VISIT OF THE BISHOP OF CHRISTCHURCH TO TIMARU.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XV, Issue 45, 2 March 1888, Page 13

VISIT OF THE BISHOP OF CHRISTCHURCH TO TIMARU.

On the afternoon of 23rd February the Reception Committee (consisting of the Rev. Father Foley, Messrs. Gosling, O'Rourke, T. O'Driscoll, M. J. Lynch. Burns aud Harney) entered a special cartriage of the 6.20 train and proceeded to Temuka for the purpose of ■velcoming the Bishop and escorting him to Timaru. As the train ran into the Timaru station the platform was seen to be literally packed with people, and it wan with some difficulty that the party made their way to the carriages that were in waiting outside. His Lordship, attended by the Rev. Father Foley, was conducted to the first carriage. Outside the station there was an immense crowd, some thousands of people occupying the station road, lower George Btreet, and the Main South Road. Messrs. Duval and Tymons (marshals) were at band, and they speedily formed the procession, which was in the following order; — Catholic Band, school boys and girls,— Children of Mary,— ladies of the Altar Society, — the Holy League, — Hibernian Society, — membeis of the congregation,— carriage containing the Bishop and suite, and attended by 24 torch-bearers on each side, and a mounted escort furnished by the Hibernian Society, — carriages containing clergy and members of the committee. Tbe route taken was up the Main road and North street to the church. The streets were lined with people all along the route, and the greatest enthusiasm as well as the utmost decorum prevailed. Over the main entrance to the church a splendid triumphal arch had been erected. Crowning the upper and triangalar transparency was the Papal flag representing a mitre bearing the triple crown and the cross-keys. To the left were the British Ensign and the New Zealand flag, to the right the harp of Erin and the lion of Scotland. The main transparency showed the motto " dead mille failtJte to our beloved Bishop." The triple span consisted of three minor transparencies showing the words " Welcome," " Prince of the Church," " Welcome" respectively, the light being supplied by Chinese lanterns principally. Among the trees numberless lanterns were suspended, and the light of these, mingling with the light that streamed from every window and door of the church, Imparted indescribable beauty to the scene, which was heightened by the illuminated arch at the entrance to the presbytery. The St. George's Cross floated above the main transparency, which bore the inscription " Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord." On the right of these were distinguished " Viva 1 Leo XIII.," " Viva I Johannes Episcopus ad Multos Annos I " The scene when his Lordship alighted at the presbytery was animated and striking. At the presbytery the Bishop and his suite remained some twenty minutes or half an hour robing ; in the meanwhile the church rapidly filled to overflowing. About ten minutes to nine it was announced that the Bishop would enter the church at the main door, attended by his clergy, and there be received by tLe parish priest. With difficulty a passage was formed, and a band of acolytes bearing tapers led the way. On the Bishop, who was robed and mitred, entering the door, the Rev. Father Foley welcomed him in the customary formal manner, and then knelt to receive his episcopal blessing, and the procession resumed its march, Father Foley leading, followed by Father Devoy. His Lordship came next, his train being borne by Father Fauvel, Father Goutenoire following, the choir singing the antiphon " Ecce Sacerdos Magnus." His Lordship bestowed his blessing to right and left as he passed up the nave until he reached the sanctuary, when he was conducted to his throne. The throne was conspicuous by its massiveness and beauty, and was made entirely of rimu. The back was plain ; the massive canopy was in the castellated Gothic style supported by carved brackets resting on carved bosses of oak leaves and acorns. The chair, a very handsome piece of work, was the gift of Mr. Thomas O'Driscoll. On reaching the altar, his Lordship was conducted to the throne, when the following addresses were presented. The first address was from the clergy and laity, and was read by Father Foley as follows :— 14 To the Right Rev. John Joseph Grimes, D.D., First Bishop of Christchurch. " May it please your Lordship,— We, the priests and people of this parish, respectfully approach you to offer our heartiest congratulations and warmest welcome on the occasion of your first visit to Timaru. Since the news of your appointment reached us, unceasing prayers have been daily offered that the (benign Providence of God, who so graciously vouchsafed your election, might guide and direct the footsteps of our pastor and send him safely to us. In your