THE REDEMPTORISTS IN BALLARAT

New Zealand Tablet, 28 January 1915, Page 41

THE REDEMPTORISTS IN BALLARAT

In the presence of a large and representative gathering, his Lordship Dr. Higgins, Bishop of Ballarat, blessed the foundation stone of the new church at New Monastery for the Redemptorist Fathers at Wendouree, Victoria, recently. After the Bishop had performed the religious ceremonies, he delivered a short address, in which his Lordship said : ‘ It is now some years since a similar function was witnessed on this spot, and perhaps by many now present. When these good Fathers came to Ballarat some 20 years ago, and elected to make their home amongst you, their first •' important undertaking was the laying of the first stone ' their present Monastery. It was an historic celedoration, which was graced by the presence of a CardinalArchbishop, three Archbishops, several Bishops, and a large number of priests and lay friends. The proceedings of the afternoon mean much then that is worth our consideration and sympathy. It means the continuance of the Redemptorist Fathers amongst us in undiminished strength and numbers ; it means the further expansion' of those missionary labors which have con-

tributed so much to the promotion of the glory of God and the salvation of souls; it means the spread of Christian . enlightenment, and the s propagation of those - principles • of virtue, morality, and Christian rectitude. that make for ‘ the spiritual and temporal well-being of every Christian people." ‘ The erection of this new church, which will be an attractive addition to the many ecclesiastical buildings in this diocese, should awaken our interest and call forth our approving recognition, and if that recognition is extended in a practical way .by those who are in a position to do so, it will be much appreciated by the good Fathers, to whom I wish every success in the prosecution of their important undertaking. Very Rev. Father Hunt, C.SS.R., said that they had called for tenders some 18 months ago. The lowest tender received was £15,284, and the highest £23,197. They could not face this expenditure, so they made reductions in the specifications, and called for another lot of tenders. This time the lowest was £14,357, and the highest over £17,000. These figures were also out of the question. 'Subsequently he heard of the firm of Lusk and Moriarty, who gave him their assurance that they would carry out the work as originally designed for about £II,OOO. The Fathers thought the matter over carefully, and decided to hand the work of building the church to the firm named. The first design projected by the Order would be carried out, but changes had been made, not in the direction of economy, but in the way of beautifying the edifice. To disabuse their minds of any idea they might have had, he would tell them that their assistance would be gladly welcomed. All they had in the bank to their credit was £6l, yet they were not afraid of the success of their undertaking, as they relied on the goodness of God and the kindness of the people. The Bishop had set a good example by giving them £SO. He might tell them that he had seen his Lordship’s pass-book, and it showed an overdraft of £4OOO. Other welcome contributions were Count T. O’Loughlin £IOO, anonymous donors £IOO and £SOO, Redemptorist Fathers (Waratah) £2O, the Order in Western Australia £lO, Father Kennedy £5 ss. The contributions given and promised by those present reached a total of £9OO.