THE NEW CONVENT AT TEMUKA.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVI, Issue 7, 17 June 1898, Page 27

THE NEW CONVENT AT TEMUKA.

OPENING CEREMONY

Owing to the report of the opening of the new convent at Temuka reaching our office just betore we went to press, we were unable to do that justice to the proceedings which the occasion merited. We, therefore, have pleasure in supplying fuller particulars of the opening ceremony from the columns of the T< multa Lcaih r.

The opening and consecration of the new convent of the Sisters of St. Joseph at Temuka, was the occasion for one ot the largest and most representative gatherings that has probably been witnessed in the district since the opening of the Catholic church. The ceremonial services were fixed to commence at half-past two o'clock, but long betore that hour a very large number of people had assembled in the vicinity of the church. There were representatives of all denominations for many miles aiound. and their presence on a day only temporarily favourable was quite sufficient to convince the merest outsider that the labours of the Sisters of St. Joseph have been keenly appreciated in this district. It is. perhaps, right to go a little further and bear testimony to the hiurh appreciation in which the Rev. Father Fauvel is held. There can be but few men who could so influence the sympathies of others as to allow of the erection, within a comparatively short space of time, ot two such handsome and costly buildings as the Catholic church and the Convent of St. Joseph at Temuka. This has been only a portion of his work in the district, and were he removed to-morrow he would leave behind him a practically everlasting earthly memorial of his association with this district — an association which his every co-religionist as well as those of other denominations would unceasingly regret to see severed.

On Sunday afternoon at the commencement of the service the church was well filled, and during its progress the vacant unseated spaces were gradually filled. Solemn Vespers were then sung, the Rev. Father Galerne and the choir taking the verses of the psalms alternatively. At the conclusion of the Vespers Archbishop Redwood delivered an address. In his opening remarks he expressed the joy he felt at being present that day on an occasion which could not but be of interest, as was plainly evinced by the large number present. It was a day never to be forgotten in Temuka, and the residents who, irrespective of creed, were present on the occasion, showed their appreciation of having a convent in their midst by appearing in such numbers. They wore not wrong in their appreciation in this respect. The advantages to the whole community from the presence, the works, and the virtues of the Sisters could never be fully appreciated. It was a daily advantage to Roman Catholics to have the continued prayers of these chosen ones. Prayer was a force unequalled by any other force. It was mightier than the mightiest. It could even arrest the hand of God Himself. The prayer of the just was most efficacious before the Lord. [Here the preacher recorded several illustrative incidents in the Bible.] Continuing, the preacher said that the Sisters would pray day and night lor their own congregations, for the children attending their schools, for the district, tor their benefactors, and for all who assisted them in their work. The people of the district would also have the example of their virtues. They led a life superior to that of the ordinary Christian. Christ had defined two kinds of Christians. There was the one who kept His Commandments, and without this they could not be .-aved : but there was also the Christian with the higher career. They would recall the example of the young man who asked, '• What shall I do to be saved .' " He had obeyed the Commandments, but he was told, " Go, sell what thou hast, give to the poor, follow Me. ' This saying of our Loid's, the Sisters took to heart, and as well as keeping His Commandments, went further. They aspired to the higher lite, and fitted themselves for the hundredfold reward promised and the lite everlasting. They, in the first place, devoted themselves to chastity. St. Paul had said that the married woman w.is divided in her love, as she loved her husband. He did not thereby condemn the married state, but he indicated a higher way of devotion to God. The unmarried could give all their love to God, and therefore chastity was recommended though not enforced. Then came the renunciation of property, and finally the renunciation of self-will. ju 8 t as Christ was subject to Joseph and JMary. These Sisters, therefore, by the renunciation of family ties, desires of wealth, and ot self-will, removed the obstacles towards the attainment of a higher degree of perfection in Christian lite. They did not do this without preparation or by impulse. They underwent the novitiate period, and when they found they could submit to the surrender, they embrace their vows with the sanction of the Church. Their example m this respect should permeate the district in which they took up their abode. It must have an influence on the children of the Catholic school. The way of precept, it had been said, was long and difficult, that of example was short and effective. Their example was a leaven of virtue, which influenced the whole community. It would be impossible to count the services rendered by convents and monasteries to the civilised world. For example : Wherever there were lepers there would be found Dominican bisters. Jn hospitals Sisters of some denomination were in attendance. "Where there were foundlings the charge of them was undertaken by Sisters. On the battlefield, in the army hospital, with the ambulance train,' and where pestilence followed or associated with conflict, as it might in the present war, Sisters of the Church would be present. This was not a modern idea. It had been going on from century to century, and it would go on until the end ot time. The Sisters of St. Joseph were more especially specialists in education. They had the love of children and aptitude tor teaching, and thus it followed that they met with success in this particular line. Their labours so far had been most successful, and he was delighted that he had to open a convent built especially for them and to bless it in the name of

