AFTER FIFTY YEARS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 28 July 1925, Page 4

AFTER FIFTY YEARS.

ROMAN CATHOLIC JUBILEE.

CELEBRATIONS CONCLUDED

Thc past, five decades have been years oi rapid progress for the Hawera Roman Catholic parish, and the eele--brations which have been held over the week-end in order to commemorate the establishment- of the church in this district were fittingly brought to a close last evening, when a social and concert were held in the Winter Show buildings.

Amongst those present were their Graces Archbishops Redwood and O’Shea, the Rt. Rev. Monsignor Power, the Rev. Fathers Moran, O’Dwyer, Cullen, Walsh and Phelan, and Mr J. R. Corrigan, M.P. A much appreciated musical and elocutionary programme was rendered at intervals between speeches, and at the conclusion of the programme those I present adjourned to the supper room, where many and various good things were served. Those who contributed to the concert programme were: Mesdaines Goodson. and Sunderland, Misses Reilly, Dolan, Roche, Haughton, Goodson, L. Carroll, and Messrs Loader (2) and P. Keegan. Orchestral numbers were played by the Hawera Concert Orchestra. Mr B. McCarthy extended a welcome to both their Graces, the visiting clergy and visiting friends of the parish. He also read apologies for unavoidable absence from the Rev. Maples (Stratford), Cahill (Feilding). Forrestal (Inglewood), and the Mayor of Hawera (Mr E. A. Pacey), the latter being unable to attend owing to illness. Mr J. R. Corrigan, M.P., said, he was pleased to he present at the jubilee of the parish. He pointed out that a unique feature of the gathering was the presence of Archbishop Redwood, under whose guidance the parish had commenced its history in 1875. The speaker was pleased, to see so many present; it showed that the parishioners respected the church to which they belonged. Tne Rt. Rev. Monsignor Power drew attention to the fact that the social function being held that evening had been promoted entirely by the people of the parish under the direction of Mrs W. A. Quin and her secretary, Miss Joyce, to ■whom must be jriven the credit. Continuing, the Monsignor said that on the previous day thanks had been given to God. the Giver of all good gifts, who had poured.' his blessings so lavishly upon the parish, that He had made the 50 years that had passed golden years. They also had to thank His Grace Archbishop Redwood, who would insist, upon coming to Hawera despite the fact that he had been told that the celebrations would take place in mid-winter and that the weather was sure to he had. The Hawera parish had been the first founded by His Grace, and since then he had appointed to it five pastors and perhaps a score of curates. His Grace had been, the inspirer of every progressive work in the* parish, and not only had he been so "to the speaker, , hut to the various pastors* before him: he had been as the shelter of a great rock in the desert. It was because of His Grace and the wonderful union between the parish pastors and the people that the work had been so successful. Referring to Archbishop O’Shea, the Monsignor said that while His Grace had not been born here, he had uttered his first syllable in this town, and the people of Hawera had watched his career with delight.

After pleasantly indulging in reminisrenees of the early days the speaker, in touching on Sunday’s service, said that he thought it was the first time in the history of the diocese that Pontifical High Mass had been sung outside Wellington. Such an event stressed the necessity for a new church, and he hoped that before thTs year was out His Grace (Archbishop Redwood) would return to Hawera to lav the foundation stone of a new and more fitting place of worship. An illuminated address, beautifully worded, was then read and presented to Archbishop Redwood bV Mr J. O’Shea, The signatures attached were j those of parishioners of over 30 years’ standing. His Grace Archbishop Redwood expressed his deepest thanks, stating that he would treasure the address amongst the many addresses he had received during the 51 years that he had been an archbishop. One of the most pleasing and most consoling things in his career had been the appointments in the parish of Hawera. and his hopes regarding the parish had been fulfilled. His Grace paid a tribute to the priests who had been appointed, and Monsignor Power who had succeeded them and had so fittingly finished off their work. His great desire now was for a new church worthy of the district, and if such could he, and God would spare him, he would come and lay the foundation stone.

The speaker referred to the beautiful unity between people and pastors, and reminded them that in unitv there was strength. Throughout the country it was wonderful to see the magnificent buildings and big institutions erected by a small proportion of the population, and what had been done in this direction had been one of the things which had impressed the overseas bishops who recently visited New Zealand. The speaker had been able to tell the visitors that in New Zealand there had always been the most perfect union, and that had been- the source of the success with which Almighty God had crowned their efforts. An illuminated address to Archbishop O’Shea was read and presented by Mr E. Morrissey. His Grace, in returning thanks, pleasantly remarked that he thought the beautiful dignity, and eloquence of the address was due to the fact that those who had framed it had 1 been living in the shadow of “that great mountain.He was sorry he had had to leave this district so early, as otherwise he would now have been able- to speak in language similar to that which the address contained.

Proceeding, His Grace said he owed* a great deal to this parish and to the archbishop for the interest ho had taken in him si nee the beginning. It was about 41 years since lie had left Hawera to go to school, hut he had since visited the district frequently on holidays and later in the discharge of his duties. A Wonderful change had taken place sinre he first- knew the

town and district. If one were to go to the Old World and tell of a certain parish in a far-off conntrv where 50 years after the parish had "been founded there was ini the place of the one r>-irish half a dozen parishes, and: in the place of the score or so of parishioners 1000 parishioners, tbev would deem the thing to be incredible. Times had indeed changed, and what had been begun so well should he continued. His Grace said that, knowing the people of Hawera as he did, he was sure that they would do all they could to gladden the heart, of their oastor bv

erecting a magnificent new church. Parishioners on the previous day could

not siee Pontifical High Mass carried out with the usual grandeur and dignity owing to the fact that the sanctuary in the present church was' too small. If they wanted to see this rectified they would have to build a church that would meet with the requirements. After fill, this was- a wealthy community, and its members could invest a little of the profits they made in the erection of a temple that would be worthy of the Great God to whom they owed those profits. In conclusion, His Grace expressed the hope that God would bless their future efforts and make Hawera one of the. finest parishes in the whole of New Zealand.

After supper had been served many of those present remained and induf«red in dancing.