NEW CATHOLIC CHURCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19032, 1 June 1925, Page 11

NEW CATHOLIC CHURCH.

ERECTION AT EPSOM. ADDRESS BY BISHOP CLEARY. The blessing and laying of the foundation stone of tho Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Epsom, took place yesterday afternoon, the ceremony being performed by Bishop Cleary in the presence of a largo number of the clergy and parishioners. In an address at the conclusion of the ceremony, Bishop Cleary said that the establishment of the new church clearly demonstrated three things—an increase in the number of parishioners, in resources, and most important of all an increase in the spirit of self-sacpfice. " The erection of this church shows that with you religion is not a Sunday coat to be put on or thrown off as it suits you, but something that enters into your lives," said the Bishop, who referred to the zeal already shown in the erection of a school on the adjoining allotment. These two centres would undoubtedly prove a source of untold blessing to tho district. Tho speaker appealed to all present to do their utmost to assist the church financially, so that It might bo cleared of debt as quickly as possible. He fcordially thanked Father O'Byroe, the parish priest, the church committee, and all who had assisted in tho erection of the church. One of the parishioners gave a brief outline of the inauguration of tho parish three years ago, and 'the erection of tho school, on which there was a debt of £2200. To this amount must be added the cost of the church, another £2OOO, and it was sincerely to be hoped that the Catholics of the parish would give generous financial assistance to the clearing of this indebtedness. Father O'Byrne also briefly addressed the gathering, expressing thanks to Bishop Cleary for performing the ceremony, and to the parishioners who had so loyally supported him in his work.