THE MOST REV DR VERDON AT THE TAIERI.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIV, Issue 6, 5 June 1896, Page 27

THE MOST REV DR VERDON AT THE TAIERI.

(From our own Correspondent.)

On Saturday evening tbe Mi st R j v Dr Verdon arrived in Mossjiel by the 4.20 p.m. train, accompanied by the Very Rev Father Lynch. His Lordship was met a' the railway station by the Rev Father O'Neill, pastor of the dis rial, and conducted to Mr Kaort's hetel, whence the party, at 7 p m., drove on the local Irian j iunting c:\r \o tbe Church of the Immaculate Conception. A succession of sky rockets and colour, d lights displaye 1 on the towers of tbe church announced to the assembled multitude the approach of the distinguished visitor. A profuwion of variegated lanterns illuminated the front of the church and a handsome arch ( adorned with evergreens and an appropriate mono, spanned thr entrance gate. T ree hearty cheers were given by the large crowd gathered in front as the Bishop entered the enclosure, On entering, the church presented a gala appearance, tbe altar being conspicuous by the profusion of flowers and lights that adorned it, the columns dividing the nave and aisles encircled by verdant f liage, whilst tbe whole interior, under the hands of skilful artiste, was made to appear bright and cheery. Numbers of willing hands bad been busy for days making tbe church reflect the loving care and attention bestowed on it in honour of the new Bishop's first visit. A very efficient choir greeted the Bishop's arrival with a burst of melody, and no time was lost by the people in securing every available inch of ppace. The Rotary baling been recited by the Bishop and the congregation, Benediction of tbe Most Holy Sacrament followed, after which a deputation of the congregation was introduced by the pastor for the purpose of presenirg an addre-s of welcome. The Rev Father O'Neill said it gave Lim groat picture to be abld to assure his Lord, ship that tbe Catholics of Mosgiel were c pvple of whom any priest might well feel proud. During t c douQ years that he bad been amongst them, be h d txpeiienced nothing bat co-operation iv furthering evtry movement for their spiritual welfare. They were a people eminently endowed with a lively and practical faith and assiduuuß in tbe practice of their religious duties, who wou d compare favourably with any congregation ia bis Lordship's diocese. Speaking for himself, he desired to assure tbe Bithop that it gave him tie greatest pleasure to welcome as ruler of tbe See of Dunedin|one whose whole lifo had been devoted to the most conscientious discharge of high and oobla duties in tbe interests of tbe Church. From tbe days of the Apostles the prominent figures in ibe history of Catholicity had been remarkable for the possession of certain characteristic qualities

