NEW PRESBYTERY OPENED.

Matamata Record, Volume XI, Issue 962, 11 October 1928, Page 3

NEW PRESBYTERY OPENED.

CATHOLIC FUNCTION. Bibiiop Performs Ceremony. The opening of the new presbytery in Morrinsville on Sunday marked another milestone in the progress of the Roman Catholic Church in the district. The occasion was marked with due . solemnity and the short ceremony was simple and fitting. The presbytery was open by the Right Rev. James M. Liston, D.D. Those who assisted were His Worship the Mayor, Mr. W. McPherson, Father M. Shore (rector, Morrinsville), Father Silk ( Matamata), Father O’Flynn (Frankton), Father Curley (Huntly), Father O’Connor and Father Leen (Hamilton) and Mr. 0. Glynn (Morrinsville). There were also present Mother Stevens and three sisters from St. Mary’s Con-; vent (Hamilton East). The building, which is a fine structure in brick in Alexander avenue, adjacent to the church, was blessed by the Bishop, who also blessed the foundation stone, which was inscribed as follows: “ This stone was blessed by the Right Rev. James M. Liston, D.D., 7th October, 1928. M. Shore, Rector.” Father Shore, in his introductory remarks, welcomed the Bishop, who had, he said, put ftimself to great inconvenience to attend the function. He also welcomed Mother Stevens and the sisters. It was their initial appearence in Morrinsville, but they would in future be teaching at the convent which was to be opened shortly for the Catholic children of Morrinsville. He was also glad to see the Mayor present. The building was an imposing one, tastefully designed and solidly constructed. Extra buttresses had been put in as a precaution against earthquakes, and the presbytery would stand for many years and house many successive priests. A large debt had of- necessity been incurred, but it was hoped that in the near future this would be liquidated. Several schemes with this end in view were under review, foremost among which was the garden fete to be held shortly, and which, it was hoped, would result in a material reduction. The total indebtedness of the parish was £1560,

which was, the speaker considered, a very satisfactory state of affairs. Father Shore concluded by thanking all who had assisted in the past, mentioning specially the non-Catho-lics who had co-operated. It showed that a very happy state of affairs existed between the various denomii^a 1 - i tions in Morrinsville, a state which, '' he trusted, would continue. Bishop Liston said it was always a pleasure to see a parish growing, and the progress of the new Morrinsville parish was reflected in the substantial building erected. Father Shore and he were old friends, and had been associated for many years. During this period he had proved himself to be a hard working priest, zealous in the interests of his people, and Morrinsville was lucky to get such a man. Wisely the Catholics in the parish had decided to build a suitable home for the rector, and. its close proximity to the church would, he said, be a means of the Father giving better and more devoted service. It should be borne in mind that the presbytery was not built for one priest, but for many. Later thej growth of the parish might necessitate a curate or two being appointed. “ And you need not think you are going to hang on to Father Shore for ever,” added the Bishop amidst laughter. After speaking of the duties of a priest and the assistance he could give to his people, the Bishop appealed to the parishioners to help Father Shore in lifting the burden of financial responsibility. He hoped that the mortgage would disappear and that another would soon take its place—for a school. He hoped the people of Morrinsville would demand a Catholic school for Catholic children. Bishop Liston joined with Father Shore in thanking those non-Catho-lics who had assisted during the year. God had cast all in one mold, and the people should have a kindly disposition to one another. He hoped that Father Shore’s reign in Morrinsville would be a long, happy and fruitful one. (Applause). The Mayor, Mr. W. McPherson, said it had given him great pleasure to be asked to be present, more so as he was a non-Catholic. Fortunately, in Morrinsville, the various church organisations worked amicably together, which was fitting, as all were serving the same Diety. He wishedthe Catholics every success in their

work in Morrinsville. The new presbytery reflected great credit on the district, the architect and the builder. The people were to be congratulated on having so small an indebtedness. In actual money it might be thought to be a large sum, but considering the work that had been done in the parish it was a very small amount. A brief sketch of the growth of the church was given by Mr. 0. Glynn, one of the oldest Catholic residents in Morrinsville. When he arrived in 1909 to take up farming the population of the town was very small. | There was only a handful of Catholics who had church. Dignan’si hall, since destroyed by fire, had been the place of worship, where services were held .once a month, “ if lucky.” The service was from Te Aroha, Rev. Father McGuinness being the priest, but owing to the severe weather in winter he was frequently unable to make the trip. Sometimes two or th’T > months passed without Mass being celebrated. It was not long before the erection of a church was mooted by a few of the settlers, and with this end in view a two-acre block on the main Hamilton-Te Aroha road was purchased. A loan was raised and a church built. Father

McGuinness continued to visit thei district, then Father O'Connor replaced him, the service still coming from Te Aroha. A motor-cycle was purchased, which ushered in a bright’er day, and for several years there were regular services. There was a "-V * ♦ large debt on the church building, and during the war little was done -to liquidate it. Soon after the war strong endeavours were made to wipe » •N. off the amount owing and by means of a queen carnival this was finally accomplished, and a small balance established. Father Ford then took charge at.Te Aroha, and he advocated the acquisition of the property now owned. This was carried into effect, and the church was shifted from its old site. The next step was the establishment of the parish of Morrinsville and the building of the, presbytery to accommodate a resi- t dent priest. After a vote of thanks had been passed to the Bishop, afternoon tea was served by the ladies. The large attendance took the opportunity of inspecting the presbytery, which proved as artigtic inside as out.