CHURCH OF ST. MARY, RATHKEALE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume I, Issue 32, 6 December 1873, Page 12

CHURCH OF ST. MARY, RATHKEALE.

Thb beautiful Church of Sfc Mary in the town of Bathkealo was solemnly consecrated oa Sunday by tbe Bishop of Limerick, assisted by four other prelates and a large assemblage of the clergy, and in the presence cf a vast congregation. Much disappointment was expressed when it became known that the Archbishop of Westminster could not be present to preach the opening sermon, but all knew that nothing but imperative necessity would' have caused the absence of the great prelate who now rules tbe Catholic Church in England, as his generosity and attention to the Irish people residing in London are well known even here. The new church is a superb structure, and is not equalled by any in Ireland for beauty and grandeur of internal decoration. It is a perfect gem and will lona remain a splendid monument of the faith, devotion, and zeal of the Very Rev Dr O'Shea, V.G., the good pastor, several munificent donors, the associate clergy, and the flock confided to his charge. It is in tbe style of French Gothic of the twelfth century, and occupies a bold, commanding, and elevated position at the r.orth side of the town. It is entirely finished with the exception of the tower and spire. The ceremony of consecration commenced at 7 o'clock, the consecrating prelate being the Bishop of Limerick, wlio was assisted by the Bishop of Galvay and the Bishop of Boss. The grand and solemn rite was observed throughout in strict conformity with the ritual. The church and high altar were consecrated by the Bishop of Limerick, the Altar of the Sacred Heart by the Bishop of Gal way, and the Altar of the Blessed Virgin by the Bishop of Ross. At twelre o'clock a grand Pontifical High Mass, with which the ceremonial terminated, ■was celebrated by the Bishop of Limerick. The Bishop of Down and Connor, the Bishop of Kerry, tho Bishop of Galway, and the Bishop of Boss occupied places in the sanctuary. Amongst the laity present were — Viscount and Viscountess Southwell, Dowager Marchioaess of Lothian, Dowager Countess of Dunraven, Right Hon. W. Monscll, Sir Vere de Vere, Mrs and Misses Monsell, E. and C. O'Brien, and Mrs O'Brien (Cahermovle), Mr ML. R. Ryan (High Sheriff) and Mrs Ryan J. Whyte, J.P., and Mrs Whyte, the Mayor of Limerick, and members of the Corporation, in their robe 3, and attended by the civic officers. Every part of the church, which presented a grand sight, was crowded. The Bishop of Kerry preached the sermon. He said : —Under other ciicumstances, my good people of Bathkeale, I should bare deemed it a great honor and pleasure to be the first to congratulate you on the consecration of your magnificent church, but I must feel that my presence here to-day is for you a privation, and for that presence and for the absence of one whom you so ardently desire to see and hear, my first duty is to apologise. The eminent prelate whom you wished to see and hear to-day is known to you as one of the most gifted in the sacred ministry of the Word of God as one of the raost zealous and laborious in His service, and as one' of the most devoted friends of oar fellow-countrymen who are under his spiiitual jurisdiction, but liis absence is unavoidable, for his Grace has to preside over a Council of the Bishops of his nation— a duty which he could neither abandon nor interrupt. He pleads his own apology in these kind words. "Be so good as to say to the people, in my name, that I am sorry in my heart at the disappointment I moy cause to any o-e, and that it is greater to me than it can be to any one else. Say that I hope to express this in a public way." The prelates and a large number of the nobility and gertry were guests of tho Very Rev. Dr. O'Shea at dinner. Pontifical Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament was given in the evening. After nightfall there was a grand display of fire-works which was witnessed by thousands. The effect of the varied coloured lights on the new church was beautiful, and showed off its florid details ani chaiming proportions to the best advantage. In addition to his ninny gifts to the sacred edifice, Lord Southwell has intimated that he -will have erected in its tower a full peal of magnificent bells. A vast number of persons who came down from Limerick to be present at the ceremony were left behind owing to their not being in time for the most crowded of special trains, which started from the town at a quarter past nine o'dock, and did not reach Limei-ick until near elpven. — ' Freeman's Journal.'