ST MARY'S CHURCH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6832, 21 April 1890, Page 3

ST MARY'S CHURCH.

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE,

Favoured by " Queen's weather," the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the new church now commenced by the Catholics of North Christchurch waa performed yesterday. Excellent arrangements had been made by the Committee. The Avonside Brass Band played suitable selections at intervals, while the choir sang the musical portion of the services.

The proceesion included tiie cross-bearer aud acolytes, girls and boys attending the parochial schools in order, all bearing tings and bannerets. These were followed by ladies of both congregations, attired iv various coloured vestments, according to their respective orders, altar boys bearing incense, and the clergy. His Grace the Archbishop, in full, episcopal robes, was attended by the Eevs Father Chervicr aud Marnane, as Deacons of Honour. The other clergy present wore the Eevs S. J. Cummings, Le Menant de Chesnais and Getenoir, who, on ascending the platform, were met by the members of the local Committee.

As soon as hiß Grace had taken his seat on the dais, Mr H. H. Loughnan read an address, in which tho Committee, on behalf of Sb Mary's congregation, expressed their thanks to lm Grace and heartily welcomed him. They deplored the continued ill-health of their Bishop, Dr Grimes, owing to whose energy they were that day enabled to begin the construction of a church in the North part of the city. Though they were not a portion of the flock over which his Grace had immediate control, thoy desired to acknowledge hia readiness to assist in the good work of the church in any part. The church they were about to build had been proved to be a necessity owing to increased membership. The Committee also acknowledged with gratitude the devotedness of the labours of the Eevs Fathers Le Menant de Chesnais and Marnane. The address concluded by stating that arrangements had been made which would enable them to have the present building completed without any addition to the parochial debt.

His Grace, in reply, said he desired to acknowledge the kindly terms in which the address had been couched, and expressed the pleasure it gave him to be present. He joined with them in their regrets at the absence of their esteemed Bishop, but trusted that Dr Grimes would be soon restored to them in health and vigour. He congratulated them upon the erection of their church, and admired the zeal, to which they alluded, of the two reverend gentlemen whose devotedness had caused increased accommodation to be necessary. He hoped that the zeal of the congregation aud the devotedness of the clergy would continue, and that they would have a good church, free of debt. He then delivered a lengthy sermon, taking as his text the words, " Thou art my Son ; this day have I begotten Thee. Ask of me and I will give you nations for an inheritance." Inter alia, hiß Grace said : As regarded labour and capital, no church had supported the rights of the working men more than tbe Catholic Church had done, and was still doing. He referred to the fact that half the wealth of the United States, according to the best calculations, belonged to 30,000 people, while the other half was owned by 54,500,000. Such a state of affairs should not exist, as the working men were not getting their share of the profits of their work, and if Socialism meant a reform in thiß respect, it would have the support of the Catholic Church. She was spreading the movement through the world in favour of the relief of the working classes, and, being established for the salvation of tbe world, this was one of her strongest duties in the interest o£ the progress of the world's population. His Grace, having blessed the water used in laying the stone, proceeded to the North-east corner, where it waß in readiness. Mr M. H. Duval, the architect, handed his Giace a handsome silver trowtl on whicli waß engraved, " Presented to his Grace Archbishop Redwood, Metropolitan of Wellington, on the occasion of laying the foundation-stone of St Mary's B.C. Church, Christchurch, April 20, 1890." The stone having been placed in position, a casket was inserted containing the two daily papers of April 19, a Pope's medal, one each of St Benedict and St Patrick, and a crucifix, besides a coin of each kind. It also contained a parchment on which the particulars of the foundation ceremony were inscribed in Latin. His Grace then lowered the stone, declared it well and truly laid, and blessed it. The procession then re-formed, and marched round the entire foundations, his Grace sprinkling them with the sacred water. Arrived at the Grotto of the Sacred Heart, another halt waa made, and the ceremony of blessing it was proceeded with in the usual form. His Grace then ascended the steps of the Presbytery, where he delivered the Archipiscopal Benediction.

The members of the band, and many who had come from a distance to assist in the ceremony, were then regaled with tea, &c, in a marquee erected for the purpose ; and all the children were supplied with buns. During the afternoon the Committee went through the immense audience and collected £200 towards the building fund. It was estimated that over three thousand persons were present daring the

delivery of the Archbishop's address, and considerably over five hundred children marched in the procession.