HAWERA.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVII, Issue 24, 4 October 1889, Page 13

HAW E R A.

(From an occasional Correspondent.)

OUB delightful township ia now putting on its beautiful spring attire, bnt this means change, which most of us have to suffer ia our pilgrimage here. The Rev. Father Mcßenna has been removed from us to the adjoining parish of New Plymouth. It is the intention of the Catholics here and of the surrounding districts to present him with a testimonial at an early date. Our choir here is really a credit, under the conductorship of Professor Higham. The congregation has very largely increased since tbe music has been rendered in such a pleasing manner, Hadyn's •« Seventh Mass" is now in course of production, also Mozart's " Seventh Mass," and we trust by listening to music it may raise our hearts anJ souls to something far greater. It is said that those who are fond of music are never really bad. Let us hope tbat we all may blend in our everyday life as well as some of the beautiful harmonies which are sung in the church.

Mr. J. Flynn, whom I mentioned in my last few notes, is, I am glad to say, getting well again, and there are numbers who will thank Almighty God for granting him his health again, for he is one of the few whom we could ill spare. The Catholics of Hawera, or ratber a number of Catholics from here wbo were acquainted with the Rev. Father Cassidy, have presented that gentleman with a purse of sovereigns, also a very artistically! arranged testimonial in a massive gilt frame, o a his passing through by rail to his new parish. He has the best wishes of all who had the pleasure to know him, for it can truly be said tbat a more ■oble, generous and unselsh priest would be very difficult to find. Now that he has left the Colony, I may relate an instance of his charity, and the occurrence of which was very frequent. On the first Sunday of each month Mass was celebrated at Inglewood, which is 14 miles from New Plymouth. First Mass at New Plymouth, second Mass at Inglewood at 11 a.m. Inglewood arrived ac at 10. am ; frequently 40 and 50 confessions before Mas 3. Mass would be concluded at 2 p.m, then 3 or 4 baptism', frequently a marriage after that — and this fasting. After having broken his fast, which would be at 3.30 p.m, Father (Jasßidy would have to see some of his poor, and would often go home to New Plymouth, his money all given away. Tbe writer of this is personally deeply indebted to him for his many, many acts of kindness towards him and his family, and I fearlessly say tbat to ace such faithful and noble soggarth aroons leaving New Zealand ia more loss to the Catholic Church thau it will take years to recoup. May Almighty God grant him his heath and strength, and that he may be uppreciated as he deserves. Our dear Nuns here are very busy with their little ones in getting up some entertainment for the 15th of October, which 1 have ascertained is the date fixed for the presentation to tae Rev. Father McEenna.

Now that we have only one priest here (.the Rev. Father Mulvihill) it will indeed be hard work for him to attend to all his very large parish. It is to be hoped tbat he will soon have someone to asßUt him.