God. He had to congratulate the congregation and the people in the district generally that it was an ornament to their town, that it was a building satisfactory in every way, showing a good design and downright honest workmanship. It was no flattery to the builders to say so. He could assure the contributors that they had good value for their money, and would congratulate them on having a priest who could, it he collected their money, see that it was expended satisfactorily. Father Fauvel could certainly do this, as witness their church. They would be called upon that day to help to extinguish the debt on the building. It was a small one. fortunately, and it could be done that afternoon if they felt so disposed. It was almost unnecessmy to appeal to their generosity, for there was not another community in the Colony which was so little likely to luquire an appeal made to them. They would recall, as he did, the laying of the foundation-stone of the church, when there was contributed no less than £1 '.)(.) 0 of voluntary offerings. That was l!> years ago, and the people's feelings towards their church had not changed since then. In conclusion the Archbishop urge! his hearers to give generously, as their gifts would be restored to them over and over again in the shape of advantages to themselves and children.

At the conclusion of the address a collection was taken up. To this there was a liberal response.

At the close of the Archbishop's discouise, a procession was formed, and marched to the convent, various hymns being sung on the way. The convent was then duly opened and the chapel blessed by the Archbishop. On returning to the church Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament was given. While the people were going into the church, Miss M'Guinness ("the popular organist of St. Mary's, Timaru) played a sacred march in her well-known brilliant style, and another when the people were leaving the church after the service. The Rev. Father Galerne, who possesses a fine voice, sang Bordese's "0 Salutaris." Haydn's majestic " Tantum Ergo" was rendered by the choir. Miss Stevenson sang " The Gift."

THE CONVENT. The new convent is situated on sections which have frontages on Wilkin street (opposite the Catholic chapel), Denmark, and Studholme streets, Arowhenua, within less than a minute's walk of the railway station, Temuka. It is a substantial building in brick, 40ft square, of two storeys, and all neatly faced with cement, and lined out to represent stone. The roof is of that description known as '* hip," with projections supported by cantilever blocks. It is surmounted by a very handsome gilt cross. A very substantial verandah. Oft wide, has been carried along three sides of the building. The windows are those technically known as " twin windows," and of these five open to Wilkin street. Internally, the arrangements appear to be most convenient. On the ground floor there are a reception room, music room, '• the Sister's room," kitchen and scullery. On the upper floor are four large dormitories, and bath room, and in the passages wardrobes and linen closets. Adjoining the main building, and easily accessible from the main hall passage, which is Sft wide, is the private chapel of the Sisters, the gift of a friend. This is a very well built and well-designed building, 20ft x lift, with octagon end, raised altar floor, leaded windows with Gothic heads, and handsome doorway, also with Gothic head, surmounted by a shield and cross. At the back of the main building, and enclosed within a substantial fence, are a washhouse, coal-shed, and other buildings, all conveniently arranged for their several purposes. At the western end of the north verand.ih arrangements have been made for a small storeroom adjacent to the kitchen. The kitchen is large and convenient, furnished with cooking range, store, cupboards, shelving, etc. There is a complete hot and cold water supply to the kitchen, bathroom, and scullery. The ordinary water supply is by means of four 400-gallon tanks situated at the rear of the building. The hot-water system is that patented by Mr. J. 11. Walker, and it has been found most effective and economical. The refectory, or dining-room, is separated from the music room by a partition moveable at will, and thus a large room can be obtained for occasions of ceremony. The height of rooms throughout is lift. The floors are of Hn tongued-and-groovfd red pine, and the majority of the fittings, such as wardrobes, etc., are of the same material. The staircase is of easy grade, plainly but subttuntially finished. The bathroom is sufficiently large as to admit of the storage of any surplus luggage, although this is reduced to a minimum. The dormitories are very plainly furnished for three occupants. There are no carpets, and no extraneous comforts. Everything is of the simplest. The general appearance of the building from the outside is attractive ; internally it conveys the idea of comfort and simplicity. The immediate surroundings are enclosed with a neat fence of wire and standards, and on either side are the boys' and girls' playgrounds.

The old convent buildings have been disposed of, except one portion, which w ill be added as a class-room to the school. When this is completed there will bd every convenience for the conduct of several large classes.

The contractor for the building was Mr. Alex Frew, of Temuka. His work has been so faithfully carried out as to earn the highest praise from all associated with it. He constructed himself the windows, doors, staircase, and principal fittings of the buildings, and has evidently spared no pains to give satisfaction to his emploj'ers. Faithful tub-contractors have been Mr. Einil Hall for brickwork, and Messrs. Hates and Co. for painting and plumbing 1 . In connection with the latter firm, Mr. J. H. Walker were employed, and his heating apparatus, as well a* other work undertaken by him, having 1 given every satisfaction. The building: as a whole was carried out under the immediate supervision of the Rev. Father Fauvel, somewhat on the lines of the convent at Waimate. He has expressed his hearty approval of the work done by those employed. The building is certainly an ornament to the town, and should serve to place in only a proper degree of comfort the worthy Sisters, who, in pursuing their scheme of life, have hitherto submitted to a considerable degree of discomfort.