OPENING OF THE CHURCH OF MARY IMMACULATE, PAEROA, OHINEMURI.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IX, Issue 431, 15 July 1881, Page 21

OPENING OF THE CHURCH OF MARY IMMACULATE, PAEROA, OHINEMURI.

The solemn blessing and opening of the above church took place on Sunday, 26th June, and was witnessed by a large number of persons, including many non-Catholics, and pnssed off with eolat. In order to give the inhabitants of the Thames proper an opportunity of being at the opening ceremony, the steamer Patiki was chartered lot the purpose, which left the Grahamstowa wlim I ul 6 a.m. of the same day with her living freight of 150 souls, and after a somewhat protracted passage reached her destination a little before 12 o'clock. Among the passengers were the "Very Rev. Father Pynes, V.G., the members of St. Francis' choir, Shortland, with many other notables of the Catholic Church. The discomforts incidental to such a journey aboard of a small steamer, on a cold, bleak day in the middle of winter, were somewhat relieved by the singing of hymns and other devotional pieces by the members of the choir. The visitors on arrival at Paeroa were met by a large number of people, who had come in early in the morning from Waitekauri, Owharoa, Hikutai, and Te Aroha, and proceeded together to the church, where Father O'Reilly, who had arrived two days before to complete the necessary arrangements, was in waiting. But as little delay as possible occurred (as the congregation had to stand outside) before the Very Rev. Father Fynes, with Rev. Father O'Reilly and acolytes, appeared at the church door to perform the ceremony of .dedication, in accordance with the Roman ritual, by making the W circuit of the building and aspersing the walls with holy water, which rite was also gone through inside, after which the people were admitted. Mass was then proceeded with, the Vicar-General being celebrant, the lateness of the hour precluding them from having High Mass, much to the disappointment of priests and people, as the " Credo " had to be omitted by the choir ; the singing of the "Et incarnatus est," the terrible " Crucifixus," and the glorious, triumphant " Bt resurrexit," by Miss Bheehan (who is a member of St. Patrick's choir, Auckland), being a treat not to be listened to every day. The opening piece by the choir, " Tv es Petros," than which none could be more appropriate, was excellently rendered, the splendid acoustic properties of the building being manifest to all. The following selections were likewise well given — the •• Kyrie," " Gloria," and "Agnus Dei," from Farmer's Mass in B; "O, Maria" by Miss Sheehan at the offertory ; Haydn's " Sanctus" (Ist Mass), and Newcome's " O Salutaris," sung by Miss Sheehan and Miss Brown. After reading the Epistle and Gospel of the day, the Very Rev. the Vicar-General preached an excellent discourse explanatory of the ceremony of dedicating buildings to the worship of the Almighty, which pious practice has been in existence in the Church of God since time immemorial, and dwelt at some length on the inconsistency of non- Catholics who have churches bearing the titles of St. Mary, St. George, and St. Andrew, although they do not believe in the efficacy of intercessory prayer, notwithstanding that the Apostles Creed in which they are supposed to believe includes, amongst its other articles, the " Communion of Saints." He also paid it was the habit of Protestants to calumniate Catholics, by saying that we offer idolatrous worship to the Blessed Virgin, without going to the trouble of inquiring what the tenets and doctrines of the Church are before making each a scandalous charge. He was anxious to impress it upon all con-Catholics present that we only adore one God — the All-powerful and Omnipotent Creator of Heaven and Earth. The intercession of the ever Blessed Virgin Mary, to whom the church is dedicated, waa all-powerful in Eeaven with her Divine Son, though Catholics only consider her a human creature like one of ourselves, although, whilst on earth, free trom all stain of sin. Well has that great doctor of the Church, St. Augustine, said, in attributing to the Blessed Virgin the important part she played in giving life and salvation to the world, in a manner of speaking, " per feminam, Mors, per feminam vita, per Mvam interitiis, per Mariam salvs," which being Anglicised means, "by a woman death, by a woman life, by Eve damnation, by Mary salvation." The eermon, which occupied over an boar in delivery, was listened to with marked attention by the large congregation. The customary collection was then made, and amounted, with the list of subscriptions read by Rev. Father O'Reilly, to about £210. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was then resumed by the Vicar-General, the choir the while rendering the selections appropriate to the different parts in a manner calculated to 1 please all present. After the last Benediction the popular pastor of "the Thames (Rev. Father O'Reilly) ascended the altar steps and thanked tbe people fcr the liberal manner they had subscribed in since he set about building the church, which was badly needed, as Paeroa is now an important settlement, and the centre of a very extensive district. The congregation then left the church, the choir singing in capital style that splendid hymn. " Haec Dies." The site on which the church is built — the best in the district — is part of an allotment of five acres, purchased by the Rev. Father O'Reilly from the Maoris some time ago for £300, and on which is a splendid dwelling-house, which will admirably suit for a presbytery for a resident priest. It would require an abler pen than mine to describe the view it commands, something worthy of the pencil of a Salvator Rosa to paint — suffice it to say that it overlooks the Ohinemuri Biver, is right abreast of that eternal landmark — Te Aroha mountains, and the country about the heads of the Piako and Waikato Rivers can be seen in the distance. It is built in the Gothic style of architecture, the windows and porch being decorated with chaste traceries, and was erected from plans and specifications prepared gratutiously by Messrs. Mahoney & Sons, architects, Auckland. The sacred edifice is 46 feet long and 24 feet wide, with studs 14 feet in length and gable 26 feet, the height of the latter allowing addition to be made when the necessity arises. The weather boards are rusticated kauri and the lining of matched timber, only the best materials have been used. The altar and the tabernacle are of carved kauri, nicely varnished, leading up to which is a platform with two steps, the sanctuary being enclosed by very neat communion rails. The altar was manufactured by Mr. Dunn, of the Thames, the front

of the tabernacle being ornamented with shamrocks in raised woodwork. The exterior of the building is nicely painted in a subdued colour, and the doors varnished. At the rear of the church there is a vestry-room 18 by 10 feet, which is also tastefully fitted up. The buildings, which have cost £330, including extras, are a credit, and testify to the faresight and zeal of Rev. Father O'Reilly, who seized upon the opportunity when it offered of securing this most eligible site in the whole of the Upper Thames district, and set about the work of raising a temple to worship the Almighty in. Before starting on the return trip the following address, read by Mr. James Corbett, was presented to Father Fynes, V.G., on the deck of the Patiki :— Faeroa, June 26, 1881. To the Very Rev. H. J. Fynes, V.G. Rev. Sir, — It is with feelings of the greatest satisfaction that we, the Catholics of Ohinemuri, beg to give you our most hearty welcome on this your first visit amongst us, aud to assure you that no effort will be spared by us to make this and every visit paid by you a pleasure to yourself and a source of spiritual profit to us. We beg to tender our best thanks through you to the Rev. Father O'Reilly, for it is owing to his untiring zeal and foresight since he has come amongst us that we are indebted for this beautiful church, the consecration of which we were pleased this day to witness. Praying God that a long and successful life may be granted you, we remain your devoted children in Christ, The Catholics op Ohinkmubi. The visitors by the Patiki commenced their return journey at 4 p.m., which was more enjoyable than the trip up, the harmonium being again put into requisition. Just as Altair was making his appearance over the eastern hills, Areturus being high up in the north-western sky, and Canopus, that glorious orb of the constellation Argo Navis, sinking to rest in the south-western horizon, the Shortland wharf was reached, and the excursionists wended their way homewards, well pleased with having gone to Ohinemuri and the successful result of the opening of the Church of St. Mary Immaculate, despite the wretched weather that ushered in the day. Thames, June 28, 1881. M. L.