GOLDEN JUBILEE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22694, 5 April 1937, Page 10

GOLDEN JUBILEE

SACRED HEART CHURCH REUNION GATHERING Past and present parishioners of the Sacred Heart Church gathered in the grounds of Bishop's House, Ponsouby, on Saturday afternoon, when the church's golden jubilee celebrations were commenced. There were more than .300 guests, including a large number of the older supporters of the church. After listening to speeches of welcome, they were entertained at afternoon tea in the grounds of St. Mary's College. The parish priest, the Rev. M. Kennedy, briefly explained the purpose of the gathering. Bishop Liston congratulated all those who had been associated with the preparations for the jubilee, and also expressed his gratitude to those who had built the church, either by their material or by their spiritual assistance. Sacred Heart Church, he said, had as fine a record as any Roman Catholic church in New Zealand.

Bishop Liston drew attention to several records of the church, including some old pictures showing the first Bishop's House, which stood almost where the present building was. He also showed the gathering the altar on which the first mass in New Zealand was celebrated by Bishop Pompallier in IS-'SB, and which it was proposed to use at the centenary celebrations next year. Other speakers included Monsignor M. Edge, now of ParnelL who was one of the earliest priests of the church, arid Mr. P. Darby, a supporter of Sacred Heart Church for the last SO years. They both described some of the incidents in the church's early life, and paid tribute to the work of those who had helped to build it. Mr. L. O'Malley. representing the parish committee, also spoke, and welcomed Mr. J. O'Brien, another of the oldest members of the congregation.

Exhibitions of drill and gymnastics were later given in the grounds of St. Mary's College by pupils of Catholic schools, including Sacred Heart College, Vermont Street school, and Trinity Street school.