Akaroa

New Zealand Tablet, 15 December 1910, Page 2057

Akaroa

(From our Christchurch correspondent.) In continuation of his episcopal visitation of the Canterbury portion of tlie diocese, his Lordship Bishop Grimes, arriving at Akaroa from Christchurch on' the previous evening, and welcomed by a large gathering at the church, made his pastoral visitation of the parish of Akaroa at St. Patrick Church on last Sunday week. The Bishop celebrated Mass at 8 a.m., at which there was a large number of communicants, including children, who on the occasion made their First Communion. These- he addressed impressively on the great privilege they were enjoying on that day, and expressed the hope that in after life they would often look back on that, the happiest, day of their lives.. At the 11 o'clock Mass, celebrated by the pastor, the Rev. Father Bonetto, the impressive ceremony of Episcopal Visitation was carried out, his Lordship explaining to the congregation the significance of every detail. After the Gospel, his Lordship the Bishop preached, taking as his text the words of the Precursor, 'Art Thou He that is to come, or look we for another?' In an eloquent sermon he exhorted the people to prepare for a worthy celebration of the Christmas season. At 4 p.m. his Lordship, assisted by the Rev. Dr. Kennedy, who had just arrived from Little River, where he had celebrated Mass and preached at 10 a.m., administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to eleven children and one adult, after first examining them in Christian doctrine. After Confirmation there was renewal of Baptismal vows. His Lordship then gave the total abstinence pledge to the children to bind until the completion of their twenty-first year. Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament followed, and brought to a termination the day's celebrations, which were attended by crowded congregations. The Bishop took leave of the congregation at Mass, which he celebrated at 8 o clock on last Monday morning, and at 3 p.m. journeyed to Little River, accompanied by the Rev. Father Bonetto. He was met by the Catholics on arrival, and an address of welcome was read to him in the church by Mr. Quealy on behalf of the congregation, who expressed delight to have his Lordship among them. The ceremonies of the visitation followed: the Bishop preached, and gave Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. After the devotions a great number of the. congregation availed themselves of the opportunity to prepare themselves to receive Holy Communion at the Bishops Mass on Tuesday morning. The Rev Dr Kennedy remained in Akaroa until the end of the week," making a tour of the bays and visiting many friends and members of his old congregation. It is the aspiration or the Catholics of the diocese and well-wishers of the Bishop s monumental work (states the local Mail) that the debt on the Cathedral may be cleared, and the building solemnly consecrated on the occasion of his Lordship episcopal silver jubilee some eighteen months hence. The Rev. Dr. Kennedy will therefore solicit contributions towards this much-desired object. The Rev. Dr. Kennedy returned to Christchurch on Saturday, his mission in aid ml Lat ,\ ledi ; al fund proving eminently satisfactory. . /he following was the text of the address presented to his Lordship by the Catholics of Little River-r-+J M S Y it please your Lordship— We, the Catholics of iiittle River, both European and Native, most heartily bid you welcome amongst us, and we rejoice that, notwithstanding your manifold cares and duties, your health is good, and we sincerely pray that you may be spared very many years to carry out the work of your high and holy office to the greater glory of God and the benefit of your people. We are, as you are aware, a small community, and not endowed with a great share of the riches of the world, and though we applaud your almost superhuman efforts to erect a Cathedral Church to the greater glory of God and worthy of the diocese you govern, yet it has been our misfortune that we have been of so little assistance to the great cause, which we know has cost vou years of anxiety and worry, and it is the source of the greatest joy to us to learn that, with the blessing of God your great works will soon be accomplished. We have much to thank you for, as we have always experienced your solicitude for our spiritual welfare, insignificant though we are, and we fervently pray that you may be long spared to rule over this diocese with that paternal cire and wisdom which has been so remarkable since your advent i„ m • * b %- maln \ y° ,lr Lordship's faithful servants in Christ. Signed on behalf of the Catholics of Little River-Hannah M. Wakefield, Grace W. Ferguson Marv Teener Maria Hawkins, J. Londrigan, jun, J SndrSi sen John Wakefield, Felix McManus, James Hogan JoS Doherty H. Londrigan, E. Keenan. H. Londrigan T S y h T " Quealy C Londrigan, W. Londrigan, L Fahey Mrs. P. Fahey L. Londrigan, Mrs. J. London m™ Clough, E and B. Clougli/ J. Brady, B. CW IT Mrs J* Archer, M. Hayes, Mrs. Keenan, jun , Mrs. Keenan '