BISHOP LUCK AT KIHIKIHI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 6948, 23 February 1884, Page 3

BISHOP LUCK AT KIHIKIHI.

[prom our own correspondent.] The Right Kevorend Dr. Luck, Roman Cathohu Bi-hop of Auckland, arrived here about four p m. on Sunday lajt, for his first pastoral visitation. Mis Lordi-hip officiated iu the morning previous to his coming at Alexandra and Ofiaupo, aud wasaccompauied by Father Luck. Th« Bisbo'p, when Hearing '1 e Awamutu on his way to Kihikihi, was met and escorted by lirge numbers of his flock or carriages and on horseback to the church, where he receive.i tho following address, which waa read by Mr. Farrell on behalf of the congregation :— To the Eight Rot Dγ. Lui.k, O.S B , BJshop of Auckland li..y it please your Lord.lni>,- We the underpinned, on b half rf the Catbohie of Kihikihi ind 113 environs beg most respectfully to tcndr-r your Lords' ip a hearty welcome on this, your first olhcia visit to us We desire in doing so to assure your Lordsnip of our reverential respect and venention for your person, and Co mirk tt r pleasure we fed in hKviDg in our midst a preLito of the Illustrious O tier of fct. Benetlitt—an onler to win m tho n> iods one sc much f r their civilisation, science, literature anil arts, as well as lor that divine impress which fl jws from the lirst of all sciences—the k owledge of God We gladly *vail ourselves of (.his opportunity to offer your Lordship our smrerc nud cordia 1 thanks ordship will allow us to bear our humble testimony to tho good fruits borne br the congregation of tho church through the pious uiinist.iiitions, zeal, and indefatigable labour of our good rartor, Father Augusttn Luck Pornut us, in cunilut ion, tohopoyour Lorashiu may be long pared to rn'.o the diocese, and we pray that yon may ue ■ mth abumtant grate sa v«ti m of so.ils, and to gua/a the unaity of faitb. Eamrstly soliciting iour Lovdship's blessing, we arc. Sec (signed on bt-half of the O Wilkivson. P |;llam,y, W 11. KicuoLios, 1 , . JlcDohNELL, J iAKUELL. His Lordship, in replying to the address, thanked his flock for the truly Catholic spirit contained therein, and for the kindness aDd respect shown hirn in turning out in such large numbers as they did that evening to meet him so far away on the road. But aboveal!, hethanked them for referring to th.it which was dear to his heart, namely, Catholic education. Hβ hoped the time was uot far distant when chey would have established a convent school id their midst. His Lordship shortly after proceeded to administer the sacrameufc of Confirmation to a number of children o; both sexes, who were neatly arranged round the altar rails, and his explanation of that sacrament, its nature, elficacy, anrl dignity, was put in a most foiciole and clear light. His Lordship then delivered his pastoral addrese, which was an eloquent discourse, and was, it is needless to say, listened to with marked attention, and chiefly reUted to the importance and necessity of a. religious education for the young, the evils arising from the secular school system, mixed marriages, and kindred topics. Thi/'ohurch during the delivery'was crowded ; to excess,.not only by members of His Lordis hip's flock, but by thatyof other denominations. ______—«____.