THE KEY. FATHER M. L, CUMMINS, S.M.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume II, Issue 59, 13 June 1874, Page 8

THE KEY. FATHER M. L, CUMMINS, S.M.

Wellington, May 28. Dubino the put week an unusual amount of feeling was displayed By the Catholics of Wellington and the surrounding districts on account of the sudden departure of Father Cummins for Beefton, West Coast. During bis brief stay here he has endeared himself to all classes by his leal and energy in the cause of Catholicity and universal charity. As an upholder of Catholicity he bad tew equals. His powerful orations from the pulpit hare contributed materially to the present growing position of Catholicity. Endowed with a happy aad. brilliant memory he was at all times ready to mount the pulpit and grapple with the most difficult theological subjects. As a preacher his rich mellow voice always audible, never boisterous, his facility for explaining technical and theological points and showing forth clearly and concisely the beautiful mysteries of the Catholic Church, had at all times attracted numerous crowds to the Catholic churcn. Even Diesen tars who came to scoff, ridicule, and criticise knelt down to pray. But it was not as a teacher of Catholicity alone that the rev. gentleman was so conspicuously eminent — bis zeal in the vineyard of the Lord went still farther. In the country districts around Wellington where the holy sacrifice of the Mass was never celebrated before he used to make it a point to visit each district occasionally. The success with which these visits were attended may be gathered from the fact that in Makara a beautiful church under the patronage of St. Patrick has altfeady beeu dedicated to the glory of the Lord. la Oharu another church is to be erected immediately, the necessary funds having already been collected. In Poriroui, lawa flat, and Phauwatanui, church sites have been obtained and the neoessary preparations already commenced for providing funds. Need I say that great sorrow is felt at his removal, and the Catholic community are taking steps to get him again restored to his poor sorrowing widows and orphans, to whom he was a father indeed. May God bless aad protect him for ever.