OXFORD.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 37, 11 September 1902, Page 5

OXFORD.

(From an occasional correspondent.)

On Sunday, August 31, his Lordship Bishop Grimes visited the Oxford portion of the Rangiora parish for the purpose of administering the Sacrament of Confirmation and in furtherance of his collections in aid of the new Cathedral Funds. He arrived in Oxford, aocompanied by the Rev. Father Hyland, on Saturday evening, and during his stay was the guest of Mr. J. M'Cormack,an old pupil of his Lordship when at St Mary's College, Dundalk, Ireland. The Very Rev. Dean Foley preceded hie Lordship and spent the Friday and Saturday in preparing the candidates for Confirmation. On Sunday Dean Foley celebrated Mass at 730 a.m. and assisted the Bishop at his later on, and Mr. M'Cormaok served it, an honour renewed aft er a very lengthened period, he having served his Lordßhip's first Mass at St. Mary's after his Ordination. At 11 o'clock Mass waß celebrated by Rev. Father Hyland at whioh his Lordship presided, and at the conclusion of the Goapel Mr. M'Cormack presented the following address .—. — May it please your Lordship, — The Catholics of Oxford and surrounding district tender their respectful greetings to yonr Lordship on this occasion of your Episcopal Visitation for the administering of the Holy Sacrament of Confirmation and bid yon a heartfelt welcome. Ever solioitouo for your spiritual and tern* poral welfare, our hearts grieved at the dangers and discomfort! you passed through during your visit to the West Coast of your diocese last year, but again rejoiced and joined in praise and thanks* giving at the Providential escape vouchsafed you from the perils of the deep. We have witnessed with pride the wonderful progress made in,' the building of our grand Cathedral, but at the same time reoognise the load of care and responsibility such an undertaking involves. We earnestly pray that it may please God to allow your Lordship to witness the glorious consummation of this magnificent work to His honor and glory. May the present years of labor, worry, and anxiety in due time be followed by a very lengthened period of intense gladness and rejoicing, and may we be spared to share your Lordship's happiness at that glad moment when this glorious temple and mother-church will be dedicated to the Bervioe of Almighty God. We remain, on behalf of the congregation, Your Lordship's humble and devoted ohildren, Jas. MoCormack, J. P. RODGBRS. Oxford, August 31, 1902. His Lordship expressed his sincere thanks for the unexpected and very handsome address, and in continuation made an eloquent appeal for further assistance towards the building of the Cathedral, in the progress of which saoh deep interest was exhibited, and assured the donors that he received great encouragement from the sentiments so ably expressed. A collection was theu made by Dean Foley and Father Hyland, assisted by Mr John O'Halloran, Glentui, and resulted in a sum of £60 being realised. After Mass the Bishop preached a beautiful sermon on the Sacrament of Confirmation, and publicly examined the candidates. A large number were presented for Confirmation, a great many persona approached the Holy Table at the several Masses, and large congregations were the order of the day In the evening there were the Rosary, Sermon, and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament. His Lordnhip preached on devotion to the Blesßed Virgin, taking for his text — ' For all generations shall call me Blessed.' At the conclusion he thanked the people for their great generosity and for the hospitality shown himself and the devoted and zealous priests assisting him, and acknowledged the kindnea^ which he had received since his advent amongst them. The solemn renewal of the Baptismal Vows brought the devotions to a close. The muaio at the services was rendered under the oondnotorship of Mr McCormaok, and Miss Donovan presided at the harmonium with her accustomed ability. The altar was very tastefully decorated for Benediction by Miss Doody, Miss McGrath, and Miss Jennings.