WOODVILLE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 22, 28 May 1903, Page 4

WOODVILLE.

The formal re-opening of St Columbkille's Catholic Church (says the \-\oodville ' Fxaminer ') took place on Sunday, May 17, the ccicniony hemp: performed by his Grace Aichbishop Kcilwoiyd High Mass was celebrated at ele\en o'clock by the Very Key "Dean McKonna, of Masteiton, Rev Father McKenna being n. aster ol ceremonies H is Grace the Archbishop preached an eloquent hmiiioh, taking his text f i om the fust chapter of St .lohn ■ ' And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt amongst us, lull of grace and truth.' His Grace, refemng to Ihe reopening of the chuich, paid a hu.'h tiilaile to the zeal and energy of their pastor. Rev leather Mclwmia to whose efforts were due the enlargement of the church He said he was pleased to know that the chi'ich had leqiuied enlarging, as it meant that the distnct was increasing m population and prosperity lie hoped th.it the people would taVe advantage of thf» means of gtace and truth offered to them The music was lcmVicd by a chow fiom DanncMilo, under tie conduct 01 ship of i\lr Whitakcr, assisted by oiche-tia under Ihe Uadeu-hip of Air. I,ichtw»rk of IMnncMilo The music was taken from Turner's St Cecilia's Mass, and w\as Ibv.uitilulh r< ndered The soprano solos weie sung by Mrs Neagle The ' Atrnus r>ei ' was taken fiom Mo/ait's Se\enth Mass Mrs Parker sang the alto solo, and Mr E P

Brogan the bass*. The full choruses were rendered with splendid effect. The offertory amounted to £37. In the afternoon 65 children received Confirmation, his Grace speaking on the nature of the Sacrament, and the gifts conferred by its worthy reception. The ' Veni Creator ' was rendered by the choir, ' O Salutaris ' (Zetler) was sung as a duet by Mrs. Neagle and Mr. Whitaker, and Rossi's ' Tantuin Ergo ' by Mrs. Parker and Mr Brogan. The alterations to the church have been carefully cariied out. The mam building has been considerably lengthened and a commodious poich built. A choir gal'ery, to which approach is obtained by a staircase leading from the porch, has been erected. The sanctuary, lias been thrown back several feet, and now gives a much better opportunity of displaying the beautiful decorations of the altar. Stained glass windows throw a soft light over the sanctuary. Two fine statues, one of the Blessed Virgin and the other of the Sacred Heart, occupy niches in the main building. The painting of the interior is most artistic. A small towel surmounts the building. After High Mass Rev. Father McKenna entertained the choir and orchestra at luncheon. The cost of the improvements was about £240, of which amount a sum of £140 has been subscribed.