which marked them out as efficient rulers and gnides for tbeir fellow-Christians, and daring the short time that had elapsed siooe hit Lordship* consecration, those who had do previous personal knowledge of him were enabled to discern many traits of retemb* lance to the pioneer prelate, whose name and memory would be for ever revered in this province by all who honoured sterling devotion to duty and unflinching conrge in the face of apparently insurmountable difficulties. The followi. g addrest was thsn read by Mr B. Enott : — " Address to the Most Rev Dr Verdon from the congregation of tbe Church of the Immaculate Conception, Mosgiel.— Most Rev Father in God, — We j >yfullj seize the opportunity sffjrded by your vitit to tender you a hearty welcome to this portion of your diocese. We recogoise in your appointment by the Holy See to this importaot bishopric a Providential reply to the prayers of the faithful, and alto a striking proof of thu high position to which, by the apos* tolic labours of our lata beloved prelate, this See has attained. By appointing you, the Father of the Faithful has rewarded a life of naeful service in the Church, and by your ready obedience to the mandate of Leo XIII and your generosity in relinqaishing scenes and occupations endeared to jou by a thousand tiee, yon hare merited our undying gratitude. It may interest you to know that the fiiit church dedicated by our late chief paUor in bis new diocese was opened here in the Taiari. Since then our requirements have increased and we have striven to keep pace with the progress going on around. In our small w*y ws have tried to cope with the educational disadvantages under which we labour, and we are pleased to know that we may confidently ljolr to you for sympathy in carrying on this important matter. Yon may rely on our hearty co-oper itioQ in carrying on the noble works initiated by the late Most Rev Dr Moran. Wishing yon length of years and every happiness in your Dew sphere, — We ara, your Lordship's devoted children the Catholics of Mosgiel." The presentation is in the form of an elaborately carved and chastely designed reading stand of New Zealand wood, tbe workmanship of which reflects the highest credit oa the Dresden Piano Company, who were entrusted with the execution of it. In reply, the Bishop said : "I»m deeply grateful for the splendid reception you have given me this evening, and for the beautiful and artis ie presentation of which you havt made me the recipient. It is a source of the greatest satisfaction to me to hear the words of praise in which the beloved pastor of this ptrish has referred to bil flock. I trust that the happy relations that have hittherto existed between priest and people will alwaya cmtinue, and thtt the boadl of charity in which you are united will ever grow stronger and mow enduring, You refjr in your beautiful address to the circumstances under which my app tintment to succeed yiur late venerable and <le*ily btloved Bishop took place. I wai, as jou are aware, on my way to Rome to renew my acqaain ance with tb^ scene of soon of the happif-st years of my life in tt>at city that is so dear to tbe heart of ev.ry Christian, when nay progress was arrested by iha newt that 1 had beeu ordered to take up tne government of this diocase. I obeyed at once lie oHer of the Holy Father, lor I recognise that it is the duty of a soldier to go to the post of duty to which be is assigned, Bishop? and p'iesta, »s you know, are soldiers who mast hold themselves in readiness to obey the common iof their superiors. I came here as I would just as readily go <o any other part of the Ciurcb of Qjd to which I mi^ht be ordered. You mention a circumstance which U indeed to me a matter of inferpst that it was btre your good and devoted lac Bishop dedicated the firs' church that was opeasd for tbe service of Qjd soon af er his irrival. You may feel assured th*t everything conotc ed witb the life and works of my veneratsd predecessor shall always htve a vital m>™t for ma. I was gratified to no' ice as I came into this dis'rct the marks of progress that are visible all round in this beautiful plain, and I have abundant evidence that you have successfully endeavourtd to k -ep pacj with that progress when I look roand at this beautiful church ereo ed through the energy of your devo'ed pa9tor and your generous and hearty co-operation I understand you have a C-ilho'ie school in existence here for eonaa years, and this is a further source of gratification to me for 1 am fully aliva to the great n>'ed of fostering and promoting schools for the safe-guarding of tho fnith of tbe 3 it' le ones of the ti ck. I have not made any pronouncement on tbe education question piece my arrival in New Z. -aland, for 1 must make mysolf aoquaiuted with tha curr.-nt of political events ir. this Colony, a matter on which I am as yet imperfectly informed, but you may rely on my steadiest support in the work of Catholic education, for on the successfully carrying on of tbis great and noble work depends tha maintenance of pure and unßulued fuithanl morality amongst the rising generation." His Lordship celebraed ma s at 7.30 on Sunday, after which he was '.driven by Father O'Neill to Allnnton, formerly Grey town i where a mission bad bean in progress since Wednesday, conduct I by the Very Rev Father Lynca, Rev Fathers Hunt and Murphy. The mission had been most enthusiastically worked up, and crowded congtvga'i i 8 had at 'ended the various services, the Ray Fathers ha 1

