MISSION IN HOKITIKA

New Zealand Tablet, 29 May 1913, Page 51

MISSION IN HOKITIKA

The early Mass on Sunday was attended, as was expected, by the adult members only of the Catholic community (says the West Coast Times of May 19). The men of the parish filled to overflowing the Gospel side of the church, whilst the Epistle side allotted to the women was unable to cope with the demand, many being obliged to find seating accommodation in the choir. About 350 aproached the Holy Table, 140 of these being men. The Very Rev. Father O'Connell briefly addressed the congregation, exhorting all to persevere. After Mass 120 men betook themselves to St. Mary's Club rooms, where breakfast was laid. Father O'Connell presided, assisted by Mr. T. N. Warren. Various toasts were proposed and duly honored in the following order: —' The Pope and the King,' ' The Catholic clergy,' proposed by Mr. T. N. Warren, who said that frames of steel and constitutions of iron were some of the many requisites that go to make up a real live missionary. He was indeed proud to see the noble results of the missionthe first he had listened to preached by priests who, like himself, were racy of the soil. He would be loth, he said, to establish comparisons, and he was satisfied that as in the past the good works allotted in each sphere were well done by priests and people, so likewise he was assured that the duty of missionary and resident priests was being well done, and he hoped that the fruits of the mission would be enduring as a lasting tribute to the solidity, the breadth, and the brilliancy of this mission preached by the Marist Fathers. Very Rev. Father O'Connell on rising to reply was enthusiastically received. He thanked all for their goodness in wishing him well. They must not imagine his confrere was knocked out because he was absent, or that the Rev. Father Clancy was indisposed because he was away. They were both well. Father McCarthy was in Kumara, and Father Clancy was saying Mass in St. Mary's. He referred to the necessity of unity, the establishment of the Catholic Federation and kindred

societies.

The next toast, proposed by Mr. H. Williams, ' The visitors,' was cordially received. Referring to Jihe present reunion as a happy augury of closer relations in the near future, Mr. Williams, on behalf of the town, welcomed the presence of members of the outlying districts, and hoped that one and all would work to extend the membership and operations of the federation of all Catholics in New Zealand.

Mr. Bernard Ward (Arahura) replied. He said, on his own behalf and on that of all the visitors, he thanked Mr. Williams for the welcome extended, and congratulated the promoters of such a splendid gathering. He assured them that they would find no stauncher supporter of the just claims of the Catholic body than himself, and the farming class in general. He would be just to all men, and that same principle bound him irrevocably to demand justice and to win it by every legal and equitable means for his fellow-Catholic men. He looked to the Federation as the only logical, the most practical and ultimately effective fulcrum to lever our claims to the table land of success.

On the conclusion of this spirited address Mr. Wormington proposed ' The committee,' which was responded to by Mr. L. Dwan, who acknowledged in a few well-chosen words the indebtedness of the committee to the many young ladies from Hokitika and Kanieri who had assisted in every way, and to whom was due all the success of the arrangements. St. Mary's was inadequate to accommodate the crowds who came to take part in the closing ceremonies of the mission. At seven o'clock Very Rev. Father O'Connell occupied the pulpit. He was suffering from the great strain of the continuous exercises; his voice, which is of singular power and sweetness, was somewhat impaired. Taking for his text, 'Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee the crown of life/ Father O'Connell outlined briefly the necessary conditions to gain eternal life, and dwelt most forcibly.on the determining quality of perseverance. The renewal of Baptismal vows followed, when the church presented a unique and brilliant scene. Each member of the congregation

standing with lighted candle and uplifted hand renewed his promises of- fidelity to Christ. Thereupon the missionary Father imparted the Papal blessing. Benedict'on of the Blessed Sacrament and congregational singing of 'Hail glorious St. Patrick' brought this memorable mission to a close. V

Out of a Catholic population of 816, 660 went to Confession. During the mission a branch of the Hibernian Society, with a membership of 26, was started. '