BISHOP LYONS

Grey River Argus, 22 September 1945, Page 6

BISHOP LYONS

O VISIT TO GREYMOUTH

The Most Rev. Dr. P. F. Lyons, who arrived in Greymouth on Thursday, performed yesterday morning, the ceremony of blessing the completed' Technical School of the Marist Brothers, and also blessed and opened the new Dental Clinic of the Catholic Schools, in Alexander Street. The pupils of the Convent and Marist schools subsequently entertained the Bishop at St. Columba Hall with a musical programme, and was extended a welcome by the Rector, Rev. Brother Dominic The Bishop, in replying, complimented the children on their performance, and' in thanking them for their cordial reception, granted them a half holiday. . There was a crowded gathering at the hall on Thursday evening when the parishioners welcomed Bishop Lyons. Very Rev. Father J. Long, Adm., who presided, said it was a joy for the clergy and people to have their Bishop with them, the memory of his first visit a little over a year ago having become dear to them. Mr. M. J. Fogarty for the parishoners and Mr. T. Power (President of the Hibernian Society) also welcomed Dr. Lyons. Replying to the speeches, Bishop Lyons, said the, greatest pleasure was his in being able to pay another visit to the warm hearted and Kindly people of the West Coast, who gave mm such a spontaneous and memorable welcome shortly after his arrival in New Zealand a year ago. Since his last visit their prayers for peace had been answered, and they were ail looking forward anxiously io the return of the gallant and oattle-honoured sailors, soldiers and airmen of New Zealanu. With their return in tne near future, he emphasised the need was for prompt and generous help in getting them back to their civilian occupations. Already the priests of the diocese oi enristenuren and he were working on a plan by which the Catholic community would play a tun part in tne veiy important and urgent duty ot rehabilitation. Speaking of tne servicemen, most ot whom were youngpeople, His Lordsnip gave higa praise to Father Long and his assistant priests, who, in recent times Had estaolisned a very successful ana effective youtn organisation in me town. He hoped that 'the young people of Greymouth would take fun advantage of the excellent facilities provided for them by this very tirneiy Catnolic youtn organisation. Tne people oi Greymoum, said the Bishop ,were tne proud possessors oi me first Catholic Technical bcnooi m New Zealand. He expressed the nope that in tne not too distant future, similar teenmeaf units would oe proviaed tor catholic boys in enristenuren. ana other parts oi the diocese. I'ne aemands maue on the iviarist Brothers’ Technical School in Greymoutn and tne ever increasing number of pupils had made the recent building extensions a matter of urgency. One of his pleasant memories of the present visit to Greymouth would be the blessing of these additions and of the new dental clinic, which was another very valu-’ able adjunct to the educational institutions or tne parish. A musical programme was presented, to which, the following contributed: Overture, Convent Orchestra; vocal numbers ('‘Come Lord and Rule the Barth that War and Strife May Cease,” and ‘'Barth Does Not Hold the Spirits of the Brave”), Mesdames Kelly. Haglund, Mclntosn, Thurlow, and Low, Misses Saunders, Bellamy, Smith, Mosley, Garland and Paterson; Mrs. L. Keohoe (piano); Miss R. Peillon (violin); vocal duet (“O Lovely Peace”), Mrs. M. Kelly and Miss L. Foster; violin solo, Miss P. Robinson; recitation, Miss V. McDonnell; piano solo, Miss R. Morgan; vocal solos, Messrs T. Hatch and J. Duffy; chorus, St. Mary's School choir. Supper was served oy the ladies of the parish. To-morrow morning the Bishop will celebrate Mass at • St. Patrick’s Church at 8.30 o'clock and in the afternoon will administer tne Sacrament of Confirmation to about 120 candidates. This service will conclude with Solemn Pontifical Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. In the evening he will administer the Sacrament of Confirmation to candidates at Kumara, and he will leave on Monday evening on return to Christchurch.