SOUTHBRIDGE

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIII, Issue 50, 14 December 1905, Page 19

SOUTHBRIDGE

St. Joseph's Church, Southbridge (says the ' Ellesmcre Guardian ,' December 2) was crowded in all parts on Sunday evening, when his Lordship Bishop Grimes occupied the pulpit. The occasion was the blessing and erecting of the Stations of the Cross. In his address his Lordship said the last time he addressed a gathering 111 that sacred edifice was when the building had been enlarged, due to the efforts of their devoted pastor (Rev. Father Goggan). He (the speaker) had then congratulated them on the addition to God's House, and now he would further congratulate them on the consummation oi the impressive ceremony which was about to take place. His Lordship then briefly reviewed the Way of the Cross, and having done this, explained the ceremony which was about to take place. The impressive ceremony being completed, his Lordship made an appeal to the congregation regarding funds tor paying oft" the existing debt on the Christchuieh Cathedial 4132, 00U had alieady been liquidated, and another £2'), 000 remained. This seemed a large amount on the lace of it, but they should remember that it was a debt of the whole diocese, and if each chinch contributed its quota, the liability would soon be woiked oil. His idea was that each parish should hold a concert or ha/.aar, the proceeds to be devoted towards this deseivmg object He would like to see the debt wiped oil' 'befoie he died. The Cathedral would be a lasting monument to Catholicity long after he was dead A meeting of ladies had been held at Leeston that morning, a nd about 100 had attended. These had decided to have a bazaar He trusted that 1 the Southbridge paushioners would also do something m that way. With Leeston and Southbridge holding this bazaar, the other parishes would very likely follow suit and a considerable nucleus would be formed towards paying off the existing debt. Rev Father Goggan also made an earnest appeal. At present his Lordship was paying £20 per week as interest This was like throwing money away. He (the speaker) had never yet made a similar appeal to those Catholics m Ihat district, but that it had been spontaneously responded to, and he could assure his Lordship that tins occasion would be no exceptron to the rule He reminded the parishioners of the worry this debt was to their Bishop, and of his recent trip to the West Coast, where he underwent severe hardships, on a quest similar to the present one Ihs Lordship thanked the Rev Father Goggan for his appeal, and he had no doubt in his mind that as a result of this, a substantial sum would be forthcoming.