s was opened by his Grace Archbishop O’Shea, S.M. The wind that whipped the waters of the harbour into white horses was not an ill-fitting accompaniment to this beginning or austere life in the magnificent building which breasted its force. Despite the rigours of the weather, the short but meaningful ceremony was held in the open immediately in front of the ground-floor arcade facing the cliffs. The large number present, including visitors from all parts of New Zealand and overseas, was proof of the great interest taken in such a notable Redemptorist achievement. Among those who were on the platform, or among the crowd congregated before it, were: — Archbishop O’Shea, the Rev. Dr. McRae, Father Alahoney, S.M., Father J. Greagh (Australia), Monsignor McAlanus (Palmerston North), Father Quealey (Petone), Father J. Dowling, S.M. (rector of St. Patrick’s College, Silverstreain), Father A. Cullen, S.AI. (rector of St. Patrick’s College, Wellington), Father C. Crocker (St. Patrick’s College, Wellington), Father J. Kelly (Newtown), Father V. Kelly (Upper Hutt), Monsignor Connolly (Kilbirnie), Father Timoney, A.D.AI. (Christchurch), Father Tymons, S.M. (Otaki). Father Murphy (Petone), Father Nolan (Kilbirnie), Father Uhienburg (Kilbirnie), Father Trehey (Newtown), Father Fletcher (Buckle Street), Father Rohan (Lower Hutt), aud Father Griffen (Johnsonville). The Atarist Brothers were represented, and the Mount Carmel (Hataitai) troup of Boy Scouts was on duty, its members acting as collectors.

In Introducing Archbishop O'Shea, Father V. AlcManus, rector of the Monastery, thanked his Grace for his presence and expressed appreciation of the large attendance despite the inclement. weather. The monastery was grateful to its very many friends, and before him were many old friends of St. Gerard’s and the Redemptorists, including some who had come from afar. Messages From Well; Wishers. There were many others who had expressed their regret at their inability to be present, including Bishop Liston (Auckland), Bishop Brodie (Christchurch) and Bishop Whyte (Dunedin), all of whom had sent their congratulations. Archbishop Clune, of Perth, first Superior of the Redemptorist. Fathers’ community In Wellington, had sent a cable. He deeply regretted that he was unable to attend, but promised that, were he spared, he would revisit Wellington to see the climax to the work he had begun 25 years before. Messages also had been received from tbe Hon. J. C. Carrington, M.L.C., and Air. E. F. Healey, At.P. of Blenheim, while the speaker welcomed the presence of Air. J. Connolly, M.P. for Mid-Canterbury. In May, 1931, when the old building known as “Fitzgerald’s Folly” had been pulled down, there were some who said, “Wen, that is gone, and now McManus's Muddle is coming along.” (Laughter.) “And,” added Father AlcAlanus, pointing to tbe arches and columns which towered above the platform, “there it is.” He wished to thank the architects, Messrs. Clere and Clere, who had designed an essentially monastic building, yet a fitting gem to crown the beauty of a hill which was one of the finest sites in Wellington. Wellington should be grateful for such an adornment of its waterfront. He thanked also the contractor, Air. J. L. McMillian, the clerk-of-works, Air. J. C. Maule, the sub-contractors, and all who had taken part in the successful construction of the monastery. Material Side to Work. The blessing and opening of a new monastery was essentially a spiritual occasion, but it had its material side, continued Father McManus. The contract price of the building was £21,893 and, last October, when the foundation stone had been laid, he bad mentioned that the full total probably would be about £21,000. Actually, to date, the monastery bad cost, £2-1,323/17/-. The present debt on the building, he added, after a pause and amid applause, was £BOO3/0/7. To mention all who had assisted so generously from the time when Air. J. J. Bourke, of Lower Hutt, secured the site and gave a handsome donation, be 1 would have to go back 25 years and spend all afternoon in the telling, but lie wished especially to refer to the help given bv Airs. Sullivan, Mr. H. Sullivan and' Mr. T. J. Burke, of Kilbirnie, who had guaranteed the bank overdraft; also tbe confraternities who had laboured so assiduously. A Noble Building. “It is a joy and a pleasure for me to be here to bless aud open this magnificent monastery.'’ said Archbishop O’Shea. “The scene is indeed an inspiring one—a noble building on an unequalled site.” He referred to the part played by the Redemptorist Fathers in helping to make employment in the community by deciding Io build the new monastery. This had been one of the reasons why the work had been pushed on. but there was another, still more important reason: the monastery, situated where it was, would remind men every day that they did not live on bread alone. To live for the material, to the exclusion of the spiritual side of tilings, brought neither happiness nor wellbeing. That was I lie lesson taught by the Redemptorist Fathers, one which should be learned throughout New Zealand in this time of depression. The Redemptorist Fathers dispossessed themselves of all worldly goods—even tbe clothes they stood up in did not belong to them. Their lives were a protest against the spirit of avarice which bad ruled too long in the world. Theirs was an example which the world needed. To-day the lesson had been forgo!ten too long and had to be learned if the people were going Io win their way to happiness and prosperity. Need for Christian Revival. “The spirit of the Redemptorist Fathers was more prevalent In the world centuries ago,” said his Grace. “Then the change came and the results of the new system may lie seen to-day. Ido not wish to attempt to be a prophet, lint unless men turn again to a revival of Christianity, the coming revival of prosperity will he short-lived. Another depression will come and it will shake the foundations

of society, if not. even destroying it.” He closed his address with an appreciation of the work performed by the Redemptorist Fathers throughout the land in teaching men that the only things which counted were the spiritual things. They would last when tlie treasure of the world was but dust and ashes. Archbishop Redwood's Absence. Father Creagh. speaking as the representative of Father Byrne. Provincial of the. Australian Province of the Redemptorists. said he was sure that all present regretted the absence of his Grace Archbishop Redwood. To that grand old man of New' Zealand tlie thoughts of all would go out in gratitude for giving the Redemptorist Fathers tlie foundation stone of the new monastery. Father Creagh spoke of the early days in the monastery in Wellington and paid n tribute to tlie priests of New Zealand, stating that, in his opinion, better men could not be found in the whole world. On behalf of the Father Provincial he had a very pleasant duty to perform. He had been asked to band to Father McManus no less :i sum than £3BO collected by the ladies of the Confraternity of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour. (Applause.! These ladies also had stocked the monastery kitchen with such "enerosity that tlie total gift amounted in cash and kind to more than £-100. Before (lie assembly broke up Kather McManus extended an invitation to both men and women to visit the new monastery next week.