THE BISHOP OF WELLINGTON'S VISIT TO HAWERA.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IX, Issue 431, 15 July 1881, Page 18

THE BISHOP OF WELLINGTON'S VISIT TO HAWERA.

(From an occasional correspondent.) Jnly 5, 1881. 1 VBB? much regret not being able to sand to the Tablet before now an account of Bishop Bedwood's visit to this district on Saturday, 4th Jnne. His Lordship came from Wanganni to Patea, where he was invited to bless the foundation of the new church. On the next j day most of the Catholics of the district assembled to welcome their Bishop on his first visit amongst them since his return from Europe. ' Next day, Sunday, before Mass, in presence of a large congregation, an address was presented to his Lordship by the Rev. Father Grogan on his own behalf and that of tbe congregation. The Bishop replied in very feeling terms to each part of the address, and congratulated the congregation and their zealous priest on the progress the parish had made since his last visit, and wishing them all success in the speedy completion of their new church, gave the congregation his episcopal benediction. After the first Gospel of the Mass, celebrated by the Key. Father Le Menant, 8.M., the Bishop preached a most impressive sermon on the subject of the Sunday (Pentecost Sunday), Acts of the Apostles, eh. 2nd, making a most forcible appeal to the generosity of the congregation for a subscription towards the building fund of the new church. And no appeal was ever more generously responded to, as the handsome sum of £348 subscribed testifies, in so small a congregation as at Patea. Next morning the Bishop, in company with Ber. Father Le Menant, S.M., and Father Grogan, left for flawera, where he remained a few days, on his way to New Plymouth. From thence he returned on the following Wednesday to Hawera for the Feast of Corpus Christi, where he preached a most impressive sermon on the feast of the day. As it was already known that the Bishop was to preach at Hawera on Sunday, all the people from the remotest ends of the district, no matter of what denomination, prepared to come to hear their distinguished visitor ; some because of tbe effect of his Lordship's preaching on his previous visits, others because they wished to hear a person about whom there was so much noise over the district. An hour before 11 a.m., tbe appointed time, the church was crowded. After the last bell rung, the Bishop entered the church and was conducted to his throne by Father Grogan, who then read, on behalf of himself and the congretion, a beautiful address, which he presented to the Bishop, accompanied with an order for £30, subscribed by the Hawera Catholics towards the Bishop's testimonial, which wantjof due notice prevented them from presenting at the time of his reception at Wellington. His Lordship replied in most touching words to the different parts of the address. He thanked them kindly for the reception they had given him. It was more than he expected, and especially their generosity. He congratulated them and their zealous pastor on the rapid progress and satisfactory state of Church matters in tbe district. He said their difficulties were partly over ; all they had to do was to continue the course they had so well carried forward. He thanked them once more for their kindness, telling them every shilling of their generous present, together with tbe late testimonial, should all go to the education of young men for this diocese. His Lordship then gave the congregation the Papal Benediction. After the first gospel of the Mass celebrated by Father Grogan, His Lordship taking his text from the •th chapter of St. John, preached one of the most eloquent and impressive sermons on the blessed Eucharist ever before heard in this •idtrict. The Real Presence was a fit subject for the Sunday within the octave of Corpus Christi, and treated as his Lordship generally treats such subjects, it is impossible to describe tbe effect produced •n the congregation. In proving the truth of the Catholic doctrine on the subject, the Sacred Scriptures, the Fathers, the Councils, the past and present teaching of the Church were all testimonies. Tbe subject was so treated by his Lordship that there was neither nook nor corner left for any opponent to take shelter in. Then a few moral renarks on the treasure of the Catholic Church, efce. After Mass Father Grogan announced that his Lordship would again preach at Vespers. The grand subject (prayer), chosen by his Lordship, and the masterly way in which he treated it for about an hour, ■were sure to elicit from the vast congregation the praise and the esteem which he justly deserves. After the sermon his Lordship gave benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, which brought to a close the Sunday within the octave of Corpus Christi — a day that will not be forgotten by the Catholics of Hawera.