IN THE CHURCHES

Matamata Record, Volume XVIII, Issue 1626, 9 May 1935, Page 3

IN THE CHURCHES

JUBILEE ADDRESSES

Freedom in British Empire

v Reference to the Silver'Jubilee of the reign of the King was made at services in various churches on Sunday. Special prayers for the Royal Family were offered in keeping with the occasion.

Catholic Church Address

The large measure of freeuom enjoyed by citizens of tne jintisn Commonwealth of Nations unuer uie rule of the King, and the worthy example set by His Majesty, were points stressed by the Rev. Father O’Dockerty in the course of his address to a large congregation at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic - Church, Morrinsville, on Sunday morning.

** To-morrow we celebrate the Silver Jubilee of Their Majesties, King George and Queen Mary,” said Father O’Dockerty, “ and we can find no better way of testifying our good wishes for them than by offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass that God may bless them with an abundance of grace and happiness.

“It is now 25 years since Their Majesties ascended the- throne amid the congratulations of their subjects, and it speaks well for them—more than lip-service can testify—that aftei those many changing years they still retain the loyalty and affection of their subjects in undiminished measure. This is all the more remarkable when we call to mind the number of monarchs who have fallen during these years—the Tsar of Russia, the German and Austrian Emperors and the King of Spain. The King and Queen do nof belong to our Faith, 'but they are good Christians. King George never sends greetings nor any other message to his people without a prayer to God or a reference to God’s providence. In this he gives us an example that we might all well follow. •'''

“We ought to make this an occasion of thanking God for the sanity and moderation of the people of those nations that comprise the British iConlmonwealth of Nations. We have had no assassinations of those in high places, no consipracies hor revolutions' hor upheavals. This, T feel sure, is due to the great personal freedom which we enjoy. In no other part of the world do people enjoy greater personal freedom than they do in those countries which constitute the British Commonwealth 6f Nations; and what I say of personal freedom applies with equal force to religious freedom. If religion has not State aid to support it, it certainly has the morai support of the State, and to some extent its .material aid also. “It has become an axiom that ‘ an Englisman’s home is his castle,’ and this is true of all countries of the British Commonwealth. We are sometimes inclined to carp and cavil at our numerous by-laws and national laws, but we cannot but be conscious of our great sense of freedom for all that. We are masters in our homes, and they are sacred for ourselves. We pass our lives in the greatest sense of security, for nowhere else in the world is life and property more safe than in the countries of the British Commonwealth.

“We have many things to be thankful for, but above all let us turn our thoughts to Their Majesties, King George and Queen Mary, and let us all join in offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass that God may bless and sanctify Their Majesties in their private and public lives, giving to them may years to reign over us here' and eternal happiness in the world to come.”