LEESTON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIX, Issue 4, 24 October 1890, Page 19

LEESTON.

(From an occasional Correspondent.) T«E new Roman Catholic presbyteiy for the Ellesmere district, erected at Leeston, was opened yesterday. The presbytery is a handsome dwelling of twelve rooms, erected at a cost of £700. The house is well built, and reflects great credit on the Catholics of the Bilesmere district. It comprises a chapel, study, refectory, as well as several large bedrooms on the second floor, while every comfort has been provided for in arranging large and commodious dining and ■ittiDg-rooms, as well as a convenient kitchen. The architect for the work was Mr. Whitelaw, wbile Mr. Jacques had the building cootract. The funds to pay for the building and also the land were raißed by subscriptions, which ranged from £1 to £60, and the property now stands almost entirely free from debt. Yesterday was also the anniversary of the day on which Bishop Grimes constituted the Ellesmere district an independent district with its own parish priest, Father Cheivier being transferred from Shand's Track to fill this position. The funds have been raised and the building erected within twelve months. The ceremony yesterday consisted of a tervice in tbe church in tbe morning, from whence an adjournment was made to the new presbytery, which was formally opened by the Rev. ! Father Cummiogs, administrator of the diocese, assisted by the Beys. Father Cnervier and Halbwachs. The school children, under Mr. Murphy, marched in procession from the school to the presbytery and thence to Mr. Holly's lawn, where extempore sports amused the children during the afternoon, the rev. gentlemen being the guests of Mr. and Mrs Holly. After the blessing, Tery Rev. Father Cummings spoke to the large numbers present. He graphically described the first flashing of the gentle light of the Gospel in New Zealand by the pioneer missioners, the Marist Fathers, under the guidance of the Right Rev. Dr. Pompallier. After describing the rapid progress of the Faith and praising tbe memories of our fathers in the Faith, he eaid in every parish there weie three monuments dear to every Catholic heart — the church, the schools, and the pastor's house. Education, he said, is the most important question of the day. All Catholic parents are bound to guard their children's faith, all things should be sacrificed to secure them a solid and Catholic edusation, especially as atumpts are made on all sides to destroy the faith. The presbytery is the home of our spiritual guide, pastor and father in God, home of the guardian of spiritual teasuree, of the ashes of our dead, a home of piety, prayer and stu ly. There the needy would come for help, the distressed for assistance, and the ignorant for instruction. He congratulated tbe people in possessing such a pa9tor as Father Chervier S.M. This devoted priest arrived in Chnstcburch on Ea*ter Monday, 1861, whuie he laboured with Father Chataignier, 1869. At that time there was no piiest nearer than Nulson. Father Moreau came shortly after. Their parish included all Canterbury, Westland, and Otago. One can just fancy the journeys made by Father Chervier, particularly as he did tbe most on foot aid often had very poor accommodation at night, just such as could be got in those primeval days of Canterbury. Since his arrival Father Cbervier has built eight churches— fehand'a Track (2), Leeston, Rangiora (old church), Loburn, Ashbnrton (old), Darfield, and Southbridge ; opened four schools, built two presbyteries, and hopes shortly to erect a stately church m Leeston to replace the one now used as a church and school. At one time he ministered to the Catholics in the whole of Rangiora district up to the Hurunui river, the M.alvern district up to the limits of Canterbury and Westland districts and south to the Hangitata. " Notwithstanding all," siates Father Chervier, " I do not ttiink one Catholic dud without the Sicratnents, excepting those wi o died suddenly or by accident." AfUrpajiug a high tribute of praise to our demoted pastor, and pointing out th t such a bright record was one any priest might envy, the Very Rev. Father Cummiugs made a strotg aud urgent appeal ior tbe diff rent works of the parish, expressing a wish mat he might ere long Bee the heaven-pointing spire of a new church at Leeston. towenug above every other building, and that by that day twelvemonths, at the latest, all will be ready for consecration by our beloved Bishop after his return from the Eternal City.

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