CATHOLIC SCHOOL OPENED

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10639, 12 July 1920, Page 3

CATHOLIC SCHOOL OPENED

BY ARCHBISHOP CSHEA. KILBIRNIE A RAPIDLY GROWING a DISTRICT. Yesterday afternoon His Grace Archbishop O'Shea blessed and opened a new Catholic school at Kilbirnie. Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather there was a «ood attendance, and amongst those present were the very Rev. Dean Holly, S.M., Provincial in New Zealand for the Marist Order of Priests, tho Ven. Archdeacon Dovoy, S.M., and the Revs. Smyth, S.M., Mangan, C.S.S.R., Connolly, and Griffin. After the ceremony of blessing, which was performed by His Grace in Archiepiscopal vestments, the Rev. Father Connolly briefly explained that the building was erected for tho purpose of accommodating the pupils of the High School. The school was erected as a memorial to the late and revered Sister Mary Chanel, the first Superioress in Kilbirnie, who not only gave her life to Catholic education, but also sacrificed it in nursing the sick and suffering of the district during the influenza epidemic, to which she unfortunately became a victim with fatal results. The Sisters of Mercy had gone to much expense in providing the school, which with the ground had cost JE2300. A BENEFIT TO CIVILISATION. His Grace Archbishop o''Shea said that it gave bin> pleasure to bless the school. It was a memorial of the important work of Catholio education, and tho deteiminaltion of Catholics to' make great sacrifices for that noblo cause. Catholio oducation was a benefit to the education of the Dominion, because by giving more schools for this purpose they were turt ing out children well equippfed, not only with a sound secular knowledge, but also with a thorough religious training, which would make them good citizens and a benefit to civilisation. The Stare should thereforo assist and help them in the work and not hampor them. Monoplics were bad, and especially the State monopoly of education which the Government were trying to create. He was pleased to see two great Christian bodies emulate the Catholics' example, and ho trusted that God would hasten the day when all Christian bodies would fall into line; then, and not till then, would thev have true civilisation in;the country. In conclusion he congratulated the Sisters and all those concerned in the erection of the building, and trusted that they would rally round to clear the debt.

A collection was taken up and realised nearly JESOO. A SUBSTANTIAL BUILDING.

The new school, which is to be known as St. Catherine's High School, is a line substantial building of reinforced concrete, roofed with Winston tilos. The timber used was all heart Oregon. It contains four fine classrooms, with all the latest improvements in lighting, heutiug, and ventilation. The building has also a fine external appearance, tho vestibule with its leadlight doors ind windows making a neat and pleasing finish.

Ton years ago there was no Catholic church in the district, and tho Catholics had to attend St. Anne's, Newtown. When Archdeacon Dovoy took eharjn. of tho district ho recognised the trend of, tho population" in the Kilbirnie direction, and after opening a mission in ODonnell's Hall, tho growth of tho district has been w rapid that it was constituted a separate parish last year, and contains a number of Catholic schools in addition to the parish church.