Paeroa

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXII, Issue 19, 12 May 1904, Page 5

Paeroa

The ceremiony of blessing and opening the new convent chapel was performed on Sunday, May 1, by the Right Rev. Mgr. O'Reilly. There was a large congregation present. After Mass (says the\ ' Paeroa Gazette ') the convent school pupils marched through the grounds singing ' Faith of Our Fathers ' ; the <idult members of the congregation also took part in the procession. Monsignor O''Reilly preached a telling discourse, during which he made reference to the ptogress of religion in the districi arid the establishment of Catholic schools. The chapel was afterwards blessed, and was visited by members of the congregation. Dean Hackett announced that a collection would be taken to meet the liabilities in connection with the furniture and decorations of the chapel, and thanked the following for presents already made to the chapel, viz., Mr Joseph Nathan, 14 framed Stations of the Cross ; Messrs. Culler an)d Co., linen altar cloth ; Mr. Keller, etc. Before his sermon in the evening Monsignor O'Reilly thanked tihe congregation on behalf of the Sisters for the generous response made that morning. The money collected woruld be of great help in defraying the expense of the new chapel and fittings. The Monsignor preached a powerful sermon on religious education, during which he dealt with the arguments advanced by the Bishops of New Zealand in their recent manifesto on that question. There were large congregations at both services-, and the singing of the children at Mass referred to by the Monsignor as worthy of his highest commendation.