ST. JOSEPH'S DAY FESTIVAL AT TEMUKA.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XX, Issue 24, 1 April 1892, Page 29

ST. JOSEPH'S DAY FESTIVAL AT TEMUKA.

(From an occasional correspondent.) Temuka, March 21, 1892. The day of days for the children attending ths Convent schools at Temuka aud Kerrytown was looked forward to with as much interest as on any previous year. For several days preceding Saturday rain kept constantly falling, and on Friday night the outlook was just the same. But this parish is under the protection of the great patron Saint of the Roman Catholic Church, and special favours obtained through his intercession are still fresh in our memory. Then those interested had recourse to St Joseph, and, strange but nevertheless true, the rain held off until the day's programme bad been gone through. Since the arrival of tbe Sisters some eight yeara ago* the day for their treat has always been* propitions* First Mass waß celebrated by the Bey Father Le Ptti at halfpast six. At nine o'clock High Mass was chanted by the Eev Father Fauvel, 8.M., the congregation being large. There were over 300 children present, besides a larga number of adults. The church presented its usual beautiful appearance, the altars being dressed out very pleasingly by the Sisters of St Joseph, that dedicated to the patron Baint being principally adorned with natural flowers. It is usual for the children to receive their first Communion on this day, and daring the service a large number availed themselves of this opportunity. Tbe boys word a broad red sash and the girls were dressed in white, eloborately veiled. Besides the first Communicants about 50 other children received! Communion. The choir had been specially trained for the occasion, and their portion of the service was excellently rendered, alias Qainn presiding at the harmonium. Before Mass was sung "Te Joseph Celebrent " (Rev A. Police), " Eat'a Mass " (Butler) was rendered, and at the offertory Miss Qainn played a voluntary by Mozart. After Mass the hymn " Holy Joseph " was sung. When special prayer had been offered by the children, they were marched into the school, where a sumptuous breakfast bad been prepared for them, this being the annual treat in connection with the Temuka and Kerrytown Convent Schools. The schoolroom was tastefully decorated with evergreens, while en the tables, five in number which well nigh quaked beneath the abundance of de)ic*oia(£of all' kinds, was a profusion of flowers, which imparted to the whole a very

pleasant appearance. By half-past ten tbe children were all seated round the tables, numbering some 300, when the Bey Father Fauvel arrived, and grace before meals was said. Then an onslaught was made by tbe children on the good things which the Sisters had prepared for them. The good behaviour of the children retested great credit on the Sisters. After breakfast a prayer of thanksgiving *as offered, and the children adjourned into tbe two" paddocks adjoining tbe school grounds—the boys io one and, the girls io the other— to enjoy themselves in all kinds of sports. The tables were then re* laid for ths adults, and the large assemblage partook of the good things before them as heartily as the previous guests. The Sisters were assisted in getting up tbe spread by contributions frafe several ladies of the parish. Mr D. McCaskill catered for the remainder of tbe provisions. Those who assisted the Sisters at the tables were :— Mrs O'Mara, Misses Demnth, Gillespie, Qainn (3), A. Brotnahan, Connohy (2), G. Wareing, M. Burke, E. Burke, Lavery (4), Fittgerald (2), M. Brosnahao, and Clark, who were very attentive to the wants of tbe guests. The sports for the girls and younger boys were supervised by the Sisters, who were untiring in creating amusement for the children. Races, etc, for the senior boys were arranged by Messrs Gillespie, R. J. Lavery, H. Hoare, and Polaschek, and a long list of events was gone through without a hitch, the principal ones being :— Races : St Joseph's Day Handicap, £ mile, J. Livery 1, S. Ooughlan 2 ; over 13 J Moore 1, J. Oonnell 2 ; over 12 and under 13, J. Barry 1, B. Barks, 2 ; 10 and 12, J Flaherty 1, D. Horrigan 2 ; 9 and 11, L. Archer 1, 8. Coughlan 2 ; do, M. Demutb and D. McAuhffe 1 ; under 9,B.iConnolly l, J. Hannifin 2 ; consolations, No 1, M. Brosnahan 1, T. Brosnahan 2 ; No 2, P. Hamilton 1, P. McAuliffe 2 ; No 3, B, Goldstone 1, M. Connolly 2, Three-legged races: Over 11, Fleming and Brary 1, Stack and Kelly 2 ; under 11, Connell (8) 1. Hoare and Ooughlan 2 ; under 10, Goldstone and Healey 1, Wsreing and Mcl via 2. Walkisg : Over 12, M. Brosnahan 1, B. Goldstone 2, J. Brosnahan i ; under 12, B. Burke 1, J. Kelly 2. Jockey races : Over 13, J. Connell (Horrigan) l, j. stack (Tangney) 2 ; under 12, J Kelly (Horrigan) I, W. Moore (Beri) 2. Wheelbarrow race, Stack and Kelly 1, Goldstone and Bnrke 2. Wrestling : Over 14, J. Moore 1, Jas. Hoare 2 ; under 14, Paul 1, Stack 2 ; under 11, M. Connolly 1, M. Melvin 2 ; Jumping : High jump, J. Kelly 1, J. Moore 2 ; hop, step, and jump, M. Connolly 1, B. Horrigan 2; long jump, M. Demuth 1, J. Moore 2 ; vaulting, B. Horrigan 1, M. Demuth and J. Moore 2. The prizes consisted of toys of every description, books, etc, and were in abundant supply. Refreshments were plentiful throughout the day. Amongst the large number present was ths Rev Father Fauvel, who evinced great interest in tbe sports. At about a quarter to three the children were drawn up into line, and marched to the church to be present at the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, The Benediction service rendered by the choir was a choice one composed in three parts. Tbe hymn "Holy Patron " brought a very enjoyable gathering to a close. Shortly after rain again commenced to fall, and it continued raining heavily until late this evening.