HOKITIKA.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 18, 4 May 1899, Page 4

HOKITIKA.

(From a correspondent). 27th April 181)9. His Lordship Bishop Grimea, accompanied by Rev. Father Gossan of Christcburoh, is at present on the West Coast preach ng a mission and collecting for the new cathedral to be treated at Christchurch. On Sunday afternoon many of the congregation, availing themselves of the splendid weather, proceeded to Riinu to tscort his Lordship to town. About four o'clock a very imposing proce^ion of some fiCto-^n or more carriages was seen wending its way towards the church, whilst the school children and other members of the c 'ngregation formed up about the entrance to welcome their prelate. Across the entrance of the main gate was erected a large archway, surmounted by the mystic pymbol — the eross — and bearing that dear old Irish welcome, cend mile failte. His Lordship bowed his acknowledgement of the welcome and imparted his blessing to the assembled throng. In the evening before Vespers .vir. Gribben read and presented an address of welcome to his Lordship ; which he suitably acknowledge and at the same time took occigion to thank all who had assembled to bid him welcome in the earlier part of the day. His Lordship then delivered an eloquent and instructive Bermon on the reason and significance of a bishop's visitation to the parishes of his diocese, and concluded by informing the congregation of his intention, with the assistance of Father Go/gan with him, to preach a short mission in the parish, in order to renew the good word so lately performed by the Kedemptorist Fathers. On Monday, after the 730 Ma«s, Father Goggan gave a short instruction on the Mass. liis words were listened to with great attention, as he described the historic and mystical significance of the various vestments worn by the priest at the Sa riftce of the altar, Morning' and evening one or the other of the reverend

preachers dwells in an able and intelligent manner on the Bubjeota they deem most essential to bring before ihe minds of the congregation at the time of a mission.

On Wednesday arten.oon a •ia'-s of instruction was commenced for those who arc to be confirmed. The mission closes on Sunday, April :SO.