RETURN OF THE VERY REV. FATHER MARTIN TO HOKITIKA.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 22, 17 March 1893, Page 15

RETURN OF THE VERY REV. FATHER MARTIN TO HOKITIKA.

+ _ (From an occasional Correspondent.)

Ths Very Rev Father Martin, now Dean and Vicar Forane of West land, came back to bis devoted fljck last week, and received a cordial ovation from them.

During the Venerable Dean's sojourn afthe Hanmer Hot Springs Very Rev Father Ginaty took his place in Hokitika. Daring the three weeks the rev gentleman spent there he did giant work, having scarcely enjoyed a single moment of leisure daring that time ; besides hia labours in the pulpit &Dd confessional of St Marj'd, be visited every work of the outlying districts, and was foremost in organising the splendid reception which the Daan got on his return borne.

On Sundiy, February the 19tb, on which the Episcopal Jubilee of hia Holiness Pope Leo XIII. was celebrated, Father Ginaty said Mass at 9 o'clock in St Mary'd Church, Hokitika, after which he preached a touching sermon on the Most Holy Eucharist, which was then solemnly exposed for the veneration of the faithful. At 3 p.m the rev gentleman bad Vespers and Benediction of the Most Holy Sacrament, followed by a sermon. He then returned to Kanieri, where be had said Mass at 11 a.m., and opened a mission. The people of that district had also the great privilege of Exposition. The young ladies of the Hokitika choir gave their services at Benediction, not only on Sunday evening, but every evening during the mission. They were ably assisted by Mr W. Burke.

The zealous missioner's heart must have been gladdened by the numbers who flocked to at end the exercise?, not only from Kanien, bntKokatahi, Woodstock, Blue Spar, Hau-Han, and Hokitika. The mission closed on Friday morning, when there was a general Communion, after which the Rev Father gave his farewell sermon. At 9 o'clock he drove in to Hokitika to preside at the presentation to Very Rev Dean Martin, and in thelafternoon proceeded to Grey mouth, being followed by the prayers and blessings of the inhabitants of Hokitika, Kanieri, etc. etc.