presence today, we share in the joy of all your diocesans, raising our minds in thanksgiving to our Heavenly Pastor like the members of a family welcoming home their father. While tendering to you this tribute of filial affection, we desire to direct your Lordship's attention to what has already been done in this parish in the cause of religion and education. This church, from which radiates the stream of supernatural light and spiritual life, dedicated under the invocation of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, though of humble pretension in point of architecture, is very solidly built, and capable of receiving within its hallowed walls more than 600 worshippers. There are, besides, two parochial schools, each capable of containing 150 children. These are monuments of the zeal and wisdom of two priests, one of whom has been a co-labourer of your Lordship in the far-off land of the West, the Very Rev. Father Ohataigner. The other, Rev. Father Goutenoire, we are happy to see, still continues the work of his Divine Master in tbe adjoining parish of Waimate. On the summit of the elevation is built a magnificent convent, which sits enthroned like a queen among her subjects. Here the pious religieuses of the Sacred Heart, renowned for their success in teaching, conduct both tne convent and girls' parochial schools. To all these we point as substantial proof of tbe living faith of your flock in Timaru, and with pardonable pride we entertain the idea that your Lordship is coming amongst as faithful a people as any you have left in the old land. The great question of the hour is religious education, and while all professing Christiana acknowledge the necessity of imparting religious teaching together with secular Bcience to the children attending primary schools" none

but the Catholic Church have had the courage to u-ilertake the work. May we not, then, to-day hail your presence iv this warfare with secularism, and look up to you as a wise and valiaafc cbampioi who has devoted many years of his life to the noble work of such education. We, therefore, joyfully tender your Lordship a warm aid hearty welcome, promising to second every good work of yours; that, receiving light from your counsel and strength from your example, we may hopefully look forward to the time in the near future when this question, so dear to the he^rt of every Catholic, will be satisfactorily settled.— Signed on behalf of the clergy and laity of the parish of Timaiu, "James Foley, S.M., P.P.; M. D, Browne, T. O'Drisooll, W. aoahng, T. L. Harney, T. J. Barns, M. de H. Daval, Thomas W. Tynwtw M. J. Lynch, Thomas Sheehy, D. O'Shea, T. O'Rorke." Mr. H. P. Madden, President of the Hibernian Society, then read the next address, couched in the following words : " May it please your Lordship.—We, the officer* and members of the Hibernian Australasian Catholic Benefit Society established in Timaru, beg to offer you our most sincere, respectful, and cordial welcome, on this your first visit to this parish. Since the announcement of your Lordship's appointment to the newly.created See of Christchurch, we have anxiously awaited the news of 'your departure from Europe. The first intimation of your near advent, flashed by cablegram from Hobart, filled our hearts with joy, and now we feel proud to give expression to these sentiments, and welcome you our chief pastor and Father in Christ, with a oead mills failtht. Our Society, as its name declares, is racy of the soil from which most of us have come. While anxious to aid our fellow-colonists in every good work calculated to make this young Colony a grand and progperous one, we fondly cherish the memory of the land of our birth the land of saint and sage, a land, which, siace its Ohristianisation by St. Patrick, has sent missionaries into almost every country of the world to spread the light of the Gospel truth. While we are encouraged to cultivate the noble traditions of our Celtic forefathers in undying love for « dear old Ireland,' we are no leas exhorted to imitate their holy example by leading a life truly Catholic. Our motto, • Faith, Hope, and Charity,* sufficiently unfoldg the foundation, the object, and the end of the Society, counting, as it does, among its members Catholics of every nationality— none but practical Catholics being eligible for membership. We shall ever preserve the memory i j 1 ? 