PAPANUI.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 19, 7 September 1894, Page 19

PAPANUI.

(From an occasional Correspondent.) On Monday, August 20th, the Sisters of Mercy who have recently arrived from the West Coast to take charge of the schools in connection with St Mary's parish, Obristchurch, visited Papanaifor the purpose of taking over the management of St Joatph's Bchool. They were met at the school by the Very Bey Father Le Menant dea Cheßaais, who introduced them to the parents and children, assembled in largo numbers to receive them. As they entered, Mrs Harper played a march on the harmonium, and when they were seated all the children sang " Faith of our fathers." Mr Joyce then iead the following address of welcome : " Bey Mother and Sisters,— Words cannot express the pleasure and happiness we all feel in welcoming you amongst us. We have been lojking forward for this happy event for many a day. We rejoice and thank God that it has at last arrived, thanks to the great z al and self-sacrifice of our most loved and esteemed parish priest, the Very Bey Father Le Msnant des Ohesnais, who haa left no Bo ne unturned, in order to secure your services for the education of our chidren, ' We all feel happy and proud to-day, that Almighty God has been pleased to send you amongst us, for we know that under your good and pious training, our children shall receive the piiceless boon of a good religious education, coupled wi'h a thorough secular one. " We are fully alive to the necessity of giving our children an education second to none, so that they may be able to fill the highest positions in their country. " We wish our children, whan they grow up to be men and women to take their places in society as wall-educated Christian people, and to be an example and a credit to their parents and teachers. W« therefore, shall do everything in our power to forward the oanse of Catholic education, anl wa shall never give you cause to complain of our lace of interest io you. We hope and trust thai God wiJl bless your mission amongst us, and that the day is not far distant when w« will see your convent here in Papanui, where you can have the pleasure of a good healthy situation away from the busy town. " And when your mission here b«low is ended, and you go to receive your reward for toe noble sacrifice you have made in devoting your pure, holy lives to toe cause of religion and education, we trußt that reward may be great, and that Almighty God will grant you a | bright crown in Heaven.— (Signed)— J. Jotck, F. Dela.hunt." The Very Rev Father Le Menant responded for the Sisters in a few well-chosen words, and finished by urging the people to show their appreciation of the Sisters by sending all the children to school next morning. Sjme of the ladies then enlivened the proceedings with a few well-chosen songs, Mrs Harper accompanying on the piano. The children also sang several hymns to finish up with, so that altogether we had a very nice afternoon, and the Sisters were quite pleased with their first visit to Papanui. I forgot to say the school w^s nicsly decorated with greenery for the occasion.