DEPARTURE OF THE RIGHT REV. DR. GRIMES FOR ROME.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIV, Issue 2, 7 May 1897, Page 15

DEPARTURE OF THE RIGHT REV. DR. GRIMES FOR ROME.

FAREWELL CONVERSAZIONE IN THE ART GALLERY.

(From our own correspondent.) Him Lordship the Right Rev. Dr. Grimes loft on Wednesday by the Tarawera for Sydney en route to Rome. On Monday evening prior to his departure he was entertained at a farewell conversazione in the Art Gallery, which was superbly decorated for the occasion. Pot plants, flowers, foliage, and bunting, arranged in elaborate profusion with the art exhibits hung around the building, and produced a most striking and gorgeous effect. The strong committee of ladies and gentlemen who had the preparations in hand met at frequent intervals during the week and by their efforts produced what was undoubtedly a brilliant spectacle and a right royal send-off to our chief pastor. The catering was entrusted to Mr. J Freeman, who provided for upwards of the entire holding capacity of the gallery, about eight hundred persons.

The capacious building was thronged in every part. After the first part of a musical programme had been admii.ibly rendered, Mr. Donnelly on behalf of the committee addru-sed h.s Lordship and atterw ards called upon the secretary Mr. E. O Connor to read the address.

'•To the Right Rev. John Joseph ("iiin.es, S.M.. D.D., Lord Bishop of Chiistclmreh. May it please jour I oidship — We, the Catholics of Chi istchurch. on the e\e of your de;unnre to vi.sit the Eternal City, desire. w ith feeling oi deepi-t \t n. lati.m and love, to approach your Lordship. We are deeply gr.itt i <il to you for the gieat spiritual benefits which you have conterrul upon us and your diocese during the ten years you have been our chief pastor. Owinsr to your Lordship's zeal and exertions, supported as they have been by faithful priests, new churches blue been built throughout the diocese, many religious foundations have been established, the nn.it cause ot Catholic education has been upheld and extendel. ami the consolations of our holy religion brought to \ast numbers t<j whom they were hith< no c>n>p u\iu\ely unknown. While all this has been aeco'iiidished. w > a' - e v 11 aware how apparent it must be to your Lmdslnp tint, while g eat things ha\e been done in the short spier of tune we ha\e mentioned, very much more lvinains tor realisation. We kel assured that during your Lordship's \isit to Rome and Kui'»pe. the wants of the diocese will be the subjects ol \oiir Lordship, most anxious regards. It is « ith pleasure we h .ru tli il the one great object ever present to your Lordship's mind is n> pmciue. an additional supply of priests for this diocese. As m our humble opinion no greater or more fruitful blessing could be conferred upon the diocese than the attainment of your Lordship's desiies and hopes in this respect, we shall earnestly pray to Almighty (iod lor the achievement of your wishes in this matter, as in all others w Inch your Lordship has at heart for the welfare of thin diocese, w liom nnpoi t uieeand needs are ever on the increase. Towards Rome the minds, anil hearts of Catholics must e\er turn, and in an especial manner towards the present illustrious successor of St. Peter, our most holy Father Leo XIII. On the occasion, theretoie. of the vi~it of your Lordship t<j the tombs of the \p<>stlcs we humbly request that you may be pleased to assure his Holiness of our un-uci ving fidelity and devotion to the Holy S"e. and at the same time heir <<t him to impart to his children of the ( 'hristchurch dioce-e his fatherly and pontifical blessing. We earne fly pray that your Loidslup .. jnurney may be a pleiNunt and sucec-siul one. and th.it in due Urn ■ with your health and -trenirth and en. rgies mciv.is« d. we nun h.no the happiness of welcoming you on your return among us. — .sio llL . ( i on behalf of the Catholics of Chnstchurch. Stephen Cumnnngs, S.M., V.G-, T. Lonargan. .M. Donnelly, J MjXainira, hon trj isiirer,; E. O'Connor, hon. secretary."

His LorUhip replul at considerable length and stated during the course of his aldress th.it the Catholics ot the diocese had expended considerably over Cl2i!.oon in tho construction of churches etc.. and over C.'.0.00 iin the maintenance of .schools. An address was also presented by the St. Patricks Branch of the H.A.C.B.S. to which his Lordship suitably responded. Many leading citizens wore present at the eonvers.iyione. to all ot whom, and especially to his own Hock, his Lordship wished larewcll.