WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume I, Issue 21, 20 September 1873, Page 11

WELLINGTON.

(From our own Correspondent.) Ow Sunday last, the 7th mat., Bishop Moran opened the new church of St.' Patrick at Makara, about six miles from this place. This pretty church starts in a beantiful valley surrouuded by high hills covered with bush, or perhaps more correctly, with forest, for the trees are generally large. The ground on which it stands— one acrecost £50, and it is enclosed. The expense of the church amounts to £300, a large sum for the sparse and poor 1 Catholic congregation of the district. • About 300 people assisted at the ceremony, many of whom bad come from Wellington ; and amongst these we noticed the Hon. Mr Johnson, the Misses Johnson, Mrs Grace, the Hon. W Rorke, Mr and Mrs O'Shea, Colonel Brett, Mr C. H. Haugliton, Mr Cemeno and daughter, &c. The Bishop, wearing the ordinary .dress of a Boman Prelate, left the Cathedral at 9 a.m., accompanifld by the Rev. father McCaughey, Mr Haughton, and Mr Cemeno. Ois Lordship b carriage was fallowed by several others ; and about midway a large number of horsemen, having on green sashes, &c, joined the oorMge, and dividing themselves into two parties— one of which rode before, the ether after his Lordship's carriage— conducted him into Makara. Immediately on arriving, his Lordship vested and commenced the function by blessing the new church. This was an interesting and imposing ceremony, but was marred somewhat by the inclemency of the weather. After this there was Pontifical High Mass Father Cummins— to whom t^he greatest credit is due for his zeal and indefatigable exertions in erecting the church— being deacon, and Father McCaughey sub-deacon. The music of the mass was given by the nuns and some of the children of the Convent, who kindly came from Wellington for the purpose, notwithstanding the rain, &c After the Gospel, the Bishop preached. He in the first place congratulated the priest (Father Cummins) and the people on their faith, zeal, generosity, and success in reference to their Church, and most deservedly, for the people are few comparatively and poor ; and as to Father Cummins, had it not been for his exertions, the church would not have been erected. His Lordship then explained the meaning of dedicating a church, called attention to the triumph of their faith received through the preaching of the St. Patrick, under whose name and invocation this churoU is set apart for the worship of God • spoke ot the glories of that faith during the first ceuturies of Christianity in Ireland, of its subseqaent trials, and of its glorious victories. He concluded by an earnest exhortation to all to devote themselves to the practices of a truly Christian life. When Mass was over, tke sacraraent of confirmation was administered. The Bishop gave instruction on this sacrament before its administration, and an exhortation after. A tent was erected in the vicinity, where— thanks to the thoughtfulness of Father Cummins— a cold lunch was provided for all. The day was a very happy one, and will be long remembered in the romantic valley of Makara. May the faith of St. Patrick be as lasting there, as true and as lively, as in the dear old land which he evangelised fourteen centuries ago. The Bishop got back to Wellington about 5 o'clock, and preached or rather, as had boen advertised, lectured after Vespers in the Cathedral on the new Education Bill. The lecture occupied a little over an hour, and was listened to by a large audience with breathless attention. His Lordship tore the unholy measure to pieces, explaining and pointing out its iniquitous principles and unjuat provisions He concluded by summing up what he had explained and proved in these words : " If; is a measure which embodies and sanctions every bad principle of every bad educatiou system of modern times " I should have mentioned that before leaving Makara, the Bishop was presented with an address, a copy of which, taken from the ' Independent,' I enclose. r On Saturday next some postulants will be admitted novices of the Convent of Mercy. The ceremony will take place iv the Cathedral at 11 a.m. It is announced that the Bishop will preach. On the following Sunday, the foundation stone of Father O'Reilly's new church will be laid, at 3 p.m. In the Cathedral, confirmation will be given after last Mass, and the Bishop will preach at Mass, and also after Vespers The following is a copy of the address referred to presented to his Lordship :—: —

To the Right. Rev. Dr ttmx, Lord Bishop of Durf.din, and Administrator of the Diocese of Wellington. . . My Lobd,— We, the Catholics of Makara and Karori, desire to tender your Lordship our heartfelt thanks for the affectionate Bolicitude you have evinced for our spiritual welfare in coming here to-dat to consecrate to the service of the Lord the humble mansion we hava created to His glory. . We are glad to be able to show, through the indefatigable exer« turns of our zealous pastor, the Rev. Father Cummins, S.M , how well we reciprocate that untiring zeal and energy wliich characterises your Lordship's episcopacy in your extensive dioceae at a tima when the church is persecuted, not only in the eternal city, but also iv Germany and Switzerland. * As we now feel it our bounden duty to assist, by every legitimate means,. in prompting the true interests of our holy religion, and thereby check^he anti-Christian spirit of the age, we have commenced by conforming to those beautiful aad divine ordiuances delivered fco the inspired Lawgiver in the -sacred Mount, and confirmed by Jesus Christ on earth, and ask the assistance of your prayers and blessings, that, through the Immaculate conception of the Mother of God, we may persevere in our pious intentions. STor is the least portion of our gladness the learning that our Holy Father the Pope is still in the enjoyment of good health, and we p*ay that God may grant him strength and peace to safely pass through the trying ordeal he has been subjected to by his persecutors. We congratulate your Lordship on the success which has hitherto "attended your missionary labors both in New Zealand and Cape Colony, where the numerous and beautiful edifices erected to the glory of the' Lord, as well as the numerous schoolhouses for the education of Catholic children, fully justify the application of those beau'fiful words, Per transit benefaciendo, \o the Shepherd, as well as to his Divine Master. And we" humbly beseech the Almighty to grant you health and strength to carry out the good work for many years, and finally reward you with eternal felicity. With feelingg of filial respect and affection, We remain, My Lord, Your Lordship's most humble and obedient children. Signed on hehaltof the Catholics of Makara and Karori. John S. Pbendbbyixeb.