CATHOLIC AFFAIRS AT LYTTELTON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume V, Issue 238, 23 November 1877, Page 9

CATHOLIC AFFAIRS AT LYTTELTON.

(From a Correspondent.)

Seeing the great interest you always take in matters concerning Catholicity, and being aware of your readiness to publish anything touching the cause throughout New Zealand. I purpose to forward you a, brief sketch of the Church and the institutions established so firmly in this remote corner of the globe. To begin with, then, we have a substantial stone edifice St. Joseph's Church— capable of accommodating about 200 persons. It is lighted with gas, and has an efficient choir. '.Bhe exterior is plain but when one enters the surprise is agreeable, for everything that is presented to the eye is neat and orderly, ° Our late pious and zealous pastor, the Rev. Father Chataio-ncr who has so ably officiated here for the past twelve months, and "who during that time had earned the love and esteem of all who knew him has done much in the way of beautifying and enriching our little building. The altar and its surroundings show tbat our good pastor was endowed with great taste. On either side is an altar of St. Joseph and the Blessed Virgin, and many beautiful pictures, includin" the Stations of the Cross, adorn the walls. The priest's residence is situated at the back of the church, and has a small section of land in connection with it. "We have also a very fine school-room adjoining the church, in which the children, about ninety, receive religious instruction two days in the week, and on every Sunday morning at ten o'clock. There is also a branch of the H. A. C. B. Society established here, and it is a source of satisfaction to know that we have a society established for tlie purpose of cherishing the memory of that grand old land, and of strengthening the faith handed down to us by our ancestors. Mr W. O'Heir, the president, is most energetic in its behalf bjing at all times ready to forward its interests. On Sunday, November 4, the members of the branch assembled in St. Joseph's Schoolroom, and, dressod in the beautiful regalia of the Order, marched in procession to the church, where they received Holy Communion. The Rev. Father Donovan, our new pastor, delivered a very impressive sermon on the occasion, and at the end of his discourse exhorted the members in a most touching way to continue to practice their religion, and by doing so they would bring down the blessing of God upon themselves and their families. LytteltoniAit.