ST. MARY'S CHURCH, PLEASANT FOINT.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 4549, 27 May 1889, Page 3

ST. MARY'S CHURCH, PLEASANT FOINT.

THK OPENING CHKEMONY. St. Mary's, a now church which has lately been built at Pleasant Point, and a, full de-cription of which appeared m Saturday's TiM4nu Herald, was formally oponod and blesfod by the Bight Roy. J. J. Grimes, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Dioceso of Canterbury, yesterday morning. Tho weather was dull, and very cold, and this no doubt added to the fact that a live shilling admission fee was charged, accounted m a mcasuro for the attendance, whioh was not so large as was fully expected. In fact, the church was barely comfortably filled. Groat preparations had been made for the Bishop's visit, and the interior of the church certainly presented s> very pretty appearance. Tho altar, and its furniture, the bishop's throne and accessories, wero Tory bandsomo indeed. As to tho scaling acpommodation m the church, it is ample fur evpn a very crowded congrpgation, but at future services the choir spapo will 140 more suitably arranged than waa tho case yesterday. At 11 o'clock, the hour appointed for the opening Berries to oommenoe, tho grounds surrounding the church wero well filled with people. The ceremony was commoncfd by the Bishop, dressed m his Campa Mayna, assisted by tho Revs. Fathers Aubroy, Fauvol, and Foley, and preceded by three acolytes, marching m procession around tho outside of the church. This ovor His Lordship and attendants entered the church, when the former was conducted to his throne, Fathers Foley and Fauvcl being assistant priests to the throne. The usual prayer according to the rubrio having been gone through, tho Rev. Father Aubrey, a distinguished priest who recently arrived from Homo, and the Bishop's chaplain, chanted mass. At the conclusion of tho gospel, the Bishop left his lliroce, nod advancing to tho altar rails, Ipreaohpd a short but eloquent sermon. Ho look for hii text verses ], 2, and 3, of the 21st chapter qf thp Apocalypse. In the. course of his serm.oll His Lardship said that the people of tho parish of Pleasant Point wore that day colobratiag the opening of a beautiful church, and that it was right that they should be glad and rejoice thereat They now had a handsomo building m tboir midst wherin they could come and worship God, and thoy could rest assured that God would reward them for it. Tho people had contributed generously to Iho building and furnishing of tho church, but ho trusted that they would tnako their church more beautiful still. In closing his address tho Bishop dwelt on the scrvico as conducted m the Catholic Church, and finally a«ked for the Divine blessing on Iho nrw building. The Bishop then again ascended his throne, and iFathtr Aubrej concluded wsfs, The rev.

Father is a very fine singer, and his chanting 1 ; was very attentively listened to and enjoyed. Tho choir, all ladies, came from Temuka, and was assisted by Mr M. de ET. Duval, and Miss Gaffney presided at tho organ, which was courteously placed at disposal by Messrs Begg and Co., of Timaru. During the service the choir sang Kyrie EUson, Gloria (Mass by Este), Credo, Sancttts, Agnus Del (Winter), and the offertory O Maria. At the cloao of the service a collection was takon up, which realised, with the monoy taken at the doors and for tickets, £85. The ceremony was concluded atl p.m., and the Bishop, accompanied by Fathers Aubrey and Foley, left for Timaru.