Woolston

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIV, Issue 6, 8 February 1906, Page 6

Woolston

(From our Christchuroh correspondent.) On last Sunday afternoon his Lordship the Bishop, attended <by the Very Rev. Vicar-General and Rev. Fathers Mahony and Peoples, blessed and formally opened the new Catholic school at Woolston. The building just completed was designed and erected by Mr. W. Evans, and forms quite 'an architectural feature of this extensive suburb. It is situated on one of the best sites possible to be selected and faces Ferry Road, the main thoroughfare of the district and route of the tram system between Sumner and the city. The new school is erected on about three-eighths of an acre, whilst the remainder of the section, measuring over an acre in'extent, has been acquired by one of our energetic and far-seeing co-religionists, who generously holds it in trust, in the event of future developments. The building, which cost over £500, exclusive of extras, is substantially constructed of the best materials. The foundations are of concrete, varying in depth from two to three feet. The interior dimensions are GO feet by 24 feet, with lofty ceiling. The} walls are matchlined stained, and varnished. Gas is laid on, and the building well lighted and ventilated. At the main entrance there Us a capacious porch, which is carried up to a height of 48 feet in the form of a tower, this being surmounted with an artistic design in iron, a cross being the principal feature. Nicely designed louvres are fitted into the allotted spaces in the tower. Besides the entrance porch, which is fitted up as a cloak room there is a room at the other end of the building enl tered both from within and without which, should occasion require, may be used as a sacristy, provision being also made by having a space reserved for a sanctuary, lhere are three large windows on each side of the Building and one at the sanctuary end. Each of these is filled in mainly with plain glass, although parts of each contain figured glass in ruby, biue, and gold. The building is roofed with iron terminating in wide eaves, and is painted white with chocolate facings. Concrete steps ascend to the main and rear entrances, and an iron fence four feet high is erected at the street front, with a small gateway .and a carriage entrance. Asphalt paths lead to the front entrance and around one side of th .c bu i ldin 8, and a wide space at the rear is covered with the same material. There is an artesian well with complete sanitary arrangements. New desks, of an improved style, are provided, and all arrangements completed lor carrying on a day school which is to open t?- da y (Monday) under the direction of the Sisters of the Missions. His Lordship the Bishop was met on arrival by members of the committee, including Messrs. Gilmour O Connor, Murphy, Barratt, and Harphorn (secretary)' After blessing the building, the Bishop, basing his remarks on the opening verse of Ecclesiasticus, chapter '*a Xe J° lee not in ungodly children, etc. ' delivered an address on the religious training of the young. He deplored the misdirected spirit of independence so rife at the present time, and the lack of respect for authority so painfully manifest, the only safeguard against which was the Catholic school where regard for authority of parent and of society was inculcated by *hp- w fil T + l rai oK g °u f lho yoUn S' The children were the hope of the Church, and personally he (the Bishop) felt greater interest and greater pleasure at assisting at the opening of a school than at the opening o f a church. The life of the teachers was in instruction in itself which was one of the secrets of the successor Catholic schools. Nowhere else are the faculties of the soul directed as in the Catholic school. Where the crucifix, the emblem of Christianity, cannot be placed religion is ignored, the name of God not taught and ?? Lf t0 SS ° d) - t( ? ?° famil7 ' and to the Stat? is not taught. He rejoiced at the opening of their school and hoped parents would see to it that the children attended Later on the Holy Sacrifice may be offered there but meanwhile the building was for the children His +h if-fi- thanked j lll who wer e instrumental in havine the building erected, especially the Rev. Father Mahony who had taken the keenest and livliest interest in it!

The Rev. Father Mahony, in the name of all concerned in the religious life of the district, cordially thanked his Lordship the Bishop for his presence and for presiding at the ceremonies. Much good work has been accomplished by the ladies' committeee in connection with the undertaking, for which they are warmly commended.