18 da ? a 8 a red letter one "* the histor y °t our Society, and we gladly avail ourselves of the opportunity to offer through your lordship our most sincere thanks to our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIII., for sending to govern this remote part of the Lord's vineyard a prelate so distinguished for wisdom and experience. With great pleasure we learned that you have worthily filled high positions of trust in furtherrag the cause of education in America, Ireland, and England. We have reason to congratulate ourselves, therefore, on having so refined a scholar as your Lordship to guide and direct us in this work, so essential to the well-being of religion . In conclusion, we offer you our heartfelt felicitations, and promise filial obedience and willing co-operation in every work initiated by your Lordship in the cause of our Holy Faith. That you may be long spared to preside over this diocese is the hearty prayer of your devoted children.— Signed on of the officers and members— H. P. Madden (President), James Foley (Chaplain), M. F. Dennehy (Secretary), M. Cranmtch (Treasurer), Thomas, Sheehy, Vice-President.; Thomas W. Tymona, Past President. ' ,T Finally ' MiBB Mvr P hv read the following address from the Children of Mary, the Altar Society, and the Holy League of the Cross : — "My Lord,— To you, th 3 representative of Christ's Vicar, and guardian of the spiritual interests; of this newly-created diocese, we, the members of the congregation of the Children of Mary, of the Altar Society, and of the Holy League of the Apostleship of Prayer, extend a most cordial welcome and express our unqualified joy at your presence in our midst. We are not unmindful of the fact that it is to the solicitude of our Sovereign Pontiff we owe the sacred ministry of word and work which your Lordship so generously consecrates to our well-being. We know, too, that the blessings this ministry will procure us have been purchased by numerous sacrifices,— by the severing of many a hallowed bond ; the relinquishing of cherished scenes and time-honoured associations. But the incense of these united sacrifices has wreathed your name, already resplendent with the dignity of priest of God with the fair lugtre of missionary and apostle, and we in the name of our respective societies tender to your Lordship the assurance of bur filial attachment and most respectful homage. We hope to prove by our affection, by our co-operation with your efforts for our spiritual advancement, that we appreciate your devotedness and the reciprocal obligation which it imposes. Tkough limited in number, we trust your Lordship will discern in us the grain of mustard seed destined to yield in time a rich fruition. The motives which have called into existence oar various associations are clnsely allied with the dearest interests of our Holy Church. United in heart and sympathy with our devoted priests, we aim at diffusing about us the spirit of true Christian piety. Oar efforts will assuredly receive fresh impetus from the kindly encouragement of your Lordship, and the paternal blessing upon them. May it be our privilege, my Lord, to aid you, by our prayers,in subjugating to Christ the portion of this fair land committed to your care. Wishing your Lordship many years of lif am our midst and a wealth of heavenly benedictions on your labours, we are, your humble and obedient children in Christ: — Jane Murphy, Alice Gosling, W. Tymons, Ellen MacKenna, M. MacOormick, Mary Walley." The addresses having been read, the Bishop was conducted to the pulpit by the Rev. Father Foley, and said :— " Deo Qratias 1 " Bene* dictus gui venit in nomine domine." " Thanks be to God I Blessed is he who cometh in the name of the Lord." " Dearly Beloved Brethren, — This, it seems to me, should be the first sentiment to which I should give utterance. Thanks be to God for having offered in my behalf the fervent prayers which you in your goodness so devoutedly recited, that I should be preserved during my long journey to Home and the different parts of the Continent to secure to you the boon wfcich you will be pleased to learn has enabled me to make com*

plete and satisfactory arrangements to introduce to the diocese a staff of teaching Brother*.. "He that beareth you beareth Me." and "He that despiseth you despiseth Me." I have come to you in the name of f the Sovereign Pontiff, in the name of Holy Church, aa your chief pastor. I thank you for myself and as the representative of Go-l's Church. You have received me with a true historic cead wUle failthe. You have offered me the expression of your filial love and obedience. 