been kept busy at the confessional and a rich harvest of graces for the people was the result. An elaborately designed and well-executed triumphal arch wreathed in flowers and evergreens stood at the entrance to the church grounds with appropriate devices and words of welcome. Oo arrival at the church at 9.20 a.m. the Bishop vested for the conferring of the sacrament of Confirmation, amongst the recipients of which were some recent converts. The Very Rev Father Lynch celebrated Masi, a large number receiving Holy Communion. His Lordship preached an eloquent aud instructive discourse on the gospel of the day, after which, Father O'Neill addressing the Bishop welcomed his Lordship and spoke in high terms of the faith and devotedness of the congregation, the lattßt manifestation of which was ■Mown in the spontaneous outburst of religious fervour that was witnessed during the mission. The Rev Father took occasion to thank bis brother priests for their kindness in coming at considerable inconvenience to take part in the good work, their sermons had been litsened to with rapt attention by appreciative congregations and (rave tokens of care and thoroughness in their elaboration. To Father Lynch bis thanks were especially due for finding time in the midst of his manifold occupations 'o add one more to the many kind and friendly turns he had done him. The following address was read in English by Mr John O'Leary and in German by Mr J. Krett : — '•Address from the Catholics of the Church of the Sacred Heart, AllantoD, to the Right Rev Dr Terdon. My Lord, — The congregation of this church bids you a hearty welcome on the occasion of your first visit. In common with the faithful of the diocese we rejoice at yonr election to fill the place of our late dearly btloved Bishop. You will find amongst your devoted subjects none more loyal than those who now have the privilege of addressing you. The congregation is composed of Irish and German Catholics. The former comprise the vast bulk of your diocese, the latter come a very good second in the enumeration of nationalities within your jurisdiction. It is but right that you should be accurately informed of the proportion of the various nations represented in Otago on your arrival here to labour amongst us. We are engaged in the glorious work of building up a new nation beneath the Southern Cross, and whilst we yield to oone in our loyalty to our adopted country we cannot forget the fatherland that nursed us and gave ue tbe priceless gift of faitb. We hope you shall always find us true to our Catholic instincts and ready to follow your guidance in every movement for our spiritual welfare. We pray tbe Giver of all our good gifts to bless aud prosper tbe work youbavetakeninhand, and beg to subscribe ourselves, jour Lordship 'e obedient children,— The Catholics of Allanton, Taieri." A presentation accompanied tbe address in the shape of a very handsome prie (lieu of polished New Zealand wood made at the workshops of Mr D: W. Woods, ofJDunedin. It was in Mr WoodB 1 best style, and no paics were spared to make it worthy of the object for which it was intended. Tbe Bishop replying, said it gave trim great plca»urc to be amongst so faithful and devoted a congregation, and to receive such a handsome proof of tbeir loyally, It was very consoling to him to learn that the mission which bud juat been concluded bad been so fruitful of blessings and ho trusted tbat they would preserve tbe fruits of this holy season for a loDg time to come. He n ted with the greatest BatUfaetion that m their address they bad showed themselves to be imbued with a high sense of patriotism. There was much in common between tbe two races represented in this cocgrega* tion. The forefathers of each had suffered much for tbe faitb, and come out of the fiery trial purifiad and elevated by tbe conflict. Bach nation had given illustrious examples of endurance, even to death, for tbe sake of conscience and principle. He was proud to «ay bis ancestors bad suffered and died for religion and love of country, and the Polish Germans could point with gratitude to such men as Sobieski who ennobled our common) humanity by thtir fidelity to faith and fatherland. He urged them to remain always true to tbe grand traditions of tbeir ancestry, whilst working unitedly to make their new borne a great and glorious nation. It would always be a source of pleasure to him to come amongst a people animattd, as they were, by Buch high ideals. The Bishop returned to Mosgiel where Mass was celebrated at noon by Rev Father O'Neill. Tbe music of the Mass was rendered in excellent taste by an tflicient choir. Gounod's A.ye Maria was sung as an offertory by Mrß J. D. Taylor, with violin obligrato by Mr Naigb, Messrs Cheyne, Hicks, Sequin and Taylor joined in the concerted parts af a thoroughly devotional Mass. Miss McLachlan presided at the organ. Tbe Bishop preached a dqobl devotional and instructive sermon on devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, to whom the church in Mosgiel is dedicated, At the close of Mass Father O'Neill thanked all who bad assisted in the decorations and gave a well-merited encomium to the choir for their fine music. In the afternoon the Bishop, accompanied by Father Lynch* returned to Dunedin, leaving the people of the Taieri pleased beyond measure by his kindliness and amiability.