WHANGAMOMONA.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16590, 12 November 1919, Page 4

WHANGAMOMONA.

I pROil OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. November 10.-—The Catholic Church was officially opeued on innnday, November 9. The weather was. exactly ideal, for rain threatened and the wind blew unpleasantly cold. However, tho day kept fine and a large crowd gathered to do honour to the occasion. In the morning the cere-/ raony of dedication to tho Sacred Heart was conducted by the very Rev. Doan Al'Kenna, of Now Plymouth, and Alass was celebrated by tho parish priest, Rev. Father Moore, while tho Dean delivered the sermon. Tho congregation that gathered for the Dean’s atldrcss was representative of tho district and was attended by the county chairman (Mr. W. A. Al'Gutchan) and tho local Justices (Messrs. H. IV. Bovis and M. Gcevor), and members of both Anglican and Presbyterian churches. Although suffering from a severe cold tho Dean preached well from tho text, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but Aly words shall not pass away.” The major portion of tho address dealt with the founding of the early Christian Church, but there was much of universal interest and many expressions of universal truths. “The Church was to religion as speech was to thought.” “Tho spirit of unrest and restlessness in the world was duo to_ world-wide materialism and ior this higher wages and bread wore but palliatives, for man had a soul—a soul made in the image and likeness of God—and the soul could only bud rest in God.” Crime cannot bo confused with sin; we discuss crime, but sin is not a popular subject; wo never hear of it in public, but in our own country wo all know that some great sins arc very prevalent and lightly committed. “Religion moans selfsacrifice; self-denial is the first step.” Tho preacher referred to the spirit of unity that was to-day drawing nations together; it was noticeable too among the churches, but the Pope, in courteously receiving the representatives of one groat Christian body, pointed out that the Church of tho past must bo tho Church of the future; this history proved and history was a hard taskmaster. The rev. gentleman, who is a logician of no mean order, was listened to with evident interest and appreciation. At the close of tho address lie congratulated tho church people on their splendid achievement, remarking that tho environment was very different when ho conducted the first Mass in AVhangamomona some 25 years ago, and it gave him groat ploas'uro to bo present that morning, and ho would mark (he occasion bv a donation of BID. Ho paid a high tribute to tho labours of tho Rev. Father Moore. Service was also conducted in tho evening, Father Aloore preaching. Alasters Raymond Rothery and Hector O’Halloran acted as Acolytes. Tho sum of £lls was subscribed during tho day, about enough to clear the church of debt. The building itself is most creditable to tho community. Tho body of tho church is 40ft. x 25ft, sanctuary 20ft. x 12ft., sacristy 20ft. x 12ft, and a porch 12ft. x 10ft—all roofed with red tiles. Tho interior is tastefully finished in oiled rinut and presents a pleasing and restful appearance. a distinct advance on tho usual bright colours. Hie committee deserve the greatest praise. One and all have worked with a will to open the church free of debt, the secretary (Air. J. Rooney) being ably assisted by Air. T. Ryan, Air. M‘Guinn, Air. Glce.son, Air. and Mrs. Cullcton, Airs. Rothery and others, nor must tho pioneer work of tho former secretary, tho late Air. F, Riddell, be forgotten.