1 reciprocate the sentiments which you have so enthusiastically manifested towards me and which encouraeed me to sustain the burden 01 the episcopate. One miißt have for his children a share of the love of Jesus Christ. This love I have for you. I have been told in tbe first address of what has been accomplished here through the exertion of two self-saorificing priests, both of whom are deaT to me. My fervent prayer is that God may spare both to continue the good work which they have at heart. Then I have been told of tbe existence of your beautiful convent, of which I had had previous knowledge, and of whose noble Order within its cloistered walls I have learnt to entertain feelings of the most profound admiration for their great and self • sacrificing labours. If the two good priests who have been the pioneers of missionary work amongst you Btood here in my stead they would ■ay that the praise bestowed on them in the address was not due to themselves, bnt rather to tbe piety and charity and generous benevotence of the good people of Timaru. As your first bisboD I beg to tbank you for what you have done. It shows that you have united with yonr priests in establishing churches and schools for the growing W»nts of the faithful in the district. Thanks for your fervent prayers you have prayed for my coming safely in your midst. My thanks are conveyed only in feeble words, as I cannot express myself at present Jn terms of thankfulness m a more adequate manner. The ovation which yon have erven me has bepn truly magnificent. The unparalleled tight which presented itself to me on my arrival at the Railway was indeed a most imposing spectacle. Yet lam not vain enough to imagine that this great demonstration of welcome is intended for me personally. No, it is the expression of a great and glorious principle, of undying attachment to the Church of God, no matter to what nationality the recipient of the honour may belong. I rejoice that the societies, whose representatives have presented me with their beautiful addresses, are doing so much for the honour and elorv of God. I shall watch over them with great care. From the Hibernian Society I have received a welcome in that truly historic cead mills fmlt/if, and as the address was being read to me, I felt, as it were from introspection, that every fibre in those around me visibly vibrated into action at the moment the words expressing theavowal of patriotic sentiments and the allusion to Ireland were uttered. The Hibernian Society have reminded me of the noble objects of their association, and of their proud motto of faith, hope and charity. Why should SKiiT wl dea v, T °X !t nd Which ha 9 been the nurßei> y <* martyrs and samts 1 Why should they not cherish the memory of that land which sent its missionaries to teach the nations of the East and Weßt, and even powerful nations of Continental Europe ? But this land of our adoption, too, has a right to a share in our affection. Though m Ireland the people are downtrodden and misgoverned and have been for centuries, let us trust that fortified by the strength which comes from holy hope, they will soon see the day when God will answer the UDceasing prayers of a people who are generous in chanty, burning with patriotism, while no nation on earth can vie with them in clinging to the faith. It was reminded in that address that it had be-n my privilege to be associated with the great work of education for about a quarter of a century. It is a divine work. It is indeed a noble work, and this is why the Pope, bishops and priests and the truly faithful would have nought but ivllldSon. It was this true education that made them useful members of society faithful children of their pastor, and fit for eternal life. Any other education, which does not bear upon it the stamp of religion is a godless education. Is is simply a question of choice between light and darkness, between wickedness and God. These godless systems, no matter how elaborately got up are powerless m the hour of temptation, the hour of sorrow and the hour of death. When childien have no high motives to prompt them no means in their daily studies by which to know, love, or serve God SS I°f n i! hey ? Whm the critical hour c °mes, when the child seeks to be soothed or strengthened, or when the band of death is pressed around him these systems are useless. Let us hope and pray that the time may soon come when this crying injustice may be redressed We shal fight by every legitimate means in our poweYtiU our object is accomplished. In concluding a rather lengthy address tWfc ol^ Baid 5° WadeW ade a B P^al Pilgrimage to Rome and that he had been entrusted with a message of the Pope to them, which me- sage be would deliver on Sunday next. He (the Bishop) had also journeyed to the north of France and was pleased to tell them that Jw- ??i BUCC f dG ? m g e " ID g «ome good and just men to come out to W Si OQy 'ff * ce i dUCat •?° bb ° yS ° f thiß dioCeße - He ( th * Bishop) S3 r T fT a ? inducement to go to the United States, but he fh dd r fl fnr« 8 » v P™fe™ng to come to this Colony instead/and he therefore asked the people to support him in every wav-bv their BSSS^biJSKg^ Hiß Lordßhip concluded by o « C & IZ&™ST athead<iteßßot tbe the Roman " To the Right Rev. Dr. Grimes, Bishop of Christchurch. Sw 88 h yS i 6m ° f ed ? catlon wh . ich «>w obtains in this Colony, wl are! nevertheless, conscious of enjoying the blessings of religious knowledge under the supervision of our spiritual guides, and of ! recSSne a thoroughly sound and systematic course of Catholic "taahihg i n al?

