THE REDEMPTORIST MONASTERY, BALLARAT.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 19, 11 May 1899, Page 20

THE REDEMPTORIST MONASTERY, BALLARAT.

The blessing of the new wing completing the Redenaptorist monastery, Wendouree, Ballarat. took place on Sundny, April 23, in the presence of a large assembly. The rereinony was performed by the Riyht Rev. Dr. Moore. Bishop of Bullarat. who was attended by members of the Order and other clergy. The foundation fct-.neof the monastery was laid in 1891, and the total cost amounts to close upon £17,000. ' , < Apologies, were received for the non-a,ttendance of his Eminence Cardinal Moran. and their Lordships Bishops Corbett and Jleville, of Sale and bendigo respectively, and. oilier leading dignitaries. The Very Key. Father M. Maher, superior of the Vincentiau Monastery, at Malvern, preached the sermon, the first part of whioh was a panegyric on St. Jossph, whose Feast was celebrated that day, but before closing, he paid an eloquent tribute to the seif-denial and labours of the Redemptoriet Fathers. His Lordship Bishop Moore congratulated the Redemptorists on the completion of their magnificent monastery, which was not only a credit to the city of Ballarat, but to the whole of the Catholics of Australia. He had only recently travelled extensively through Europe and~Af rica, and he would unhesitatingly say that the Ballarat house was second to none in the world. The Catholic people of Ballarat had done much to beautify thfc district by the erection of Nazareth House, convents, schools and other institutions ; but this last effort was among the most pronounced in the way of building operations. In conclusion he hoped the Almighty would continue' to bless the Redemptorist community of Ballarat in their work. Very T?ev. Father O'Farrell briefly thanked the Bishop for his kindly remarks and goodwill. He then read a list of donations to the building fund, which included £100 from the Right Rev. Dr. Crane, Bishop of Bendiso, £25 from Right Rev. Dr. Dwyer, Coadjutor-Bishop of Maitland, and i-irnilar amounts from other Australian prelates. Several prominent members of the Church of England, including Dr. Pinnock, of Sturfc street, contributed handsomely to the funds, and the total contributions and promises for the daylwill probably reach £1000, including £50 from Bishop Moore, £50 from Mrs. O'Reilly (of Portland), and £20 from Mr. J. LoujrhKn, a visitor from Ireland, and nephew of the late Mr. Martin Loughlin. The head/ house of the O-der in Australia i=» situate at Waratah, and from both Victorian and New South Wul»b moc aster us Redaniptorists are despatched periodically to hold missions ia all parffc-of Australia. The pioneer priests of the Redemptorist Order in Ballarat 10 yeirs ago were Very Rev. Father O'Farrell (now vice-provincial of Anstralia), Rev. Fathers Plunkett (uncle find heir of the Earl of Fingal), Hegarty and Berarmans. The priests at present in the Monastery are Very Rev. Father OFarrell (vice-provincial). Rev. Fathers Pidgeon.' Hegarty, Bherjnan, Maguiro. Macdonsild, Mangun, M\Deruio:t aud Ilartigau, together with tome laj' Bi-otbers.