RE-OPENING OF THE HAWARDEN CHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 49, 6 December 1900, Page 6

RE-OPENING OF THE HA WARDEN CHURCH.

(From our Christchuroh correspondent.) St. Raphael's Church at Hawarden, which has recently undergone extensive alterations and improvements, was solemnly reopened by his Lordship Bishop Grimes on Sunday, November 25, under most favorable auspices. The day was beautifully fine — a typical summer day in fact— under which conditions a large congregation from the surrounding districts attended the ceremonies. After the church was blessed by the Bishop a Missa Cantata was celebrated by the Rev. Father Price. The music was Farmer's Mass in C, the principal vocalists being Mrs A. Mead, Miss A. Bryant, and Mr R. Hayward (Christen urch), and Miss Gertie Duncan (Rangiora), Miss Lee presiding at the organ. At the offertory Mrs Mead sang Gounod's ' Aye Maria. 1 The Bishop preached a sermon appropriate to the occasion, during which he thanked, on behalf of Father Price, the architects (Messrs Collins and Harman) for their gift of a beautifully constructed confessional, Mrs Lance for a rich altar cloth, Mrs A. J. White a Benediction canopy, and Mrs Smith (late of Waikari) for a magnificent altar cover richly embroidered, a gift all the more appreciated as the donor is not a member of the church. His Lordship in an especial manner referred to the hospitality and kindness of Mrs Lance, whose home had always been at the service of the clergy before the presbytery was erected at Hawarden. A word of commendation was expressed for the secular Press for its essentially friendly attitude to Catholics on most occasions, and a graceful reference to the Tablet, a paper which was alike a real necessity to the Catholic home and a credit to Catholic journalism, for which, in the presence of its representative, he bespoke a liberal measure of support and encouragement. At the conclusion of the sermon a collection was made towards liquidating the cost of tha building and generously responded to. After Mass the Rev. Father Price extended a general invitation to attend dinner at the new presbytery. Including the Bishop, who presided, there were present Mrs. Lance, Mr. White, Mr. Taylor, Mr. O'Carroll, the choir, and others. His Lordship in proposing the health of the parish priest, Father Price, excused himself for having omitted to mention during 1 the sermon the name of one who had done so much in so brief a period in regard to the spiritual interests of such a wide district as that entrusted to the charge of their genial host. Father Price had done and was still doing noble work in their midst, and he (the Bishop) was under a debt of gratitude to him for the very great assistance rendered to the carnival then in progress in the city. The Rev. Father Price in responding expressed a hope that when next his Lordship the Bishop made an official visit to Hawarden it would be at the opening of a convent and schools. At the evening devotions his Lordship the Bishop again preached and afterwards gave Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Suitable music was rendered by the choir, and as solos Miss Duncan Bang ' O Maria Stella,' and Miss Bryant an ' O Salutaris.' At the conclusion of the day's ceremonies the popular pastor entertained the choir and visitors at supper. The old part of the church has been very materially improved, whilst the additions comprise much extended accommodation, besides a gallery, all of which has been carried out in a thoroughly workmanlike manner.