WAIROA, HAWKE'S BAY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 37, 14 September 1899, Page 31

WAIROA, HAWKE'S BAY.

(From a correspondent).

A very successful mission was brought to a dose at St. Peter's Churoh, Wairoa, on Tuesday evening, August 16, by his Graoe Arch-* bishop Redwood and the Rev. Father Aineworth. The mission commenced on the previous Thursday, and sermons were preached alternately by his Graoe and Father Ainsworth. His Grace's discourses dealt principally with prayer, and the devotion due to the Blessed Virgin. On Sunday, August IS, Mass was celebrated by our worthy parish priest, Rev. Father Le Pretre. Father Aimworth, before the commencement of Mass, explained the meaning of the various vestments used by the priest during the celebration, after which he explained the various portions of the Mass. The explanations were greatly appreciated both by Catholics and by the non-Catholics present. On Sunday the number who received Holy Communion was a record for Wairoa. In the afternoon of the same day his Grace administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to twenty-seven candidates. Before the ceremony his Graoe gave a short address to those who were going to receive the Sacrament, reminding them that now they would be better prepared to resist temptation. On Tuesday evening the renewal of Baptismal vows took place. His Grace preached a sermon on Perseverance, which was listened with great attention by his hearers. This concluded the mission, which wan the most successful ever held here. Several converts were received into the Church during the mission. Father Ains* worth made a very successful collection on behalf of the funds of the Wellington Cathedral, and although the people have not a superabundance of the world's goods, still he received in cash and promises a sum of nearly £160. Both his Grace and Father Ainsworth were highly pleaded at the collection. Although the mission closed the missionaries were detained in Wairoa over a weeV, owing to the bad bar at the entrance to the river, which kept the steamer from going out for nearly a fortnight. On the following Sunday missionary services were again conducted. His Grace preached a splendid sermon at Mass, and at Vespers Father Ainsworth preached. On Monday evening, August 14, a concert and social were held in honour of his Grace and Father Ainsworth. Opportunity was taken of the occasion to present his Grace with an address of welcome from the Catholics of Wairoa, and an excellent programme of vocal and instrumental music was submitted, the items being contributed by Mesdames Douglas, Kennedy, Briggs, Messrs. J. Madigan, W. Hunter, Cosgrove, the Rev. Father Ainsworth, and the Wairoa Band. The solo accompaniments were played by Mrs. Cosgrove. During the interval an address, signed on behalf of the congregation by Messrs. W. Moloney, T. M'Gowan, J. Fitzpatrick and P. J. Cosgrove, was presented to his Grace Archbishop Redwood. This address had been tastefully executed by Miss Flynn, of Hawera. His Grace Archbishop Redwood, in thanking the people of Wairoa for their address, said he was pleased to notice the many improve* ments made by Father Le Pretro about the church and presbytery. With regard to their regretful allusions to the loss of the Cathedral in Wellington, he said it was intended to build another Cathedral there which would be a lasting monument to the zeal of Catholics, and a credit to the See and all the contributors. He was glad to find the Wairoa Catholics so generous towards the fund ; they had indeed behaved nobly! and he hoped he would find the people of other places equal to them in zeal and generosity. He hoped he would be spared to see the new Cathedral completed. The steamer left on Monday, August 21, when a large crowd gathered at the wharf to bid his Grace and Father Ainsworth good-bye.