CHURCH OF ST. LAWRENCE, MATAURA.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVIII, Issue 31, 26 November 1886, Page 11

CHURCH OF ST. LAWRENCE, MATAURA.

(Mataura Ensign, November 28.)

In our issue of Friday last we gave a brief description of the pretty little church at Mataura, just erected by the Catholic people, and making the fouith of its kind erected in three years in the pariah now under Father Newport. It speaks volumes for that priest, for hiß lamented predecessor (Father Fitzgerald), and for the Catholics of Clinton aud the Matau a Valley, that in a few short years so many buildings, and substantial buildings as that, suitable in every way for the services of the Church, should have been erected ; and it is not surprising that Bishop Moran in dedicating the latest should have hinted at the possibility of an additional priest being shortly located in this district, which is of great area, and possesses many features entitling it to consideration at the hands of His Lordship. The Church of St. Lawrence — for that is the name of the building at Mataura— was duly dedicated last Sunday. The day was unfortunately somewhat wet. Early in the morning a westerly wind set in accompanied by frequent and cold showers, making things specially unpleasant for those Gore residents who wanted to be present at the ceiemony. Nothwithstanding this, however, a considerable number found their way to Mataura, the residents of which turned out in large numbers. A sprinkling from Wyndham, Pukerau, and other centres added a cosmopolitan aspect to the affair. It was not till 11.30 a.m. — or half an hour after the advertised time — that all who intended to be present had settled comfortably down and were enabled to witness the dedication ceremony by Bishop Moran and listen to the excellent music discoursed by a compact choir that had been assiduously practising for the occasion. It was composed of Miss Dora Sullivan (who presided at the organ), Mrs. Palmer, Mrs. Cottew, Mrs. Mulvey, Miss N. Green, Miss O'Connor, MissK. Mulvey, and Messrs. Palmer and Fahey. The music was of a less intricate nature than that usually undertaken at dedication ceremonies, and in making this innovation the management had acted wisely ; for from first to last there was not a hitch in the ceremony, and all parts of it were thoroughly in touch with and appreciated by the congregation. The solos were taken by Mrs. Palmer. After the dedication Mass was sung (Misva Cantata,) the celebrant being Bather Newport, and then Bishop Moran addressed the congregation at some length, prior to reading the Gospel for the day. He said that he wished first to speak a few words in reference to the church. It was to him a surprise and a delight when he came to Mataura and looked around and saw the nice building that the Catholics of the place had erected. It was more than he expected to see ; and he ventured to say that it was even more than those before him could have expected a very short time ago. It was a very beautiful church indeed, and a consideration calculated to give him and them the greatest joy was the financial position of the affair. If there were any debt upon the building it was exceedingly small, but he had reason to think there was no debt at all, and this spoke volumes for their generosity and their devotion to their church. He congratulated them all on the satisfactory stage at which they had arrived. Taeir church would be dedicated to the service of Almighty God under the name of St. Lawrence, and its anniversary would be celebrated on the Hth November in all years to come. Did time permit, he would feel very much pleased indeed to give them the history of St. Lawrence ; but as it was he must content himself with the recital of a few facts. St. Lawrence was Archbishop of Dublin, and was famous for his learning, his zeal, and bis generosity. He was Archbishop at a remarkable period in the history of Ireland — at a time when there was full exercise of charity and alms deeds. Wars and famine pervaded the country, and he lavished on the poorest those means that the Divine Father had placed in his hands. He (Bishop Moran) had made him the patron of that church because his intercession would be great before God. Their good deed? and their obarity would give them acceptance before God — their prayers would be heard before His thione ; how much more efficacious, then, would be the prayers of the s\ints? " The prayers of the just avail much before God,' 1 and their power would be in proportion to the Banctity of those who offered them up. The saints of the Church were remarkable for their heroism and fur their wonderful exertions ; and if the prayers of an ordinary just man availed much, how much more those of a man remarkable for sanctity, heroism, and for pureness of life? He felt sure" they would always feel a great interest in che patron of their church. One word more before he proceeded with the Gospel of the day. Churcheshad become so multiplied in the parish having its head quarters at Gore,

that prießt's visits to the different centres were not so frequent aB their pastor and himself could wish. Under present arrangements their priest could only visit them on Sunday once every two month* ; wher-as it was most desirable now that they had a church that service should be held every Sunday. That woul I m-an a resident priest, and that the congregation was scarcely yet sufficiently large | to warrant, It would soon be in his power to place priests in I great nnmber in the various districts of the diocese. For some years , past he had been raising up students wio would before loug receive , the holy order of priesthood ; but those who wished a priest must provide adequate support, and he asked his auditors to think the matter over and ccc what they could do towards getting the holy sacrament of the Mass administered more frequently and the district ' Tibited more regularly, TDere was an alternative proposition. In ' the course of twelve months he could send a priest to assist their pastor. That would mean Mass at Mataura once a month. Everything depended on the district. They knew the advantages of more frequent ministrations, and he would leave the ! matter with them and tneir pastor. His Lordship then proceeded to i read and explain the Gospel for the day (St. Matthew, xxiv., 15-31) ; and thereafter, on behalf of the pastor and himself, he thanked all | who had been in any way connected with the church. Special thanks ' were due to the choir, whose music had been rendered well and in a devotional way. Those who had subscribed to the erection of the church were also deserving of thanks. The idea of building it had originated with a good man in thtir community, who had claims on their charity, and whose memory ought to be dear t<> them. Let them pray for the repose of his soul, not only on that day, but for the remainder of their lives. We understand the collections of the day realised £21 10s — an amount that would hare been considerably augmented had the weather permitted of Catholics from outside districts being present in larger numbers. As it was, the sum was a creditable one, indeed, and it is satisfactory to know that it will be sufficient to free the church from debt and defray all expenses connected with the opening.