VISIT OF HIS LORDSHIP THE BISHOP OF WELLINGTON TO KUMARA.
The announcement made by our worthy parish priest, the Rev. Father McOaughey, on Sunday the 30th ult., that Bishop Redwood would arrive in Kumara on the Tuesday following, was hailed with delight by the Catholic people of this district. A Reception Comt? wv™ lmmediat ely formed, consisting of Messrs. O'Hagan, P. W. Ryan, Dungan, Daggan, Brcen, Bohen and Carew, for the purpose of arranging the order of procession, and various matters in connection with the reception of his Lordship. The Rev. Father McCaughey gave information that Dr. Redwood would arrive at four o clock, and at half -past two the crowds began to assemble at the church, whence the procession was to move. At three o'clock the people were put in the following order: School children first, marshalled by Messrs. Dungan and Duggan ; Hibernian Society (in full regalia) next, marshalled by Messrs. Breen'and Carew ; Temperance bociety third (wearing the badges of Temperance), the remainder consuting of Catholics in general who did not belong to either society. Ibe procession moved slowly through Third, Seddon, and Main btreets to Sandy Stuart's Hill, about a mile from the town. The carnage containing His Lordship, the Rev. Father McCaughey, and the Rev. Father Claffey, appeared, accompanied by vehicles and Horsemen, just as the procession gained the top of the hill. Here the people lined both sides of the road, permitting the carriage to advance until it came to the magnificent banner of the Hibernian Society, then three hearty cheers were given for His Lordship, Dr. Redwood, i&e piocession, which was greatly enlarged by persons who had joined it on the route, was again put in motion and returned in the order already stated to the church. It again lined the way, allowing liis Lordship, Father McCaughey, and Father Claffey to pass through the centre into the church. Including the school children (who numbered two hundred) about seven hundred persons joined in the procession. His Lordship addressed the people from the altar, returning thanks for the reception they had given him, and exhorting them" to avail themselves of 60 fa Z° urable an opportunity of performing their Easter duties. The greater part of the forenoon of Wednesday was occupied in examining the children for Confirmation, also a number of adults, some of whom have but lately been received into the Church. His Lordship administered the Sacrament of Confirmation on Thursday. He expressed his entire satisfaction with the proficiency of the children in the Christian Doctrine, which, he said, reflected the greatest credit on the Rev. Father McCaughey, and the teachers. He exhorted the Catholics of Kumara to persevere in the good work of Catholic education, and their money could not be more beneficially employed than in procuring good sound religious teaching for the Catholic youth, and preventing them being exposed to the contamination of secular schools where their holy religion and morals are endangered. He preached a most eloquent discourse on the graces, received by confirmation, and instilled into the minds of the congregation the necessity of being good and faithful soldiers of Jesus Christ, in order to stem the tide of infidelity, which is setting in with alarming rapidity on the Christian countries of the globe. It was highly gratifying to His Lordship and the Clergy to see how the Catholics responded to the call to perform their Easter duties. During the afternoons of Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, the Confessionals were occupied until 12 o'clock, and in the ttiormngs, while three masses were being celebrated, a great number of confessions were heard. At the close of the High Mass, His Lordenip announced his intention of delivering a lengthy discourse in the evening. Notwithstanding the tempestuous state of the weather, the church, which is capable of accommodating about 6even hundred persons, was crowded. After vespers, His Lordship commenced a most brilliant lecture on the calumnies raised against the Catholic Church. His discourse lasted for an hour and a quarter, and was listened to with the most thrilling interest. After the conclusion of the lecture there was Benediction of the Blessed Sasrament, in which His Lordship officiated. The Bishop expressed his agreeable surprise at the wonders performed by the Catholics of this district. When he first visited Kumara— a little more than two years ngo— the site now occupied by the Church and Presbytery was clothed in its virgin forest. In that short time not only have a Church and Presbyteiy been built, but the whole reserve has been cleared, and a considerable portion of it laid out under grass. The total cost would exceed fifteen hundred pounds, and now the debt is reduced below one hundred. The Bishop left here for Greymouth on Friday. After staynig for a few days in Father Rolland's district, he intends to visit Keefton ; thence he will proceed to Westport en route for Wellington.
The Mirror of Baltimore states that in that city an average of 150 coloured converts are received into the Church every year. A manufactory of paper bricks has been opened somewhere in Wisconsin. The bricks are said to be exceedingly durable and moisture-proof. They are also larger than the clay article. Paper is now also used for making barrels. Straw pulp is run into a mould made in the shape of a half-barrel cut vertically. The ends are of paper, but are protected by wood. The barrels are lighter and twothirds cheaper than those of wood, and flour will not sift out of them while in transit. The staves are three-eighths of an inch thick. Chicago Diocese, and the Catholic Church in the United States, hare alike suffered a great loss in the death of Bishop Foley. Some men arc most esteemed while they live. Others are more missed when they die. Bishop Foley is of the latter and higher class. There was such a robust, manly, genial character about him, that many men took him for what he wished to appear. But, all the while, down in. his heart, was a burning love for our Lord. He showed it promoting energetically all good works in his Diocese, and, that will tell for him m his Eternity, a never ceasing love and care for the poor and helpSs j - c of tnem his n » n ds were loose. He could keep no money, uod has given hia reward. May his be the rest of the Blessed !
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Bibliographic details
New Zealand Tablet, Volume VI, Issue 313, 18 April 1879, Page 16
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1,070VISIT OF HIS LORDSHIP THE BISHOP OF WELLINGTON TO KUMARA. New Zealand Tablet, Volume VI, Issue 313, 18 April 1879, Page 16
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