St. Joseph's Church,. Aramoho

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXV, Issue 37, 12 September 1907, Page 24

St. Joseph's Church, . Aramoho

(From our Wangariui .correspondent.) . His Grace Archbishop Redwood "on Sunday, September 1, blessed and -opened the new Catholic church at Aran-oho, which is "dedicated to St. Joseph. \ s His Grace wjasi assisted by the Very Rev. Dean Grogan, and the Rev. Fathers Ainsworth (Wellington) and Mahony. The Rev. Father _JVlahony' celebrated Mass, at which, a very large congregation was present, including the Mayor of- Wanganui (Mr. Mackey) and about fifty members of St. Mary's Catholic Club. The occasional sermon was preached by his Grace, who took for his text these words from the 118 th Psalm :—: — ' Thy hands have made .me and formed me ; give me understanding, and I will learn Thy commandments.' His Grace said that the new church which had just been opened under the patronage of St. Joseph was the house of God, a temple where the living God would be worshipped. Almighty God has to be worshipped and honored by man, by reason of God being his Creator, his Sovereign Benefactor, and his Redeemer. He explained the absolute dominion -of God - over all His creatures, and the strict obligation under which man is, in justice, bound to honor and serve - Him. He reminded his hearers of the infinite number of blessings received from their Creator, and showed them that on the ground -of gratitude also they were strictly ibound to love and serve their God. He also -placed bpfore their minds the love of God in redeeming mian with the precious bl,ood of His oinly Siori. Almighty God had by the redemption purchased the souls of men at an infinite price. The Archbishop next explained to his audience what kind of service God requires of man. When the young man in the Gospel went to Christ and asked what he should do to be saved, our Lord replied to him : '-If thou wilt enter into life, keep the Commandments.' This was the way to serve God — tq keep all His Commandments. His Grace admonished his hearers that they were to study the Commandments of God and bring them home to themselves ; to apply them to their daily life and to the duties of their particular state of life. St. Joseph's Church, said his Grace, would be a source of grace and blessing to the Catholics""arqund the district: There the Commandm'eniis of God would be explained, and HSs heavenly truths expounded,, and there the Sacraments would be administered. The Archßishop concluded by congratulating the people of Wanganui and, their priests on "the beauty and size of their new church, which had exceeded his expectations. He also- referred in eulogistic terms to the architect (Mr. W. Pinches) who had designed the church, and to the builder ("Mr. Meuli) who had erected it. At the conclusion of- the sermon the Very Rev. Dean Grogan addressed a few words to the congregation, tlianking the Archbishop for His presence there that- day, and dwelling upon the ability and fidelity of the architect and the .builder in carrying out the work entrusted to them. - A large sum was realised by the collection taken up "in aid of the funds of the new church, which -will about liquidate the debt.- The- memlbiers of St. Mary's choir, assisted toy a few friends, rendered the music of the Mass. Mr. W. Holden conducted, and Mrs. Lloyd presided at the organ. In the afternoon, at St. Mary's, the Archbishop administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to 75 ' candidates, amongst whom were a nurmber of adults. In "the .evening at Vespers the Rev. Father Ainsworth delivered an impressive sermon on' the mission and triumphs of "the Catholic Church. Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament was given by the Archbishop. During"" Benediction the beautiful Benediction service composed by the conductor of St. .Mary's choir, Mr. W. Holden, was rendered in an able and devotional style. .