BISHOP LENIHAN'SPASTORAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11579, 18 February 1901, Page 3

BISHOP LENIHAN'SPASTORAL.

A pastoral has been issued by Bishop Lenihan to tho clergy and laity of the diocese. It states:—"With very great pleasure wo furnish you with the simple statement of facts, showing the work and progress that have been wrought in our diocese during the year 1900. In matters of education wo have succeeded in persuading the Board of Education to allow their inspectors to examine the pupils of our schools. The present year will be a fair test of the efficiency of our teachers, and will prevent many parents from holding out the excuse that the want of authorised certificates for tneir children was a bar to their progress in mercantile pursuits. Six Sisters of Mercy were professed, increasing the permanent staff of teachers for their schools. The Sisters of St. Joseph have opened a school at Paeroa, and have taken over tho school at St. Benedict's, the total increase of teachers numbering 10 for these schools. We regret to state that owing to tho sparse Catholic population of Pukekohc, the Sisters of the Mission have been compelled to c*oso the school there. A new school has been erected at Paeroa, the school at St. Benedict's is being considerably enlarged, and a now convent site purchased there by tho Sisters of St. Joseph. A very fine convent has been erected by the Sisters of Mercy at Gisborne, the Convent of Mercy at Ponsonby renovated, and important additions are being made at our orphanages. To carry out the religious principles of our schools, the Catholic Readers, approved of by the Australasian Hierarchy, have been introduced. The Sisters of Mercy, who have with great success engaged in work at the Coromandel Hospital, have started a convalescent home at Mount Eden, to enable them to _ carry out one of the special objects of their order, in caring for the sick and infirm. New churches have been built at To Kopuru, Patutahi, and tho Upper Township, Coromandel. The church at Puhoi has been enlarged, and the churches at Helensville and the Wade removed to more central positions. ' Land and property have been secured at St. Patrick's and Gisborne, and very great improvements have been made in the Opotiki, Gisborne, Kihikihi, and Parncll districts." Then follow tables showing the reductions that have been mado on the debts of churches in tho diocese, also the debts contracted by improvements and additions. The pastoral then proceeds:—"Wo have much pleasure in placing on record the charitable offerings, left in favour of our schools and institutions by the late Mr. C. Clark, Mr. Arrowsmith, and Miss Brcnnan. May these liene factors already have received an everlasting reward. We hope during the year to increase our staff of priests, and carry on the spiritual work in. tho diocese more effectively. Wo trust that tho parishioners will show their appreciation of their services by a becoming support. During the year the Sacrament of Confirmation has been administered to 460 candidates. As His Holiness has graciously extended the time of jubilee of the holy year till the end of June, wo have arranged with the Passionist and Dominican Fathers to give a series of missions throughout the diocese. These will assuredly bring many blessings upon us. May God inspire us with heroic zeal to fulfil His law, and with unbounded charity towards our neighbour."