Leeston

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIII, Issue 34, 24 August 1905, Page 4

Leeston

(From our Christchurch correspondent.)

His Lordship the Bishop made an episcopal visitation of the Lees-ton parish on last Sunday week. Arriving on the previous Saeurday evening, his Lordship celebrated early Mass in the church of St. John the Evangelist, and subsequently carried out the ceremonies proper to the occasion and preached on the obiect and significance of a canonical visitation. The Bishop then drove to SoutMmdge, and at eleven o'clock blessed the enlarged church of St. Joseph, the extension and improvement of which were recently effected, and consist

of a lengthening of the main building and the additions of new sacristies and sanctuary. Mass was celebrated by the Rev. Father Holley. His Lordship the Bishop examined the children presented for Confirmation, administered the Sacrament, and preached before and after the ceremony. Returning to Leeston, the Bisihop, <£i three o'clock, proceeded to examine the candidates for Confirmation. He was particularly well pleased at the result. The way in which the children answered gave ample proof of the careful training they had received. Bright, and even brilliant were the terms used by the Bishop in expressing his satisfaction and appreciation of the proficiency attained. The total numfaor confirmed during the day was forty. The Bishop was attended by the Rev. Father Goggan, pastor of the Ellesmere district, and the Rev. Father Holley. On Monday his Lordship visited the tonvent of the Sisters of the ,Missions, a pleasing entertainment being provided by the pupils attending the schools. His Lordship praised the pupils for their singing, and said he had rarely heard a large number of children acquit themselves so efficiently. He had great hopes that in the near future they would be sufficiently proficient to carry ou t t the wish of our Holy Father in regaDd to Church music. The Bishop returned to Christchurch during the day.