Diocesan News.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 21, 25 May 1899, Page 18

Diocesan News.

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON.

(From our own correspondent.) May 20. OPENINO AND BLESSING OF A NEW OHUECH AT PETONE. The new Catholic Church at Petone was opened by His Grace Archbishop Redwood on Sunday last, and dedicated to the Sacred Heart. The church, which is situated in Britannia street, and is in the Gothic style of architecture, cost about £900, and provides accommodation for about 200. In spite of the inclement weather a large contingent of visitors journeyed from town, and the 'church was well filled. On the arrival of His Grace, who was accompanied by the Yen. Archdeacon Devoy and the Very Rev. Father Lewis, the following address, read by the Very Rev. Father Lane, was presented to him :—: — We, the undersigned, on behalf of the Catholics of Petone, avail ourselves of the golden opportunity on this very auspicious \ day, to tender to your Grace, a most cordial and genuine welcome. Your Grace's advent amongst us fills us with sentiments of profound joy. It is for us an exceedingly great blessing and privilege to have our spiritual shepherd, pastor, and Prince of the Church in New Zealand with us on this very important event — namely, the opening and blessing of our first new Catholic Church in this rising - and progressive suburb of Your Grace's Archdiocese. .We feel a laudable pride and sentiment of satisfaction in being co-operators and humble factors in raising this nice, hand some, and stately edifice for the glory of God and the salvation of souls ; and the mutual and pleasurable inward gratification of happiness excited, at witnessing the ceremonies, can be better felt and experienced than expressed in words. May they leave an indelible mark for good in our minds and hearts, and may this day also open a new epoch and new era in Christian progress and enlightenment in the important borough of Petone. We know it has been your Grace's loug, earnest and yearning desire to see a church in Petone. We rejoice that this burning and zealous wish has been realiped. We offer oar warmest congratulations on the holding of your first ' Provincial Council ' on this happy occurenee of your Grace's Episcopal Silver Jubilee. VVe express our thanks and satisfaction for the precious gift of the Baptismal font to our new church — a dear, relic of your beloved cathedral. In conclusion, accept our Best thanks for the holy ceremonies of the day. We beg your Grace's blessing on ourselves, our homes, and our parish, and most respeot-. fully and obediently subscribe ourselves. J. J. Lane, J. Gaynor, J. Donovan, P. Cairns, T. Silva, E. Murphy, G. Brown, L. Harrington, D. McGill. In his reply, his Grace congratulated Father Lane and his parishoners on the possession of such a fine church. It was a credit to the district. He had long wished to see a Catholic church erected in Petone, and at last his wish had been realised. He expressed his pleasure at being present, and regretted that the inclemency of the weather had prevented many from attending. His Grace then proceeded to bless the church, and as it was raining very heavily gave special permission to ,the congregation to remain inside the building during the ceremony. High Mass was celebrated by the Very Rev. Dean M'Kenna, assisted by the Rev. Father . Bower as deacon, and the Rev. Father O'Sullivan sub-deacon. The Rev. Father Maples was master of ceremonies, and Farmer's ' M^ass in BB 11B 1 was sung by St. Joseph's choir, under Mr. McCardell, the soloists being Misses Hickling and Rigg, and Messrs. Rowe and Girling-Butcher. As an offertory, * Veni Creator ' was admirably sung by Mr. Rowe. His Grace preached an el< quent sermon ya. the text, ' O Lord lam Thy servant, give me understanding that I may know Thy commandments.' At its conclusion he congratulated the architects and builders of the church on the success which had attended their efforts. The Catholics of Petone were, he said, under a debt of gratitude to the Venerable Archdeacon Devoy and the Very Rev. Father Lewis, each of whom had donated a set of vestments, to Mr. Raymond Power Collins of Wellington, for the Jovely altar which he had designed and presented, to Mrs. Collins for a complete set of altar linen, and to the Misses Collins for the very artistic paintings on the altar. At Vespers his Grace again preached, and exhorted the congregation to have a fervent love of the Sacred Heart. If they were devoted to that Heart their salvation would be practically assured. He concluded by asking them to resolve to join the Society of the Sacred Heart to be founded during the mission which he and Father Ainsworth intended Holding 1 shortly in Petone. If they corresponded, endless graces and blessings would be showered on them and their families. The offertories during the day amounted to £120.

(iENEKA!,,

The first of the Te Aro Parish socials in aid of the school fees ia to be hclu on the .'so th inst. Mr. P. .1. 0 il'.gan, M.11.R , has bee i re-appointed by the Government as a mi tuber of the Victoria College Council. The Rev Father Duby ot Chri-tchurch, who has b^cn visiting Wellington w is th" guest vi' the Yen. Archdeacon Devoy. The O.itholu s of I Lifting-, boides being the possessors of peihap-) the most beautiful church m New Zealand are. ,i> a result of their late ba/aar, in the on v. able po.-uion ot having it entirely free- from debt. At n. hieci of th > "WV:.^ Tirof-hers" Old Boys Association held on Wednesday it was decide. l to lonn a debating society The lir-st meeting ot tho Society i- to b ■ h.>'d on Tuesday n<'xf. It \va> also decided to hold three socials dunuj the winter mouths.