NAPIER.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 26, 27 October 1893, Page 20

NAPIER.

(From an occasional Correspondent.)

October 19, 1893. On Sunday last at St Mary's Church the Bey Father Ginaty, of Cbristchurch, commenced a missionary retreat. At both Masses there were large congregations, and in th-3 evening at Vespers standing room was at a premium. The Rsv Father has a wonderful style of entertaining a congregation by quaint anecdotes, It is something new to see people laughing in St Mary's, but such ha 9 been the case during the missioner's discourses. In his opening remarks the Rev Father Ginaty stated be h«d come at tbe urgent request (at great inconvenience to himself) of their devoted pastor, Father Grogau, whom he had been acquainted with for over a quarter of a century, «nd he hoped they would therefore take every advantage of the mission and profit by it. At Vespers a solemn act of Confirmation was made on behalf of the congregation by a young lady. On Taesday evening an act of consecration was made by a very young boy, and the priest alluded to this as one of the advan. tages to be derived from a good Catholic education. There were persons much older who probably could not read the prayer oat as that child had done. At this service Father Ginaty delivered a short address on " Confession." This was the stumbling block with many. Some stated that Confession only dated back to the time of th« Reformation, others said it was established several centuries ago, while some said it was invented by Pope Leo. Confession, he said, dated back long before our Lord became man. In proof of this the rev preacher quoted from the Book of Leviticus, Book of Numbers, Book of Proverbs, and others. Last night (Wednesday) Father Ginaty spoke on tbe necessity of parents giving their children a proper Catholic education. At the end of the week the Quarant ore will be commenced. That a great deal of good will be accomplished by the Rev Father's visit goes without saying, and it is a pity we have not more of these missions.

Mr H. J. Bull, a local contractor, is the successful tenderer for the erection of the new church, the particulars of which I Bent you recently. The price is £2,230.

Tbe concert which was held recently in aid of the Literary Society's library having been such a great Bucceas, I understand it is contemplated to have it repeated, with Borne fresh talent added, the proceeds to be devoted to the church building fund.

A number of young people made their first Communion in the Hastings Catholic Church on Sunday last. Father Smyth stated that he had adopted what had been found in other places of great assistance in dealing with two great evils— drink and gambling. Al youths who received their first Communion were on that day to publicly take the pledge against liquor and all kinds of gambling. This was to last until they attained the age of twenty-one. He waa glad to state that every one he asked willingly consented. Fatber Smyth is to be complimented on taking the above important s'ep, and it is to be hoped the lads will remain faithful to their p edge. Situated as they are in a small town where horse-racing and the use of tbe totalisator is carried on to excess, young people require some restraint to keep them clear of the gambling mania which threatens ere long to become a much more serious evil than liquor.

Mr W. C. Smith, M.H.R., addressed his constituents at Danevirke on Monday nighf, an i announced his intention of giving politics best. Rumour his it that he is to be called to the Upper House. Most of his address was takan up in trying to explain away the Umutanoa block business. Although not a brilliant Member of the House, Mr Smith has been a good worker for Hawke's Bay in general ever since he defea'ed Mr Ormond about twelve or fourteen years ago, and I do not think it will be easy to replace him.