TAURANGA.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 22, 28 September 1894, Page 6

TAURA N G A.

(Frjm in occasional Correspondent )

September 7, 1894. There may be many readers of the Tablet who would like to rtad the Catholic Dews of the above town— the place the late Father Mahoney has said ought to be called the priest's sanatorium, and which his Lordship, Bishop Luck, said it always gives him great

pleasure to visit en account of the associations connected with dear old Father Mahoney. It may not be too late to state that the present beiutif ul church wag erected entirely by the efforts of the late Father Mahoney, who left it free from debt, and on its completion was promoted to the office of vicar-general, and had to leave his dearly beloved parish and fbek, wherejhe was succeeded by Father Gillan. Though the church was completed Bix years ago, the present commodious presbytery was not built until 1890, when the Rev Father Gilsenan had the old chapel converted into two spacious dwelling room», and added to the presbytery, funds for which were raised by means of an art union and bazaar. He, however, did not long pereonally enjiy the fruits of his labours as he shortly after left for Australia The parish was then left for some time subject only to monthly visits by the Apotki parish priest, the priest of Matata being easiest available in case of sick calls. However, in December the priest of Te Aroha (who had charge of that parish for eight years) was removed to Taurenga, from where he has also to visit Te Pake once a month. It was not until his taking charge here that a church committe was formed for the present church, though som» years ago there was a committee elected for the old church, but which had long been defunct. For the last few months Vespers have been again sung in ihe evening after a lapse of many years. Though not long in the parish, the present priest has celebrated one marriage, had to attend at three funerals, an j baptised 3or 4 infants. Besides preaching on the Gospel of the day in the morning-, he has preached acoursfj of sermons in tne evening, beginning with the sevtn Bacraments following with tha Commandments of G ;d, and is now treating of the Precep s of the Church, in a manner which a little child might understand,

In the neighbouring parish of Opotiko an art union is to be held shortly, for the purpose of paying off the debt on the church and paintiDg the building. Ticket blocks are to be sent in this month, and the drawing takes place as soon as possible afterwards.