the elementary branches of Becular education. We trust that under your wise guidance we may be stimulated to look forward to the period of our manhood, when, imbued with the traditional aspirations of our race, we thall fondly hope to emulate the zeal and devotedness of the founders of those noble institutions which are the great repositories of faith and learning in the dear old land of our fa'hers.— Again offering your Lordship our heartiest congratulations upon your safe arrival in the diocese, and praying that God may long spare you to rule over and guide us, we beg to invoke your Lordship's episcopal blessing, and to subscribe ourselves your faithful children in Christ— Harold Stapletan, Geoffrey Yenning, Stephen Madden, John Yenning, William Maher, Alexander Wilson, Augustus Russell." His Lordship Dr. Grimes visited the Convent of the Sacred Heart on Friday, at 11 a.m., and after being received by the Rev. Superioress, the religious and pupils, in a most affecting and deeply profound spirit of reverential hospitality, minutely examined the spacious and magnificent institution, and expressed himself highly delighted with everything he had seen. His Lordship accompanied by Fathers Foley, Fauvel, Goutenoire, Devoy, and Browne, visited the parochial school attached to the Convent, at 3 p.m., where he was received by Madame Sullivan, (the principal"), and eight other religious. The 6chool-room was prettily decorated, and, as the Bishop entered, the girls who were all dressed in white, sang the Magnificat, accompanied on tbe piano by Madame Croak. Then followei a most interesting programme, consisting of "Little Fairies' Greeting," by Misses Fitzgerald, Veanini?, Tyroor.s, Delaney, and McGowan ; " Welcome Chorus," Pupils ; " The Lily Recitation," by sixteen pupila. Miss Lity Collins then stepped forward, and in a clear, well-modulated tone of voice, with judicious pausation and graceful mien, read the following poetically phrased address :—: — " To the Right Reverend Dr. Grimes, Bishop of Christchurch. " May it please your Lordship,— A glorious cry of exultation springs all unbidden to our lips on this bright day, so long the object of our eager yearnings. Its blessed advent sheds around us a radiance we may hope to cherish for ever, for it mingles with ita golden light too much of heaven to pass away with things of time. Your Lordstrip has grown familiar with the glad chorus of welcome which greets you ou every side, but its thrilling harmony swells to * mighty anthem of praise as voice after voice re-echoes the joyous note. It awakens a chord in the depths of ea^h childish breast, and we will not still the sweet and strong emotions that throng to bid you welcome, a thousand, thousand welcomes. This day's sweet privilege has for us a cbarm that words cannot pourtray, and ia thought we dwell with fond delight upon the rights which gave it birth. In the days of a holy past, in distant Galilee, the little ones grouped fondly round the first Great Shepherd, and though spent with toil, He forbade them not, and on their fair pure brows His dear bands pressed. To you, my Lord, belongs a share in that loved Shepherd's toil. May we beg that you, like Him, will find rest from graver cares amid your children of Timaru ? It is filial love that has urged our eager questioning, and it now re-echoes back again the wished-for assurance. In our own childish way we vow allegiance, and offer to your Lordship the homage of our grateful affection and unchanging loyalty. Our earnest prayers, which accompanied you over the vast expanse of ocean shall unceasingly ascend, winning from Jesus' Sacred Heart priceless treasures of grace to set their seal of full success on every wish and deed of yours in this far-distant mission. Such are the emotions which blend in our welcome song to-day, and which we ba-ten to lay at the feet of your Lordship, craving your kind indulgence and paternal blessing." The Bisbop, having replied at length, imparted to all his episcopal blessing The proceedings, which throughout were of the most decorous and impressive character, were brought to a close by the singing of a "Hymn to the Sacred Heart." On Sunday the Bishop preached at the 11 o'clock Mass and in the evening again at Vespers. The church was crowded on both occasions. A large nnmber of non-Catholics thronged to hear the sermons and all were highly delighted with his earnest and logical exposition of the transfiguration and real presence. Altogether the Bishop has made a most favourable impression upon the people of Timaru, who see in him an amiable and affable gentleman of high scholarly attainments and of dignified presence. The addresses were got up by Mr. Duval, who deserves credit for the excellence of their execution. Comments have been freely made as to the absence of pny allusion to the national sentiment in the principal addresß. This may haye been an oversight, but it is greatly to be regretted that the sentiments which were so prominently expressed in the Christchurch addresses should have been silently ignored in Timaru.

A lady correspondent in Ireland writes :— '• The Leinster Leader is now thundering against the most sacred cult of Kildare, the foxhunting interest. It is intensely amusing 1 the poor Boeotians are so miserable at the idea of the one thing which makes their life worth living being taken from them I They affect the most beautiful philanthropy, and appeal eloquently to the people about all the poor servants and labourers and carmen and dogboys that will be thrown out of work if hunting is stopped ; but everybody knows that all they care for is being themselves thrown out of play, because, of course, if they chow to stay at home and do their duty they could employ all the people just the same in other and better ways, with the money saved by giving up the most expeasive and utterly unprofitable of all amusements. They could keep carriage horseß for their wives instead of hunters for themselves, and as they are all screaming and crying out about their impoverished schools and churches, let them give to these the money they now subscribe to the county hounds. The poor beasts go oat muzzled, and [the huntsmen carry medicines in their pockets as safeguards against poison ; but hounds have been poisoned all the same. It is quite clear that Bcßotf a ought to give up hnntintr at once and entirely."— Pall Mall Gazette.